driving from phila to chicago
 

We are planning to drive from the Phila. area to Chicago as part one of a road trip.
Any suggestion as to what "not to miss" would be very welcome.

One reason nobody (including myself) can give you an intelligent answer -- even though many will no doubt try -- is that something WE would find absolutely fascinating is something that would bore YOU to tears. Also important is who is the "we," (ages, at least -- teenagers have different interests from people in their 80s), the time of year that you're traveling, the amount of time you intend to take between these two sites, and how much you are willing to spend per day. Unless you tell us your travelers, interests, time-table, and budget; none of us can give you any meaningful advice.

Oh, Sorry
We are childless, interested in nature, history, and the "odd-ball." Ages are around 60, but youngish and fit - for the most part. Time is not a factor - we have lots of it. We are not big spenders. We prefer a modest place to stay that is clean and comfortable - nothing fancy or too expensive. We have just decided it is time to take a big road trip and are hoping to see the US from NJ to the Pacific this summer/fall.
Thanks for the tips.

Ah, now that I can give some useful tips, permit me to note the following:

Nature:
1) In between Cleveland and Akron is Cuyahoga Valley National Park -- yes, it's a NATIONAL PARK, and well worth the free cost. Take a short stroll down the covered paths and you won't believe you're just an hour from an urban center.
2) Indiana Dunes National Seashore. Similarly feeling -- beautiful dunes just kilometers from the industrial rust belt.

If "nature" includes "zoos," then Cleveland, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Detroit; all have pretty good ones.

History:
1) Air Force Museum, as well as Wright-Dunbar Museum, both in Dayton OHIO.
2) Rock 'n Roll Museum in Cleveland.
3) Flight 93 National Memorial.
4) George Rogers Clark National Memorial, Vincennes INDIANA. If the British had decisively beaten the Americans in this campaign, what we now call the American Midwest may have stayed in their control after 1783.
5) Fort Necessity National Battlefield. Find out why Americans should be thankful that George Washington learned the difference between "courage" and "foolhardiness" in 1754 instead of 1776.

For off-beat sites that don't make the normal books, check out

www.RoadSideAmerica.com

Thanks so much. I will definitely check out some of these.