Let me tell you about a treasure of a tiny town that I stumbled upon during our summer travels. Needing an overnight stop between West Virginia and Lake of the Ozarks (because wow, that’s a long trip and I hate driving all day), we wound up in New Harmony, Indiana. Which happens to be right about at the halfway mark. Little did I know, this sleepy little town would make such an impression on me.
We stayed at the New Harmony Inn, Resort and Conference Center, and I was pleasantly surprised by our lake view rooms in the Rosebank Building. The accommodations were rather charming, and even included a walkout patio with seating overlooking the lake. I was also very pleased with the Inn’s restaurant, The Red Geranium, where we had an amazing dinner.
However, the exploration of this place is what really drew me in. Our first stop was the Atheneum Visitors Center, which offers guided tours, visitor info (obviously…), a fun Museum Shop, and a large theater that shows short films on the captivating history of the town. The building itself is also quite renowned for its modern architecture, which at first seems quite at odds with its antiquated and quaint surroundings, but somehow it all just jives in the enchantment that is New Harmony.
Other stops included several neat shops along Main Street where the façades were utterly picturesque. Our favorite was undoubtedly Capers Emporium & Bakery, which was chock-full of so many fun things that you practically just want to turn your wallet upside-down and dump it out. (Psst… if you visit, you might also find my Navigating North Journal™ and other publications on their shelves!) Another spiffy shop was Artefakts, which had quite an eclectic array of vintage items, and if you’re into skin care, you’d probably love the New Harmony Soap Company (which you will also find samples of in the Inn). These are just to name a few. There’s truly a fabulous and art-centered shopping experience there that you won’t find anywhere else.
But wait; there’s more! Apart from great food and fun shopping opportunities, this place is a whole VIBE. It’s actually a little hard to explain. I can tell you that my hippie soul fell in love. And I’m more than certain that it will also, without a doubt, appeal to spiritual and religious folks, as well as historians and ghost hunters. Not to mention, it’s a great place for a retreat!
The history of New Harmony is downright fascinating. It’s the location of two different utopian communities. (I actually encourage you to read more about all of that here.) And the centuries old buildings around town do more than add character to the historical district, they stand as testament to the long-ago builders and their dreams of peace and unity.
I also understand many, if not all, of those structures are supposed to be haunted – maybe even the whole town… And it’s said that the “veil is very thin” in New Harmony. (Though I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely sure what that means.) Had we stayed longer, I might have liked to go on one of the popular ghost tours, but I settled for snagging a copy of Haunted New Harmony by Joni Mayhan, the paranormal investigator who leads said tours.
Hauntings and history aside, my absolute FAVORITE thing about New Harmony was the Cathedral Labyrinth! This large labyrinth sits nestled in a serene garden, complete with a babbling fountain, and is comprised of granite segments that are pieced together and etched with the same labyrinth pattern found in the Chartres Cathedral (built in the 12th century near Paris, France). This beautiful prayer labyrinth provides a walking meditation that is both symbolic and reflective. It is intended to be transformative for the spirit. I walked it barefoot, in the rain, and did a happy dance once I reached the center before I walked my way out. I. Loved. It. New Harmony actually has another labyrinth made of bushes somewhere, but we didn’t find it before we had to get back on the road.
Other delightful attractions that we got to see were the impressive Roofless Church, which is an interdenominational sanctuary for all religions. This unusual, but beautiful space is quite peaceful, and is also a popular location for weddings. A short stroll across the street is Carol’s Garden that has beautiful flowers and a memorial fountain at the center. And another notable stop was the Chapel of the Little Portion, which was the tiniest, most adorable, church I’ve ever seen. (We later discovered that you can get a key to go inside at the front desk of the inn.) I regret that our travel schedule didn’t allow for more time to explore New Harmony to its fullest because there are so many other places to see and things to do, that we simply couldn’t cram it all in before we had to leave.
New Harmony is certainly a destination I’d recommend if you’re looking for a truly unique stay, full of history, mystery and magic. It’s soul refreshing… I know that I’d definitely return for a longer visit so that we can better appreciate all this little town has to offer.
PS: There are also golf cart rentals available so you can putter around town to see all the sights.
PPS: I’m now slightly obsessed with the Cathedral Labyrinth, and have just added Chartres Cathedral to my “things to see list” whenever I make it to Paris.
🙂
