tessa langley author at My Family Travels
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This Indiana Forest Escape Whisks You Through a Hidden Mountain Tunnel

There is something quietly thrilling about boarding a historic train in the rolling hills of southern Indiana and watching the world slow down outside your window. One scenic railway...

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Indiana’s Most Whimsical Pizzeria Is a Former Gas Station Turned Retro Wonderland

I’ll be honest, I never expected a small town in Henry County to completely change how I think about pizza nights. This little town is not exactly a place most people have circled...

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This Indiana Town Has a Courthouse Tower That’s Been Mysteriously Growing Trees Since 1870

There is a small city in southeastern Indiana that has been quietly baffling visitors and scientists alike for over 150 years. Greensburg, the county seat of Decatur County, is...

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The Top 10 No-Frills Diners in Indiana With Mouth-Watering Homestyle Food You Have to Try

I have a soft spot for the kind of place where the coffee is bottomless, the booths are worn smooth from years of regulars sliding in, and the food tastes like someone’s grandmother...

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This Indiana Nature Trail Takes You Through Amish Country Where You’ll Share the Path with Horse-Drawn Buggies

There are trails, and then there are trails that genuinely stop you in your tracks. The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail in northern Indiana is one of those rare places where the pace...

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The Tiny Indiana Town Hiding a Massive 1,000-Acre Bison Prairie

I never expected to find a wild bison herd roaming freely in the middle of Indiana, but that is exactly what I discovered near the small town of Morocco. Kankakee Sands, managed...

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This Indiana Burger Joint Has 3-Hour Lines And Is The State’s Most Viral Drive-Thru

I'll be honest, I never expected a drive-thru in Indianapolis to stop me in my tracks the way California Burger did. There is something almost legendary about a burger joint that...

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This Indiana “Mom-and-Pop” Joint Is Hiding Some Of The State’s Best Carolina-Style BBQ

I was not expecting much when I first heard about a BBQ spot in McCordsville, Indiana. A small town, a depot street address, and a name I had never come across before did not exactly...

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This Massive Indiana ‘Bin Store’ Features a New Discount Every Day Where Everything Costs as Little as 50 Cents

I still remember the first time I walked into WOW Bargain Deals and felt my jaw drop. Rows and rows of bins stuffed with electronics, clothing, furniture, jewelry, and gadgets...

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This Indiana Lakeside Escape Feels Like Your Own Private Slice of the Midwest

I never expected a small Indiana town with fewer than 600 residents to stop me in my tracks the way Beverly Shores did. The Lake Michigan shoreline here feels almost too good to...

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This Indiana Stew House Is Turning a Century-Old Macedonian Secret Into the City’s Ultimate Comfort Obsession

A spot on Kentucky Avenue has been serving the same stew recipe for over a century. At first, it sounded like an exaggeration. How...

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10 Indiana Restaurants People Say Feel the Most “Indiana” Without Trying

I've eaten at a lot of places across the Midwest, but there's something about Indiana restaurants that hits differently. No gimmicks, no trendy concepts, just real food made by...

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This Restaurant In Indiana Serves A Strip Steak Drenched In A “Liquid Gold” Butter That Will Change Your Life

I never thought I'd find myself craving a single bite of steak for days on end, but here I am, daydreaming about that sizzling, butter-topped perfection I experienced at Ruth's...

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Chicken Fried Steaks Locals Argue Are the Best in Indiana

I’ve spent years chasing the perfect chicken fried steak across Indiana, and let me tell you, this state takes its breaded, golden-crusted comfort food seriously.

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Tourists Ruined This Once-Perfect Indiana Swimming Hole and It’s Hard to Believe It’s Still Open

I remember the first time I drove down to Lake Monroe back in the early 2000s. The water sparkled like glass, the beaches felt like hidden treasures, and you could actually find...

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This Unassuming Indiana Eatery Brings Heartland Flavors to Seafood Lovers Everywhere

I never thought I'd find a seafood spot in the middle of Indiana that could rival coastal favorites, but Slapfish on Massachusetts Avenue proved me completely wrong. Walking past...

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This Indiana Lake Town Is a Dining Destination That Catches People Off Guard

I never expected to find such incredible food in a small lake town. Syracuse sits quietly along the shores of Lake Wawasee in northern Indiana, and most people drive through without...

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9 Indiana Mexican Restaurants Doing Authentic Flavors Right

Finding truly authentic Mexican food in Indiana might seem challenging at first, but I promise you it's absolutely worth the search.

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The Enormous Bookstore In Indiana That Holds Thousands of Hidden Literary Gems

I've driven past countless bookstores in my life, but nothing prepared me for what I found at Morgenstern Books & Café in Bloomington. This place isn't just another shop with...

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You’d Never Expect World-Class Barbecue At This Tiny Hidden Gem Of a Restaurant In Indiana

I'll admit it took me way too long to discover Squealer's Barbeque Grill in Mooresville. For years, I'd drive past it without a second thought, assuming it was just another roadside...

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This Enormous Indiana Antique Mall Has So Much to Explore, Treasure Hunters Say You’ll Need the Whole Day

I remember the first time I walked into Southport Antique Mall and felt completely overwhelmed by the sheer size of the place. Row after row of vintage treasures stretched out...

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This Indiana Mexican Spot Serves the Best Enchiladas in the Country

I remember the first time I walked into Bugambilias Mexican Cuisine in Indianapolis. The colorful walls and the smell of fresh tortillas hit me right away.

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This Indiana “Hidden Gem” Is No Longer Hidden, and Hoosiers Are Furious

I remember the first time I stumbled upon Hemlock Cliffs back when it truly felt like a secret. The narrow gravel road leading into the Hoosier National Forest seemed to go nowhere,...

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This Indiana Ribeye Is Turning Every Drive Into A Food Adventure

I remember the first time I drove down North Clinton Street and spotted BakerStreet Steakhouse. The brick exterior caught my eye, but honestly, I wondered if it would live up to...

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This Indiana Small Town Is Perfect for a One-Day Getaway

I've driven past Vincennes more times than I can count, always thinking I'd stop someday to explore what Indiana's oldest city had to offer. When I finally made the trip, I kicked...

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8 Lakeside Trails in Indiana Where Hoosiers Can Get Their Nature Fix

I love living in Indiana, and one of my favorite things about our state is how we can find peaceful nature spots without driving for hours. We have gorgeous lakeside trails tucked...

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The Most Mouthwatering French Toast in Indiana Is Hiding in Plain Sight

I walked past The Oakmont at least a dozen times before I actually stopped in, and now I regret every single one of those missed opportunities. Located at 323 N Delaware St in...

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This Indiana Fossil Site Has Been Turned Into a Crowd Zone by Tourists

I remember the first time someone told me about Falls of the Ohio State Park. I thought they were talking about some waterfall attraction, maybe something with hiking trails and...

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The Burritos at This Indiana Eatery Are Worth Every Craving

I remember the first time I walked into Taco & Burrito Place on North Keystone Avenue. The smell hit me before I even reached the counter, this incredible mix of grilled meat,...

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This Indiana Park Hosts an Annual Kite Festival That Draws People From Across the State

I first heard about Coxhall Gardens from a friend who raved about the kite festival, and honestly, I thought she was exaggerating. How exciting could a kite event really be?

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10 Indiana Adventures Every Hoosier Should Experience at Least Once

Living in Indiana long enough teaches you that the state holds more surprises than most people realize. From limestone canyons to world-class museums, Indiana rewards those who...

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Locals Can’t Stop Talking About the Croissants at This Delightful Indiana Bakery

I remember the first time I walked past Leviathan Bakehouse on College Avenue. The smell of butter and fresh bread stopped me in my tracks.

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This Nearly Empty Indiana Lake Beach Feels Like Your Own Private Paradise

You probably drive past it without a second thought, but Lake Monroe's Fairfax State Recreation Area might be the best kept secret in southern Indiana. While everyone packs into...

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This Indiana Café’s Breakfast Bowls Have Locals Coming Back Every Morning

Morning routines in Indianapolis just got a whole lot better. The Garden Table on Massachusetts Avenue has been serving up breakfast bowls that have turned casual diners into devoted...

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This Indiana City Lets You Get Lost in Stunning Limestone Wonders

Columbus, Indiana might not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a Midwest adventure, but this charming city is about to change that. Its surprising mix of architecture,...

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This Indiana River Trip Feels Like a Real-Life Adventure Movie

Picture yourself gliding down a peaceful river surrounded by towering trees and curious wildlife. The White River near Noblesville, Indiana offers exactly that kind of experience.

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The Prime Rib At This Charming Supper Club In Indiana Is a Must-Try for Any Meat Lover

Tucked away in the quiet countryside of La Porte, Indiana, Heston Supper Club has been serving up incredible meals that keep people coming back for decades.

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The Indiana City That Turned a Riverwalk Into Its Main Attraction

Fort Wayne sits at the confluence of three rivers in northeastern Indiana, quietly making waves as a Midwest destination worth discovering. The city’s riverfront has been transformed...

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This Unassuming Indiana Eatery Turns Fish and Chips Into a Masterpiece

Hidden along North College Avenue in Indianapolis sits a treasure that has been serving hungry locals since 1933. The Aristocrat Pub & Oxford Room, located at 5212 N.

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7 Giant Indiana Thrift Stores Where a Day Just Isn’t Enough

Indiana's thrift store scene has exploded in recent years, transforming from small neighborhood shops into massive treasure-hunting destinations that demand serious time and attention....

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Weird Indiana Laws Locals Shrug Off but Travelers Keep Asking About

Indiana might not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of bizarre legislation, but it has collected quite a few head-scratching rules over the years.

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Local Indiana Diners Serving Classic Midwestern Comfort Meals

Indiana's heartland is home to some of the most authentic diners where comfort food isn't just a menu category; it's a way of life.

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An Indiana Community Runs a Festival Dedicated to a Legendary Giant Turtle

Deep in the heart of northeastern Indiana lies a small town with a big story. Churubusco, a quiet community of just over 1,800 residents, celebrates one of the most unusual legends...

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This Indiana Amish Bakery Sells Out Before Most Towns Are Awake

Before the sun peeks over the Indiana horizon, Country Lane Bakery in Middlebury is already buzzing with activity. This beloved...

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7 Indiana Towns Where Amish Life Is Part of the Everyday Scene

Indiana's countryside is home to one of the largest Amish populations in the United States, and the presence of this traditional community shapes the character of many small towns...

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Indiana’s Legendary Haunted Theatre That Makes Visitors Feel Like They’re Not Alone

Walking through the doors of Elkhart Civic Theatre in Bristol, Indiana, you might notice something unusual beyond the velvet curtains and antique architecture.

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Secret Indiana Sandwich Spots Where Residents Always Go First

Indiana might be famous for its basketball and cornfields, but locals know the real treasure lies in its sandwich shops. Tucked...

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The Tiny Indiana Diner Where Thousands Flock for a Slice of the Official State Pie

Tucked away in the heart of Winchester, Indiana, Mrs. Wick's Restaurant & Pie Shop has been serving up slices of happiness for decades.

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Utah Attractions Locals Say Tourism Has Transformed

Utah has become one of America's hottest travel destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year to experience its stunning red rock landscapes and outdoor adventures.

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8 Scenic Overlooks In The Adirondacks, New York

The Adirondack Mountains stretch across northern New York like a giant natural playground filled with stunning views and wild beauty.

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