Tourist traps along I-80? (Des Moines, Davenport: amusement park, living, restaurant)

[Bluekangaroo]

We'll be making a drive from MI to OR and want to plan some stops along the way. Our route will take us along I-80.

Anything we should stop and see? Keeping in mind we have 3 kids under 11!

Thanks!
Jen

[honey693]

World's largest truck stop. Iowa 80 Truckstop

[QuadCityImages]

Iowa 80 is certainly the #1 choice as far as the "tourist trap" term, and for being literally on I-80. Its a great place to say you've been, and pretty interesting to see as well.

Depending on if the kids have ever seen the Mississippi River, you might either go through Davenport's riverfront, or LeClaire's. LeClaire's would be a lot closer to the interstate, but Davenport's is possibly more interesting, especially for kids. There's a riverfront skybridge where you can let the kids run around and have a great view of the Mississippi, downtown Davenport, and downtown Rock Island, IL, as well as Lock and Dam 15.

But yeah, definitely hit the Iowa 80 Truck Stop.

[jmgg]

If you reach Iowa City around dinner time, take a short jaunt north and west of IC to the Amana Colonies. Tons of shops with homemade goods from furniture and rugs to beers, wine and cheese. At the least, eat at the restaurant there. All homemade AND homegrown.

If you're not making your drive during the winter, just south of the interstate by Des Moines is the covered bridges of Madison County. Very picturesqe.

Take the business loup through downtown Des Moines and you'll go right by the state capitol.

Other short tourest stops in Iowa right beside I-80 have already been mentioned.

[sskkc]

Was Wall Drug along I-80? I can't recall. If you ever pass it by while roadtripping with your kids, STOP. And make sure to take pictures of the many, many signs along side of the road - fun for scrapbooking!

[DSMGuy]

Living History Farms in Urbandale is a unique place.

homepage


Adventureland is a nice distraction.

Adventureland Amusement Park (Des Moines, IA) : Home

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by sskkc

Was Wall Drug along I-80? I can't recall. If you ever pass it by while roadtripping with your kids, STOP. And make sure to take pictures of the many, many signs along side of the road - fun for scrapbooking!

Wall Drug is in Wall South Dakota which is on I-90. Actually, you brought up something for the OP who's traveling to Oregon. Maybe taking a right turn at I-29 just north of Omaha and heading to I-90 at Sioux Falls SD would be a LOT more interesting drive than taking the ultimate boring trip of I-80 across Nebraska.

In the drive across South Dakota there is plenty of "tourist traps".

We'll start the the falls in Sioux Falls, the worlds only Corn Palace in Mitchell, the Missouri River at Chamberlain (with a stop for buffalo burgers at Al's Oasis), Wall Drug, the badlands of South Dakota, and finally the ultimate tourist mecca for multiple places to see and to take your money, the Black Hills. While there, even if you're somewhat hurting for time, you do NOT miss Mt. Rushmore and Needles Highway. Then high tail it north on Hwy. 385 past Pactola Lake and through Spearfish Canyon to reconnect with I-90.

Somewhat boring drive across eastern Wyoming and eastern Montana until you get to Bozeman and the Rockies.