Places Michael Barera Wants to Go

A throwback train ride transports passengers through one of the lesser-known national parks in the country.

A grandiose title could not save this mercantile community from obscurity.

The largest ancient burial mound in Ohio.

Superfans of The Shawshank Redemption can take a driving tour of most of the films real locations.

An art deco ice cream shop covered in vintage tiles.

On the grounds of this study, Lew Wallace composed "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ" and many other works.

It's a unique monument honoring a great character who inspired a generation of young women to be more and pursue their dreams.

One of the few authentic Japanese gardens in the state of Indiana and perhaps the most peaceful place in the city of Mishawaka.

Train cars and railroad artifacts abound at this restaurant devoted to railway history.

The overgrown remains of one of the premier auto-racing speedways in the Midwest—and also one of the most deadly.

Walk in the footsteps of the famed astronaut at Purdue University.

This grave marks the final resting place of pioneer John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed.

The humble Hoosier roots of a famed Broadway composer.

Indiana's oldest sternwheel paddleboat has been plying the placid waters of Webster Lake for 90 years.

This stately clubhouse has showcased German-American culture for over a century.

One of the first schools in the U.S. to admit students without regard to race or gender.

An opulent testament to the boom-and-bust history of industry in north central Indiana.

A historic hotel library in Indiana hides more than a few secrets on its shelves.

Enjoy classic musicals with a home-cooked meal at this former staple of American social life.

The world's largest collection of mechanical puzzles is a cornucopia of analog bafflers.

This unassuming home was once “grand central station” for the Underground Railroad.

This elaborate estate contains a stunning marble aviary, a sunken conservatory, and a magnificent music room with a two-story pipe organ.

A hidden network of subterranean passageways lies tangled beneath Indianapolis' bustling City Market.

This architectural stunner is one of the few surviving Egyptian Revival theaters in the U.S.