South Bend and beyond! In this installment of County Lines and Backroad Finds, we’re returning to the state of Indiana to explore another northern region of the state. This region of Indiana is home to “The Bend”, downtown river rapids, the world’s largest RV and motorhome museum, the round barn capital of the world, and much more. Come along as we explore North Central Indiana.

Indiana counties featured in this episode: Elkhart County, Fulton County, Marshall County, Pulaski County, St. Joseph County, and Starke County. Discover the communities of South Bend, Mishawaka, Goshen, Elkhart and more. Find out where you can catch thousands of sandhill cranes during their migration, visit Indiana's oldest zoo, and check out an ice skating course that's like a lazy river for skaters. Find the itineraries for this podcast on my blog at takeabackroadtravel.com

On Thursdays, the Take a Backroad Travel podcast features County Lines and Backroad Finds, our series focusing on small towns, local shops, and unique roadside stops that make a road trip unforgettable. We’re shining a light on the places that often get overlooked. Throughout this series I’ll be diving deep into each state, breaking it down by regions - county by county, city by city - to highlight what makes each area truly special.

Tune in on Mondays for our Road Map Mondays series. Each Monday, Take a Backroad Travel flips the GPS on traditional travel ideas and steers you toward unexpected adventures, themed trips, and wild expeditions. From presidential pit stops and haunted highways to stadium-hopping sports quests, train track nostalgia, and foodie-fueled detours — Road Map Mondays is your go-to for niche travel dreams, quirky itineraries, and one-of-a-kind journeys across the United States.

Coming up next Monday? We’re kicking off our epic Midwest Coaster Quest, a three part series featuring three unique road trips to the top 15 theme parks in the midwest.

You’re going to need a lot of vacation days for our first Road Map Mondays trip, or perhaps an early retirement. 32 NFL games, 30 NFL stadiums, thousands of miles, spanning across 4 months - this is the Great American Football Road Trip Odyssey 2025!

In this episode of Take a Backroad Travel, we journey through the scenic backroads and charming small towns of Northeast Indiana — uncovering hidden gems, local festivals, and one-of-a-kind attractions across counties like Allen, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Huntington, and more. From Shipshewana’s Amish culture and antique markets to Fort Wayne’s thriving arts and food scene, you’ll discover the unique character of each community. Whether it’s hot air balloons over Angola, vintage cars in Auburn, or fair food in Bluffton, this episode maps out the perfect regionally inspired road trip through a part of Indiana full of history, flavor, and small-town pride.

County Lines and Backroad Finds highlights the unique regions of each state, showcasing charming small towns, exciting attractions, and memorable roadside stops in each county. Learn about hidden gems across the United States in this informative podcast with new episodes every Thursday.