Looking for any recommendations on places to stop while me and the Mrs. halfway across the states. We'll be driving from Dallas, Texas to Kansas City, Missouri to Des Moines, Iowa and finally to Moline/Davenport Illinois.

Google maps route

So anything worth stopping and looking at? We may make it a 2 day travel trip if there is anything cool to do... Thanks

As someone who's pounded that terrain (more times than I'd like to remember), I'm gonna say wow....that's not a road trip, it's a stimulation deprivation experiment. Bring a gun, not so much for protection, but in case you need to blow your brains out.

Yeah, Iowa sucks. Pig manure and corn. Lots of it... We will be armed with books and ipods, but yes anything else stop and see/do along the way would be good to break up the monotomy.

We will stop somewhere in Missouri to load up on fireworks.

And in Iowa, after Des Moine, but before Iowa city we will go to the Amana colonies to check out the furniture/food.

My cousin and her husband live in Moline. Be prepared for born-again Christians all over the place.

Not saying my feelings one way or another, just stating a fact.

gee, thanks! i won't take offense to that since i have said the same before, i actualy live in davenport, and go to school in iowa city (university of iowa). but yeah, des moines will be a good stop, and the amana colonies as well (last time i went there i was 16, so it was kinda boring, but i think my parents enjoyed it.) There really isn't too much to stop at, i don't think, in between des moines and davenport/quad cities besides the anama colonies... but then again i dont go too far past iowa city because it takes just as long to go to chicago as it does for des moines, so i would rather go to chicago.

but yeah, bring lots of music...pick up fireworks when you can, cops aren't too harsh about illegal firworks here... and on your way to davenport, in walcott... there is the world's largest truck stop!! (exciting, :rolleyes: )

if i can think of something else, i'll let you know... good luck!

If you want some 'Q stop at Fiorella's Jack Stack in Downtown KC, MO by Union station...some good chit.

Don't hang out at UnionStation after dark, or a "jackstack" becomes something completely different..

If you are a baseball fan, there are a bunch of minor league teams in IA.

Des Moines has the Iowa Cubs (AAA)Chicago Cubs

Cedar Rapids has the Kernels (A) L.A. Angels

Burlington has the Bees (A) K.C. Royals

Davenport has the Quad Cities Swings (A) St. Louis Cadinals

Clinton has the LumberJacks (A) Texas Rangers

There are also a few teams in Illinois.

Look here for games and times
Midwest League

Cedar Rapids has a newer stadium that I haven't been to yet, the Quad Cities Stadium is pretty cool. South Bend and Fort Wayne (IL) have nice stadiums also.

I used to work for the Waterloo Diamonds (now the Lansing Lugnuts) and traveled with the team on occasion. Minor league baseball is a great way to spend and evening!

i've been there...great place

Said the guy from Texas...

I agree, I go here at least once everytime I go back home to KC.

If you're going all the way up to IL why not stop by Chicago here?

Many good places here in the city and a chance to grab a beer with MXO.

Sounds good to me. Seems they have many places in Kansas City. How's this one?

Fiorella\'s Jack Stack Barbecue @ 8250 NE Underground Dr

LOL, let me qualify that then. Iowa's highways are scenic and olfactory challeneged... And I will definitely agree Texas has some boring highways too.

Considered that. My brother's famility is going to see that Museum of industry or whatever it is all day Monday(they already left). Next time maybe, when I have more time...

My current route:
GoogleMaps

Anything along highway 69 in Oklahoma? What about highway 71 in Missouri? Anything between Kansas City and Des Moines?

Thanks again for the info...

Same company Great 'Q

It all depends on what you are in to, but a few things that I can think of are The Ozarks in lower Missouri and also Hannibal, MO if you are into Mark Twain/Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain's cave is pretty cool. Both should be right on your path up.

Sorry, just checked your path and Hannibal would be a stretch for your travel path.