gideon frost author at My Family Travels
Article
This Massive Flooded Alabama Quarry Secretly Holds A Sunken Jet Airplane On The Bottom

Alabama has a lot of hidden surprises, but few can match the sheer wonder of this Pelham quarry turned recreation spot. What looks like an ordinary outdoor area from the surface...

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This Hidden Alabama Paddle Paradise Features Stunning 40-Foot Rock Cliffs Right Outside Town

This quiet spot just outside Tuscaloosa, Alabama feels like a world apart from the city. Calm water, thick pine forests, and dramatic sandstone cliffs rising from the shoreline...

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If You Haven’t Been to This 3-Story Indiana Factory, You’re Missing Out

There is a distinct magic to walking through the heavy doors of this historic Goshen factory and instantly feeling like you've stepped back in time.

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The Hidden Indiana Lakeside Town Restaurant Is Serving Up Real Fried Alligator

Some restaurants just serve food. This Monticello, Indiana spot offers an experience that feels far beyond what most small-town diners expect.

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This Gorgeous 67-Acre Alabama Botanical Paradise Is Completely Free To Enter

This is one of Alabama’s most beloved green spaces, and the best part is that it costs nothing to walk through the gate. Spread across 67 acres, it features thousands of plants,...

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This Serene Alabama Park Is Perfect If You Want Nature Without The Noise

Sometimes you just need to escape the constant hum of everyday life and find a place where the loudest sound is wind moving through the trees. This quiet state park near Tuscaloosa...

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This Haunting Abandoned Alabama Hollywood Movie Set Is Quietly Decaying In The Wilderness

Somewhere along a dirt road near Millbrook, Alabama, a fictional town is slowly being reclaimed by nature. This abandoned movie set, originally built for a major fantasy film in...

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10 Alabama Towns Are Losing Residents Due To Record High Housing Costs

Alabama has long been known as one of the more affordable states in the South, but that reputation is changing fast. Home prices across the state have climbed sharply over the...

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This Breathtaking Alabama Sanctuary Was Built Entirely Around A Massive Mountain Boulder

Some places carry a weight that goes beyond their size. This tiny wooden chapel in Mentone, Alabama is one of those rare spots that stops you in your tracks the moment you see...

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This No-Frills Indiana BBQ Shack Is Secretly Serving The Best Ribs In The Region

Some of the best food you will ever eat does not come from a fancy restaurant with white tablecloths and a long wait list. Sometimes it comes from a small roadside spot with a...

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This Indiana Amish Bakery Is So Packed With Fresh Bread, Pies, and Cookies You’ll Want One of Everything

Some bakeries feel like a quick stop. However, this one in Loogootee, Indiana feels like a reason to reroute your whole drive. The...

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This Hidden 3-Story Alabama Castle In The Woods Looks Straight Out of A European Fairy Tale

Most people drive through Fairhope, Alabama without knowing that a hand-built castle is tucked away just a few blocks from downtown. This whimsical stone structure is one of those...

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You Can Smell the Bacon From the Stadium Gates at This Legendary Alabama Game-Day Diner

Some places earn their reputation one plate at a time, and this Tuscaloosa, Alabama diner has been doing exactly that since the mid-1990s. Sitting just steps from Bryant-Denny...

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This Gigantic Alabama Arena Holds Over 100,000 People But Sits Eerily Empty Most Of The Year

Most people picture roaring crowds, deafening engines, and clouds of tire smoke when they think of major motorsports venues. But for most of the year, this enormous racing complex...

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The Dark History Behind Alabama’s Most Famous Bridge That Most Tourists Entirely Miss

Most people who cross this historic bridge in Selma, Alabama do so quietly, almost reverently, as if they can still feel the weight of what happened here. The bridge spans the...

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This Stunning Alabama Lake Features Water So Crystal Clear It Looks Exactly Like The Bahamas

Most people think you have to book a flight to find water that looks like the Bahamas. This north-central Alabama lake quietly proves that idea wrong.

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This 2,500-Acre Indiana Wildlife Area Has 28 Hidden Lakes Most Hoosiers Don’t Know About

Most people drive past Warrick County, Indiana without realizing one of the state’s most unusual outdoor destinations is sitting quietly nearby. This sprawling fish and wildlife...

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This Glowing Pink Underground Cave In Indiana Is Made Entirely Of 18,000 Pounds Of Salt

There is a place in Indianapolis, Indiana where the walls, floor, and ceiling glow soft pink, and the air itself feels calming the moment you step inside. This wellness space recreates...

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The Giant Alabama Secondhand Shop Where You Can Score A Whole New Wardrobe For Less Than $35

If you have never walked out of a thrift store feeling like you just hit the jackpot, you probably have not visited this Pelham, Alabama secondhand shop. It is not your average...

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This Enchanting Alabama Destination Is Part Wildlife Sanctuary, Part Steakhouse, And 100% Magical

Some places are hard to explain until you actually experience them yourself. This Sardis City, Alabama destination is one of those rare spots that blends a wild game steakhouse...

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You Can Feed A Giant Giraffe At Eye Level At This Wild Alabama Safari Park

There are not many places in the South where you can look a giraffe directly in the eye and hand it a piece of lettuce. This wildlife park in Hope Hull, Alabama makes that kind...

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This Hidden Alabama Oasis Is Tucked Away In The Land Of 1,000 Waterfalls

Most people drive right past Lawrence and Winston counties, Alabama without a second thought, never realizing what lies just beyond the tree line. This protected forest area in...

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10 Hidden Gems That Prove Alabama Has The Most Stunning Nature In The Entire United States

Alabama does not always get the credit it deserves when people talk about America's most breathtaking natural landscapes. From glowing canyon floors to ancient rock arches and...

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This Massive Indiana Water-World Has 5 Pools And A Hidden Lake Escape

If you have ever wanted a vacation that feels like a theme park, a lake retreat, and a campground all rolled into one, this family-friendly destination in northern Indiana might...

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You Can Get Cheap Breakfast And Incredible Baked Goods At This Indiana Hidden Gem

There are some places in Indiana that just feel like home the moment you walk through the door, and this longtime Muncie bakery café is exactly that kind of place.

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This Secret Alabama Train Is The Most Magical Way To See The State

There is something about a train that makes everything feel more alive. The rhythm of the wheels, the sound of steel on steel, and the way the landscape drifts past like a moving...

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This Alabama BBQ Joint Covers Chicken In A Famous White Sauce People Can’t Stop Craving

Some places earn their reputation one plate at a time, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama, has been doing exactly that since 1925.

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This Alabama Canyon Is One Of The Only Places On Earth Where You Can See Glow-In-The-Dark Creatures

There are places in this world that genuinely stop you in your tracks, and this canyon in northern Alabama is absolutely one of them. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian...

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This No-Frills Alabama Spot Is Known For Its Outrageously Good Italian Food

Some restaurants earn their reputation the old-fashioned way, through food that speaks louder than any flashy sign or trendy decor. This family-run Italian spot in Decatur, Alabama...

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Locals Treat This Alabama Pizza And Pasta Spot Like A Secret For Cheesy Slices And Comfort Food

I remember the first time I heard about this Lakeview pizza and brew spot from a friend in Birmingham. She talked about it like a neighborhood secret you almost want to keep to...

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10 Simple Indiana Trails That Pay Off With Stunning Spring Views

I have wandered through Indiana trails for years, and spring transforms them into something magical. Wildflowers carpet the forest floor, waterfalls rush with snowmelt, and fresh...

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Treasure Hunters Across Alabama Can’t Resist This Massive Antique Shopping Spot

I’ve always believed that the best antique shopping experiences happen when you least expect them. Driving along Highway 84 in Dothan, I spotted a sprawling building that promised...

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This Indiana Canal Walk Feels Like A Trip To Italy Without The International Flight

I never expected to find a slice of Italy tucked into the middle of a Midwestern city, but this downtown canal walk delivers that European charm without the jet lag or passport...

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Hidden Diners In Indiana Locals Swear Serve The Best Breakfast

Indiana might be famous for basketball and cornfields, but locals know the real treasure lies in the breakfast diners tucked away in small towns and quiet neighborhoods across...

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This Indiana Conservatory Is a Glass-Walled Tropical Jungle That Stays 80 Degrees Even in a Blizzard

I grew up in Indiana, and I know how brutal our winters can get. The kind of cold that makes you want to stay under a blanket until April.

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This Indiana Bulk Store Features A Clearance Section With A Constant Rotation Of Overstock Snacks And Unexpected Finds

If you have ever wished you could shop like a restaurant without needing a business license or a paid membership, a restaurant supply store in Indiana is the kind of place that...

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The Scenic Indiana Creek That Transforms Into A Technical Challenge During High Water

I’ve always had a soft spot for waterways that catch you off guard in the best way. There is one in Indiana that does exactly that, shifting from a peaceful, winding stream into...

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The 15-Acre Indiana Statue Lot Where Thousands Of Concrete Sculptures Rise From The Countryside

I never expected a gravel road in southern Indiana to lead me somewhere so genuinely unforgettable. This roadside attraction in Otisco has been quietly blowing minds since 1976,...

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This Indiana Corridor Follows A Massive Prehistoric Bison Highway Used By Settlers To Conquer The Frontier

There is something quietly powerful about walking ground that millions of bison once thundered across, and that early American settlers used to push westward into the unknown....

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This Historic Indiana Drive-In Serves Smash Burgers So Thin They Develop A Signature Crispy Lace Around The Edges

Some places just feel like home the moment you pull up, and a classic drive-in in Lafayette is exactly that kind of spot. I grew up hearing Indiana locals talk about it like it...

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The Smooth Indiana Prairie Path Where Open-Sky Views And Level Trails Make For The Ultimate Easy Ride

There is something about rolling through a wide-open Indiana prairie that just feels right. The sky stretches out endlessly, the path moves steadily beneath you, and everything...

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This Indiana Indoor Vendor Maze Feels Like A Permanent Parallel Shopping Universe

I walked into a massive indoor marketplace in southern Indiana on a random Tuesday afternoon and somehow lost three hours without even trying. Tucked into Clarksville, it is the...

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The Iconic Indiana Campus Landmark Where You Can View the Stars Through a Historic 12-Inch Refracting Telescope for Free

I still remember the first time I looked through the eyepiece and saw Saturn’s rings floating in the dark like something out of a dream. There is something genuinely magical...

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9 Indiana Diners Where the Portions Are So Big They Barely Fit the Table

I have a real weakness for places where the food arrives and your very first thought is, there is no way I am finishing all of that. Indiana has a surprising number of spots just...

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9 Indiana Hidden Waterways That Feel Like Secret Worlds

I grew up in Indiana thinking I knew every corner of this state, but then I stumbled onto a mossy creek trail that made me feel like I had walked into a completely different world....

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The Eerie Indiana Coastal Secret Where the Remains of a 1910 Steamship Rest Just 300 Yards Offshore

I never expected Indiana to have an underwater shipwreck preserve, and yet here we are. Just a short distance off the shoreline of a state park along Lake Michigan, beneath the...

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Pet Rescued Farm Animals At This Heartwarming Indiana Sanctuary For Misplaced Creatures

I never expected a farm off a county road in Indiana to completely change the way I think about rescued animals. This farm rescue and sanctuary is one of those places that sneaks...

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The Surreal Indiana Knot House Is A Twisted Architectural Mystery You Have To See To Believe

There is something genuinely strange waiting for you in the woods behind the Indianapolis Art Center, and I mean that in the best possible way. The Twisted House is a cedar sculpture...

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This Rural Indiana General Store Is Consistently Ranked One of the Best Places to Eat in the State

I have driven past a lot of small-town storefronts in Indiana, but few have stopped me in my tracks the way this one did the first time I spotted it along a quiet road in Solsberry....

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This Retro Indiana Steakhouse Features Generous Portions And A Lay-Back Vibe In A Town Of Less Than 500 People

Some of the best meals I have ever had came from places you almost drive past without noticing. There’s a small-town steakhouse in Indiana that perfectly fits that description.

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This Indiana Religious Landmark Is an Open-Air Sanctuary With a Floating Roof and Modernist Design

Some places stop you in your tracks before you even know why. That is exactly what happened to me the first time I visited this open-air sanctuary tucked into a quiet Indiana town.

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Taste The Authentic Flavors Of The Himalayas At This Hidden Indiana Gem

I never expected to find a piece of the Himalayas tucked into a quiet neighborhood in Bloomington, Indiana. But that is exactly what this little Tibetan spot delivers, and honestly,...

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The Fast-Paced Indiana Bin Store Where “Grab Bag Day” Is a Competitive Sport With $5 Treasures

If you have ever wanted to feel the rush of a real treasure hunt without leaving Indianapolis, there is a spot on Coffman Road that might be exactly what you’ve been looking...

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This Indiana Seafood Spot Features Floor-to-Ceiling Windows Overlooking a Massive Lighted Waterfall

There are restaurants, and then there are places that genuinely stop you in your tracks the moment you walk through the door. This South Bend spot is exactly that kind of place.

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This Indiana Diner Serves a 16-Ounce Behemoth Tenderloin So Massive You Can Make Three Sandwiches From One Cutlet

There are certain places in Indiana that just feel like they belong to everyone who has ever grown up here, and this classic diner in Edinburgh is one of them. I first heard about...

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8 Indiana Step Back in Time Villages Where Modern Life Completely Disappears

I still remember the first time I drove through a small Indiana village and felt the world slow down around me. The hum of traffic faded, the phone signal dropped, and suddenly...

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10 Remote Indiana Restaurants Where the Drive Is Part of the Adventure

I have a thing for roads that lead somewhere unexpected. Not highways lined with chain restaurants and familiar logos, but the kind of two-lane stretches where the GPS hesitates...

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This Indiana Art Museum Boasts the Largest Collection of Artwork Ever Created by Hoosiers

I will be honest with you. I drove past this mansion on more times than I can count before I finally stopped and walked inside. That...

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This Indiana Candle Emporium Features a Massive Candle-Shaped Building Visible from the Highway

There are roadside stops you forget the moment you pull back onto the highway, and then there are places that genuinely surprise you. This one is firmly in that second category.

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This 3-Story Indiana “Neon Grotto” Is Built From 250 Tons Of Rare Glowing Sponge Rock

I never expected to come across something this extraordinary tucked along a quiet road in Munster, Indiana. This grotto is exactly the kind of place that makes you pause and take...

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