Unique Things to Do in New Harmony, Indiana

Embark on a three-hour day trip from Indianapolis to New Harmony, Indiana, a charming small town with a unique history.

New Harmony is a charming small town in southwestern Indiana located right along the Wabash River and about 30 minutes from Evansville.

Located along the scenic Wabash River, New Harmony once was the site of not one but two failed utopian societies.

Discover the best times to visit, exciting things to do in New Harmony, Indiana, and the great restaurants in town.

Things to Remember When Visiting New Harmony, Indiana

• New Harmony, Indiana is on central time.
• If you are coming from Indianapolis, the drive to New Harmony takes approximately three hours. We noticed on the last hour of the drive that we did not pass any gas stations or places to get food. Therefore, Make sure to fill up on gas and grab food if needed before you are one hour away.

The Best Time to Visit New Harmony, Indiana

The best time to plan your Indiana day trip to New Harmony is over the weekend since most of the restaurants, shops, and other things to do are usually only open on the weekend.

New Harmony is very walkable due to its small size so it is best to visit when the weather is good.

Visiting New Harmony in the fall would be a great time to visit due to the vibrant fall foliage and great weather.

If you are able, time your trip to New Harmony to coincide with the town’s biggest festival – Kunstfest.

This festival celebrates New Harmony’s German heritage, and it will be held on September 16-17 in 2023. Enjoy live entertainment, yummy food, crafts, and much more during this lively celebration.

Places to Stay in New Harmony, Indiana

Depending where you are coming from, New Harmony can easily be explored in one day.

If you are coming from further away or are wanting to stay the night, I recommend staying at New Harmony Inn as it is located in the heart of town.

Places to Eat in New Harmony, Indiana

Breakfast at The Main Cafe

You most likely worked up an appetite on your road trip so start your day at The Main Cafe for some great breakfast food (please note, they are closed on Sundays).

Coffee at Black Lodge Coffee Roasters

After breakfast, grab some great coffee at Black Lodge Coffee Roasters to fuel up for the day ahead.

I got an iced honey vanilla latte and loved it – I even got a second one before we left!

The interior of this coffee shop is unique as it is inspired by the TV show Twin Peaks.

It is the only coffee shop in New Harmony!

Lunch at the Yellow Tavern

The Yellow Tavern is a popular restaurant in New Harmony to grab lunch.

Look how cute the exterior of this building is!

Grab Dinner at the Red Geranium

Wrap up your day with dinner at the Red Geranium.

This is one of the pricier restaurants in New Harmony but it has some delicious food!

We actually went here for brunch on a Saturday and loved our food.

The waffle topped with fresh fruit and served with a side of strawberry butter was delicious. The Greek salad was tasty as well!

Things to Do in New Harmony, Indiana

Visit New Harmony’s Farmer’s Market

If you’re in New Harmony on a Saturday, head to the Working Men’s Institute on Tavern Street and explore the farmer’s market, open from April to November, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

There are a handful of local vendors that offer local produce, baked goods, and homemade crafts.

Browse the Local Shops in New Harmony

Take a stroll through downtown New Harmony and browse the charming shops along the way.

Most of the shops start opening around 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. if you visit on a Saturday.

Here are some shops in New Harmony I recommend checking out:

• Lowry Hollow – My favorite shop in New Harmony! It offers a wide array of items ranging from home décor, antiques, kids items, & more. The owner of the store was super sweet and gave us some great recommendations on things to do in New Harmony which was appreciated!
• Capers Emporium – This large shop offers a large variety of kitchen items and gifts. They have a bakery/cooking area of the store, and if you are lucky, they might have a cooking/baking class while you are there. Check out their Facebook page for event details.
• Golden Rose –  A florist, gifts, and sweets shop.
• Back Beats Record Store – A gently used books, records, and antiques store

Drive a Golf Cart Along the Wabash River

After lunch, rent a golf cart from New Harmony Inn and explore Harmonie State Park’s scenic trails alongside the Wabash River.

We rented a four-person golf cart for an hour, and it cost $18. An hour was the perfect length of time for us.

You can also choose to rent it for $60 for the day, or if you need a six-person golf cart, it is $30/hour or $90 for the whole day.

It was a fun way to explore the streets of New Harmony as well.

Fun fact – almost all of the local residents own a golf cart and get around town on their golf carts.

Visit the Two Labyrinths in New Harmony

• Harmonists Labyrinth
• Cathedral Labyrinth

New Harmony is famous for its history which starts with these two labyrinths, and they offer a unique experience to be out in nature. 

Fun fact – a labyrinth is different from a maze in that it only has one path to follow so no worries about getting lost!

See the Roofless Church

Designed by architect Philip Johnson, the interdenominational Roofless Church stands as an open and inclusive spiritual space.

Fun fact – this is a popular outdoor wedding venue!

Experience the perfect blend of history and nature on a day trip from Indianapolis to New Harmony, Indiana.

If you are looking for a fun place to go in Indiana, make sure to add the charming small town of New Harmony, Indiana to your list!