Things to do on the way to/from IRI

[Foster]

We are driving from the Philadelphia area to IRI on Thursday. In a quest for sanity on the trip I'd like to make some stops on the way to let people walk around every so often. We will be mostly on I-70.

I've plotted all of the Quaker Steak and Lube's on the way as a beginning list.

It's been suggested that I try:

Columbus Zoo, north on the loop. Really fun go carting place near Columbus, north on the loop. COSI (Center of Science and Industry - Interactive Museum) in downtown Columbus is great, but they probably don't have a quick stop rate. Near Dayton - Air Force Museum is always worth a stop, but it is south on the loop a bit. Its free, so that always makes it enticing. There is the whole Wright Brothers Cycle shop, Aviation Trail in downtown Dayton. The Kitchen Aid Experience Center is in Greenville, OH about 20 miles north of I-70 past Dayton. There is Conner Prairie in Indiana which is north of 70, but in the general direction of IRI. Its one of those interactive history museums, early American history.

Google Maps has me going I-70 from New Stanton PA (an hour east of Pittsburg) to Indianapolis. Any special place I should try to see? Or food to eat? (I hear that Skyline Chili (Chili on Spaghetti) is a midwest favorite that shouldn't be missed)

Thanks!

[JackN]

For food I suggest Ivanhoe's in Upland, Indiana. I have no clue if it is on your way or not, but trust me it is worth it. On teams 494 and 70 we always stop on the way to and from IRI. We even got our friends on 33 to stop there in the past few years. They have 50 different sundaes and 50 different shake options as well as burgers, hot dogs and the like.

[IndySam]

Air Force Museum is the coolest thing on I70!

[Billfred]

If you're taking my historical route to IRI (going through Asheville, Knoxville, Lexington, then skirting Cincinnati), you hit Corbin, KY around the midpoint (and around lunchtime). Corbin is the home of the Sanders Court Cafe and Museum, otherwise known as the birthplace of KFC. The food is standard KFC--they've added a modern unit beside it--but the nostalgia factor is pretty nifty if you're passing through. I've pulled over twice in two years of going to IRI.

[DonRotolo]

Of course there's this place in Columbus (one of my favorites - can you guess why?), but if you can spare the time, I second Indy Sam's recommendation. Even 2 or 3 hours is worth it. Heck, even 40 minutes outside on the tarmac is worth it.