clio harper author at My Family Travels
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This Indiana Soul Food Gem Piles Plates High With Fried Chicken, Catfish, And Rich Southern Sides

I’ve eaten my way through plenty of small-town spots over the years, but finding authentic soul food that feels like a Sunday dinner at your grandmother’s house is rare. This...

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This Indiana Battlefield Park Marks One Of The Most Important Early Conflicts In State Formation History

There are places in Indiana where history does not just sit quietly in a textbook. This battlefield park in Battle Ground is one of those places, and every time I think about it,...

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The Underrated Indiana Forest Gorge Hike With Rocky Terrain And Deep Shade Even In Summer

I’ll be honest, I had driven through Greene County more times than I can count without ever stopping to explore what was tucked just off a quiet rural road in Solsberry. This...

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An Indiana River-Town Pizza Spot Facing One Of America’s Prettiest Historic Main Streets

Madison, Indiana has a way of stopping you in your tracks. The Ohio River rolls quietly nearby, the architecture on Main Street looks like something out of a postcard, and right...

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This Indiana Hidden Gem Sells Professional Outfits Starting At $1, And It’s Not A Typo

I'll be honest, the first time I heard about a store in Fort Wayne selling professional outfits starting at just a few dollars, I thought someone was pulling my leg. But this spot...

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The Ultimate Indiana “Everything” Buffet Where You Can Get Sushi, Steak, and Pizza Under One Roof

When I think about a place that genuinely has something for everyone at the table, a large buffet-style restaurant in northwest Indiana comes to mind immediately. It is one of...

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The Award-Winning Indiana Boil House Famous For Huge Portions Of Cajun Snow Crab And Crawfish

There is something about the smell of a well-seasoned seafood boil that makes everything else feel secondary. Living in Indiana, I never expected to find that kind of bold, Louisiana-style...

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This Indiana Pho Spot In A Modest Plaza Serves Broth That Rivals Big City Bowls

I’ll be honest, I did not expect to find one of my favorite bowls of pho tucked inside a strip mall on the northeast side of a Midwestern city. But that is exactly what happened.

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The Tragic Victorian Estate In Indiana Haunted by a Young Girl and a Former Doctor

I still remember the first time I heard about an old Victorian home in southern Indiana that locals refuse to talk about in too much detail. A friend described hearing a child’s...

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This Massive Indiana Wilderness Area Offers Miles Of Secluded Backcountry Hardwood Forests

I grew up in Indiana thinking the state was all cornfields and flat roads. Then someone pointed me toward a gravel path near Heltonville, Indiana, and everything I thought I knew...

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This Hidden Indiana Nature Preserve Will Transport You To A World Of Peaceful Ponds And Rolling Hills

I never expected to find something this wild and peaceful just a short drive from town. This hidden nature preserve quietly stretches across 809 acres of glacial ridges, shallow...

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This Indiana Kitchen Gives You A Real Taste Of Maryland With A Midwest Twist On Their Famous Lump Crab Cakes

I never expected to find a taste of Maryland right in the middle of downtown Indianapolis, but this kitchen and bar changed everything I thought I knew about Midwest dining. The...

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This Indiana Pizza Place Is Housed in a Revitalized Garage and Serves Slices With Spicy Honey

There are pizza places, and then there are places that make you rethink everything you thought you knew about pizza. This Indianapolis spot is firmly in that second category.

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This Historic Indiana Landmark Lets You Investigate a Cursed Theatre Attic and Phantom Doctor

I have always believed that the best buildings hold more than just history within their walls. Built in the 1890s by a city’s German immigrant community, this landmark has worn...

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10 Indiana Paths That Feel Completely Different Once Spring Arrives

I have walked a lot of Indiana trails in every season, but nothing quite compares to the moment spring finally shows up and changes everything. The bare branches fill in overnight,...

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This Hilly Indiana Loop Offers A Secluded Woodland Workout Just Minutes From The City’s Best Coffee Shops

I have hiked a lot of trails around Indiana, but this one near Bloomington keeps pulling me back every single season. There is something about the way the hardwood forest closes...

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This Picturesque Riverfront Town Is Indiana’s Go-To Destination For A Stress-Free Weekend Escape

I have spent enough weekends in busy Indiana cities to know when a place genuinely earns its reputation as a getaway destination. There’s a charming river town along the Ohio...

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This Historic Indiana Butcher Shop Is Famous for its Friday Smoked Brisket Specials

Some places earn their reputation quietly, one satisfied customer at a time, and this family-run butcher shop is exactly that kind of place. Since 1966, it has been a cornerstone...

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This Indiana Riverfront Park Features a Winding 560-Foot Pedestrian Bridge Elevated High Into the Treetops

This Midwestern city has quietly built something special along the banks of its river, and it honestly deserves far more attention than it gets.

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This Bizarre Indiana Clown-Themed Diner Is Famous for its Magic Burger and 1960s Vibe

There are diners, and then there is this small-town spot. I have driven past a lot of places in Indiana, but nothing quite prepares you for walking into a restaurant where clown...

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This Rugged Indiana Ridge Hike Offers Exhilarating Backcountry Views Along The State’s Longest Footpath

Few trails in the Midwest can match what the Knobstone Trail delivers on a clear autumn morning. I remember standing on one of those exposed ridgelines in southern Indiana, looking...

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The Haunted Indiana Steakhouse Where Ghosts Throw Brochures and the Wood-Fired Ribeye Is Legend

There are steakhouses, and then there are places that feel like they carry the weight of an entire town's story in their walls. One spot in Aurora, Indiana is exactly the second...

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This Artisan Indiana Pizzeria Uses a Wood-Fired Oven to Blister Crusts Topped with Pepperoni and Zesty Peppadew Peppers

Finding genuinely great pizza in Indianapolis is something I take seriously, and this Broad Ripple spot has completely changed my expectations.

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The Tiny Indiana Amish Country Shop Where Locals Score High-Quality Regional Treasures

There is something genuinely exciting about finding a shop that feels completely unlike anything else in the area, and The Crowded Closet Consignment in the heart of Middlebury...

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This One-Acre Indiana Railway Garden Features Seven G-Gauge Trains Circling 3,000 Feet of Landscaped Track

I have walked through a lot of gardens in Indiana, but nothing quite prepared me for what I found at this arboretum in Valparaiso. Nestled within a 360-acre oak preserve, this...

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This Indiana Deli Sells Authentic Jamaican Patties in a Tiny, No-Frills Neighborhood Shack

I never expected to find one of my favorite meals in a small, no-frills spot in Indianapolis. But the first time I tried a beef patty there, I completely understood why people...

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This Tiny Indiana Italian Market Features Authentic Pastries, Gelato, and Sliced Entrees

I never expected to find a slice of Italy tucked in Carmel, but here we are. This is the kind of place that stops you mid-bite and makes you forget you are anywhere other than...

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This Indiana Neighborhood Steakhouse Offers Chicago-Sourced Steaks and a Fun Dining Experience

I never thought I’d find a steakhouse in Greenwood, Indiana that could genuinely compete with the big downtown spots, but that assumption didn’t last long after my first visit...

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This Indiana Antique Mall Is Housed in a 37,000-Square-Foot Warehouse with 350+ Vendors

I have spent plenty of weekend afternoons hunting through antique shops across Indiana, but nothing quite prepared me for the first time I walked into this spot in Plainfield....

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This Indiana Train Is Being Taken Over By The Easter Bunny This Month For An Interactive Egg Hunt On The Rails

There is something about a train ride that just feels magical, and when you mix that with Easter, an egg hunt, and rolling countryside, you have a recipe for one of the best family...

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This Indiana 1850s Gastropub Serves Peanut Butter Burgers and Weekly Ramen Inside a Former Historic Tavern

Some places just feel different the moment you walk through the door. This historic pub in Valparaiso, Indiana, is one of those rare spots where history, food, and community collide...

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This Niche Indiana Pizzeria Is Famous For Its Cornmeal Crust And Using Goldfish Crackers As Croutons

There are pizza places, and then there is this spot in Bloomington, Indiana. I have eaten pizza in a lot of places, but something about it makes it genuinely hard to forget.

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This Indiana Border Tavern Is Renowned for Homemade Pies and Some of the Best Fried Chicken in the State

There are places you stumble upon that stick with you long after you leave, and this tavern in West Harrison near the Indiana-Ohio border is absolutely one of them. Tucked along...

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This Hidden Indiana Peak Is the State’s Highest Point, And It Hides a Secret “Highpointer” Mailbox

I never expected Indiana’s highest point to feel like a secret worth keeping. Hoosier Hill sits quietly amid the farmland of Wayne County, easy to miss if you don’t know where...

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Discover The “Train That Ran On Water” At This Unique Indiana Canal Landmark

I still remember the first time I pulled into Metamora and felt like I had somehow slipped back in time. The smell of fresh-ground grain drifting from an old mill, the sound of...

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This Indiana Consignment Village Features a 400-Booth Maze of Organized Treasures

I have always had a soft spot for places where every corner holds something unexpected. This massive consignment marketplace in Clarksville, Indiana is exactly that kind of place.

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This Chinese Spot In Indiana Is A Viral Sensation Featuring Lines Out The Door For A $10 Cash Only Combo Plate

There is a Chinese restaurant on the east side of Indianapolis that has people lining up before the doors even open. This place has quietly built a loyal following over the years...

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This Tropical Indiana Hideaway Pairs World-Class Ramen and Fresh Oysters Under One Roof

I never thought I would find a tropical escape in the middle of Indianapolis, but this spot completely changed my mind. Tucked into the Irvington neighborhood, it blends laid-back...

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This Indiana Farm Is a Must-Visit for Blueberry Picking and Award-Winning Pies

There is something about a certain orchard and winery in southern Indiana that pulls you back every single season. I first heard about it from a neighbor who could not stop talking...

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This Historic 1905 Indiana Home Is a National Landmark Dedicated to the Art of the Quilt

I have always believed that the most meaningful places are the ones that make you stop and truly look. This historic house museum is exactly that kind of place.

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This Indiana Open-Air Sightseeing Car Is the Ultimate Way to Chase Spring Wildflowers

There is something about riding in an open-air train car through the Indiana countryside that feels like a secret the rest of the world has not discovered yet.

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This Indiana State Park Is Home To The State’s Most Popular 70-Mile Horseback Riding Empire

One of Indiana's best-kept secrets has always been a state park tucked into rolling hills, drawing visitors from across the state every season. What makes it truly unforgettable...

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This Indiana Boardwalk Trail Takes You Directly Over a Glacial Fen Filled With Carnivorous Plants

There are trails you walk, and then there are trails that genuinely stop you in your tracks. One nature preserve in Bristol, Indiana is a rare place where the ground itself tells...

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This Indiana Dog Bakery and Cafe Features a Full Menu Just for Pups

If you have a dog in Indianapolis, there is a good chance you already know about one local bakery that caters entirely to pups. This isn’t your average pet store.

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The Huge 160-Vendor Indiana Antique Giant Where You Can Get Lost For Hours

I have always believed that the best antique malls do not just sell things, they tell stories. There is an antique mall in Indiana that is exactly that kind of place.

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This Indiana Canal Town Is A Charming And Affordable Step Back In Time With A Floating Secret

I'll be honest, I almost drove past Delphi the first time I heard about it. A small canal town in Carroll County, Indiana, sitting quietly twenty minutes northeast of Lafayette,...

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10 Unique Indiana Adventures That Can’t Be Done Anywhere Else

I'll be honest, I never thought Indiana would be the state to blow my mind. Growing up in Oklahoma, I figured the Hoosier State was mostly cornfields and interstates.

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This Indiana Shop Is A Living Piece Of History Set Inside A Massive 19th-Century Building With Three Floors Of Finds

There are antique shops, and then there are places that stop you in your tracks the moment you walk through the door. Lumber Mill Antique Mall in Madison, Indiana is exactly that...

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The 10 Most Authentic Old-Fashioned General Stores in Indiana

I have a soft spot for old general stores. There is something about walking through a creaky wooden door and smelling coffee, sawdust, and fresh-baked goods all at once that takes...

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This Unassuming Indiana Fish Market Is Hiding The State’s Best Meal

I never expected to find the best seafood of my life in Valparaiso, Indiana. Honestly, when a friend first told me about McGowan and Sons, I thought she was exaggerating.

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10 Indiana Spots Where Dogs Are Welcome and the Food Is Amazing

I have spent a lot of weekends driving around Indiana with my dog riding shotgun, nose out the window, tail wagging like she already knows where we are headed. Finding places that...

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This Peaceful Indiana Village Is The Ultimate Stress-Detox

I still remember the first time I drove into Zionsville on a quiet Saturday morning. The brick-paved streets, the smell of fresh coffee drifting from a nearby cafe, and the sound...

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This Indiana Ruin in the Woods Used to Be a 1920s Amusement Hotspot

I never expected a hike through the woods of southern Indiana to stop me cold in my tracks. But standing among the crumbling...

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This Massive Indiana Ranch Lets You Bathe Elephants, Feed Giraffes, and Zip Line Through 1,100 Acres of Rolling Forest

I never thought I'd find myself scrubbing an elephant in southern Indiana, but here we are. Wilstem Wildlife Park in Paoli, Indiana is the kind of place that makes you do a double-take...

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The Small-Town Restaurant In Indiana With $28 Steaks That Locals Swear Are the Best In The State

I grew up hearing about places like this; the kind of restaurant that doesn’t need a flashy sign or a social media campaign because word of mouth has been doing the work for...

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10 Indiana Grocery Stores Known for Premium Meats You Can’t Miss

I've spent years exploring Indiana's food scene, and I can tell you that finding truly exceptional meat doesn't mean driving to some distant farm or settling for whatever the big...

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A Charming and Affordable Indiana Town That Will Make You Want To Quit Your Job and Move Immediately

I still remember the first time I drove through Huntingburg on a crisp autumn afternoon, sunlight filtering through the trees that line the streets of this southwestern Indiana...

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This All-You-Can-Eat Buffet in Indiana Feels Like a Hidden Playground for Picky Eaters

I never thought I'd find a place where my pickiest friends could walk in nervously and leave grinning like kids who just discovered their favorite candy store. Ten Cuts Brazilian...

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This Little-Known Amish Store in Indiana Offers Sweet & Savory Homemade Goodies Galore

I remember the first time I stumbled upon Lehman's Variety Store down a gravel road in LaGrange County. The place felt like stepping into a hidden corner of Indiana where time...

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This Easy 1-Mile Hike In Indiana Is So Scenic, You’ll Keep Thinking About It for Days

I remember the first time I stumbled onto Cool Creek Park in Westfield. It was one of those ordinary weekends when I needed a quick escape from the everyday grind, and I had no...

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