Interesting stopovers driving from St. Louis to Denver?
Mar 13th, 2011, 04:20 PM
#1
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Interesting stopovers driving from St. Louis to Denver?
Any recommendations for good stopovers after leaving the St. Louis area heading on I-70 West to Denver? Either for an hour or two to get out of the car and see something, and/or an overnight spot? We are planning on meeting a friend around Kansas City for lunch, but beyond that no planned stopping points. I'll have my two boys with me, ages 6 & 9. Thanks!!!
Mar 13th, 2011, 05:00 PM
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There is a good Indian museum in Lawrence KS. That said, you can do this in a LONG day( with kids) and be done with the travel.
You are going to have to stop for the night if you are meeting someone in KC. I have driven this stretch many times, and you have to keep moving to do it.
Once past KC you are in a bit of no man's land. It probably isn't necessary to make reservations, but you really need to decid on your overall plan.
You are going to have to stop for the night if you are meeting someone in KC. I have driven this stretch many times, and you have to keep moving to do it.
Once past KC you are in a bit of no man's land. It probably isn't necessary to make reservations, but you really need to decid on your overall plan.
Mar 13th, 2011, 05:09 PM
#3
Hays Kansas is smack dab in in the middle and where we stayed.
Here's one idea - a museum in Hays -
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...ys_Kansas.html
I was with a group and we stopped somewhere and climbed some sandstone towers - but I have no idea where that was. Maybe someone local will know.
Here's one idea - a museum in Hays -
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...ys_Kansas.html
I was with a group and we stopped somewhere and climbed some sandstone towers - but I have no idea where that was. Maybe someone local will know.
Mar 15th, 2011, 06:32 AM
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Thank you both for the suggestions. I'll check both of them out. Gretchen, we'll be pulling a popup camper, so driving slower. Plus, we don't want to get someplace too late and not be able to set-up. So I think we'll break the drive up.
Mar 15th, 2011, 09:24 AM
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Yes, Fort Hays State University.
There is also the world's largest easel holding a huge Van Gogh: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9183 in Goodland. It really is pretty cool!
There is also the world's largest easel holding a huge Van Gogh: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9183 in Goodland. It really is pretty cool!
Mar 15th, 2011, 09:26 AM
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I guess I just assumed a 2 day drive, but if you are really talking about stopping and camping, this could be 3 days. You are about 4 hours to KC and still at least 10 driving hours to Denver. To get to Denver from Columbia, where I have often stopped, I have to keep on keepin' on.
Mar 15th, 2011, 09:26 AM
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I guess I just assumed a 2 day drive, but if you are really talking about stopping and camping, this could be 3 days. You are about 4 hours to KC and still at least 10 driving hours to Denver. To get to Denver from Columbia, where I have often stopped, I have to keep on keepin' on.
Mar 15th, 2011, 09:49 AM
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Your 9 year old may think he is to old for this but The Kit Carson Carousel in Burlington, CO is nice for a short break. I've been there a couple of times with my boys and they enjoyed it.
www.kitcarsoncountycarousel.com
There is a zoo outside of Salina, KS. www.rollinghillswildlife.com I haven't taken the time to check it out yet, but you may be interested if you have the time.
Also, there is a fodorite named Keith who has posted a lot of info about Kansas attractions. Do a search under his name and you may find more suggestions.
www.kitcarsoncountycarousel.com
There is a zoo outside of Salina, KS. www.rollinghillswildlife.com I haven't taken the time to check it out yet, but you may be interested if you have the time.
Also, there is a fodorite named Keith who has posted a lot of info about Kansas attractions. Do a search under his name and you may find more suggestions.
Mar 16th, 2011, 04:21 AM
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I think I would consider just staying the night in KC and then heading out the next morning and just driving all the way to Denver. I think it is just one long, boring (but easy) drive on 70 from KC to Denver.
Mar 16th, 2011, 06:03 AM
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Starrs, your times are right, but she is stopping for lunch in KC which will take a bite of time. And setting up a camper and taking it down the next day takes a bit of time. I have driven this a LOT and I get up at 6 and GO. It is an easy drive as far as the road is concerned--you just have to put in the time. I probably overstated it being 2 overnights, but if there is much stopping, it could be.
And if you have never driven this before don't be lulled into a false sense of "I'm there" when you hit the Colorado line!! It's another good 5 hours!!
HOpe the kids have a DVD player.
And I still might mention that there are good cheap motels all along 70 that might make an easier trip.
And if you have never driven this before don't be lulled into a false sense of "I'm there" when you hit the Colorado line!! It's another good 5 hours!!
HOpe the kids have a DVD player.
And I still might mention that there are good cheap motels all along 70 that might make an easier trip.
Mar 16th, 2011, 07:02 AM
#14
Hi Gretchen,
I've driven from Georgia to Denver many times. It's 25 hours with virtually no breaks going non-stop - and we've done that before a few times (switching drivers). A family member lived another couple of hours north and the DVD player is a great idea. When the kids were young he used to plug in a small TV with VHS player to keep them company, set off in the wee hours of the morning and the wife would take over when she woke up and when he was getting tired. They made that drive about 3-4x year. One time I tried to be safer, stopped at a KOA, set up camp, and then was anxious to get back on the road so we broke camp and set out again (this was on the ride back home).
Anyway, it's about 4 hours from St. Louis to Kansas City. If you get an early start, you can easily be there by noon. If you have lunch til 2, you'll have another 4 hours to Hays. That would be getting in around 6, plenty of time to set up a pop-up and have dinner. The next day's drive is less than 6 hours so there would be time to do a museum, etc. before heading on to Denver. My family always took camping vacations and we'd leave really early on the first morning so Dad could get in the bulk of the driving while the kids still slept. That left less time for the "Are we there yet?" chorus and made the second day's drive shorter.
I suggested Hays because it's the midway stop we (a large group) made. It's about 500 miles from the OP's start, which is a reasonable amount of miles to cover in a day.
In any case, I'm not vested in Hays, KS in any way. The OP asked for suggestions so that was just mine. Doesn't make it the "right" answer, just one possibilitiy.
I've driven from Georgia to Denver many times. It's 25 hours with virtually no breaks going non-stop - and we've done that before a few times (switching drivers). A family member lived another couple of hours north and the DVD player is a great idea. When the kids were young he used to plug in a small TV with VHS player to keep them company, set off in the wee hours of the morning and the wife would take over when she woke up and when he was getting tired. They made that drive about 3-4x year. One time I tried to be safer, stopped at a KOA, set up camp, and then was anxious to get back on the road so we broke camp and set out again (this was on the ride back home).
Anyway, it's about 4 hours from St. Louis to Kansas City. If you get an early start, you can easily be there by noon. If you have lunch til 2, you'll have another 4 hours to Hays. That would be getting in around 6, plenty of time to set up a pop-up and have dinner. The next day's drive is less than 6 hours so there would be time to do a museum, etc. before heading on to Denver. My family always took camping vacations and we'd leave really early on the first morning so Dad could get in the bulk of the driving while the kids still slept. That left less time for the "Are we there yet?" chorus and made the second day's drive shorter.
I suggested Hays because it's the midway stop we (a large group) made. It's about 500 miles from the OP's start, which is a reasonable amount of miles to cover in a day.
In any case, I'm not vested in Hays, KS in any way. The OP asked for suggestions so that was just mine. Doesn't make it the "right" answer, just one possibilitiy.
Mar 16th, 2011, 07:08 AM
#15
Most campgrounds have pools too. Many have playgrounds, game rooms, wifi and one of our favorites had a breakfast cafe that served pancake breakfasts.
On cross-country trips when the kids were young I'd book a Kamping Kabin at KOAs. It was great - just take in pillows and sleeping bags and we were set.
On cross-country trips when the kids were young I'd book a Kamping Kabin at KOAs. It was great - just take in pillows and sleeping bags and we were set.
Mar 16th, 2011, 12:45 PM
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I wasn't really "arguing" that Hays wasn't a possibility, and i said in my first post that she had a 4 hour drive. I drive from Charlotte to Denver in just about exactly 1600 miles --usually stop in columbia MO the first night (which is right at 800 miles) and did push on to KC one time in order to have BBQ!!
You're right--no one answer, and i have camped also--a lot.
Somehow I think it is further than 3 hours from the KS line, but no matter--it is what it is. I push the speed limit a bit also.
You're right--no one answer, and i have camped also--a lot.
Somehow I think it is further than 3 hours from the KS line, but no matter--it is what it is. I push the speed limit a bit also.
