miles donovan author at My Family Travels
Article
This Indiana Iron Giant Brings the Golden Age of Steam Back to Life

There is something about the sound of a steam whistle cutting through the Indiana countryside that makes time feel like it is standing still. I grew up hearing stories about the...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Indiana’s Massive 28-Mile Rail-Trail Perfect For Running, Biking, And Spotting Forgotten History

I never expected a former railroad corridor to become one of my favorite places in all of Indiana, but the Monon Trail has a way of surprising you.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Tiny Indiana Cafe Is Hiding A Massive All-You-Can-Eat Friday Fish Secret

There is a small town in northern Indiana quietly holding one of the most surprisingly authentic dining experiences in the entire Midwest. New Carlisle might not be on most food...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Secret Spot Serves Unlimited Made-to-Order Sushi for Under $30

I'll be honest, when I first heard about an all-you-can-eat sushi spot in Fishers, Indiana, I was a little skeptical. Indiana isn't exactly the first place that comes to mind when...

Read More    6 min read

Article
10 Indiana Sandwich Spots That Serve Way More Than Just Ham and Cheese

I'll be honest, I used to think a great sandwich was just a matter of good bread and decent deli meat. Then I started actually...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Indiana Estate is a Pristine 1960s Time Capsule with a Modernist Backyard Dream

I never expected a small Indiana city to hold one of the most breathtaking examples of modernist architecture in the entire country. But Columbus surprised me, and the Miller House...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Hideaway Has Been Serving Famous “Pizza Burgers” From Your Car Window Since the 1950s

I grew up hearing about places like Tastee Top Grill the way you hear about a family secret. Someone always knows someone who swears by it, and once you finally go, you completely...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Nature Preserve Features a Sandstone Ravine That Was Once a Secret Trail for Native American Chiefs

I have walked through a lot of Indiana's natural spaces, but Crow's Grove Nature Preserve in Warren County stopped me in my tracks the moment I stepped onto its trails. There is...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Mom-And-Pop Diner Tucked Inside an Old High School and Serves the State’s Most Unique Sunday Brunch

I never expected a small town in northern Indiana to completely change the way I think about breakfast. But the moment I pulled up to the location, and realized the diner I was...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Indiana’s Hidden Glass Wonderland Where You’ll Find Every Color Imaginable

I'll be honest with you. Before I visited Kokomo Opalescent Glass, I had no idea that one of the oldest art glass factories in the entire United States was sitting right here in...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Short Indiana Walk Reveals Hidden Limestone Pillars Carved by Nature Over Thousands of Years

I had no idea something this remarkable existed just a short drive from central Indiana until a friend mentioned it almost in passing. The Seven Pillars of the Mississinewa near...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Pirate-Themed Indiana BBQ Spot Serves a 2-Pound Beast That People Travel Hours to Try

I never thought a pirate-themed BBQ joint in Westfield, Indiana would become one of my favorite places to eat, but here we are. Big Hoffa's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que has built a loyal...

Read More    6 min read

Article
10 Humble Donut Shops Worth the Drive From Anywhere in Indiana

I've spent more mornings than I can count chasing down the perfect donut across Indiana, and I've learned something important along the way. The best donuts don't come from fancy...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Indiana Farm Is Turning Wagyu Steak Into a Date Night You’ll Actually Plan Around

In the tiny town of Roanoke, you wouldn’t expect a culinary destination that rivals anywhere in Indiana. Yet Joseph Decuis, located at 2219 Decuis Road, Roanoke, IN 46783, serving...

Read More    6 min read

Article
Locals Say This Indiana Town Is Tourist-Ruined and Clogged by One-Way Traffic Jams

I have to be honest with you. I love Nashville, Indiana, but I also know exactly what locals mean when they roll their eyes on a busy October weekend.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Tiny Indiana Restaurant’s Burgers Are Unreal, and the “Big Ugly” Challenge Is Pure Madness

I still remember the first time I walked into Bub's Burgers in Carmel. The smell of perfectly seasoned beef hit me before I even opened the door, and I knew I was about to experience...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Diner Is Serving Up Vegan Comfort Food So Good, You Won’t Even Miss the Meat

I never thought I'd say this, but vegan comfort food at 10th Street Diner has completely changed my mind about plant-based eating. Located at 3301 E 10th St in Indianapolis, this...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This No-Frills Indiana Restaurant Serves a Cheesesteak People Travel From Across the State to Devour

I never thought I'd drive across state lines for a sandwich until someone told me about BigCity CheeseSteaks in Munster. Located at 8220 Calumet Ave, Munster, IN 46321, this small,...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Retro Indiana Steakhouse Is Famous for a Salad Bar Served with Jelly Beans and Caviar

I still remember the first time someone told me about Cork 'N Cleaver in Evansville. They mentioned jelly beans on a salad bar, and I thought they were pulling my leg.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Enormous Indiana Antique Store Will Keep You Exploring for Hours on End

I stumbled upon Centerville Antique Mall during a road trip through Indiana, and what I thought would be a quick stop turned into an entire afternoon adventure.

Read More    6 min read

Article
An Indiana Thrift Store Where $15 Can Upgrade Your Style in Minutes

I'll admit something right now: I used to think thrift shopping meant digging through piles of moth-eaten sweaters and outdated shoulder pads. Then I walked into Broad Ripple Vintage...

Read More    6 min read

Article
Hoosiers Are Flocking To This Enormous Bazaar In Indiana That Feels Almost Unreal

I’ve wandered through plenty of Indiana flea markets over the years, but nothing quite prepared me for my first visit to Treasures Indoor Flea Market in Camby. The moment I stepped...

Read More    6 min read

Article
A Tiny Indiana Cabin That Might Just Serve Up The State’s Best Pizza

I stumbled onto Lakeside Wood Fire Pizza on one of those aimless Sunday drives where you're just looking for something different, and let me tell you, it completely changed how...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Legendary All-You-Can-Eat Buffet In Indiana That Foodies Swear Is a Must-Try

I'll admit it: I'm a sucker for a good buffet. There's something thrilling about having endless options stretched out before you, letting you sample a little bit of everything...

Read More    6 min read

Article
10 Low-Key Indiana Restaurants With Outrageously Fresh Seafood

I never thought I'd find seafood this good in Indiana. Growing up in the Midwest, I assumed fresh fish was something you only got near the coast.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Indiana Secondhand Shop Is So Huge and Full of Deals, Shoppers Travel From All Over the State

I've driven past the Goodwill on North Keystone Avenue more times than I can count, and every single visit reminds me why this place has become such a destination for thrifters...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Soda Shop Is a Literal Time Machine Straight to the 1950s

I remember the first time I heard about South Side Soda Shop in Goshen. A friend mentioned this place that looked like a silver train car sitting right on Main Street, and I knew...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Charming Indiana Bed and Breakfast Is the Perfect Escape From Stress

I never realized how much I needed a real break until I discovered Prairie Guest House in Fishers. Living in Indiana, I thought I knew all the best spots to unwind, but this 1800s...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Charming Indiana Candy Store Is Hiding Chocolates Everyone Can’t Stop Talking About

I still remember the first time I walked into McCord Candies on Main Street in Lafayette. The smell hit me immediately, a mix of fresh chocolate and vanilla that made my stomach...

Read More    6 min read

Article
8 Indiana Oriental Restaurants That Are a Full Hit With Hoosiers in 2026

I have watched Indiana's food scene grow into something truly special over the past few years, and 2026 has been remarkable for anyone who loves Asian cuisine. The Hoosier state...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Town Hides a River That Locals Guard Like Treasure

I've driven past Cannelton dozens of times without giving it a second thought, just another small town along Highway 66. But one afternoon I decided to pull off and explore, and...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Lakeside Town Feels Like Summer in Every Season

I discovered Syracuse and the Wawasee Area during a crisp October afternoon when the leaves were turning and most lakeside towns had already rolled up their welcome mats for the...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana City Has a Cat Cafe That’s Basically a Paradise for Feline Fans

Walking into Nine Lives Cafe & Cat Lounge on Shelby Street, you might expect a cute coffee shop with a few cats wandering around. What you find is something entirely different.

Read More    6 min read

Article
8 Indiana Bakeries That Will Totally Change How You Think About Pastries

I have eaten my way through more bakeries in Indiana than I care to admit, and I can tell you with complete certainty that our state is hiding some of the most incredible pastry...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Humble Indiana Restaurant Serving Pies That People Can’t Stop Talking About

Fremont might not be the first place you think of when planning a food adventure, but this small Indiana town hides something special. Clay's Family Restaurant sits right on Old...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Bakery Serves Pastries That Keep Dessert Lovers Coming Back Daily

Every dessert lover in Indianapolis knows about The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers, but not everyone understands why it has such a devoted following. Located at 6515 Carrollton...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Mega Flea Market in Indiana That Makes Everyone a Bargain Hunter

Kokomo, Indiana might not be the first place you think of when planning a treasure hunt, but Vendor City is changing that story. This massive indoor flea market at 537 S Reed Rd...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The NY Strip That Has Indiana Diners Coming Back in Their Dreams

Walking through the doors of St. Elmo Steak House feels like stepping into a piece of Indianapolis history. Since 1902, this legendary restaurant has been serving up some of the...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Go-Kart Track Is the Ultimate Weekend Adventure for All Ages

Racing through curves at nearly 50 miles per hour and feeling the wind rush past your helmet is an experience like no other at New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana. This isn’t...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Indiana City Where Waves and Dunes Don’t Feel Midwestern at All

Michigan City sits right on Lake Michigan's southern shore, offering a coastal experience that feels more like the Atlantic than the heart of the Midwest. Miles of sandy beaches...

Read More    6 min read

Article
8 Indiana Locations Worth Adding to Your Weekend Itinerary

Indiana might not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a weekend getaway, but this Midwestern state holds plenty of surprises for travelers seeking adventure and...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Gem Serves Reubens That Might Make You Want to Drive There for Lunch

Walking into Shapiro's Delicatessen feels like stepping back in time to when delis were family treasures and sandwiches were piled high with care. Located at 808 S Meridian St...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Most Unusual Museums in Indiana You’d Never Expect to Find

Indiana may be famous for basketball and endless cornfields, but tucked away across the Hoosier State are some of the most surprising and unusual museums you could ever imagine....

Read More    8 min read

Article
Scenic Indiana Countryside Drives That Only Locals Know

Indiana's countryside hides some of the most beautiful scenic drives that tourists rarely discover. These winding roads take...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Cozy Indiana Coffee Shops Perfect For Warming Up After Exploring Small Towns

Indiana's charming small towns offer endless opportunities for exploration, from historic downtown squares to quaint antique shops tucked along tree-lined streets.

Read More    7 min read

Article
Indiana’s Turkey Run Trails Will Make You Question Your Hiking Shoes

Turkey Run State Park in Marshall, Indiana offers some of the most adventurous hiking trails in the Midwest, but many first-time visitors arrive completely unprepared for what...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Indiana’s Legendary Indianapolis Diner Flips Burgers That Taste Like Nostalgia

Stepping into the Historic Steer-In on the Eastside of Indianapolis feels like traveling back to a simpler time when diners were the heart of the community and every meal came...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Bagel Shop Has a Cream Cheese Combo You’ll Want Every Morning

Indianapolis might not be the first place you think of when craving authentic New York-style bagels, but Bagel Fair has been proving skeptics wrong since 1975. Tucked into a strip...

Read More    7 min read

Article
A 17-Foot Super Bug Sculpture Stands Proudly in This Indiana Downtown

Standing tall at 17 feet, the KokoMantis is one of Indiana's most unusual and beloved roadside attractions. This massive praying mantis sculpture has become a symbol of Kokomo,...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Strangest Things You’ll Spot Along Indiana’s Backroads

Indiana might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of weird roadside attractions, but the Hoosier State has some seriously strange surprises hiding along its...

Read More    7 min read