I-64 St Louis to Va Beach in June: want an unusual stop
 

We are driving from St. Louis to Va Beach in June and we would love to find an unusal, off the beaten path place to explore. (DH, myself and daughters 19 and 16)

We love music-all types-is there a bluegrass area along the way? Wineries? Great restaurants? I'd even go for a "world's biggest ball of string" exhibit (remember Chevy Chase in Family Vacation?) if it's just kitschy enough!

Thanks!
Ruth

Pleasant Hill Kentucky-Shaker Village.

For music you might check out www.thecrookedroad.org which is the Virginia heritage music trail. I have stayed at the Claiborne House B&B near the trail and can recommend it.

Look into the Frontier Cultural Museum in Staunton, VA and it's four working farms from the 1800s.

I-64 goes through both Louisville and Lexington, KY. Both areas have lots to do and plenty of good restaurants. A smaller town that I have always wanted to explore is Midway, KY, which is between Louisville and Lexington on I-64. I have heard lots of comments about interesting shops/antiques there, plus there are a couple of restaurants there that get lots of mention on some of the food websites.

Thanks, these all sound great. I'll look into them! r.

The Crooked Road in Virginia is lovely, it's just not on I-64. Sadly, and neither is Floyd, Va., a bluegrass hotspot these days. You could veer south to hit that area, and take 81 back up to 64.

In WV, you should pass (relatively near) the Greenbriar, a resort that has a bunker under it in case of atomic (or nuclear, I can't remember) bombs -- the president would have hidden there. They have tours. In Virginia, you'll pass by Lexington, which has a lot of history if you're into that, and Natural Bridge is a pretty area that's not too far from the highway.

The Capitol of WV is in Charleston.
Years ago we got stuck there overnight during a snowstorm and toured it the next morning while waiting for the weather to clear.
Not sure if they still give tours since 9/11.
It was very interesting and the facade and grounds were lovely.

If you seek wines, there are a ton of wineries in & around Charlottesville, Va.

The Tamarack Arts Center is off 64 in West Virginia. All in-state artisans and food by the Greenbrier at their food court. Very nice for a pit stop.

Yes - many wineries around Charlottesville, VA.

Charlottesville also has free summer concerts near the pedestrian mall, called Fridays at 5. If you happen to be passing through on a Friday evening, it's a fun option.

Wow! I think we'll have to leave 2 days earlier--these all sound great.

We'll take the extra time to explore the crooked road and the bluegrass. Sounds legendary.

Thanks for all the great ideas!

If you are going down to the Crooked Road, area, then check out the Carter Fold. http://www.carterfamilyfold.org/carterfold.htm

they have a show schedule on that site. I haven't been since I was a kid, and then (I don't know how it is now) it was sitting on benches covered in carpet samples. But it was good music.