With just under 30,000 residents, Noblesville, Indiana, the county seat of Hamilton County, offers friendly small-town charm and character with easy access to all the attractions of Indianapolis, just a few miles to the south. But before you head to the city, be sure you check all there is to do right here--from riding an antique train, to taking in a concert by one of today's top artists, to stepping back in time 200 years.

Noblesville is home to the Indiana Transportation Museum, which preserves and interprets the state's railroad history. Operating on a 38-mile stretch of track, the museum offers regular events such as Dinner on the Diner and Pizza Train. The Connor Prairie Museum, an outdoor living-history museum, allows visitors to experience 19th-Century prairie life.

Live music buffs are sure to take advantage of the numerous concerts offered at the Verizon Wireless Music Center. The town's parks and recreation department oversees an aquatic center, three parks, with athletic fields, playgrounds, picnic areas and more, along with two public golf courses. The department also offers programs for residents throughout the year, from road trips and a summer concert series for adults, to summer day camps for children.