Driving from Chicago to South Carolina. What are my MUST see's?
 

From the end of March to the begining of April we're going to drive from Chicago to South Carolina. (near Myrtle Beach) Does anyone know where we JUST HAVE TO STOP and visit along the way? It'll be myself, husband and my two young children. (1st and 3rd graders) I'd like to see something super cool and/or historic that they'll remember.
All suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I am in SC and have no idea. What route are you taking? Have you thought about tagging those states too so the people along your route can help you?

Well, when you get to SC you should go down to Charleston and up to Wilmington (Battleship North Carolina).
Charlotte could be on your way and we have an outstanding science museum. How many days do you intend for the drive to take? It is probably a 2 day drive without much stopping.
For information, Charlotte is a 4 hour drive to MB/Charleston.

When you go through KY, stop at Mammoth Cave NP.

I think Mammoth Cave is a great idea.

Dollywood is a great park. I'm not that big of a fan of Pigeon Forge but when the kids were little we preferred small parks like Dollywood (and Busch Gardens) over the big parks (Disney and Universal).

On the way home, stop over in Asheville. Some say that kids don't like the Biltmore House, but I strongly disagree. Mine liked seeing inside of a castle :-)

If you can find rental bikes Brookgreen Gardens just south of Myrtle Beach is a great place to ride through swamps and see the remains of an old rice plantation.

So how did it go, where did you stop? We are leaving on 7/30/11 and heading from chicago to surfside beach area in SC. We have a 5 and 3 year old, and also are trying to figure out where to stop along the way.

Did you drive straight thru, or stop somewhere for a night? If so where, any recommendations.

Thanks!

Ohmygosh, talk about open ended queries! There are so many ways to travel from there to there. No.1 thing to ask is what do you enjoy in such touring...scenery, history, amusement parks, entertainment venues, caves, stately mansions...the list goes on. But the youngsters will likely enjoy a motel pool or some water slide since they won't likely remember anything else (except with photos reminders from you).
Bill in Boston

I would guess that Knoxville or between Knox and Asheville might be your stopping point for Surfside. Let me give you our directions to Surfside from Charlotte, and I really "urge" you to do it. it sounds complicated but it is 4 lane all the way and will take you about 4 hours. It is the most direct way (from Charlotte).
To give you some times, Knoxville is about 2 hours from Asheville and 4 hours from Charlotte.

Beach directions--this takes about 3.5 hours. The roads are all dual lane.

Highway 74 to Monroe. Take

Highway 601 south to Pageland and Rte 151. Speed enforced south of Monroe. Take

Highway 151 toward Darlington. After passing the speedway watch for

Highway 52 to the right. Take

Highway 52 to I95 NORTH (yes!). Entrance is a left turn under the interstate.

Take I95 NORTH to 3rd exit--Highway 321 (marked for Myrtle Beach). This bypasses Florence, a GOOD thing!!

Take Highway 321 for about 10 miles. Turn LEFT on

Highway 301 (376?)--first major intersection. Just stay straight--It becomes Highway 50l. You are about an hour and a half from the beach here.

Take Highway 501 through Conway. Watch for Highway 544 to the
Right, about 8 miles after Conway.

Take Highway 544 to Route 707. Follow the signs for Surfside