Martinsville is a scenic, small-town city in the heart of Indiana.

A warm welcome greets you as you enter Martinsville, where scenic southern Indiana begins. Rolling hills unfold, and lush forestry paints a vibrant green canvas that bursts into a colorful collage in the fall. 

Martinsville is perfectly nestled between Indianapolis and Bloomington with about 12,000 residents that call our city home. A collection of beautiful lakes, expansive farms, golf courses, and mature forests surround the center of town, cradling our city in nature. This contrast of diverse environments is a magnetic force that draws us together as a community. 

With such beauty to explore, Martinsville natives often choose to become lifelong residents. I found my place here a little later in life, but I was never made to feel like a transplant. In fact, I was welcomed with open arms, as if I was coming back home. This warmth extended effortlessly to my children, who quickly made friends in the community. 

Over the years, I’ve moved all over Indiana, from the shores of Lake Michigan to the hills of Brown County. But I can honestly say that I’m a Martinsville Artesian at heart—and there’s no place like home.

Martinsville is a historic community with lots to discover.

This city is a haven for those seeking small-town charm with modern amenities. In downtown Martinsville, you’ll find a hub of historical significance that locals call The Square. Here, storied buildings are repurposed and rejuvenated into lively establishments, such as restaurants, boutiques, bookstores, and more. 

If you love artisan treasures, our jewelry stores are the perfect place to discover your next accessory. Locally owned and operated, our stores offer a diverse selection, including everything from wedding sets to one-of-a-kind handmade pieces. If you’re looking for a place to relax, you can pamper yourself at one of our excellent salons and spas. And for more retail therapy, you can browse independent bookstores, comic book shops, trendy boutiques, and even a pottery studio! Downtown Martinsville has many wonderful stores that will be an instant favorite for the avid shopper.

But our community extends well beyond The Square! You can immerse yourself in one of our many hobby and community-based clubs, seeking tranquility through hikes and picnics or settling into a good book at the library. If you’re in the mood for a celebration, Martinsville also hosts cherished annual events to ignite our spirit, including the Fall Foliage Festival, Artie Fest, and the Morgan County Fair!

With so much to do and see, you’ll quickly find that Martinsville isn’t just a great place to live. It’s an alluring city perfect for people who want to embrace a lifestyle of exciting opportunity and genuine community. I have found this and—and so much more—in Martinsville!

Our arts scene invites you to enjoy movies, music, and more.

Martinsville loves the performing arts, and one of the hottest spots for a show is The Venue. This versatile outdoor space hosts complimentary concerts, outdoor movie nights, performances, and other entertainment. Just next door, you’ll find the Art Sanctuary, a multi-level studio space for local artisans. Their studio is an anchor for our creative community—often hosting classes, open mics, and even special guests. 

Wander down the street, and you’ll find the Depot—a live theater venue inside a historic train station. There, you can enjoy performances from the local Merry MAC Players or youth productions to introduce your kids to the world of theater. Both my husband and I have taken the stage at this community gem, and our children have joined in, too! 

And if you visit Martinsville soon, you can be one of the first to catch a show at our brand-new venue on The Square! This upcoming civic theater will be a hub of entertainment and events, including a wide range of local performers.

After all, we also have an interesting musical history, as the home of famous musician Bobby Helms. You may not recognize his name, but you’ve certainly heard his iconic Christmas song, “Jingle Bell Rock!” Now, Bobby Helms’ final resting place is in a nearby cemetery marked by a tombstone that reads: “Here lies a Legend – Mr. Jingle Bell Rock.” To this day, his family pays tribute to his memory, keeping his name alive through musical events in Martinsville.

​Savor local flavors at Martinsville’s renowned restaurants.

Martinsville wears its uniqueness with pride, and that fun community spirit permeates through our culinary culture! For example, the Martinsville Candy Kitchen is a town favorite that recently celebrated 100 years of hand making their world-famous candy canes. Every holiday season, they invite the town to witness their craft in action—in a Christmas tradition fitting a classic Hallmark movie. Just be sure to sign their guest book while you’re grabbing a milkshake and soaking in the retro atmosphere! 

Across the street, you can’t miss the sign that shines “Martinsville City of Mineral Water,” hanging above Greek’s Pizzeria and the Groggy Goat. Together, these locally owned businesses make for the perfect night out. Greek’s is a fun place to gather with friends to enjoy classic Italian food. They even have a charming outdoor patio space, where you can sit back with soft music and city lights in the background. Then, on the other side of the door, you’ll find the Groggy Goat—a taproom built for the relaxing side of nightlife with live music, beer on tap, and sports on TV. 

If you’re interested in socializing, I recommend trying one of our local coffee shops or checking out Gillispie’s—a popular cigar bar on Main Street. Gillispie’s is known for having a warm and friendly atmosphere with well-crafted cocktails to whet your palate. And if you’re looking for adventure, Cedar Creek Winery is a favored destination for residents and visitors alike. Nestled just outside of town amongst rustic barns and vineyards, Cedar Creek Winery is Indiana’s only combined winery, brewery, and distillery, offering a variety of food and drink as well as concerts during the summer.

Our beautiful parks are nature’s playground.

Martinsville is home to stunning greenspaces where you can exercise, explore, and connect with nature! For starters, Jimmy Nash Park is a sprawling oasis that spans over 100 acres and offers shelters, pickleball courts, hiking trails, a pool, a fishing pond, a dog park, a disc golf course, and more! When you arrive, you won’t want to miss what locals call “The Park Hill”—which is a feat to climb but also the best spot for sledding in the winter! 

Throughout the year, Jimmy Nash Park also organizes many community events, giving residents an opportunity to come together and make memories! Some of my seasonal favorites include the spectacular 4th of July fireworks show and concert, the traditional Christmas lights display, and festive fall activities like pumpkin painting! 

Outside of town, you’ll find Old Town Waverly Park along the White River. This unique park often hosts craft fairs and festivals with live demonstrations of blacksmithing, quilting, and weaving. These festivals also feature reenactments dating back to the Wild West and post-Civil War eras. And on a typical day, you can still hike along the river, visit local historic buildings, or play cornhole on their permanent yard games! 

But if you’re itching for a trip out of town, Martinsville is conveniently located by other Morgan County parks, such as Burkhart Creek County Park and two beautiful state properties: Morgan Monroe Forest and Ravinia State Forest.

Martinsville is a great place for families to learn and grow.

With quality clubs, activities, and schools, Martinsville is the ideal place to raise a family. There are several sports and recreational opportunities for children in Martinsville, including teams with The Little League, Junior Football League, and Lil Arties Basketball. 

Our local 4H is a great outlet for K-12 youth to experience hands-on programs and projects. We also have incredible gymnastics, dance, and karate studios. And other organizations like the Haven Youth Center, the Martinsville Youth Center, and the YMCA help foster active, well-rounded lifestyles and friendships in our community.

Most importantly, Martinsville is a place that recognizes youth as our future and invests in their growth. Not long ago, other parents and I realized the need for a new park in our city. So, we stepped into unfamiliar territory and attended a city meeting to propose the idea. I wasn’t sure what to expect. But our proposal was met with open minds, attentive ears, and a city council ready to make this happen for the kids in our community. 

Now, Martinsville is getting ready to break ground on its newest park, which will include a playground, fitness center, shelter area, walking trails, and best of all—the county’s first skate park! The design of the park will also feature a nod to our history as The Goldfish Capital of the World. I am grateful to live in a place that cares so much about our children’s well-being and champions their potential to shape a thriving and healthy community for generations to come!

Martinsville schools are inclusive of every family’s needs.

Martinsville is home to award-winning public and private schools. The Tabernacle Christian School offers private education for grades K-12 on a mission to give students a solid academic base founded on biblical truth. They support a strong athletics program with a variety of sports, and TCS is proud to display their many championship banners. 

The Metropolitan School District of Martinsville is our local public school system, dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous learning to pursue a tradition of excellence. To date, our school district boasts more than 60 academic and athletic state championships, 60+ broadcasting awards, and the first-ever dual language grant issued by the Indiana Department of Education. 

From kindergarten to high school, they offer students incredible opportunities to individualize their education and achieve success. Our elementary schools provide specialized curriculum tailored to each school’s focus, while our middle schools allow students to thrive in smaller classroom settings. They provide in-house special education services for grades K-12, and older students can even take alternative classes like Indiana Online Learning Courses! 

Martinsville High School is an A-rated school that follows a GenEd30 Curriculum. This allows students to earn up to 30 credits toward any Indiana college or university, on top of the traditional AP classes. Through their partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, MHS students can also earn dual credits and participate in post-secondary and skilled trade programs!  

Personally, I’ve had the privilege of guiding four children through the district. Each of them had a unique educational journey, including special-ed programming, online courses, welding classes, accelerated classes, athletics, and more. And I’m pleased to say that—across the board—my children and I have had overwhelmingly positive experiences within the district.

Martinsville is a community where you matter.

When I think of home, I picture comfort. I look for a place with people that genuinely care and a government committed to moving forward, while honoring our treasured traditions and history.  

What I love most about Martinsville is that it’s more than a city—it’s a community. People here embrace a genuine, community-driven lifestyle intertwined with fun activities, thoughtful neighbors, and the unique allure of a tight-knit city. We collectively aim to make our little corner of the world a better place, and that makes all the difference.  

Life in Martinsville is a testament to small-town charm, natural beauty, and the convenience of a walkable community. Here, every street is a chapter, every smile is a hello, and every season unveils the essence of our city. So, as you consider making Martinsville your home too, remember: it’s not just a place to live; it is an invitation to belong!