If you go through Nashville, visit the Parthenon 9very impressive). Also, the Arch in St Louis is worth a visit. Welcome to KC!

You'll go I40? Stop in Memphis-food, music, and, of course, Graceland.

Where in Kansas are you headed? That makes a difference. If you're headed south (Wichita) you'll drive through the Flint Hills which are pretty.

In KC, check out Power & Light/Sprint Center and the Plaza.

There are a ton of small towns with attractions that you may pass depending on your final destination.

If I were taking the sight seeing route versus the fastest route, I would include Nashville and Memphis on the way. Nashville is also a food and music destination. The hotels in the Vanderbilt area are a good place to stay. I personally like the Bluebird for an evening of music. If you search the Forums for other Nashville posts, you will find other recommendations and restaurant lists.

In Memphis Graceland and Beale Street are favorite destinations. You should stay closer to downtown than to Graceland. The hotels by the airport are in a bad neighborhood that you should avoid. Germantown is a good hotel area, but further from the tourist destinations.

If you go the northern route, Lexington is a nice city. There are casinos in Northern Kentucky.

In Southern Missouri, you have Branson.

Have fun. You might get one of Jan and Michael Stern's Road Food books from the library to search their destinations along your path.

Thanks for the great tips! Yup, we'll be taking Old Faithful I-40. Thank you for the pointers on Tennesse, Missouri and KC. We are so excited so see some new parts of America and ya'll gave us a great list of suggestions for our trip. I didn't know about Jan and Michael Stern, I will definitely check them out. We'll be heading to Lawrence,KS so I don't think we will catch Wichita this trip, but it sounds like it would be a fun weekend trip for the near future and the Flint Hills sound right up my alley. Thanks again everyone, you all are so kind! Safe Travels where ever you go!