With our endless outdoor adventure, always busy event calendar, treat-filled downtown Village, and our cozy cabins and inns, Brown County is a great place to spend some time with the kiddos! And, we’re most likely only a short drive away from you!
Check out these fun, kid-approved activities and get busy planning your family trip to Brown County today!
Take a Hike!
Head to Brown County State Park, the largest state park in Indiana! Try the short, easy and paved Friends Trail, or learn about nature on the Discovery Trail. Trail 6 around Strahl Lake and Trail 7 around Ogle Lake are good ones, too! Swing by the Nature Center while you’re at it for programs, workshops, or just to learn about all of Brown County’s creatures and critters! Plus, make sure to do the 7 Vista Challenge for a fun and easy way to get Spring Break family photo ops!
Click here for other places to hike too!
Go Mountain Biking!
Did you know Brown County is a nationally-recognized hotspot for mountain biking? Hit the Bronze Level Ride Center Trails in the Brown County State Park to see why! Limekiln and Pine Loop Trails are great for families and beginners. As long as the trails aren’t wet, you’ve got the green light to go biking!
Zip Line Through the Trees!
Zoom through the beautiful Brown County forest on a zip lining tour with eXplore Brown County at Valley Branch Retreat. Great for thrill-seekers of all ages!
Go Horseback Riding!
Nothing says adventure like a horseback ride through the hills! Horseback riding is available at Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides and the Brown County State Park Saddle Barn. The Saddle Barn in the State Park even offers parent-assisted pony rides for the really young ones!
Go Extreme with Arrow Tag, ATV/Buggy/Hummer Tours, & Paintball!
A mecca for outdoor adventure, head to eXplore Brown County for exhilarating fun! From cruising around on an ATV, hill climb buggy, or in a humvee to dodging paintballs or rubber-tipped arrows, it’s sure to be a good time!
Hit the Water on a Kayak or Boat Trip!
Let a long-time local and environmental expert take you on a journey along the backwaters of Brown County! Take in the scenery and see wildlife on either a kayak or boat excursion with Pathfinder Outfitters.
Check out our Paddling 101: 5 Reasons Why You’ll Love Paddling Through Brown County blog to see all of the fun ways to explore Brown County by water!
Play Some Disc Golf!
Grab those discs and head to BC3 (Brown County Country Club) or Deer Run Park for a riveting game of disc golf. You can even rent or buy a set of discs at the Visitors Center!
Go Gold Panning!
Get off the beaten path and go gold panning at the Gatesville Country Store! See if you can find some treasure in the Salt Creek and grab a bite to eat at the store while you’re there!
Get Splashin’!
The kiddos will definitely love it if you stay in a place with a pool! Book your stay at one of Brown County’s hotels with a pool, or stay at the Abe Martin Lodge in Brown County State Park to surprise the family with an indoor aquatic center!
Check out our blog, Splishin’ and Splashin’ in Brown County: Lodging with Pools!
See How It’s Made!
Stroll through the Village to see how Brown County’s handcrafted tradition is kept alive! Stop by the Brown County Weavery, Lawrence Family Glassblowers, Wooden Wonders, Quintessence Gallery, The Candy Dish, Carmel Corn Cottage, Miller’s Ice Cream, Nashville Fudge Kitchen, Jack and Jill Nut Shop, Heritage Candy, and Schwab’s Fudge for live demonstrations!Â
Pan for Gems, Fossils, and Arrowheads!
Head to Copperhead Creek Gem Mine at the Brown County Rock Shop for some unique fun! Take a seat at the flowing water sluice, shake, and see what wonderful treasures you uncover. As long as it’s warm enough for the water to be thawed, you should be good to go.
Step Back in Time!
You won’t have to go far to be transported to another time period! Pop in the Brown County History Center to learn more about Brown County’s unique past or make your way over to Pioneer Village to take a peek at the old schoolhouse and log jail. Drive out to T.C. Steele State Historic Site to tour the old home and studio of the first major artist to settle in Brown County. You can even dress up like the good ol’ days for a picture at Yesteryear Old Time Photo.
Take a Break at the Village Green!
Take a break from the shops and check out the Village Green Playscape (corner of Main and Jefferson Streets)! Sit down for a quick game of checkers, climb on the wood logs, tinker with the sensory gate…all things there are interactive and Brown County-made!
Play the Day Away!
Plan on grabbing some food at the Brown County Inn so you can check out their awesome playground. They even have a few holes of mini golf there! Or, you can always visit Deer Run Park, roughly a mile from town, for a super-size playground, walking trails, ball fields, and more!
Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy the Show!
The Brown County Playhouse often shows movies on their big screen. View our online event calendar to see what kind of events and entertainment will be happening during your visit!
Hit Up Some Kid-Tastic Shops!
Check out Brown County’s kid-centric, kid-approved shops:
Ready to start planning your visit? Request your FREE Kid-Approved Guide to Brown County!
Kid-Approved Guide
With adventure around every corner, Brown County is the perfect place to explore with your family!
Simply fill out the form below to download your FREE Kids Guide and discover why kids LOVE Brown County. (We know you will too!)
