Batesville

French design distinguishes one of Indiana’s biggest homes.

The lavish show at the Alexander hotel brought together local salons to raise awareness for clean water in Central Indiana. Eye-popping outfits ahead.

Inside, it’s a low-lit den of charmingly old-school Bavarian motifs with dark-paneled walls, dangling antique farm implements, and barstools upholstered in deep ruby and avocado—fancy digs for an 11,000-square-foot converted chicken coop that opened last year on the 141-acre Walhill Farm.

When city-dwellers dream of the simple life, what they imagine are the petite gems of Indiana’s countryside. And it turns out these places are even prettier, the people friendlier, and the autumn leaves more colorful in real life. It’s honest-to-God Americana—only small. You have to look for it (as we did on these five trips). But don’t worry, you’ll find it. Just be sure to drive slowly, or you might blink and—well, you know.