elias vaughn author at My Family Travels
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8 Must-Visit Indiana Fabric Stores For Every Creative Mind

The right fabric can be the beginning of an idea you have not even imagined yet. For quilters, sewists, and anyone who enjoys creating something by hand, walking into a well-stocked...

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This Small-Batch Indiana Bakery Hand-Crafts Award-Winning Traditional Sugar Cream Pies

Blue ribbons at state and national competitions, a Food Network feature, and a top ten pie shop nod from a national publication. All from a small roadside bakery in Indiana.

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This Hidden Indiana Paper Haven Stocks Japanese Stationery You Cannot Find Anywhere Else In The State

When was the last time a simple notebook or pen made you excited to start a new project? For stationery lovers, finding a shop filled with thoughtfully designed paper goods can...

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The Homemade Chicken Salad At This Indiana Amish Gem Will Permanently Ruin All Others Anywhere Else

Everyone has that one comfort food they never expected to become their favorite. For some people, it turns out to be a simple scoop of homemade chicken salad served the way it...

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Unwind At A Luxury Indiana Timber Cabin Surrounded By A 46-Acre Free-Roaming Goat Sanctuary

Forget the typical cabin getaway where relaxation means doing the same old thing in a different place. In Indiana, there is a unique retreat where a cozy timber cabin stay comes...

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Indiana’s Grand Tudor-Gothic Masterpiece Doubles As One Of The World’s Largest Masonic Buildings

Some buildings do more than just stand tall. A remarkable cathedral in Indianapolis, Indiana is one of those rare places that genuinely stops you in your tracks.

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This Historic Indiana Restaurant Features A Weekly German Buffet That Has Locals Returning Every Wednesday

Why wait until the weekend for a meal worth looking forward to? Every Wednesday, one Indiana restaurant changes up the usual dinner routine with a German buffet that has become...

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This Former Indiana Skating Rink Has Been Turned Into a Treasure-Filled Vintage Market

Remember when shopping meant searching for something unique instead of grabbing the same things everyone else has? A former...

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This Is Officially The Best Burger In Indiana According To Reviews, Is It Worth It?

A burger can be a pretty simple meal, but every once in a while, a place comes along that makes people rethink what a great burger can be. In Indiana, there is a spot known for...

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This Beloved Indiana Bakery Serves Up The Absolute Fluffiest, Crispiest Buttermilk Bars In The Entire State

Some food spots become local favorites not because they are flashy, but because they get the simple things exactly right. In Indiana, a neighborhood bakery can turn a regular morning...

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These Surreal Indiana Highlands Hide 14,000-Year-Old Glacial Ridges Frozen In The Plains

Most people think of Indiana as flat farmland stretching endlessly to the horizon. But in the northern part of the state, something remarkable breaks that expectation wide open.

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This Whimsical Indiana Garden Market Feels Straight Out Of A Fairytale With Its Lush, Dreamy Pathways

Some places have a way of stopping you in your tracks and making the whole world feel a little more magical. A beloved garden shop in Indianapolis, Indiana is one of those rare...

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One Of Indiana’s Oldest And Largest Oak Trees Is Hidden In This Historic Neighborhood Lot

Somewhere along a quiet residential street in Indianapolis, Indiana sits a tree that has been standing since long before the United States even existed. A massive bur oak in the...

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This Hidden Indiana Haven Sprawls Across Multiple Buildings Packed With Rare Architectural Antiques

Some places look ordinary from the outside but hold something truly remarkable inside. A family-owned architectural salvage shop in Indianapolis, Indiana is exactly that kind of...

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This Hidden Indiana Mercantile Shows How A 120-Year-Old Amish Tailoring Shop Outlasts Fast Fashion

Over 120 years of tradition sit quietly in an Indiana store where clothes are sewn on-site and fabrics are sold by the yard. I...

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This Hidden Indiana Airpark Is A Seriously Cool Spot Featuring Rare Jets For Flight Fans

Fort Wayne, Indiana has a spot that most people drive past without ever stopping, and that is a real shame. A unique aviation park beside an active military airfield holds a collection...

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This Stunning Indiana Rooftop Eatery Pairs Premium Steaks With Breathtaking Pine Lake Views

Imagine sitting above a glittering lake, watching boats drift by while a fire-grilled steak arrives at your table. That is exactly the kind of evening a lakeside restaurant in...

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This Unique 8,800-Acre Indiana Lake Lets You Cruise On A Boat Right Past Active Eagle Habitats

Patoka Lake in southern Indiana is not your average weekend getaway. Stretching across 8,800 acres of sparkling water, this massive reservoir is home to bald eagles, osprey, herons,...

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The Wild Story Behind The Haunted Shipwreck Resting At The Bottom Of This Indiana State Park

Beneath the sparkling surface of Lake Michigan, just off the shoreline near Indiana Dunes State Park, rests a 154-foot wooden steamship that has been sitting on the lake floor...

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This 12,000-Sq-Ft Thrift Store In Indiana Will Completely Make You Rethink What $25 Buys

Most people walk past a thrift store without a second thought, assuming the finds inside are nothing special. But a sprawling resale shop in Evansville, Indiana is changing that...

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This 76-Year-Old Indiana Drive-In Movie Theater Is Expanding To Save A Dying American Tradition

Some places carry history in every frame they project onto the screen. A classic drive-in theater in Shelbyville, Indiana has been delighting moviegoers since 1950, making it one...

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This Short Indiana Trail Is Quickly Becoming One Of The State’s Most Talked-About Hikes

Not every great hike needs to be long to leave a lasting impression. The 3 Dune Challenge at a Lake Michigan shoreline state park packs a serious punch into just 1.5 miles of sandy,...

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This Small-Town Indiana Shop Is Dedicated Entirely To Over 200 Unique Spices And Bulk Teas

Not every great shopping experience happens in a big city mall. Sometimes the best finds are waiting in a quiet small town, right along a simple road you might almost drive past.

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This Legendary Indiana Meat Market Has Been Serving Up Famous Handmade Treats Since 1984

Some places earn their reputation not through flashy marketing but through decades of hard, honest work. A family-owned meat market in Celestine has been doing exactly that since...

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This Historic Indiana Town Keeps Wild Bluegrass Nights, Backroad Charm, and Pure Nostalgia Alive

Nestled in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, a small town in Brown County has built a reputation for art, music, and laid-back charm that far exceeds its size. It has long...

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This Hidden Indiana Spot Fries Up Crispy Golden Catfish That Keeps Locals Entirely Hooked

Some spots just have that thing you can’t explain until you actually eat there. A local fish and chicken spot in Muncie, Indiana is exactly that kind of place.

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This Hidden Fabric World In Indiana Features Thousands of Bolts For Creative Makers

If you love fabric, quilting, or anything creative with a needle and thread, Shipshewana, Indiana has a spot that belongs on your must-visit list. Inside a local shopping center,...

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10 Massive Amish Markets In Indiana Hidden In Plain Sight With The Best Homemade Goods

I have a confession to make. The first time I stumbled into an Amish market, I had no idea what I was walking into. I thought...

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This World-Class Indiana Art Museum Opens Completely Free On The First Thursday Each Month

Imagine walking into a place where world-famous paintings, lush gardens, a historic mansion, and outdoor sculptures all share the same campus. In Indianapolis, Indiana, this expansive...

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This Breathtaking Hidden Nature Escape In Indiana Is One You’ve Probably Driven Past A Million Times

Most people pass right by Muncie, Indiana without realizing they are missing one of the region’s most quietly stunning natural spaces. A historic garden property along the White...

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This Timeless Amusement Space In Indiana Charges Absolutely Nothing To Walk Through The Gate

Imagine a place where the gates swing open for free, the animals seem to greet visitors, and the kids never want to leave. In Lafayette, Indiana, a beloved public park has been...

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This Picturesque Harbor Town In Indiana Serves Up Stunning Cape Cod Vibes Close To Home

Imagine a place where sandy beaches stretch along a sparkling Great Lake, charming lighthouses dot the shoreline, and the whole town feels like a coastal getaway without the long...

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This Booming Small Town In Indiana Is Steadily Becoming The States Next Massive Hotspot

Tucked just north of Indianapolis in Hamilton County, a fast-growing Indiana city is quickly transforming from quiet suburb into one of the state’s most talked-about destinations....

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This Old-School Indiana Meat Market Is A Flavor Paradise For Foodies

Some places don’t just earn a reputation; they build it over generations. Word of mouth keeps them alive for decades, and the ones that last more than a century usually have...

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This Indiana Waterfront Village Looks Exactly Like A Picturesque Storybook Town

Somewhere in northern Indiana, a waterfront village sits quietly along the shores of a lake, looking like it was lifted straight from the pages of a fairy tale.

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This Small-Town Family Market In Indiana Is An Absolute Mecca For Hidden Food Gems

Frankfort might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about standout local food stops, but a long-running family-owned market along a quiet stretch of highway...

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This Historic Indiana Hotel Lets You Book a 2 AM Paranormal Investigation for Under $50

Somewhere in a small Indiana town, a 130-year-old hotel stands quietly with a past that feels almost untouched by time. Built in the late 1800s, this historic building has become...

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This Massive 1-Mile Outdoor Race Track In Indiana Features A Blistering 950-Foot Straightaway

If you have ever wondered what it feels like to push a kart to its limits on a real racing circuit, a motorsports facility in New Castle, Indiana delivers that kind of experience....

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This Tiny Century-Old Indiana Counter Is Secretly Serving Up America’s Best Burger

Some of the best food in America hides in plain sight, served at a worn counter in a small town in Indiana that most people pass right through.

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These 7 Gorgeous Indiana Beaches Look And Feel Exactly Like A Hidden Caribbean Paradise

You do not need a passport to find turquoise water and soft white sand. Just a map of Indiana. That sounds impossible until...

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This Giant 40,000-Square-Foot Indiana Indoor Market Lets You Load Your Trunk For Under $40

Can you really fill the trunk of your car for less than a dinner out? In Indiana, this giant indoor market proves it is possible, with forty thousand square feet of bargains waiting...

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This Indiana Joint Stacks Thick Beef Burgers With Peanut Butter and Ghost Pepper Cheese

Indianapolis has no shortage of places to grab a bite, but every once in a while a spot comes along that makes you stop and think. A popular local joint in the Broad Ripple neighborhood...

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This Giant, Hidden Canyon In Indiana Is Packed To The Brim With 450-Million-Year-Old Fossils

The wild thing about Whitewater Gorge Park is that you can show up expecting a nice walk in Richmond and end up staring at stone packed with creatures from a vanished sea, which...

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This Scenic Indiana Trail Features Massive 100-Foot Towering Bluffs And Ancient Old-Growth Trees

You turn off the highway and the world immediately gets quieter. The gravel road leads you between a calm river and a wall of ancient sandstone that rises like something from a...

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This Beautiful Indiana Trail Features a Gorgeous 12-Foot Waterfall Open for Summer Swimming

Indiana has some genuinely beautiful natural spots, and Anderson Falls might be one of the most underrated among them. Nestled in Bartholomew County, this 44-acre park and State...

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This Whimsical Indiana Village Bookstore Has Secret Rooms Hidden Inside

Some bookstores are just places to buy books. This independent bookshop in Zionsville, Indiana is something else entirely. Housed...

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This Hidden Indiana Off-Road Wilderness Features Intense Technical Trails Deep In The Forest

Southern Indiana holds some seriously underrated outdoor adventures, and this off-road park in English is one of the region’s best-kept secrets. Set across nearly 350 acres of...

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This Romantic Indiana Spot Lets You Have A Candlelit Dinner Right Next To Real Dolphins

Indiana has a lot of surprising places, but few compare to the magic waiting inside the Ascension St. Vincent Dolphin Pavilion at the Indianapolis Zoo. This is not your average...

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This Unique $3 Indiana State Park Adventure Lets You Ride a Cave Boat to See Rare Blind Fish

Some adventures cost hundreds of dollars and still leave you underwhelmed. A unique underground boat tour inside a beautiful state park near Mitchell, Indiana, costs just three...

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This Legendary Indiana Dirt Track Is Famous For Insane High-Speed Sprint Car Battles

There are race tracks, and then there is this legendary dirt oval in southeastern Indiana. For decades, it has been drawing racing fans with the kind of atmosphere that only a...

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Locals Say This Once-Peaceful Indiana Lake Town Has Been Completely Ruined By Overcrowding

Culver, Indiana sits quietly on the northern shore of Lake Maxinkuckee, one of the state's deepest and most beautiful natural lakes. For generations, it was the kind of place where...

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This Is Officially Ranked The #1 Cheapest Town In Indiana To Buy A Home Right Now

Gary, Indiana sits along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, and it carries more history, grit, and natural beauty than most people expect. Known across the country as the most...

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This Legendary Indiana Amish Spot Serves Giant Pretzels Drowned In Warm Butter

Indiana has a way of surprising you with food worth driving for, and Ben's Soft Pretzels is one of those places that genuinely earns the trip.

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This Tiny Alabama Town Is The Unlikely Capital Of The Best BBQ In America

I never expected a small city in northern Alabama to stop me in my tracks, but Decatur did exactly that. Sitting along the banks of Wheeler Lake on the Tennessee River, this place...

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This Massive Indiana Waterpark Kicks Out the Kids for After-Hours Adults-Only Parties

Carmel, Indiana has a waterpark that does something most places would never dare to try. On select summer evenings, this Hamilton County facility clears out the families and reopens...

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This Hidden Indiana Butcher Shop Serves Up Heavy Giant Sandwiches Wrapped In Butcher Paper

Not every great food spot announces itself loudly. Some of the best places in Indiana quietly earn their reputation one sandwich at a time.

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The Ultimate Indiana Custom Ramen Bar That Lets You Build Your Own Dream Bowl

If you've ever felt completely lost staring at a massive noodle menu, this Indiana hotspot is about to completely redefine your ramen game.

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10 Indiana Towns Where Surging Property Taxes Are Forcing Families To Move Away

Property taxes in Indiana have been climbing fast, and for many families, the numbers are becoming impossible to ignore. Towns...

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9 Unique Indiana Factory Tours You Had No Idea You Could Actually Take

Indiana is full of surprises, and some of the best ones are hiding right inside its factory walls. Most people drive past these buildings every day without realizing what is happening...

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Many People Don’t Know This 105-Year-Old Indiana Hot Dog Stand Is Secretly A Part Of American History

Some restaurants are just places to eat. Others carry the weight of an entire community’s memory. This Gary, Indiana hot...

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