tat2matt

What is there of any interest to see on that stretch of road? We're road-tripping this summer and have plenty to get us from NC to St. Louis and from Denver to our final destination, but I've never traveled that stretch of highway. We're planning on stopping somewhere in western Kansas as an overnight, simply to break it up (we have an 8 year old, 15 hour driving days won't happen). Any and all little spots of interest would be welcomed. Thanks!

sf7307

Well, not exactly on that road, but only slightly north by about 57 miles according to Google Maps, I would highly recommend the Jesse James House, and the Pony Express Museum, both terrific remembrances of America of the past.

Anonymous

I broke up my trip with a stop in Abilene, KS. Cute little city, site of the very extensive Eisenhower Library. Since Eisenhower was already a famous general before being elected president, his boyhood home was completely preserved and is very enlightening to visit. Lovely setting with plenty of room to run around on lawns.

Also in Abilene, east of Eisenhower, is the "Heritage Museum of Dickinson County" which incorporates the wonderful "Museum of Independent Telephony." Using funding from Sprint Corporation, it commemorates a brief but abundant era between the time after Alexander Graham Bell's 17-year patent on basic telephone technology expired, and before "Ma Bell" became the utility monopoly that many of us grew up with. It's my favorite type of museum, thoroughly pursuing something totally quirky. Scores of ancient telephones, all sorts of other equipment including a few Operators' boards where you can sit in an antique chair and play with the plugs, pretending to by Lily Tomlin connecting calls. And then the rest of the museum is my other favorite type of museum: locals displaying their own ancestors' stuff with handmade labels.

ronkala

See the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve, which is how the prairie used to look. Also some outbuildings and very interesting.

Exit 313 just under half way between Topeka and Salina. Take route 177 south about fifty miles. This hiway is incredible, straight as can be and no traffic. I think two cars passed us, it was almost eerie.

tambennett

tat2matt-The last time we drove that stretch of I 70, we were coming from Cheyenne and had just entered Kansas when a massive storm blew up! We have pictures of a tornado forming as we drove out of it! Scary, but awesome!!!!!

Tam

Keith

Fun stops for the 8 year old might be the Rolling Hill Zoo at Salina and The Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays with dinosaur & fish fossils from the region and life size recreations. Both are right off 70.

If you are willing to drive a few more miles off the freeway, Casstle Rock Badlands, about 12 miles south of I-70 are breath taking http://www.kansastravel.org/castlerock.htm

That web site has other suggestions for Kansas including the bug zoo in Manhattan or Deep Creek Waterfall nearby http://www.kansastravel.org/pillsburycrossing.htm

Keith