elias vaughn author at My Family Travels
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Owned by a Bestselling Hoosier Author, This Indiana Bookstore Is a Diverse Literary Haven

The neon sign is pink. The disco balls are real. The books are serious. That combination is exactly why this Indiana bookstore...

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One Of Indiana’s Oldest Family Farms Is Still Bringing Shoppers Back Season After Season

The farm has an answer for every month. That is the problem. Come in spring, and there are strawberries. Come back later, and...

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You’d Never Guess This Colorful Fabric Wonderland Is Hidden in Indiana

The color pink has apparently been taking its job very seriously. It is not one pink. It is dozens. Then come the greens, yellows,...

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This Indiana Craft Shop Is Packed With Everything Creative Minds Could Want

The porch lies. It looks like an ordinary old house. Then the door opens. Paper everywhere.

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This Remarkable Indiana Mexican Ice Cream Shop Boasts 32 Handcrafted Flavors Born From an American Dream

Corn ice cream sounds like a dare. Queso ice cream sounds like somebody lost a bet. Tamarindo sounds safer. Then the mango...

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This Authentic Amish Buggy Tour Might Be Indiana’s Most Unexpected Cultural Adventure

You get in a buggy expecting a ride. You get out with a completely different idea of what “slow” means. Indiana has an...

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This Indiana River Town Feels Like the Secret Star of an Autumn Weekend

The hardest part of an autumn weekend is usually leaving. Especially when the next block looks just as interesting. This Indiana...

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This Lush Indiana City Offers the Crisp Autumn Air and Cozy September Mornings You Crave

The first cool morning changes the entire wardrobe. Suddenly, the shorts seem ridiculous. A sweater makes sense again. Coffee...

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9 Secret Autumn Woodlands in Indiana Where You Can Forage for Wild Mushrooms

A mushroom hunter has a strange relationship with fallen leaves. Everybody else sees a pretty autumn carpet. They see possibilities....

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This Hyper-Clean Indiana Butcher Shop Is So Pristine Locals Completely Boycott Supermarkets

The steak at the supermarket was fine. That was the problem. Once you get used to someone talking to you about marbling, trimming...

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You Can Go on a Wild Bison Safari in Indiana for Less Than the Price of a Latte

A bison has a very different idea of personal space. Fortunately, the bus does too. That is what makes this Indiana safari...

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This Gorgeous Indiana Church Looks Straight Out Of Germany And No One Knows It Exists

You see the church. Then you see the rooflines. Then the sign. Wait. Was...

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This Family-Owned Indiana Specialty Store Is A Massive BBQ Equipment & Grilling Supply Paradise

Someone comes in for barbecue sauce. Thirty minutes later, they are comparing smokers. Then thermometers. Then grilling tools.

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This Jaw-Dropping 20-Foot Hillside Monolith Is One Of Indiana’s Most Striking Hidden Landmarks

A rock should not need an introduction. You see one. You step over it. Life continues.

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11 Breathtaking Indiana Churches That Look Like You Stepped Straight Into Medieval Europe

The first reaction is usually confusion. The second is a photo. The third is, “How is this here?” Good question. Indiana...

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This Mind-Bending Indiana Landmark Looks Exactly Like a UFO Landed in the Middle of the Landscape

The first sketch must have sounded ridiculous. “Let's make the church six-sided.” “Keep it low.” “Now put a giant gold cross nearly 200 feet in the air.”

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This Breathtaking 130-Year-Old Indiana Mansion Has a History as Wild as Its Architecture

There is a giant acorn sitting on top of the house. That is not a metaphor. It is actually up there. And somehow, that is not...

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This 101-Year-Old Small-Town Factory Is Believed To Be Indiana’s Last Independent Creamery

The churns keep turning. That is the whole story. Except it is not. Behind those ordinary sounds is a 101-year-old Indiana...

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This Remote Indiana Farmstand Bakes Scratch-Made Fried Pies That Draw Lines Down Country Roads

The pie was still warm when the pumpkin started rolling across the back seat. That pretty much summed up the afternoon. One farm...

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This Hidden Indiana Mud Pit Features Tight, Wooded Loops for Trail-Ready UTVs

First comes the splash. Then comes the mud on the windshield. Then somebody decides to go back through it faster. That is roughly...

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This Beloved Historic Indiana Bakery Has Served Legendary Scratch-Made Sweet Treats For Decades

You are not supposed to be thinking about donuts at five in the morning. Then you smell the glaze. That is usually the end...

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This Quiet Indiana Backroad Marks the Only Time the Civil War Invaded the State

The odds were terrible. Roughly 400 local volunteers had thrown together a makeshift defensive line when a Confederate force nearly six times larger came toward them.

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This Historic Small-Town Bakery Crafts Fresh $1 Glazed Doughnuts Hand-Rolled On 80-Year-Old Wooden Tables

There is a very simple way to start a morning badly. Arrive after the glazed doughnuts are gone. That possibility seems to keep...

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10 Stunning Indiana Churches Which Feature Architecture That Feels Straight Out Of Europe

The outside says “small-town Indiana.” The inside says something entirely different. There are stained-glass windows that look imported from Bavaria, altars covered in intricate...

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This Sprawling Indiana Asian Market Packs A Kitchen And A Huge Grocery Under One Roof

The plan was to be in and out. Forty minutes later, the cart was still moving. Somewhere between the ramen shelves and the...

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This Indiana Town Gets So Swamped With Fall Visitors That Locals Avoid Downtown on Weekends

My first mistake was thinking Saturday morning would be quiet. My second was thinking there would still be a parking spot. By...

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11 Hidden Indiana Hiking Trails Leading Directly To A Spectacular Wilderness View

You reach the top expecting to see a few trees and maybe another cornfield. Instead, the forest suddenly drops away, and there is a whole valley stretched out below you.

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This Historic Indiana Diner Still Crafts The Juiciest Old-School Smash Burgers In The County

Miss the light. It might improve your lunch. At the corner of U.S. 50 and Chestnut Street, the smell coming off the griddle...

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You Could Get Lost For Hours Digging Through This Massive Hidden Indoor Marketplace In Indiana

My friend found a lamp. I found a box of baseball cards. Neither of us came looking for either one. That is the problem with...

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This Indiana Museum Has a Free Sculpture Garden Hiding Behind a Historic Mansion

My first thought was that the mansion looked like the interesting part. Then I went around back. Three acres of trees opened...

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This Indiana Small Town Hides A Historic Round Barn Still Standing After 100 Years

Why did farmers build a barn without corners? That is probably the first question that pops into your head when you see this enormous white building sitting beside the countryside.

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You Can Actually Drive Exotic Supercars With Zero Speed Limits On This Massive Indiana Racetrack

Your brain says, “This is probably where someone tells you to slow down.” Then you look around and realize nobody is saying it. Instead, you are sitting behind the wheel of...

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9 Indiana General Stores That Have Survived Since The 1800s

Wooden floors that creak, candy jars lined up like soldiers, and screen doors that slap shut behind every visitor: Indiana still keeps places like this alive.

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This Scenic Indiana Farm Serves Rich Artisan Hot Chocolate in a Historic 19th-Century Barn

I almost drove past the turnoff twice. There was no big sign, no crowd, just a gravel road cutting through Indiana farmland that felt forgotten by time.

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This Metal-Building Indiana BBQ Spot Is Keeping A Delicious Secret From Most Of The State

Hickory smoke drifts across a quiet neighborhood, giving away exactly what's happening inside a plain metal building somewhere in Indiana. No flashy sign.

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This Indiana Diner’s Breakfast Draws Crowds, But Locals Insist Its Mexican Food Is The Real Reason To Go

You walk in thinking pancakes. Then you spot tamales. That is the funny thing about this little Indiana diner. Breakfast starts...

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This Indiana Lake Feels Like A Private Escape Locals Want To Keep Secret

A 66-acre lake stays off most travel radars, hidden somewhere in the farmland of Indiana. Goats and a donkey wander the campground roads most mornings, which explains why the posted...

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This Overlooked Indiana State Forest’s Fire Tower Climb Rewards Hikers With A Panoramic View

You pull off a narrow country road in southern Indiana expecting a quick stretch of the legs, and end up staying most of the day. This state forest sits in the rolling hills near...

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This Massive Indiana Bin Warehouse Marks Down Everything To Exactly $1 For A Wild Clearance Event

I had no plan, and ten minutes later I was holding storage bins, puck lights, and a pair of scrubs I definitely did not need. That is the strange magic of a discount warehouse...

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This Historic Indiana City Park Features an Easy Boardwalk Trail to a Hidden Waterfall

What if you could reach a hidden waterfall without having to tackle a difficult hike? One historic Indiana city park makes the journey surprisingly easy with a boardwalk trail...

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8 Giant Indiana Liquidation Stores Featuring Crazy Closeout Deals

What if your next shopping trip felt more like a treasure hunt than a trip to the store? Liquidation shopping has a special kind of excitement because you never quite know what...

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9 Under-the-Radar Indiana Nature Parks That Feel Like You’ve Left the Midwest Entirely

Who decided the Midwest had to look like endless fields and flat roads? Indiana has a few natural surprises that can make you question where you actually are, from towering dunes...

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This Secret Indiana Creek Bed Is Packed With Hundreds Of Ancient Geodes Waiting To Be Found

What if a quiet creek bed was hiding hundreds of ancient treasures in plain sight? One secret Indiana creek has become a fascinating destination for anyone who loves discovering...

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This Massive Old-Growth Indiana Forest is the Largest Ancient, Virgin Jungle Hidden Inside a US City

What if you could step off a city street and suddenly find yourself surrounded by centuries-old trees? It is easy to assume that truly wild forests are far removed from busy communities,...

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This Indiana Farm-To-Table Cafe Features An Underground Nightclub Tucked Secretly Below The Dining Room

Some restaurants have secrets that are impossible to guess from the dining room alone. One Indiana farm-to-table café is a perfect example, offering a welcoming place to eat while...

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10 Incredible Indiana Bike Trails That Offer The Most Beautiful Views In The Whole Midwest

Have you ever taken a bike ride that made you forget you were supposed to be watching the miles? The best trails are not just about reaching the end, but about everything you notice...

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8 Massive Indiana Antique Malls You Seriously Need a Map to Navigate

What makes an antique mall worth planning a trip around? Sometimes it is the sheer size, the endless displays, and the feeling that something interesting could be waiting around...

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The Scenic Indiana Creek Hides Secret 300-Million-Year-Old Crystal Geodes

Most hikes end with photos. This one could end with a geological treasure in your pocket. Along a scenic Indiana creek, visitors...

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This Secret Indiana Lakeside Tavern Serves Up The Crispiest, Most Legendary Broasted Chicken In The State

How far would you drive for a meal people cannot stop talking about? Sometimes the most unforgettable restaurants are tucked away in places you would never expect, quietly building...

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This Authentic Indiana Polish Deli Has A $5 Hot Bar Special That Sells Out In Minutes

Some meals are memorable because of the price. Others stay with you because of the story behind the food. This Indiana Polish...

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This Legendary Indiana Meat Market Packs The Best Fully Cooked BBQ To Take Home

What if the best BBQ meal you had this week came straight from a meat market instead of a restaurant? Across Indiana, one longtime favorite has become a go-to stop for people who...

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This Dreamy Indiana Flower Farm Lets You Cut Your Own Colorful Summer Bouquets

When was the last time you picked something fresh straight from where it was grown? There is something special about spending a summer day surrounded by rows of flowers and choosing...

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This Popular Indiana Italian Restaurant May Be The Toughest Reservation In 2026

How badly do you want to try a restaurant when getting a table becomes part of the challenge? You may have to plan ahead for this Indiana Italian kitchen, where the growing buzz...

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This Scenic Indiana Diner Serves Legendary Old-School Burgers Worth Driving For Miles For

Roadside diners in Indiana always seem to promise a good meal, but every now and then one completely exceeds expectations. Pulling in, you get that familiar mix of sizzling burgers,...

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8 Sprawling Alabama Antique Malls Packing Miles of Retro Collectibles And Forgotten Keepsakes

I never understood the excitement of antique shopping until I found places where every corner seemed to offer a new surprise. Alabama...

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This Forest Hike In Alabama Leads To A Forgotten Ghost Town In The Woods

Not every hike leaves you wondering what stood beneath your feet a hundred or two hundred years ago. Alabama has one that turns an ordinary walk into a journey through a long-forgotten...

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This Hidden Indiana Tasting Room Is A Secret Gem Where You Can Sample Fresh Artisan Olive Oil

Past the art galleries and antique shops in this Indiana town, a little place sits waiting to change how you think about olive oil. The moment you step inside, the air smells rich,...

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This Authentic German Deli In Alabama Feels Like A Hidden European Market

Smoked meats and warm spices drift out before the door even opens, setting the tone for a German-inspired deli tucked into Alabama. Inside, handcrafted sausages line the counter...

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This Untouched Historic Indiana Island Has No Paved Roads, No Cars, And Wild Nature To Explore

Booming amusement park in the nineteen twenties, drawing over a hundred thousand visitors a year with roller coasters, a zoo, and a dance hall. Then the flood of nineteen thirty...

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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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