elias vaughn author at My Family Travels
Article
The Secret Indiana Diner Where a Toy Train Pulls Up to Your Table with Your Order

I have eaten at countless family restaurants across Indiana, but nothing quite prepared me for the moment a miniature train rolled right up to the counter and delivered my food....

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Gas Station-Style Deli Is the Hidden Gem Locals Claim Is Better Than Fancy Sandwich Shops

I never thought a small convenience store would change how I think about sandwiches forever, but here we are. NY Gourmet Deli has quietly become one of the most talked-about food...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Library Launches a Live Ghost Cam Hunt for the Infamous Gray Lady

I have visited a lot of libraries across Indiana, but nothing quite prepared me for walking into this one. There is something about the place that grabs you the moment you step...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This 150-Acre Indiana Forest Is a Hidden Paradise for Horseback Riding and Quiet Nature Trails

There is something about riding through a quiet Indiana forest that makes everything else slow down. I first heard about one hidden trail property from a friend who kept describing...

Read More    7 min read

Article
A Vibrant Indiana Brazilian Steakhouse Masterpiece With 15 Different Bottomless Meats

If you have ever wondered what it feels like to eat like royalty in the heart of Indianapolis, there is a Brazilian steakhouse that answers that question in the most delicious...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana National Park Trail Leads To A Beach Most Tourists Never Find

Most people think of Indiana and picture cornfields and flat highways, but the northern edge of the state tells a completely different story. The Paul H.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Deserted Jungle Hike Leads to a Massive Wild Cave

There is something about a trail that feels forgotten by the rest of the world, and one hidden trail near Bloomington, Indiana delivers exactly that feeling. I have walked a lot...

Read More    7 min read

Article
8 Giant Thrift Stores In Indiana You’ll Get Lost In For Hours

I have spent more weekend afternoons than I can count wandering through thrift stores, and Indiana has some of the best I have ever set foot in. There is something almost magical...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Sculpture Forest Lets You Explore Million-Dollar Art For Absolutely Nothing

I’ll be honest with you. I drove past this place more than once before I finally stopped and walked in, and I’ve been kicking myself ever since for waiting so long.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Historic Indiana Tavern Serves a Brain Sandwich That Draws Curious Foodies From Miles Away

Some places just have a story written into their walls, and The Hilltop Inn in Evansville, Indiana is one of them. I grew up hearing about spots like this, the kind where locals...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana ‘Hidden Jewel’ Shadows 2,300 Acres Forged Between Two Great Rivers

I grew up hearing about Indiana’s state parks, but O’Bannon Woods always felt like a secret that only the locals knew. Nestled on 2,300 acres between the Ohio River and the...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Cat Trail Is A Secret Scavenger Hunt Where You’ll Find 14 Giant Statues Hiding In Plain Sight

I grew up watching Garfield on Saturday mornings, laughing at that orange tabby who hated Mondays and loved lasagna. So when I found out that Grant County, Indiana has an entire...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Unassuming Indiana Market Serves a Whole Fried Snapper That Will Transport You Straight to the Coast

I never thought I’d stumble upon a plate of whole fried snapper in Indianapolis that made me feel like I was sitting beachside somewhere along the Gulf Coast. But Santiago's...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Vintage Train Turns 1.5 Hours Into a Scenic Time-Travel Journey Everyone Will Want to Ride in 2026

I still remember the first time I heard the low whistle of a vintage locomotive cutting through the quiet Indiana countryside and felt that pull, that unmistakable urge to climb...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Beach Is a Secluded Escape That Somehow Stays Off the Radar

I have driven past plenty of Lake Michigan beaches that were packed wall to wall with umbrellas and folding chairs, and honestly, it gets old fast.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana ‘Library’ Hides a Secret All-You-Can-Eat Pasta Bar

I never expected to find one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life wedged between airport hotels on the west side of Indianapolis. The Library Restaurant and Pub...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Massive Historic Compound In Indiana Is A Dream Come True For Fans Of Weird History

I have to be honest with you. I almost drove past it. The Wayne County Historical Museum in Richmond, Indiana looks unassuming...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Hidden Indiana Dirt Track Has Hosted Heart-Pounding Go-Kart Races for Every Age Since 1970

I'll be honest, I had driven past the Ben Hur area of Crawfordsville more times than I can count before I finally stopped and paid attention. There is something quietly magnetic...

Read More    6 min read

Article
10 Indiana Spots Where the Lasagna Is Seriously Next-Level

I have eaten a lot of lasagna in my life, and I mean a lot. There is something about a perfectly layered dish of pasta, sauce, and bubbling cheese that just gets me every single...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Sweetest Festival in Indiana with Free Entry And Syrup You Need to See This March

I still remember the first time I caught the scent of maple syrup drifting through the crisp March air at Brown's Accents in Attica.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Slow-Paced Town In Indiana Has Fresh Air, No Traffic, And A Vibe That Feels Like A Permanent Vacation

I stumbled upon Metamora on a Sunday drive years ago, and honestly, it felt like I'd driven into a postcard from the 1800s. The town sits along the old Whitewater Canal, population...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Burgers At This Old-Timey Indiana Spot Have Been Smashed Into Onion-Grilled Perfection Since 1940

I still remember the first time someone told me about Powers Hamburgers in Fort Wayne. I thought, how special can a tiny slider joint really be?

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Fascinating Car Museum In Indiana Features Over 120 Stunning Classic Cars

I've always loved classic cars, and discovering the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum felt like finding a hidden treasure in my own backyard.

Read More    6 min read

Article
10 Indiana Restaurants Where You Can Still Eat for Under $15

Finding a satisfying meal that doesn't empty your wallet feels like striking gold these days. I've been exploring Indiana's...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Indiana Coffee “Speakeasy” Is a Hidden Hipster Paradise

I remember the first time I walked past 304 E New York St in downtown Indianapolis. I almost missed it completely. There was...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Massive Indoor Flea Market In Indiana Is The Hidden Goldmine You Never Knew Existed

I’ve driven past Emporium 1101 more times than I can count before finally stopping in, and honestly, I’m still kicking myself for waiting so long. From the outside, it might...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Amish Popcorn Farm In Indiana Has People Returning Again and Again

I still remember my first visit to Amish Country Popcorn in Berne, and honestly, I was not prepared for how much there was to love about this place. From the moment you walk through...

Read More    6 min read

Article
10 Indiana Catfish Buffets That Are Totally Worth a Road Trip

I've spent years exploring Indiana's back roads, and I'll tell you something: the best catfish in the Hoosier State isn't hiding in fancy restaurants. It's waiting for you at small-town...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Indiana Attraction Is Free and Somehow Still Feels VIP

I remember the first time I walked past the Indiana War Memorial on Michigan Street. The massive limestone columns immediately caught my eye, and I couldn’t help but wonder what...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Laid-Back Pie Shop In Indiana Serves Some Of The Sweetest Slices You’ll Ever Taste

I never thought a slice of pie could make me feel so at home until I walked into My Sugar Pie in Zionsville. This charming little shop on Pine Street has become my go-to spot whenever...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana “Hearts & Paws” Hike Is the Ultimate Dog Date This February

I remember the first time I took my dog to Pehkokia Woods on a crisp February morning. The trail was quiet, the air was fresh, and my pup's excitement was contagious as we set...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Trail Is Short, Sweet, and Surprisingly Scenic

I'll be honest with you. When I first heard about Ogle Lake Trail in Brown County State Park, I figured it was just another walk around a pond.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Trail Is a Paradise for Migratory Songbirds and Rare Wildflowers This Spring

I remember the first time I walked the Heron Rookery Trail on a cool May morning. The air smelled like wild phlox and damp earth, and the forest came alive with sounds I had never...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Shop Puts Amish Soft Pretzels on a Whole New Level

I've driven past downtown Goshen dozens of times without realizing I was missing out on something truly special. It wasn't until a friend insisted we stop at JoJo's Pretzels that...

Read More    6 min read

Article
Indiana’s Space-Themed Diner Feels Like a Sci-Fi Fantasy Brought to Life

I've eaten at countless diners across Southern Indiana, but nothing prepared me for the moment I stepped through the doors at Lady Tron's. Located at 147 E Market St in New Albany,...

Read More    5 min read

Article
This Indiana BBQ Spot Runs Out of Food Early, and That’s How You Know It’s Legit

A Thursday afternoon stop at Gather Around BBQ quickly turned into a lesson in how real barbecue works. I expected a fast meal before heading to Brown County.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana River Trail Is a Favorite for Kayaking and Wildlife Spotting

I first paddled Blue River on a bright May morning, and I remember thinking the water looked like liquid glass reflecting the limestone bluffs above. Southern Indiana holds plenty...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Restaurant Serves Spaghetti So Good, You’ll Want to Clear Your Weekend

Before my first visit, people kept telling me about Iaria's Italian Restaurant and how the spaghetti was so good it might just make me cancel all my weekend plans just to sit down...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Local Indiana Restaurant Chain is Famous for Its Signature Homemade Peanut Butter Pie

When you think about Cajun food in the Midwest, Indianapolis might not be the first place that comes to mind. Still, Yats has been serving authentic New Orleans flavors to hungry...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Seafood Spot Is So Good, Locals Brag About It on Purpose

Indianapolis might be hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean, but that does not stop locals from enjoying some of the freshest seafood in the Midwest. Tucked away on Shadeland...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Joint Is Famous for Crispy Smashed Cheeseburgers and Old-School Tavern Vibes

Driving past Workingman's Friend on Belmont Avenue, it’s hard not to wonder about the place that seems frozen in time. When you finally walk through the doors at 234 N Belmont...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana City Has a Lush Garden Growing Exotic Plants in the Heart of Downtown

Walking through White River Gardens, it’s easy to miss the fact that a lush, tropical escape is tucked right into the heart of downtown Indianapolis. The Hilbert Conservatory,...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Tiny Indiana Restaurant Serves Southern Food So Good, It’s Worth Seeking Out

I’ve always been on the hunt for the kind of soul food that makes you feel instantly at home. When I walked into Simply Southern Soul Food on East 38th Street in Indianapolis,...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana City Offers Unexpected History Lessons Around Every Corner

Crawfordsville sits quietly in west central Indiana, about 49 miles northwest of Indianapolis, holding stories that most people drive right past without a second thought. This...

Read More    6 min read

Article
10 Indiana Diners Full of Homestyle Flavors That Keep Locals Coming Back

Indiana has a special way of making you feel at home, especially when it comes to comfort food. The state is filled with cozy diners where the plates are piled high and the smiles...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Little-Known Indiana Town That’s Surprisingly Beautiful

Tucked along the banks of the Wabash River in southwestern Indiana, New Harmony is a destination many travelers pass by without realizing what they’re missing. This quiet riverside...

Read More    6 min read

Article
Indiana’s Secret Spot Where Filet Mignon Becomes the Destination

Tucked away in Fishers, Indiana, Peterson's has quietly earned its reputation as one of the region's most beloved dining destinations. This elegant steakhouse isn't just about...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Farmers Market Hosts a Strawberry Festival Only True Locals Plan For

Every spring, something special happens in the heart of LaGrange, Indiana. The farmers market transforms into a celebration of all things strawberry, drawing crowds from near and...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Unique Indiana Restaurant Where Everything Is Slowly… Rotating

Perched high above Indianapolis, The Eagle's Nest offers something truly extraordinary. This isn't just another rooftop restaurant with nice views.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Spot Is Obsessed With Latin Small Plates, and Locals Love It

Indianapolis has become a hotspot for adventurous eaters seeking bold flavors and creative dishes. One restaurant stands out among the crowd with its vibrant atmosphere and mouthwatering...

Read More    12 min read