Podcast
Take a Backroad Travel
Hosted by takeabackroadtravel · EN
Take a Backroad Travel is your audio guide to the hidden side of the USA. Hosted by filmmaker and explorer James, this podcast takes you beyond the big cities and into the heart of America’s backroads—where small towns, quirky roadside attractions, scenic byways, and vibrant local festivals await. Episodes feature real travel stories, hand-picked itineraries, unique road trip ideas, and insider tips to help you plan unforgettable trips off the beaten path. Whether you’re dreaming of your next weekend getaway or are already on the road, tune in and discover the charm and character that make America’s hidden places worth the detour. Visit our website at takeabackroadtravel.com
9episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Midwest Mega Thrills - Midwest Coaster Quest
Aug 400:36:05Tap to summarizeWelcome to the final part of our special three-part series, Midwest Coaster Quest, where we hit the road in search of the region’s wildest rides and best theme park vibes. In this week’s episode, Midwest Mega Thrills, we’re diving into five of the Midwest’s top theme parks: Michigan's Adventure (MI) Indiana Beach (IN) Holiday World (IN) Kings Island (OH) Cedar Point (OH) We’re talking coaster stats, crowd favorites, what makes each park stand out, and even throw in some roller coaster trivia to test your theme park knowledge. Plus, we rank the parks and give you the inside scoop on which ones are worth the detour. Strap in and hit play—Midwest Coaster Quest is rolling out now! Don't forget to share, rate, and subscribe for more content - every Monday and Thursday! If you missed parts one and two, you can find Heartland Screams and Northwoods Knockouts streaming on the podcast where we cover five more Midwest theme parks in each episode in the states of Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
Transcribe →More Than Corn In Indiana - Visit Indiana's Wabash Valley Region
Jul 3100:43:07Tap to summarizeThere's More Than Corn in Indiana – Visit Indiana's Wabash Valley 🚗 In this episode of Take a Backroad Travel, we’re hitting the hidden heart of Indiana’s Wabash Valley—where small towns, quirky attractions, and unforgettable adventures await. We’ll explore must-visit gems in Benton, Warren, Tippecanoe, White, Carroll, Cass, and Clinton counties, uncovering some of the state’s best-kept secrets along the way. Discover the thrills of Indiana Beach on Lake Shafer, get up close with wolves at Wolf Park, and step into aviation history at the Grissom Air Museum. We’ll also take you behind the scenes of a one-of-a-kind amateur circus in Peru, Indiana, and guide you to scenic parks, unique local museums, historic downtowns, and roadside oddities you won’t believe are real. Whether you're planning a day trip or a weekend escape, this episode is packed with backroad charm, family-friendly attractions, and off-the-beaten-path ideas to explore Indiana like never before. Hit play and take the scenic route through Indiana’s Wabash Valley—because there’s way more here than just corn.
Transcribe →Northwoods Knockouts - Midwest Coaster Quest Part 2
Jul 2800:18:14Tap to summarizeWelcome to part two of our special three-part series, Midwest Coaster Quest, where we hit the road in search of the region’s wildest rides and best theme park vibes. In this week’s episode, Northwoods Knockouts, we’re diving into five of the Midwest’s top theme parks: Arnold's Park Amusement Park (IA) Nickelodeon Universe (MN) Valleyfair (MO) Mt. Olympus (WI) Six Flags Great America (IL) We’re talking coaster stats, crowd favorites, what makes each park stand out, and even throw in some roller coaster trivia to test your theme park knowledge. Plus, we rank the parks and give you the inside scoop on which ones are worth the detour. 🎢💥 Next week, the ride wraps up as we head east for Midwest Mega Thrills—featuring five more Midwest must-visits including Michigan's Adventure, Indiana Beach, Holiday World, Kings Island, and Cedar Point in the states of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Strap in and hit play—Midwest Coaster Quest is rolling out now! Don't forget to share, rate, and subscribe for more content - every Monday and Thursday!
Transcribe →Take a Backroad Travel Podcast Trailer
Jul 2600:01:00Tap to summarizeTake a Backroad Travel isn't your average travel podcast — it's your passport to the roads less traveled. With two fresh episodes every week, this show swaps the tourist traps for tucked-away treasures and turns forgotten byways into your next must-see destination. Road Map Mondays kick off the week with wild and whimsical themed journeys — think haunted highways, presidential pit stops, train-track nostalgia, stadium-hopping odysseys, and foodie-fueled detours. These episodes spark your wanderlust with imaginative itineraries and one-of-a-kind adventures across the U.S. Then, on County Lines and Backroad Finds every Thursday, the show dives deep into America's hidden heartlands — exploring small-town charm, county-by-county. You'll discover can't-miss attractions, scenic stops, and under-the-radar gems that even locals might not know. Whether you're planning your next trip or just love getting lost in the possibilities, Take a Backroad Travel is your guide to the stories, places, and routes that make the backroads unforgettable.
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Explore Indiana's South Shore - Things to do in Northwest Indiana
Jul 2400:43:49Tap to summarizeExplore the best things to do in Northwest Indiana in this adventure-packed episode featuring LaPorte, Lake, Newton, Jasper, and Porter counties! From the stunning shores of Indiana Dunes National Park—Indiana’s only national park—to historic lighthouses, bison sightings at Kankakee Sands, and the family-friendly Hesston Steam Museum, this region blends natural beauty, small-town charm, and unforgettable experiences. We’ll take you along the Lake Michigan shoreline, through train history, into cozy towns, and right up to delicious local eats. If you're planning a Midwest getaway, this episode is your ultimate guide to Northwest Indiana's hidden gems and iconic stops! Please rate, share, and subscribe to the podcast - it helps me out so much to get in front of new listeners! 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. Each Monday, Take a Backroad Travel flips the GPS on traditional travel ideas and steers you toward unexpected adventures, themed trips, and wild expeditions in the Road Map Mondays series. 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.
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Heartland Screams - Midwest Coaster Quest Part 1
Jul 2100:27:45Tap to summarizeWelcome to the kickoff of our special three-part series, Midwest Coaster Quest, where we hit the road in search of the region’s wildest rides and best theme park vibes. In this week’s episode, Heartland Screams, we’re diving into five of the Midwest’s top theme parks: Lost Island Theme Park (IA) Adventureland Park (IA) Worlds of Fun (MO) Six Flags St. Louis (MO) Silver Dollar City (MO) We’re talking coaster stats, crowd favorites, what makes each park stand out, and even throw in some roller coaster trivia to test your theme park knowledge. Plus, we rank the parks and give you the inside scoop on which ones are worth the detour. 🎢💥 Next week, the ride continues as we head north for Northwoods Knockouts—featuring five more Midwest must-visits including Arnold's Park, Valleyfair, Nickelodeon Universe, Mt. Olympus, and Six Flags Great America. Strap in and hit play—Midwest Coaster Quest is rolling out now! Don't forget to share, rate, and subscribe for more content - every Monday and Thursday!
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Explore North Central Indiana - South Bend and Beyond
Jul 1700:45:34Tap to summarizeSouth 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.
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NFL Bucket List Road Trip 2025 - Road Map Mondays
Jul 1400:32:38Tap to summarizeYou’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!
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Explore Northeast Indiana - Cars, Culture, and Charm
Jul 1001:07:20Tap to summarizeIn 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.
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