roman pierce author at My Family Travels
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9 Incredible Puerto Rican Restaurants In Indiana That Keep Locals Coming Back

I have eaten my way through a lot of Indiana, and nothing has surprised me more than the Puerto Rican food scene hiding in plain sight across the state. From food trucks parked...

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This Massive 39-Mile Paved Trail Weaves Through Alabama’s Hidden Mountains

Alabama has an outdoor destination that still feels like a discovery to many visitors. Stretching across the eastern part of the state, a paved rail trail winds through farmland,...

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10 Highly Rated Alabama Seafood Spots That Dominate Local 5-Star Online Reviews

Alabama has a way of making seafood feel personal. From the Gulf Coast shoreline to inland cities, the state is home to restaurants that locals return to again and again, not just...

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This Massive Indiana Music Store Is Filled With More Than 300,000 Vintage Records And CDs

Music lovers in Indiana have a hidden treasure waiting on a lively street in Indianapolis. A large independent record store in the Broad Ripple area has built a strong reputation...

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Most Locals Have No Clue This Remote Indiana Boardwalk Hides An Epic Bird Sanctuary

Hidden in the northern corner of Indiana, a quiet wetland preserve is one of those rare places most people pass by without ever realizing what they are missing.

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This Massive Indiana Railroad Bridge Was Built As The Longest Train Trestle In The United States

Hidden among the rolling hills of Greene County, Indiana, stands one of the most impressive feats of early 20th-century engineering many people have never heard of.

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10 Places in Indiana to Catch the Most Amazing 4th Of July Fireworks

Every Fourth of July, I find myself scanning the sky for that first burst of color, and Indiana never lets me down. This state is packed with incredible fireworks celebrations,...

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This Picture-Perfect Town In Indiana Looks Straight Out Of A Heartwarming Hallmark Movie

Some towns have a way of making you slow down, breathe a little deeper, and smile at the smallest things. There is a place in Indiana where the courthouse glows at Christmas, neighbors...

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This Alabama Ancient Cave Site Holds Archeological Ruins Dating Back Ten Thousand Years

This cave in Alabama is one of those rare places where you can stand at the edge of history and actually feel it. It sheltered human beings for nearly ten thousand years, making...

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This Mind-Blowing Italian Spot In Alabama Is Worth Skipping A Trip To New York For

You know that feeling when you find a New York accent buried in a Birmingham neighborhood? That's the moment you realize this mind-blowing Italian spot in Alabama might actually...

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This Free Indiana Park Lets You Walk Back In Time Inside A Real Old Wood Fort From The 1700s

History has a way of feeling distant until you are standing right inside it. A historic park near West Lafayette, Indiana, is one of those rare places where the past feels completely...

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You Won’t Believe How Remarkably Clear The Water Is At Indiana’s Stunning, Spring-Fed Lake

You wade into the water and you can see your toes, clear as glass, ten feet down. That is the magic of this stunning, spring-fed lake in Indiana, where the water is so remarkably...

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This Massive Indiana Hardware Paradise Is A Dream Destination For Builders And DIYers

You walk in for a single screw and walk out with a new table saw, a bag of heirloom tomato seeds, and a sudden urge to build a birdhouse. That is the gravitational pull of this...

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You Can Get Up Close To Hundreds Of Wild Hummingbirds At This Enchanted Indiana Sanctuary

Indiana is home to some truly remarkable natural spaces, but few feel quite as peaceful as this bird sanctuary in the eastern part of the state. Spread across hundreds of acres...

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This Bizarre Forest Hidden In Indiana Features A Secret Message Only Visible From Above

Most people drive right past it without knowing a thing. Hidden in a quiet corner of Indiana, this county park holds one of the most unusual secrets in the Midwest.

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The Highest Rated Italian Restaurants In All Of Alabama

Alabama might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of authentic Italian food, but the state has some genuinely impressive restaurants that deserve serious attention....

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The Hidden Gem Alabama Shop Where You Can Buy Secondhand Craft Supplies For Dirt Cheap

Alabama has a quiet way of surprising you, and this Homewood creative space is one of those surprises worth seeking out. It is a reuse-focused shop, maker space, and cozy café...

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This Massive 80-Acre Indiana Park Features a Giant Medieval Castle for Epic Paintball Battles

Indiana has some genuinely surprising places, and a legendary outdoor venue near LaPorte, Indiana, is one of the most unforgettable. This action-packed destination has been running...

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10 Gorgeous Sand Beaches In Indiana Look Exactly Like Sunny California Coastline

Most people picture California when they think of wide sandy beaches, golden dunes, and warm summer vibes. Indiana has a secret that not enough people know about.

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This Massive Indiana Liquidator Warehouse Has Prices That Feel Like A Total Mistake

Indiana has no shortage of places to stretch a dollar, but this Indianapolis liquidation warehouse takes bargain hunting to another level. It sources overstock and customer returns...

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This Historic Indiana Tavern Flips A Legendary Thick-Cut Fried Bologna Sandwich Locals Love

Some restaurants just feel like they belong exactly where they are. This Greenfield, Indiana gastropub is one of those places. Set...

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The Best Under-The-Radar Indiana Restaurants Serving Up Massive Gluten-Free Comfort Food

Indiana has a quietly impressive food scene, and tucked within it are some truly special restaurants that take gluten-free cooking seriously. These spots are not afterthoughts...

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This Massive Tropical Alabama Waterpark Will Make You Lose All Track Of Time

If you have ever wanted to feel like you escaped to a tropical island without leaving the country, this resort destination in Foley, Alabama delivers that experience in a surprisingly...

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This Massive Alabama Buffet Features Crispy Fried Tomatoes and All the Southern Comfort Food You Can Eat

Some restaurants earn a loyal following through years of consistency, honest cooking, and a menu that feels like home. This Montgomery, Alabama buffet has built exactly that kind...

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The Best Under-The-Radar Pizza Joints In Indiana Where Locals Say The Crust Is Absolute Perfection

Indiana has a quiet pizza scene that does not get nearly enough credit. Scattered across small towns and city neighborhoods, there are spots where locals have been returning for...

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The Hidden Indiana Castle Where You Can Actually Spend The Night

I never expected to find a real castle in the middle of rural Indiana, but here we are. This castle-style bed and breakfast near Bowling Green is one of those places that makes...

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10 Underrated Indiana Hiking Trails Ending In Epic Panoramic Views

It turns out the Indiana landscape holds secrets most people completely overlook. Like many, I spent years buying into the myth that this state was nothing but endless flat farmland...

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This Indiana Tenderloin Sandwich Is So Huge It Practically Covers The Whole Tray

If you have ever heard Hoosiers argue about who makes the best breaded pork tenderloin in Indiana, this Franklin restaurant probably came up quickly.

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The Secret 10,000-Acre Wildlife Oasis Hiding Right Here in Indiana

Most people drive right past Newton County without a second thought, but tucked along the flat northwest Indiana landscape is one of the most rewarding outdoor destinations in...

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This Stunning 33-Foot Stainless Steel Monument Is One Of Indiana’s Most Striking Sacred Sites

Some places quietly earn a reputation for being extraordinary, and this St. John, Indiana religious site is one of those places. A towering stainless steel monument of the Virgin...

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10 No-Frills Spots Showing Why Alabama BBQ Stands Alone At The Very Top

Alabama barbecue has a way of stopping you in your tracks. There is something about the smell of hickory smoke curling out of a roadside shack that feels like a welcome home, even...

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One Bite Of The Homemade Meatloaf At This Humble Alabama Kitchen And You’ll Never Order It Anywhere Else

Some restaurants earn their reputation one plate at a time, and this Huntsville, Alabama country kitchen is exactly that kind of place. Its homemade meatloaf has become something...

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This Winding 3.5-Mile Natural Lazy River in Indiana Is the Ultimate Way to Float Your Afternoon Away

Some afternoons just call for slow water, warm sun, and zero plans. The Tippecanoe River in Winamac, Indiana offers exactly that kind of day, and Riverside Rentals makes it effortless...

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This Secret Indiana Market Has Handmade Goods You Can’t Find Anywhere Else

Not every great find sits in a busy shopping district or a well-known downtown. Some of the most remarkable places are the ones you almost drive past without a second glance.

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10 Overrated Indiana State Parks That Are Totally Overcrowded With Out-Of-State Tourists

Indiana has some genuinely beautiful state parks, and locals know that better than anyone. But lately, a few of these parks have become so popular with out-of-state visitors that...

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The Secret WWII History Hiding Inside One Of Indiana’s Most Popular Parks

Most people know this park in Indiana as a place for hiking, fishing, and enjoying nature just outside Indianapolis, Indiana. What many visitors never realize is that the land...

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Gatekept Indiana Restaurants So Insanely Popular They Actually Book Out For Months Ahead

Indiana has a food scene that quietly punches way above its weight, and locals who know tend to keep their favorite tables to themselves. Some of these restaurants have been around...

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The Secret Alabama Cabin Serving What Might Be The Best Fried Catfish In America

Some places earn their reputation quietly, one plate at a time. This Lavaca, Alabama restaurant is exactly that kind of place. Loyal...

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This Huge Alabama Cave Entrance Leads To A Massive Underground World Few Tourists Ever See

Most people drive through Marshall County, Alabama without realizing one of the country’s most impressive underground landscapes is hidden beneath the hills nearby. This cave...

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The Giant Seafood Boils At This Indiana Restaurant Have Families Driving In From Hours Away

Some restaurants are worth the drive, and this Indianapolis seafood spot is exactly that kind of place. Families from across Indiana make the trip just to sit down, put on bibs...

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Hike This Rugged Indiana Trail To Uncover A Hidden 78-Foot Waterfall

Most people drive through Madison, Indiana without realizing a towering waterfall is hidden just beyond the trees. Tucked deep inside a rugged canyon landscape, this cascade drops...

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This Hidden Indiana Monastery Secretly Feels Like A Magical Trip To Medieval Europe

Most people drive through southern Indiana without realizing something extraordinary sits just off the road. This historic Benedictine monastery is one of those places that quietly...

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This Free Secret Water Oasis Is Indiana’s Best Kept Summer Secret

Most people drive right past Zionsville, Indiana without realizing what is tucked just off Whitestown Road. This 38-acre public park is one of those rare places that manages to...

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Feed And Pet Camels At This Hidden Farm In Indiana Amish Country

Most people do not expect to find camels in the peaceful countryside of Indiana Amish Country, but this small family farm near Milford, Indiana makes that surprising experience...

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This Tiny BBQ Joint In Alabama Will Serve You The Best Pig Wings Of Your Life

Some BBQ spots earn their reputation through years of quiet, consistent work, and this small Alabama roadside joint is exactly that kind of place. Tucked into Shelby County, it...

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This Alabama Car Museum Is What Every Automobile Fan Dreams About

I never thought a small town in Alabama could stop me in my tracks the way Alexander City did. Somewhere along Broad Street sits a place that feels less like a museum and more...

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This Indiana Nature Preserve Has Ancient Trees Stuck In Time For More Than 300 Long Years

There is a place in Fayette County, Indiana where the forest still looks much the way it did centuries ago. This quiet nature preserve near Connersville protects a rare stretch...

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This Classic Indiana Summer Train Journey Features Open-Window Views Across Scenic Heartland Wetlands

There is something about a vintage steam locomotive that pulls at something deep inside you, especially when you grow up in Indiana and the sound of a train whistle feels like...

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Cooking Your Own Meat At The Table Is The Big Draw At This Indiana Korean BBQ Spot

There is something genuinely exciting about sitting down at a restaurant where you are the one doing the cooking. This Korean BBQ spot in Indianapolis puts that experience front...

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Play Paintball Inside This Abandoned Cold War Missile Defense Base In Indiana

There are paintball fields, and then there is this one. Set on a former Cold War military site in Hobart, Indiana, it is unlike anything else in the Midwest.

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This Indiana Favorite Serves Giant Hot Grilled Subs, Daily Specials, And Hand-Cut Fries

Some sandwich shops just get it right, and this grilled sub spot in Indianapolis is one of those places that people keep coming back to. There is something genuinely satisfying...

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10 Gorgeous Day Trips Across Alabama That Feel Like A Mini Vacation

I've spent years exploring every corner of Alabama, and I can tell you that some of the state's best adventures don't require an overnight bag.

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Floor-To-Ceiling Shelves Make This Indiana Bookshop A Reader’s Paradise

I still remember the first time I walked into a bookstore that felt like stepping into another world. That same feeling comes back every time I visit this long-standing shop in...

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This Indiana River Ride Sends You On High-Speed Jet Boats Through Tight Curves And Open Water Channels

I never thought a river could feel this alive until I experienced the Ohio from a jet boat. There's something about the combination...

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This Peaceful Indiana Trail Winds Through Shaded Forest And Creek Beds Perfect For Scenic Nature Walks

I’ll admit it. I’ve become spoiled by the kind of hiking spots that actually deliver on the promise of peace, miles of trails that leave you refreshed without feeling like...

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This Tiny One-Man Shack In Indiana Is Secretly Smoking The State’s Best Brisket

I never thought I’d find authentic Texas-style brisket in Indianapolis until I pulled up to a modest roadside spot tucked into a busy city street. From the outside, it doesn’t...

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This Hidden Indiana Forest Suspension Bridge Leads Hikers To A Secluded River Oasis

Fort Wayne has a lot going for it, but this riverside park is the kind of place that feels like a well-kept secret even among locals. I remember the first time I crossed that old...

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This Indiana Antique Mall Features 12,000 Square Feet of High-Quality Vintage Items

There is something genuinely exciting about walking into a space where every corner holds a piece of history. I have always had a soft spot for antique malls, but this one hits...

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This Indiana Quarry Park Offers 30-Foot Cliff Jumps and Zip Lines

There is a spot in southern Indiana that most people outside the state have never heard of, and I think that is exactly what makes it so special. An old quarry turned swimming...

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An Accessible Indiana Waterfall Spot Where Short Trails Lead To Seasonal Falls After Heavy Rain

There is something quietly thrilling about discovering a waterfall hiding inside a city. This cascade in a small Indiana city is exactly that kind of surprise.

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