lila bradford author at My Family Travels
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This Indiana Antique Store is Tucked Inside an Old Church and Features Retro Toys and Books

I have a soft spot for places that feel like they belong to another era, and this shop is exactly that kind of place. Built inside a genuine 1861 Methodist church, walking through...

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This Indiana Limestone Wonder Features Underground Waterfalls and Rare Living Formations

I still remember the first time I heard about it from a neighbor who grew up in that part of southern Indiana. She described it the way people talk about a favorite book, like...

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This Indiana Experience Lets You Drive a Real Professional Racecar on a 2.5-Mile Track

There are bucket list experiences, and then there is getting behind the wheel of a real IndyCar at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I never fully understood the true power of these...

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This Stand-Alone Indiana Island Oasis Is Famous For Pot Roast Sundays That Draw Crowded Lines From Across The Region

I never expected to find a slice of Jamaica in the heart of a Midwestern city, but one sports bar and grill proved me completely wrong. From the moment you catch the scent of smoky...

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This Indiana Rock Quarry Has Been Transformed into a Park with Stunning Cliffside Views

I grew up in Indiana thinking I had seen most of what this state had to offer, but nothing prepared me for the moment I first stood at the edge of a 75-foot limestone cliff and...

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This Indiana Village Features a Massive Two-Floor Antique Mall Just Steps from Fresh Amish Bakery Treats

I had no idea a small Indiana village could pack so much charm into a single afternoon. This quiet town in Allen County is surrounded by farmland and the kind of unhurried pace...

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This Tiny Indiana House Is the Humble Childhood Home of the King of Pop

There is something quietly powerful about standing on a sidewalk in Gary, Indiana, looking at a modest little house and realizing that one of the greatest entertainers who ever...

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This Indiana Old-Growth Forest Offers a Quiet Escape for Spotting Great Horned Owls in the City

I grew up in Indiana knowing that nature and city life rarely mix well, but this preserve in Michigan City changed that thinking entirely for me. Nestled right inside a residential...

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The Indiana Hidden Gem with an Unassuming Exterior but a Huge Local Following for Tavern-Style Pizza

I’ll be honest, I almost drove past it. Paragon, Indiana is a small town, and this unassuming pizza spot doesn’t announce itself with flashy signs or a grand storefront.

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Walk Among Nearly 30 Retired Military Aircraft At This Indiana Museum

I still remember the first time I stood next to a real B-47 Stratojet and felt genuinely small. There is something about being that close to a machine built for war that no textbook...

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The Indiana Airport Diner Where You Can Eat a $10 Breakfast While Small Planes Land 20 Feet from Your Window

There are breakfast spots, and then there is a little airport diner in Columbus, Indiana that has quietly become one of the most talked-about morning stops in the state. Sitting...

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This Indiana University “Hole-in-the-Wall” Is the Go-To Spot for a Massive $3.50 Late-Night Slice

There are places in every college town that just stick with you, and this pizza joint in Bloomington is absolutely one of them. I still remember hearing about it from locals who...

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This Indiana Bank-Turned-Eatery Lets You Feast Inside a Secret 1920s Stronghold

There are restaurants, and then there are places that make you stop mid-step and say, wait, is this real? This one is firmly in that second category, a rare spot where the building...

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The Tiny 35-Seat Indiana Bistro Where Tables Are Snagged Weeks In Advance

Some restaurants just feed you. And then there are places like 9th Street Bistro in Noblesville, Indiana, where the whole experience feels like something worth planning your month...

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This Unusual Indiana Highway Park Is Where You Can Sit in Peace and Simply Watch the World Zoom By

There are parks with fountains, parks with playgrounds, and parks with sweeping green lawns. And then there is one small Indianapolis park that throws out the rulebook entirely.

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This Indiana Hidden Gem Serves A “Saturday-Only” Country Breakfast Buffet That Locals Drive Hours For

There are some places in Indiana that feel like a well-kept secret, and this small-town family restaurant is exactly that kind of spot. Tucked away on a quiet street, it has been...

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This 110-Foot Indiana Fire Tower Offers a 360-Degree View Above the Treetops

There is something genuinely thrilling about climbing above the forest canopy and seeing the world spread out in every direction. I grew up in Indiana, and I will admit that finding...

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This Indiana Ancient Sea Floor Lets You Walk Across A 390-Million-Year-Old Fossilized Reef

There are places that stop you mid-step and make you genuinely question everything you thought you knew about the ground beneath your feet. This park is exactly that kind of place.

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The Historic Three-Story Indiana Barn Where You Can Shop From The Rafters To The Cellar

There is something genuinely exciting about walking into a place that feels alive with history. One antique mall in Southern Indiana is exactly that kind of spot.

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Indiana’s Massive 10-Mile Riverfront Journey Perfect For Biking Past Lost Canal Locks

I'll be honest, I did not expect a trail in Carroll County to stop me in my tracks the way the Wabash and Erie Canal Trail in Delphi did.

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This Indiana “Hidden Palace” Has A Buffet So Huge You’ll Think You’re Dreaming

There is a restaurant in the Indianapolis area that feels less like a casual weeknight stop and more like an event you plan your week around. This spot has quietly built a reputation...

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This Indiana Two-Story Fabric Mecca Is a 30,000-Square-Foot Paradise

I have visited a lot of fabric stores over the years, but nothing quite prepared me for walking into one massive fabric destination in Shipshewana, Indiana. This place is not just...

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Indiana’s Vibrant Spring Market Hidden at a Picturesque Lavender Farmstead

There is something quietly magical about discovering a place that feels like it belongs in a storybook, right here in Indiana. Tucked along a country road, a working lavender farm...

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10 Hidden Indiana Restaurants That Every Food Lover Needs to Try

I have spent more time than I care to admit driving down Indiana back roads, following tips from locals, and showing up at places with no sign out front and a line out the door....

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This Indiana Ridge Trail Is the Only Place to Stand on a Backbone Above the Clouds

There are places in Indiana that stop you cold, and the Backbone at Pine Hills inside Shades State Park is one of them. I grew up hearing people talk about Turkey Run, but nobody...

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This Little-Known Indiana State Park Is So Quiet, You’ll Hear Only Nature Everywhere You Hike

I still remember the first time I pulled off the road and into Harmonie State Park in Posey County, and the silence hit me like a warm blanket on a cold morning. No traffic noise,...

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This Historic Indiana Market Transforms a Small Farm into a 500-Vendor Treasure Hunt Every Wednesday Morning

I still remember the first time I pulled off Holland Road on a Wednesday morning and saw hundreds of cars already lined up before sunrise. The smell of fresh baked goods hit me...

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This Indiana Library Has a Secret Door That Leads to a Hidden 1920s-Style World

I never expected to find one of the most extraordinary experiences in Indiana tucked behind a secret door inside a busy college pub on Kirkwood Avenue. The Dunnkirk Library in...

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This Indiana Chocolate Factory Feels Like a Real-Life Willy Wonka and Is the Midwest’s Must-Visit Sweet Spot

I'll be honest, I never expected a chocolate shop in Indianapolis to stop me in my tracks the way DeBrand Fine Chocolates did. Walking through those doors feels like crossing into...

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8 Indiana State Escapes So Stunning, You’ll Swear They’re National Parks

I'll be honest with you. Before I started exploring Indiana's state parks, I assumed the best outdoor experiences required a long road trip to places like the Smokies or the Rockies.

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This Indiana Eatery is Hidden Inside a Restored 1870s Catholic Church

I never expected a Tuesday afternoon in Indianapolis to leave me genuinely speechless, but walking through the doors of St. Joseph Brewery on North College Avenue did exactly that....

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This Indiana Park Hides a Secret World Beneath Your Feet

I still remember the first time I walked into Spring Mill State Park and felt like I had stepped into two completely different worlds at once.

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This Indiana Bakery Serves a Perfect $2 Donut That Draws Crowds From Across the Midwest

I have driven past a lot of bakeries in Indiana, but nothing quite stopped me in my tracks like Concannon's Pastry Shop in Muncie. The second you walk in, you’re met with rows...

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Indiana’s Dessert Spot That’s Basically a Dentist’s Worst Nightmare for Its Overloaded, Sugar-Packed Creations

I'll be honest, I drove past Shelby Street more times than I care to admit before I finally stopped in at The Cavity Factory. Something about the name, the buzz on Facebook, and...

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8 Huge Indiana Thrift Stores Where You Can Stock a Cart for Just $25

I’ve spent countless weekends diving headfirst into Indiana’s thrift scene, and let me tell you, nothing beats the thrill of pushing a cart overflowing with goodies without...

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Indiana Residents Are Flocking to This Massive Furniture Store for Crazy Discounts

I remember the first time I drove past Indiana Furniture and Mattress on East Lincolnway in Valparaiso. The massive building caught my attention immediately, and I wondered what...

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This Indiana Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurant Serves a Cheeseburger So Legendary It Puts Your Favorite Fair Food to Shame

I grew up hearing stories about Miner-Dunn from my parents, and when I finally walked through those doors myself, I understood why this place has been a Highland institution since...

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The Best Fish And Chips In Indiana Are Found At This Grocery Store Counter With A Near-Perfect 4.8 Rating

I never thought I'd find my new favorite fried fish spot inside a grocery store, but here we are. Grill and Fry, tucked right inside Saraga International Grocery on Indianapolis's...

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10 Laid-Back Indiana Towns Where $1,200 a Month Is Enough to Retire in Comfort

I've spent years exploring Indiana's small towns, and I can tell you that retiring on a tight budget doesn't mean sacrificing quality of life.

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10 Budget-Friendly Date Night Ideas Across Indiana

Finding affordable ways to spend quality time with someone special can feel like a challenge, especially when you want to make the evening memorable without emptying your wallet....

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10 Overlooked Indiana Towns Where You Can Stretch Your Budget and Enjoy Excellent Healthcare

I've spent years exploring Indiana's hidden corners, and I've discovered something remarkable. While everyone flocks to Indianapolis or Fort Wayne, some of our state's best-kept...

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People Drive From All Over Indiana For The Delicious Cinnamon Rolls At This Bakery That Uses A Secret 100-Year-Old Amish Recipe

I remember the first time someone told me about a bakery in New Haven where people drive from all corners of Indiana just for cinnamon rolls. I thought they were exaggerating.

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10 Towns In Indiana Where You Can Actually Live On Nothing But Social Security And Never Worry About Money

Living on a fixed income doesn’t mean you have to give up comfort, fun, or peace of mind. In Indiana, there are some of the most budget-friendly towns in the country; places...

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This Indiana Park Hides A Natural Well Where You Can Savor The State’s Crispest Water

I never expected to find one of Indiana's most refreshing secrets right off a busy Carmel street. Flowing Well Park has been quietly serving up crystal-clear spring water for over...

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Everyone Says This Mom-And-Pop Diner in Indiana Serves Breakfast That Locals Can’t Stop Raving About

I've eaten breakfast at more diners across Indiana than I care to admit, but nothing quite compares to the magic happening inside Cindy's Diner on West Berry Street in Fort Wayne....

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This Underrated Car Museum In Indiana Is a Must-Visit for Gearheads

I never thought a museum could make me feel like I was standing in a 1936 Ford showroom, but that’s exactly what happened when I walked into the Early Ford V-8 Museum in Auburn....

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This Indiana Amish Market Is Where $25 Can Stretch Surprisingly Far

I've driven past countless roadside markets in Indiana, but few have stopped me in my tracks quite like Rentown Country Store in Bremen.

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This Indiana Bakery Has Been Hiding a Massive “Cannonball” Pastry for Over 90 Years

I grew up hearing stories about the old bakeries in Indianapolis, the ones that have been around longer than most of us can remember. Boyden's Southside Bakery on South Meridian...

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This Indiana Nature Preserve Feels Like a Hidden Gem Every Season

I remember the first time I turned off Vernal Pike and parked along the narrow roadside entrance to Porter West Preserve. The preserve felt like a secret someone had whispered...

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This Simple Indiana Restaurant Turns Spaghetti Into an Unforgettable Meal

I've eaten at more Italian restaurants around Indianapolis than I can count, but there's something about Iaria's that keeps pulling me back. Located at 317 S College Ave in downtown...

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