Road trip from Chattanooga to Kansas City, MO
 

My husband and I are thinking of driving to Kansas City, MO from the Chattanooga area. There is a music publishing company there in which he really wants to spend time.
In order to make this a vacation, we are looking for interesting things to do and see along the way as well as in K.C. We are in our 70's, so won't be rafting, etc.
Any suggestions will be welcome.
Thank you.

> we are looking for interesting things to do and see
> along the way as well as in K.C

The problem for us is that something we might fascinating, you might find utterly boring -- and vice versa. Until and unless we know what YOU find interesting (scenery? museums? nature? ethnic diversity? history? amusement parks?), we can't give any useful advice -- although I have no doubt but some people will try anyway.

Also, how much time will you have for this trip? If you have time for a detour to Chicago, the extra miles are worth it; if you don't, we would need to know.

And what time of the year will you be making the trip? A natural site that's appealing in summer might be a waste of time in winter.

Good questions, all.
We hope to go in August or maybe September. We should have a good week, at least.
Love, scenery, museums, nature, ethnic diversity, history, good food, theatre, and of course...music....classical, jazz, & blue grass.
Thank you for your reply.

Oh, dear...I meant July or August....

All that stuff is in KC. The WWI museum and the Nelson Atkins art museum are both great. The jazz museum is also wonderful. The brand new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a spectacular venue for music and dance. Check their website to see whats playing when your going to be in KC. Order tickets in advance. KC is filled with great restaurants as well as its world famous barbeque. Look on Yelp.com for the highest rated. Expect hot humid weather that time of year.

The best place for almost all of that, as MB noted, is in Kansas City itself. Saint Louis has better museums, so spend a couple days there. But also stop in Memphis for a day, visiting the music museums and eating some BBQ.

With only a week to travel there, see stuff, and return back; a detour to Chicago is out. A starting itinerary:
Day 1 - Drive to Memphis
Day 2 - Memphis (MAYBE drive to Saint Louis)
Day 3 - Saint Louis (either drive there or visit there)
Day 4 - Arrive late in K.C. after another part-day in StL.
Day 5 - K.C.
Day before Last - Leave K.C.
Last Day - Spend a LONG day driving back to Chattanooga.

Mapquest tells me it's almost 700 miles between these two cities, so plan accordingly on how far you want to drive as you return. I could do 700 miles in two days easily; others may want a less hectic drive.

Here's a few places to stop and rest in KY. Don't leave Paducah, KY without dining at Doe's Eat Place. Have the tamales and fried shrimp appetizer and a big Porterhouse for 2. Whaler's Catch Restaurant and Bar is outstanding seafood and steaks for lunch or dinner. Get off I 24 at Exit 40 in Kuttawa, KY and go S just a second to the Oasis Southwest Grill for outstanding steaks, ribs and cold drinks. Come sit and enjoy a football game on the big screen TV's. Go to Broadbent Hams and pick up a nice smoked ham to take home. Get off I 24 at Exit 31 and go S on Highway 453 about 2 miles to Grand Rivers, KY and have lunch or dinner at Patti's or one of the other two restaurant owned by the family near Kentucky Lake. Get off I 24 at Exit 65 and go E to Hopkinsville, KY to Wood Shed BBQ for good KY road food.
If you have not stopped since you went through Paducah, KY be sure to take Exit 73 off I 24 and go S on Highway 117 to Knock Em Hill BBQ for the best in KY. Try one of the big pork chops.
Get off I 24 at Exit 4 in Clarksville, TN and go to Whitt's BBQ for outstanding southern road food.
Doe's Eat Place @ 136 Broadway Street, Paducah, KY 270 - 443 - 9006.
http://www.doeseatplace.com/
Whaler's Catch Restaurant & Bar @ 123 North 2nd Street, Paducah, KY 270 - 444 - 7701.
http://www.whalerscatch.net/homeabout.html
The Oasis Southwest Grill @ 42 Days Inn Drive, Kuttawa, KY 270 - 388 - 0777.
http://www.theoasissouthwestgrill.com/
Broadbent Hams @ 257 Mary Blue Rd., Kuttawa, KY 270 - 388 - 0609.
http://www.broadbenthams.com/
Patti's 1880's Settlement Restaurant @ Main Street, Grand Rivers, KY 270 - 362 - 2264.
http://www.pattis-settlement.com/
Woodshed Pit BBQ @ 1821 W. 7th St., Hopkinsville, KY. 270 - 885 - 8144.
Knock Em Hill BBQ @ 11185 Hwy. 107 S., Herndon, KY. 270 - 271 - 2957.
Whitt's BBQ @ 2030 Wilma Rudolph Blvd., Clarksville, TN 931 - 503 - 0515.
http://www.whittsbarbecue.com/

While inI. St. Louis you should visit forest park the site of the 1904 World's Fair. There are wonderful museums...the art museum, History museum , the Muny in Forest Park which is an outdoor theatre with great shows, a wonderful zoo and about 15 minutes away is the world renewed Missouri Botanical Garden, of course the Gateway Arch. Near this area is also "the Hill" which is the Very old Italian neighborhood that has wonderful restaurants. If I can help in any other way, please post. There is a lot to do and see in St. Louis. I would also be happy to recommend hotels if I know what you would like to see and your budget.

Thank you all, so much. What wonderful facts and ideas you have given me.