Hi - we were planning on a family trip to South Dakota and just learned it is the 75th Anniversary of Sturgis bringing 1.8 million people instead of its typical 50-70 thousand. We have to change quickly as we are planning to leave on August 7 or 8. We have two girls 10 and 13 and we love to road trip, be outside and love nature. Not huge into amusement parks as my kids dont like big rides. I am looking for some direction of things to do and see on a budget on a road trip from Eastern Iowa to possibly South Carolina. Must sees and we appreciate any help. We are not at all familiar with this area. We are thinking about Mammoth Cave and a Mountain stay in TN. Otherwise we are open. We love water and anything worth a stop. My husband is a total field trip history guy - but we want it still fun for the girls. Go! Thanks!!

Once living in Illinois & Missouri (now in Boston area) we often took road trips with three children...exploring, camping. Here are some possibilities headed SE: Lincoln Museum and more in Springfield, Zoo and Arch in St. Louis, a cabin in Giant City St. Pk., certainly Mammoth Cave, Lincoln birthplace & boyhood home near Hodgenville, My Old Kentucky Home St. Pk. featuring musical Stephen Foster, then south thru Daniel Boone Nat'l For., Cumberland Gap and Great Smokey Mnt. Park. camping somewhere. But what to see in South Carolina?
(from Drake grads)

SC is an interesting state--but has destinations like Charleston and the beach.
I'm not entirely clear about what you want. You could certainly do all the post above mentioned. Also in Kentucky is the Shaker village _______.
There is Nashville and Memphis.
A "civil rights" tour of Alabama and Georgia.
YOu could just head for the GSMNP and Asheville (NC).