Look Deeper.
Discover More.
Start by asking yourself these questions:
Starting Point
Who is going on this trip?
Why are you going?
How long do you want to be gone?
The Route
How are you going to get to where you're going?
What are your interests?
What do you want to see and do?
Destination
Where do you want to end up?
What will you do when you get there?
How did the "getting there" set you up for a good trip?
More to Consider
What's the primary we're going there?
Since we'll be there, what else is there to do?
Is there anything on the way that we'll regret skipping?
Consider different ways to think about routes and points of interest along the way.
Thematic
Trails
What interests you? An interest can be a starting point creating a thread that weaves together a special way to travel. I love pie and there's an Indiana Pie Trail, but I want one slice of pie and then want to know what else there is to see and experience in the same area. Here are several ideas to get you started. You can be general (nature) or very specific (waterfalls). Yours may or may not be on this list. Start with one, link it with others, and then get out and wander!
Antiques
Arts & Crafts
Architecture
Bridges
Festivals
Food & Beverage
Hiking & Biking
History
Music/Performing Arts
Nature
Shopping
Spiritual
Sports & Recreation
Transportation
Byways &
Other Routes
National and State Scenic Byways, are officially designated routes that connect communities and historic assets to create corridors of experience. America's Byways® is the umbrella term used for the collection of 150 distinct and diverse roads designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. America's Byways include the National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads. To be a designated byway a route must showcase one or more of the following intrinsic qualities: Archaeological, Cultural, Historic, Natural, Recreational or Scenic. Indiana has four National Byways (N) and four additional byways (S) designated under state guidelines. The routes are typically marked with individual byway route signs and sometimes a general state or national marker. Other famous national routes include the Natchez Trace, Blue Ridge Parkway, Great River Road (Mississippi River), Route 66.
Historic Michigan Road (S)
Hoosier Hills Scenic Byway (S)
Indiana’s Historic Pathways (N)
Lincoln Highway (S)
Ohio River Scenic Byway (N)
Historic National Road (N)
Wabash River Scenic Byway (S)
Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway (N)
There are other historic routes and heritage trails that are marked as you travel — Trail of Death, George Rogers Clark Trail, Lincoln Heritage Trail, Red Arrow Highway and these are just the ones found in Indiana. Look them up, learn more about them, and take a drive!
Cultural Heritage Tourism Assets
In teaching Cultural Heritage Tourism, we explore assets in broad themes and then dive deeper into how they are presented to visitors — Tangible Products or Intangible Experiences
Tangible Products (physical & cultural)
Historic Districts and Towns
Museums
Architecture
Archaeological Sites
Cultural art collections
Trails & Byways
Installations & Infrastructure
Natural Spaces
Intangible Experiences: (people-driven)
Traditional Arts & Crafts
Festivals & Social Practices
Performing Arts
Storytelling
Connections to Nature & Universe
Sports and Recreation
Food & Culinary
Geographic Routes
Click on the various geographic regions in Indiana, to learn more about the themes I've compiled.
Travel Activities
Whether you are traveling alone or with companions, these fun activities help you make your journey the destination and achieve expert wanderer status.
