Places to stop if you're heading out of town

Take a short trip to one of these Indiana towns less than 25 miles outside of Bloomington.

NASHVILLE
Distance from Bloomington 19.4 miles
The art scene The Brown County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau calls the county “The Art Colony of the Midwest.” There are 150 different shops in Nashville, and 250 artists live in Brown County. You can make appointments to see the artists’ studios, and some even give lessons, said Sharon Bussert, visitor center employee. Interested in music? Visit some of Nashville’s annual festivals .
Back to nature Brown County State Park is the largest state park in Indiana, and it offers nature enthusiasts the ability to hike, bike, picnic, fish, camp, sled and ride horses. There’s also an indoor water park and indoor and outdoor pools. But if you’d rather see your nature from the sky, Valley Branch Retreat has a zip line.
Something different While in Nashville, check out For Bare Feet, a sock factory that manufactures thousands of socks for different clients and is a league-licensed producer for MLB, NFL, NHL and WNBA. Plus, you can wear your socks while stomping your feet at Mike’s Music and Dance Barn, which offers country line-dance lessons year round.

BEDFORD
Distance from Bloomington 24.6 miles
The wine Carousel Winery is just south of Bedford on State Road 37 on six acres of land. The family business is only seven years old, but has already produced award winning wines. The wines are made of French-American hybrid grapes, and you can taste the fi nished product in the winery’s show room. Plus, picnic tables dot the property for you to enjoy.
The cavern Bluespring Caverns Park houses the longest known subterranean river in the United States — and you can take a tour. Guides pilot one-hour boat tours through the Caverns from Memorial Day to Oct. 31. In addition to the rock formations, you’ll see native blind fi sh and crayfish.

SPENCER
Distance from Bloomington 17.3 miles
Indiana nature McCormick’s Creek State Park has “beautiful scenery in the fall and spring,” said Mike Spinks, project manager of tourism for the Owen County Chamber & Economic Development Corporation. You can hike, fi sh, swim, ride horses or cool off under the natural falls. And the park holds several festivals and events throughout the year for visitors.
Simpler times This year, the Carnegie Library is celebrating its 100-year anniversary. The library stores the records of Owen County. In the spring, summer and fall, Cinema 67, an outdoor drive-in movie theater still in operation, opens its gates to give you a blast from the past.
Rumble no longer Hungry? Spinks recommends stopping at the Hilltop Family Restaurant for its great view and good food, or visit Chambers Smorgasbord for its breakfast, pies and cakes.

MARTINSVILLE
Distance from Bloomington 22.4 miles
Open air Martinsville is home to Paintball Indiana, a 20-acre outdoor paintball facility that is open year round and offers walkon games from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. If you’re in a group that wants to play, Paintball Indiana offers group rates and reservations daily.
Sweet as honey Looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth? Martinsville is also home to Hunter’s Honey Farm, where the Hunter family has been producing natural honey for more than 100 years. You can take a tour of the honey barn, make a candle, take a beehive tour or just purchase honey, sauces, snacks or skin-care products at Hunter’s.