Indiana Launches Travel Guide: Indiana 500 Tour - 390

Triple XXX Drive-in is one suggested stop for Lafayette, IN. Photo by Lori Rice. If a summer road trip will take you through the great state of Indiana this summer, you might be surprised at just how much there is to see. To help with your visit, on May 11^th the Indiana 500 Tour was launched.

According to Inside Indiana Business, this travel project results from collaboration of the Association of Indiana Convention and a class from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Designed as a long term travel resource, each year a suggested travel route in the state will be identified based on a common theme. The goal of the project is to provide opportunities for economic development and to highlight the great travel treasures Indiana has to offer.

The theme this year is “Transportation” and it will focus on the areas of north and central Indiana most known for its automotive heritage. Featured cities include Indianapolis, Lafayette, Kokomo, South Bend, Fort Wayne, Muncie and Richmond. Plans are already in the making for 2011 which will feature the early history of Indiana and focus on the southern part of the state.

Maps and suggested diners or drive-ins, museums and landmarks will stay on the Indiana 500 Tour website for the year. All logos, websites and associated materials were created by Ball State University students.

And what would a travel initiative be without social media? When visiting one of the featured locations travelers can @IN500Tour on Twitter to share their experiences. A blog written by those traveling to locations on the tour has also been created. You can also find the project on Facebook.

Yes, I may be a bit biased since I have Indiana roots, but it is initiatives like these which show us travelers just how exciting our own backyards can be! All states speckled around this great nation have hidden travel treasures to be explored.

Lori Rice is a freelance health and travel writer, and Galavanting travel news and reviews correspondent. You can follow her adventures at 3 Star Traveler or explore her thoughts as a nutritionist, wellness advocate and foodie traveler at Fake Food Free.