Elkhart County Hits the National Spotlight in Kit’s Road Trip America!

New national travel documentary showcases the people, places, craftsmanship, and outdoor experiences that make Elkhart County a Well Crafted destination

Millions of viewers across the country are getting an opportunity to discover something those of us who live here already know: There’s a lot to love about Elkhart County.

The premiere episode of the new documentary travel series Kit’s Road Trip America puts Elkhart County in the national spotlight, taking viewers on a journey through some of the places, experiences, and stories that make our communities distinctive.

The 28-minute episode showcases the Quilt Gardens, Heritage Trail Audio Driving Tour, Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, Wellfield Botanic Gardens, and other local attractions and outdoor spaces—while introducing viewers to some of the people who bring those places to life.

And that’s an important part of the story. Because what makes Elkhart County special isn’t simply where you can go. It’s who you’ll meet when you get there.

Sharing an Authentic Elkhart County Story

Hosted by veteran Chicago-based travel journalist Kit Bernardi, Kit’s Road Trip America explores the authentic stories of communities across the United States through their people, cultures, food, and outdoor adventures.

That made Elkhart County a natural fit.

Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau (ECCVB) staff worked with Bernardi and the show’s production team over multiple years to help tell a story that extends beyond traditional tourist attractions.

Filming began in 2020 and concluded in 2025, capturing not only the places visitors have come to love but also local personalities, entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, and makers who contribute to the character of our communities.

“The best way to tell Elkhart County’s story is through the people who live it every day,” said Terry Mark, Director of Communications & Public Relations for the Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We have incredible attractions and beautiful places to explore, but what really distinguishes our communities is our people. This program allows a national audience to meet some of those people and understand what makes Elkhart County so unique.”

From the Quilt Gardens to the Pumpkinvine

The episode offers viewers a taste of the diverse experiences found throughout Elkhart County.

The Quilt Gardens showcase a uniquely local combination of gardening, quilting, craftsmanship, and community collaboration. The Heritage Trail Audio Driving Tour invites visitors to explore our communities at their own pace while hearing the stories behind the people, businesses, landmarks, and traditions they encounter along the way.

The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail highlights the natural beauty and outdoor recreation that connect our communities. And Wellfield Botanic Gardens demonstrates how visionary community investment can transform a local asset into a destination with appeal well beyond our county lines.

Together, they tell a larger story. Elkhart County isn’t defined by a single attraction, downtown, or experience—its character comes from the connections between them.

More Than Tourism

That’s also where Kit’s Road Trip America connects directly with the work of Vibrant Communities of Elkhart County.

Attracting visitors is important. Tourism supports local businesses, restaurants, attractions, artists, entrepreneurs, and organizations throughout Elkhart County.

But the places visitors want to experience are often the very same places that make life better for the people who already live here. Trails where visitors ride bicycles are trails our families use. Downtowns tourists explore are downtowns where our neighbors own businesses, gather for festivals, and meet friends for dinner. Gardens, museums, and cultural attractions give visitors reasons to stay longer—while giving residents opportunities to experience art, nature, history, and culture close to home.

And the makers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses that give travelers an authentic sense of place also help give our individual communities their identities.

“Tourism and quality of place really reinforce one another,” said Mark. “When we invest in great downtowns, trails, parks, arts, culture, people, and community experiences, we’re creating places visitors want to discover—but we’re also making Elkhart County a better place for all of us to live. That’s one of the things I think this episode captures so well.”

77 Million Households — and Counting

The Elkhart County episode is now airing nationally on the Fun Roads TV network. Fun Roads reaches more than 77 million U.S. television households and is available through a variety of streaming platforms, giving Elkhart County significant exposure to viewers well beyond northern Indiana.

The program showcases the influence of the Amish community on the area’s maker culture and includes interviews with Quilt Gardens volunteers, helping viewers understand not just what they’re seeing, but some of the traditions and community participation behind it.

A Community Worth Sharing

That’s a lot of new eyes on Elkhart County. And every one represents another opportunity to change someone’s perception of what they’ll find when they arrive—which, for those who already know—includes magnificent and Well Crafted outdoor spaces, thriving downtowns, arts and culture, trails and gardens, generations of craftsmanship and impeccable artisan work, and good people willing to invest, participate, volunteer, collaborate, and turn good ideas into lasting community traditions.

Of course, the national exposure is exciting.

But perhaps the best part of seeing Elkhart County featured on a program like Kit’s Road Trip America is being reminded of just how much we have—and how good we have it—right here at home!