Small town in Indiana named 'utopia in the Midwest'

A small town in Indiana has been named 'utopia in the Midwest' for its small town feel, historic charm, luscious green spaces and affordable homes. 

New Harmony, a chocolate-box town three hours drive south of Indianapolis, was given the exultant title by travel publication Islands earlier this month. 

The tiny town of just 700 residents was originally founded back in 1814, by Lutheran separatists who left their homes in Pennsylvania in an attempt to build a utopia elsewhere. 

The group cleared 2,000 acres of forest and built 80 buildings along the Wabash River for their new settlement. 

The early residents built breweries, textile and barrel making workshops among other ventures. 

The town today continues to attract small local creatives and artists who draw inspiration from its beautiful setting. 

Every year New Harmony hosts the highly anticipated First Brush of Spring art festival.

The event sees artists from around the country camp outside with their easels, canvas, and paints to create their art in the open air.

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'The idyllic town is 26 miles northwest of Evansville and perfect for a weekend trip,' Islands wrote.

'It has something for everyone - tours, garden labyrinths, contemporary art galleries, and antique shopping.' 

The town is so small that the best way to get around is by golf cart, costing around $5 a day to rent.

Housing in the town is also more affordable than in many parts of the country - and other more expensive Midwest locales.

The median listing home price in New Harmony was $290,000 in October, according to Realtor.com. 

That is less than the average cost of a home in the US as a whole, which was $404,500 as of September, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. 

Homes also typically only stay on the market for 52 days in New Harmony, according to Zillow, as they are being snapped up by eager buyers. 

Visitors, meanwhile, can enjoy the two-hour History Tour via tram, visiting the most significant historic sites such as the Lenz House, which dates from the early 1800s.  

The Haunted New Harmony walking tour is a popular alternative, especially around Halloween. 

History buffs may also enjoy the Working Men's Institute, founded in 1838.

It is a library and natural history museum housing cultural artifacts and geological specimens among a treasure trove of other finds. 

The town's founders also built a stunning shrub labyrinth as a place for quiet contemplation. 

The labyrinth, which is free of charge, only has one path that will take you to the center, a nod to 'the pioneers' efforts to identify the true course of life,' Islands wrote. 

In keeping with the town's utopic aims, the Roofless Church is a striking modernist structure that looks like a collapsed roof. 

The church, whose promenade is the size of a city block, is open to all faiths. 

The Red Geranium Restaurant is a local fine-dining favorite known for their fried goat cheese and French onion soup. 

Nearby Say's Restaurant serves comfort food in a colorful and welcoming atmosphere. 

Art lovers can indulge in the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, which has a range of exhibitions every year. 

It also had a much-loved gift shop where visitors can pick up artist-made home decor, ceramics, jewelry, and more.

New Harmony is also an antique hotspot, hosting the annual Antique Show & Cruise-In.

The Antique Emporium and Firehouse Antiques are also popular antiques stores specializing in Americana.