If you’re looking for a small-town Indiana getaway that feels like a little escape from everyday life, put Rockville, Indiana on your list.
Located in Parke County, Rockville is surrounded by covered bridges, historic sites, beautiful trails, and locally owned businesses that make a visit feel like home.
You can spend the morning sipping coffee on the courthouse square, wander through a recreated historic village, hike through sandstone canyons, and end the day enjoying a wine tasting in the basement of an old jail.
And if you don’t want the fun to end after one day, you can even spend the night behind bars. Here’s how I’d spend a day, or even a weekend, exploring Rockville and the surrounding area:
Start Your Day at 1880 Mustard Seed
Begin your Rockville adventure downtown at 1880 Mustard Seed.
Located on the courthouse square, this locally owned coffee shop sits inside a historic building dating back to 1880. The shop opened in 2025 and has quickly become a cozy gathering place in the heart of town.
The atmosphere is exactly what you want from a small-town coffee shop. It’s warm, welcoming, and the kind of place where you could easily linger over a cup of coffee instead of rushing through your morning.
And because you’re already on the square, you can take some time to wander around downtown before heading to your next stop.
Step Back in Time at Billie Creek Village
Just about a mile east of Rockville is Billie Creek Village, a recreated turn-of-the-century village that feels like you’ve stepped into another era.
The village was established to preserve Parke County’s history and now includes more than 30 historic structures, including a general store, churches, a one-room schoolhouse, historic homes, and other buildings filled with artifacts.
One of the things that makes Billie Creek especially fun is that you don’t have to rush through it. It’s a place to wander. Take your time walking around the grounds, looking inside the historic buildings when they’re open, and checking out the covered bridges scattered throughout the property.
There are three covered bridges associated with the village, including Billie Creek Bridge, Leatherwood Station Bridge, and Beeson Bridge.
Tip: Billie Creek’s hours can vary depending on the season and special events, so check its current schedule before you go. The village notes that the grounds are generally open for daytime exploration, while individual buildings and amenities may have different hours.
Stop for Lunch at The Ranch
After exploring Billie Creek Village, it’s time to refuel.
Head over to The Ranch for lunch, a fun and unexpected dining stop just outside Rockville on U.S. 36.
The Ranch describes itself as a swanky, quaint café with a menu that goes well beyond typical small-town fare. You’ll find sandwiches, wraps, paninis, salads, pizzas, burgers, and heartier entrées, along with specialty cocktails.
Make Your Way Back to Town for a Very Unusual Wine Tasting
Now for one of Rockville’s most memorable experiences.
Head to the Drunk Tank Winery, located in the basement of the Old Jail Inn.
The Old Jail Inn was originally the Parke County Jail, built in 1879 and used as a jail until 1998. Today, many of the original cells have been transformed into guest rooms, while the basement houses the Drunk Tank Winery.
The winery has a wonderfully quirky atmosphere, and it’s the kind of place where the experience is about more than simply sampling wine. Visitors have described the atmosphere as fun, eclectic, and entertaining, with plenty of personality behind the bar.
Make It an Overnight at the Old Jail Inn
If you’re going to visit the Drunk Tank Winery, why not take the experience one step further?
Spend the night in the old jail.
The The Jailhouse Inn, better known as the Old Jail Inn, offers guests the chance to stay inside the former Parke County jail.
Some of the original jail cells have been converted into guest rooms, complete with their original barred doors. There are also suites for those who want a little more space while still getting the quirky jailhouse experience.
It’s definitely not your typical hotel stay, which is exactly what makes it so fun.
Then Get Outside at Turkey Run State Park
If you have another day to explore, make the short drive over to Turkey Run State Park.
Turkey Run has trails ranging from easy to very rugged, so there’s something for different hiking abilities. Some trails wind through deep canyons, while others take you along cliff edges or through the park’s famous ladders.
One of the most memorable features is the suspension bridge over Sugar Creek, which leads toward the Rocky Hollow-Falls Canyon Nature Preserve.
For those looking for a challenge, the park’s 5 Mile Challenge takes hikers through three canyons, across the suspension bridge, up a ladder, and past historic sites. The Indiana DNR recommends allowing roughly two to three hours for the challenge.
Just keep in mind that many of the trails can become slick or impassable after heavy rain, and some trails are quite rugged. Check current trail conditions before heading out.
Why Rockville Makes Such a Great Weekend Getaway
What I love about a Rockville trip is that you don’t have to choose between relaxing and adventure. You can have both.
Your morning might start with coffee in a historic building. Then you’re wandering through a recreated turn-of-the-century village and admiring covered bridges. By afternoon, you’re tasting wine in the basement of an old jail. And if you stay overnight, you can literally sleep in that same historic building before heading out for a day of hiking through the canyons at Turkey Run.
It’s a little quirky, a little nostalgic, and very Indiana… and that’s what makes it such a fun place to explore.
If You Only Have One Day
Start at 1880 Mustard Seed for coffee and breakfast, then head to Billie Creek Village to explore the historic buildings and covered bridges.
Return to downtown Rockville for lunch and some time exploring the square before ending your afternoon with a tasting at Drunk Tank Winery.
If you don’t have time for an overnight, you’ve still packed a lot into one day.
Our Rockville day would look something like this:
☕ Start the morning with coffee at 1880 Mustard Seed
🏘️ Explore Billie Creek Village
🍴 Stop for lunch at The Ranch
🌉 Spend some time exploring Parke County’s covered bridges
🍷 Head to Drunk Tank Winery
🔐 Stay overnight at the Old Jail Inn if you’re making it a weekend
🥾 Spend the next day exploring Turkey Run State Park
And if you’re visiting during one of Parke County’s many covered bridge events or festivals, you’ll have even more reason to turn your visit into a full weekend.
Before visiting, check each attraction’s current hours, event schedule, and availability, especially for Billie Creek Village and Drunk Tank Winery, as schedules can vary seasonally.
— Brittany | Indy Family Fun