One of my favorite features of a small town is the presence of a courthouse – and Rensselaer boasts an imposing Gothic styled three story courthouse with stone-carved figures and expressive (translation: creepy) faces that have watched over the town since 1896.  Inside, well, let’s just say you are in for a surprise, but here‘s a hint: marble flooring, stenciled ceilings…super sharp.  Be sure to poke around!

Surrounding the massive courthouse, “The Square”,  is where much of the action in town takes place.  Cobblestone streets line two sides and it isn’t hard to imagine the sounds of horse hooves once clacking along pulling carriages in front of the turn-of-the century buildings.

Sure, some could use a little TLC, but for the most part it is a really neat downtown with some fun little shops – and such nice people!  Everyone is ready with a smile or a simple “hello.”  I love that!

The great thing about Rensselaer, Indiana, though, is that there always seems to be something going on …many times located on The Square itself.  Art in the Alley, Little Cousin Jasper, the County Fair, Oktoberfest, Art Camp…and the list goes on.  That doesn’t even count the events and activities that occur at St Joseph’s college!

Rensselaer, Indiana is a great choice for a fun-filled, family-oriented small town escape.

Rensselaer, Indiana; Jasper County

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A long main drag, Michigan Street, is lined with amazing home after amazing home, surrounding an awesomely preserved downtown.  Park the car and walk around not only the downtown, but a chunk of Michigan Street as well.  Really great homes here!

Plymouth, Indiana has a rather large number of shops in its downtown section and a neat old-fashioned movie theater.  Clothing, antiques, and one of a kinds interrupted by the occasional café, restaurant, pub, or office.

Once the shopping is out of the way, reward the kiddies with a trip to Centennial Park.  There are a mess of paved running/biking/roller blading trails and a huge wooden playground that can’t be beat.  It has lots of creative nooks, crannies, and bridges for kids to climb up and crawl through — there’s even a jail!  I love it!  I mean, the kid loves it!  I just suffer through.

Anyway, Plymouth, Indiana is also home to the world-famous Blueberry Festival (ok, maybe not world famous, but you would think so to hear my husband talk about it!). 

Well, The Blueberry Festival just so happens to be the largest three day festival in the Midwest, with the biggest craft section I have ever, ever seen!  There are also carnival games, a marathon, hot air balloon launches, kids rides, and a bunch of those nausea inducing, gravity defying rides for brave souls (yeah, NO).

Otherwise, the summer brings a nice farmers’ market on River and East Garro.  Choose from locally grown and mostly inexpensive farm fresh produce as well as a smattering of other locally made wares and crafts.  You never know what you are going to find.  Tip: do a walk-through first THEN buy after you have a chance to compare prices!

It’s a really nice looking town and I am hoping to get back there one of these days and stay in one of the super cute bed and breakfasts.  When I do…you’ll be the first to know!

Plymouth, Indiana; Marshall County

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