If you've ever traveled east-west across the middle of the country, then you're probably familiar with Interstate 70. Stretching from Cove Fort, UT to Baltimore, MD, it traverses the Midwest and West of America. Not only does the route take you through tons of beautiful states, from wild and wonderful West Virginia to the rolling plains of Kansas to the rocky mountains of Colorado, but you also get the chance to pass through cities like Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Columbus, and (of course) Baltimore. Whether you're just taking I-70 for a brief period on your way somewhere else, or you'll be taking it for longer stretches, this guide to the coolest attractions along the way will definitely be useful.
The next major city you'll hit along I-70 is Saint Louis. Located on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi, this city is famed for its iconic Gateway Arch, delicious BBQ, brewing history, and Midwestern friendliness. Get lost in the "phantasmagorical wonderland" that is the City Museum, sample local beers from Schlafly, devour ribs from Pappy's Smokehouse, and catch a baseball game at Busch Stadium! The Doubletree St. Louis Union Station, the Moonrise Hotel and the Cheshire are some rad hotels in St. Louis worth checking out!
As you explore I-70, pay tribute to another famous American explorer at the Historic Daniel Boone Home & Heritage Center. Tour the home where legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone lived and died, and explore the little historic village around the property. Take the guided tour to see inside all of the buildings and learn about life in 19th century Missouri!
Columbia, MO is home to the University of Missouri, which means tons of cool college culture. Explore the Museum of Art and Archaeology for some refined culture, or catch an indie rock show at The Blue Note. End your day with a stay at the Tiger Hotel, a boutique hotel with a rad 1930's cafe and patio/outdoor live music venue! It's easily the coolest hotel in Columbia.
The Nicholas Beazley Airplane Company was rather short-lived, only lasting between 1921-1937, when the Great Depression caused demand for planes to plummet. They designed 4 aircraft, and today, one is on display at the Marshall Memorial Municipal Airport. You can find exhibits on this fascinating period in history and on the company itself.
Everything's up to date in Kansas City! This Midwestern city features loads of interesting and one-of-a-kind cultural institutions, like the Liberty Memorial, which is a monument to WWI, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the American Jazz Museum, and the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library, which are a few of the cool things to do in Kansas City. Hotel Sorella, the 816 Hotel and The Raphael Hotel are some awesome accommodation options in KC as well.
Then it's on to Topeka, KS! Home to the Brown v the Board of Education National Historic Site, the Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site, and, of course, Truckhenge, this city provides a welcome respite from the endless prairie of Kansas. And if you need a hotel in Topeka, Senate Luxury Suites the Virginia Inn and the Clubhouse Inn and Suites are great options.
Dorothy and Toto may have traveled somewhere over the rainbow, but you don't have to leave Kansas to find Oz... it's actually not that far off I-70. The Oz Museum is dedicated to everything Wizard of Oz, from the book to The Wiz and everything in between. Countless artifacts and loads of memorabilia, plus tons of info on the movie adaptations and the writing of the book can be found here. Don't leave without picking up a souvenir at the gift shop!
Part library, part museum, part grave, and part historic home, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum is a pretty comprehensive site. Visit the house where he grew up, an exhibit in the library about his time as a WWII general, watch a film about his life in the visitor center, and see his final resting place.
An interesting look at the Swedish immigrants who settled in this part of Kansas, as well as a working historic mill, the McPherson County Old Mill Museum is a very in-depth, interesting, and cheap (at only $2 a person for admission) look into the past. If you're lucky, you'll visit when the wooden mill is at work, turning wheat into flour!
Located at Fort Hays State University, the Sternberg Museum of Natural History displays a fraction of the school's nearly 4 million specimens... and you can easily spend hours here browsing everything. Fossils, minerals, and displays of long-extinct animals provide a fascinating perspective on the history of Kansas!
The Fick Fossil and History Museum might be smaller than the Stenberg Museum, but its collection is no less impressive. Fossils and rock samples, plus vintage farming equipment and antique odds and ends are on display here, and you can see it all for a tiny little donation!
I-70 is lined with awesome little museums! From the first patented helicopter (whose blades still spin!) to bison to vintage cars, the High Plains Museum features a small collection of fascinating objects that are well worth checking out... especially because admission is free (with a small suggested donation!)
It's hard to find authentic vintage wooden carousels like Kit Carson County's Carousel, so take advantage, unleash your inner child, and take a ride. It features three rows of animals, all of which are stationary, and all of which are beautifully detailed. It's one of the most unique things to do in Colorado!
Denver is a former Wild West cow town that's blossomed into a laid-back and outdoorsy city. There's tons of great hiking around here, a renowned craft beer scene, and plenty of other amazing restaurants and cultural icons. There's no shortage of things to do here in Denver! Cool hotels in Denver include The Oxford Hotel, The Magnolia Hotel and The Curtis.
The Continental Divide, where East becomes West! Technically, this is the point where water stops running towards the Atlantic Ocean and towards the Pacific Ocean instead. Either celebrate as you pass through I-70's Eisenhower Tunnel, or pull off onto the gravel road before and climb up the mountain to find the marker.
There are so many ways to entertain yourself at Glenwood Caverns that choosing just one, or even two, might be a challenge. It's home to Colorado's largest show cave and thrill rides built right onto the edge of a cliff, enhancing the adrenaline rush factor of the rides by about a billion, plus old-timey Wild West shows and attractions, in case you want something a little more low-key.
About 12 miles of I-70, you'll find Glenwood Canyon, and what a beautiful drive it is. The walls of the canyon can be as high as 1,300 feet, making for a super unique cruise. Historically, railroads and wagon trails have wound their way through the canyon, adding a touch of history to the stunning views. If the 12 mile drive isn't enough for you, hike to nearby Hanging Lake for even more incredible scenery!
Doc Holliday's Grave lies off a trail up a steep hill. A famed Wild West gunman who played a key role in the famed Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Doc was buried in Glenwood Springs after dying of tuberculosis, a surprise because even Doc himself believed that he would die in a gunfight, or, as they say, "with his boots on". Ask a volunteer here to provide even more background on his short but busy life!
Add some Wild West scenery to your Wild West history lesson with a stop at the Colorado National Monument. One of many places to take in the scenery along I-70, the easiest way to experience this gem is with a drive along Rim Rock Road-- it has tons of scenic overlooks so you can see every angle of the landscape.
Cisco might not be the most picturesque ghost town (seriously, this place really puts the "ghost" in "ghost town") but it's iconic enough that it's worth the stop. The crumbling cinderblock houses and boarded-up wooden structures are certainly creepy, and were featured in "Thelma and Louise" and "Vanishing Point".
I-70's unique route takes you right past some of the coolest hidden gems and iconic attractions in America. Whether you're on the highway out of necessity, or you're just seeing where the road takes you, you don't have to go too far off the route to find awesome things to see and do!