Road Trip - Chicago to SW MO

[tkradtke]

My daughter and I always go somewhere together for her spring break (usually Disney lol), but this year she wanted to do something different and wanted to visit my parents in SW Missouri. I originally thought we would fly, but she has decided that a road trip would be fun.

Anyone have any fun/unusual/interesting stops along that route? On our drive down, I think we plan on hitting some of the Route 66 stuff (a museum and some of the kitschy stops) in Illinois to St. Louis. We'll head a bit out of the way the next day to go to Elephant Rocks State Park and Johnson's Shut-ins in MO before heading to my parents' house. We'll take two days on the way back as well and all we have so far is Maramec Springs in Missouri.

If you've taken this route or live around it, we would love any suggestions of activities or places to eat. I've driven this route hundreds of times but this will be my first time to do it where we actually stop at things!

Thanks!

 

[bestcee]

You are too far to the west for me! Otherwise, I'd totally recommend a bunch of cool architecture in my town.

Have you seen the St. Louis Arch? It's pretty cool. And of course, the riverboat ride is a beat thing to do.

 

[tkradtke]

You are too far to the west for me! Otherwise, I'd totally recommend a bunch of cool architecture in my town.

Oh that's too bad!

Thanks for the St. Louis suggestions... we've done several of them when the kids were little and I think we're going to try to skip St. Louis as a stop. It was one of those weird things where there were too many options so we're opting to hit smaller, kitschy stuff or cool parks where we can hike a bit instead. Clara truly wants to make this a "road trip" where we just see a sign for something interesting and go see it... but the planner in me needs some loose from of a plan with some stop options lol!

 

[Karen]

I know nothing along that route, but the Route 66 stuff sounds fun and the whole idea of a road trip sounds fun too! I’m sure your parents will love the visit.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Clara truly wants to make this a "road trip" where we just see a sign for something interesting and go see it... but the planner in me needs some loose from of a plan with some stop options lol!

I'm hoping to do a road trip like this on Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica after I retire. Just have a general plan with some pre-planned stops, but having plenty of time for unplanned stops.

 

[tkradtke]

I know nothing along that route, but the Route 66 stuff sounds fun and the whole idea of a road trip sounds fun too! I’m sure your parents will love the visit.

I'm pretty excited about the road trip aspect! As per Clara's request, our paper road atlas arrived yesterday so we can map our route the old school way lol!

I'm hoping to do a road trip like this on Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica after I retire. Just have a general plan with some pre-planned stops, but having plenty of time for unplanned stops.

My parents did it in sections years ago and I tagged along for a couple of segments... it was really cool! I have a guide book coming today from Amazon that was very highly rated... I'll pass on the info once I get a chance to see if it lives up to the hype And that's what we want too... a few things planned so we have definite stops, but also time to follow a rabbit trail if something on a billboard catches our eye.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

My parents did it in sections years ago and I tagged along for a couple of segments... it was really cool! I have a guide book coming today from Amazon that was very highly rated... I'll pass on the info once I get a chance to see if it lives up to the hype And that's what we want too... a few things planned so we have definite stops, but also time to follow a rabbit trail if something on a billboard catches our eye.

Thanks, I have a stack of Route 66 guide books, but I'm open to more ... I love books, lol!!!

I'm in Virginia, but my son lives in CA, so my plan is to drive to Chicago and stay with a friend for a day or two, then start driving west and eventually end up at my son and DIL's house. I'm retiring at the end of 2023 and am looking forward to traveling.