Metamora in Winter

For those familiar with our quaint little burg during the October Canal Days festival, or during the December Christmas Walk, Metamora is a much quieter place in the winter. Few tourists roam the streets, few shops are open.

But, for those who venture out for a visit anyway-- and there are actually quite a few of those sort of adventurers-- Metamora will still be found as a lovely little gem hidden just off of Indiana Highway 52 about eight miles west of Brookville. The Whitewater Canal waters still flow melodiously over the waterfall next to the 1800's vintage Grist Mill. Most of the ducks do NOT fly south for the winter, instead choosing to remain local in hopes of handfulls of corn from a few of the local shopkeepers who brave the winter months in town.

During the week, when they get tired of walking through the village to take in the fascinating historical buildings and talking to the ducks, visitors can always count on warming up with one of the self-proclaimed "Best Cappuccinos this side of the Atlantic Ocean" at the "Smelly Gourmet" European Coffee Bar and beauty products manufacturing store on Main Street (closed on Mondays, open the other six days of the week.) And the engaging Master Barista who runs the coffee bar is always ready with animated conversation about his years of living in Italy before he retired from the US Navy Submarine Force.

On weekends, you'll almost always find George and Gail open in their shop on Main Street called "Words and Images/The Train Place". Between George's excitement over his antique lanterns and model trains, and Gail's knowledgeable conversations about art, history and her books (she is also known as "the Book Lady") a visitor will have an enjoyable time.

Next door to George and Gail, in the building with the tall letters spelling out "HOTEL", is the "Walnut Creek Home and Garden" shop, a name that doesn't do justice to the many wonderful handcrafted items by more than twenty artists and craftsmen. In addition to Ron's copper items, you will find handcrafted jewelry, paintings, Candy's wood furniture, long-beard Tony's stained glass, and much more. This place is usually open six day a week, and you'll usually find Ron the coppersmith working away at his craft while Candy, Ron's wife, keeps turning out beautiful art works when she is not (as she usually is) engaged in activities to help get the word out about the wonders of the town of Metamora.

Even in winter, there are still the occasional visitors who spend a weekend or an overnight stay at the Metamora Inn, one of the towns' best-known Bed and Breakfasts, which remains open throughout the winter. The proprietors, Glenn and Jo, live at the Inn and thus remain open throughout the winter. They won't find much night life in town, but for a peaceful, quiet getaway, the natural beauty of the town and the interesting buildings and people make for a very satisfying retreat from the hustle and bustle of life in the big city or annoying corporate environment.