By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-21 15:06:24 | Updated at 2025-04-04 01:58:14
1 week ago
Twenty towns are vying for the top spot in a national poll for picking the best small town in the Midwest in 2025 – and one state features two spots that have made it into the top five.
Each town listed has with a population of fewer than 25,000, and all of them feature their own individual charm.
Among the towns listed in the USA Today poll are Augusta, MO, Carbondale, IL., Council Grove, KS, and Dyersville, and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Indian has two – Madison and Vevay – which are currently rank third and fourth respectively in the online contest.
Madison is a picturesque community that sits along the banks of the Ohio River and is surrounded by Clifty Falls State Park.
There are river boat tours and air shows in the town, along with multiple car shows, art festivals, and music events.
Madison boasts well-preserved, 19th century historic sites and museums to tour.
There is an abundance of Federal, Italianate, and Greek Revival structures with walking tours for architectural enthusiasts.
Madison is a picturesque community that sits along the banks of the Ohio River
Quaint shops and many restaurants line the streets in the center of town
There is plenty of outdoor space, including a waterfall and multiple parks
Train buffs can visit the Railroad Museum and History Center to see an authentic red caboose or hit downtown where there are art galleries and 25 locally-owned eateries and cafes with all types of food.
Vevay, pronounced vee-vee, has a population of around just 2,000 and the town's post office has been operating since 1816.
It's located halfway between Cincinnati, OH, and Louisville, KY, and is known to be the home to the first commercial winery in the country.
Every year the Swiss Wine Festival comes to town, where festival goers can sip a variety of Indiana’s wines and stomp grapes.
The town won the best Midwest town poll in 2023, coming in at number one and in 2024, it made the top five.
Vevay has its quirks. For instance, the town's famous mascot is a dead goat named Fred and people travel from near and far for the homemade breadsticks over the river at Roxano's.
There are multiple restaurants, including Mexican, German, Japanese, a diner, a steakhouse, and a cafe.
And in 2022, celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D made headlines when she announced she was leaving Los Angeles and moving to Vevay.
There's plenty to do outside during the snow-covered Madison, IN winters
A stunning water fountain sits in the center of town in Madison, IN
In 2022, celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D made headlines when she moved to Vevay, IN
Vevay is a quirky small town whose famous mascot is a dead goat named Fred
Vevay sits in Switzerland County, IN, and is rich in architectural history
The town is located halfway between Cincinnati, OH, and Louisville, KY
Vevay is known to be home to the first commercial winery in the country
She chose it after touring a historic mansion online, which she purchased for $1.5 million.
'It’s official! Vevay, Indiana, here we come!' she posted on Instagram at the time.
The town is also the subject of a song by the late country singer Jack Reno, who first performed it in 'Vevay, Indiana' in 1978.
Some other spots that made the list of the best 20 small towns are Marysville, KS, Mitchell, SD Nashville, IN, Petoskey, MI, and Stillwater, MN.
