Brown County Offers Train Rides, Santa, Victorian Carolers for Christmas 2013

Okay, I love Brown County (like most peoplee). However, I had no idea until this year they offer cool Christmas things to do. Normally I head down in the Autumn, hit the neat little shop on the left (as you're coming into town) called Holly Shop, and wander about, sipping cider, traipsing through the trails at the state park and shopping (naturally). After that, I wait until Spring to return. But this year? Maybe it's time to head down in November or December.

The Village of Nashville is going old-fashioned with strolling Victorian-costumed carolers, the Little Nashville Express Train and visits with Santa and his elves, and a live nativity scene. Hot chocolate, cookies, caroling and the official lighting of Santa’s tree happens the first weekend of festivities. After that, every weekend is filled with holiday thappenings.

Things to do include: face painting with Santa, the Christmas Light Parade, gingerbread creations, holiday shows, sing-a-longs and victorian candlelight dinners.

Christmas in Brown County Activities

Kick-off Weekend is November 29 – December 1

Gingerbread Competition & Exhibit

November 24 - December 14

8 am-11 pm daily

This exhibit pays tribute to the log cabins of Brown County while challenging participants to

combine their culinary skills with architectural design to create extraordinary works of art.

Location: Brown County Inn

Little Nashville Express Train Rides

November 23 – December 14

See the Village! Board the Express Train for a fun and free ride.

Nov. 23-24, 29-30: Noon-7 pm; Dec. 1: Noon-5 pm; Dec. 7, 14: Noon-6 pm

Visitors Center Holiday Open House

Nov. 29

Join the Visitors Center as they welcome Santa and kick off the holiday season by lighting up

Santa’s Tree. Free hot chocolate and cookies. Open House and visits with Santa 2 pm-6 pm

Location: Visitors Center Patio

Santa Sightings

Nov. 29-Dec. 1

Bring the family and visit with Santa Thanksgiving weekend.
Friday 2 pm–6 pm; Saturday 11 am-5 pm; Sunday Noon-4 pm. Location: Visitors Center Patio

Strolling Carolers

Nov. 29-Dec. 1

Enjoy a holiday song from strolling carolers in the Village

Friday 2 pm–6 pm; Saturday 11 am-5 pm; Sunday Noon-4 pm.

Live Nativity Scene

Nov. 30

Enjoy live nativity scenes throughout the Village of Nashville from 1 pm-3 pm.

Final scenes will end at the corner of Mound Street and North Van Buren Street by the Holly Shop.

For more information: ChristmasinBrownCounty.com. 

For details about other Brown County events, tourist attractions and lodging: BrownCounty.com.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Indiana's Covered Bridge Loop

Experience Indiana’s Covered Bridge Loop in Southern Indiana

Six Counties. Nine Bridges. One Great Trail.

The Indiana Covered Bridge Loop is an approximately 216 mile route featuring nine historic covered bridges scattered over waterways in Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings and Lawrence counties.

Click here for downloadable map and directions.

The Loop features single, double and triple span bridges, and the only remaining double tunnel bridge in Indiana all built by well-known master craftsmen. Four of the bridges are featured on the National Register of Historic Places. See the oldest covered bridge in Indiana built in 1838, now residing at the Brown County State Park, and the longest three span covered bridge in the United States just outside of Medora, Indiana. Visitors can experience driving through six of the covered bridges.

Visitors tour two significant covered bridges on the Loop through Jackson County both built by master builder Joseph J. Daniels.  The restored triple-span Medora Covered Bridge, built in 1875, is an example of Daniels’ use of Multiple King Post Truss construction with Double Burr Arch design.


The Shieldstown Covered Bridge, built one year later, was the last covered bridge constructed in Jackson County. Built at a cost of $13,600, the two-span bridge is 355 feet long and spans the East Fork of the White River.

The Indiana Covered Bridge Loop brochure serves as an information guide and is complete with a map, GPS coordinates and a brief description accompanied by bridge photos. Loop brochures are available at the Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, and Lawrence County Visitors Centers and online.

For information call the Jackson County Visitor Center at 888-524-1914 or visit jacksoncountyin.com

Photos submitted by Jackson County Visitor Center.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.