A Quaint Indiana Town Hides Underground Adventures, A Charming Walkable Downtown, And Historic Streets

Corydon is a tiny town at the southern reaches of Indiana. Just minutes from the Kentucky border and 30 minutes from the bustling streets of Louisville, it's a quiet retreat from the city offering a walkable downtown, tons of intriguing local history, and quick access to a series of remarkable caverns — making Corydon a truly unique destination in southern Indiana. Originally founded in 1808 and serving as the capital for several years before Indianapolis took over in 1825, the town is a historically significant destination that's an absolute joy to explore.

While it might be small based on its population, Corydon is big on amenities. Its walkable downtown is a wonderful way to spend an evening, the Indiana Caverns is a must-visit attraction right in town, and the Harrison-Crawford State Forest provides you with countless adventures in the surrounding countryside. And if you don't mind driving less than two hours south, you can visit an impressive Kentucky national park promising extraordinary underground excursions.

Getting to Corydon is easy — just fly into the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and drive 30 minutes west. Before heading out to Corydon, stop by Louisville's artsiest district for trendy restaurants and shops. As for lodging, it's hard to beat Kintner House Inn. Not only does it feature charming rooms and an eclectic mix of country and Victorian charm, but it's also ideally located smack in the heart of downtown. That means you'll have multiple restaurants, shops, and even the Harrison County Fairgrounds right at your doorstep.

1816 Modern Kitchen & Drinks — Corydon's highest reviewed restaurant on Tripadvisor — is just across the street from Kintner House Inn. The Asian fusion restaurant serves farm-to-table dishes with upscale presentation, and it's housed inside a historic Italianate building from 1892. Need a pick-me-up in the morning? Stroll over to the KentJava Bar to enjoy a menu filled with delicious coffee, lattes, and espressos.

Be sure to bring an empty suitcase with you, as Corydon is packed with fun specialty shops. Vintage Treasures Antique Mall & Flea Emporium is a country-styled shop with everything from honey and wine to plateware and vintage clothing, while the nearby Zimmerman Art Glass is the perfect spot to grab locally crafted artwork. In between all the shopping, make a quick stop at the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site and Harrison County Discovery Center — both are in the heart of downtown, providing you with a detailed look at the region's past.

Aside from Corydon's historic streets and walkable downtown, it's also the ideal home base if you're interested in exploring southern Indiana and Kentucky's most unique cave systems. Corydon itself is home to the Indiana Caverns. Offering cave tours and other activities like gemstone mining and a zipline, it's a fun destination for the whole family. The cave is likely the most interesting portion, however, as inside you'll find Ice Age bones, fossils, and a massive 40-foot waterfall. That's just a few feet shy of Indiana's largest waterfall by volume in Lieber State Recreation Area.

Further south is Squire Boone Caverns. This living cave features active waterways, flowing waterfalls, and picturesque stalactites and stalagmites adorning its ceiling and floors. Head even further south to find the iconic Mammoth Caves National Park in Kentucky. It's less than two hours one way, and you'll be treated to the world's longest known cave system. The park spans over 52,000 acres and offers other outdoor excursions like hiking, biking, and camping.

If you want to do some hiking but don't want to venture far from downtown Corydon, Harrison-Crawford State Forest and O'Bannon Woods State Park are your best options. This area is where you'll find the scenic Blue River Bluff Trail Short Loop — winding along the Ohio River, it grants wonderful water views plus a glimpse of the rolling hills in southern Indiana and Kentucky.