Lawrence, IN

Lawrence sits just northeast of Indianapolis, offering a distinct small-town feel while staying closely plugged into the wider metro area. Much of the community centers around Fort Benjamin Harrison, a former U.S. Army base that closed in the mid-1990s and has since become the city's lively core. Instead of sitting vacant, the grounds were repurposed into a blend of state parkland, historic residential pockets, and thriving local spots. It gives Lawrence a unique character, pairing century-old brick architecture with modern neighborhood amenities.

ATTRValerie Everett / CC BY-SA 2.0

Today, the Fort Ben district stays active all week long. Major employers like the Defense Finance and Accounting Service provide thousands of jobs on campus, alongside active National Guard facilities. Around them, historic officers' quarters, converted barracks, and newer buildings now house local restaurants, breweries, offices, and apartments. It works like a walkable village center where residents can grab lunch on a patio, run errands, or head out for an evening walk along tree-lined streets.

ATTRIndymediaspecialist / CC BY-SA 4.0

Right next door, Fort Harrison State Park preserves 1,700 acres of wooded hills, scenic waterways, and open green space. Locals treat it as an everyday backyard for jogging, cycling, and dog walking. The paved Harrison Trace trail is popular for strollers and road bikes, while dirt paths like the Lawrence Creek Trail take you deeper into quiet ravines and peaceful forest. With an 18-hole golf course, fishing spots, a winter sledding hill, and the historic Fort Harrison Inn, having a full state park attached to town is one of the area's best perks.

ATTRONUnicorn / CC BY-SA 4.0

Just outside the park gates, the Fort Ben Cultural Campus brings neighbors together for lawn games, art classes, live music, and seasonal festivals. Summer and fall Thursday evenings bring a popular farmers market to the plaza, and the adjacent Fort Ben library offers bright study spaces, community rooms, and accessible family programming. With IndyGo's Purple Line rapid transit offering frequent, direct rides into downtown Indianapolis, Lawrence makes it easy to enjoy expansive nature, local culture, and city convenience in one spot.