Traveling From Seattle To Providence

HELLO ALL! I am new to this forum but what an amazing idea it is. So here is my story.

I am leaving Seattle on the 27th of August and heading to Providence, RI to go back to college. I have never driven this far before and will be my first major road trip. I plan on taking I-90 most of the way, atleast to chicago then jump on I80 to new york then up.

What I am really looking for are historical sites or anything else that would make for a great experience. I am open to anything! Thanks in advance!

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

I hope you have left yourself a good week or so for the trip so that you can enjoy the drive and all the great historical sites along the way. As you start out eastward on I-90, you will be following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark so take a little time before you hit the road to read up on their exploits. After Billings, MT you will be passing the Little Bighorn, stop and try to imagine the events that transpired there. In eastern Wyoming, a slight detour to Devils Tower is in order, and plan on spending at least a little time in western South Dakota as well. Also read through this RoadTrip Report of someone in search of the pioneer experience for some pointers. For a change of pace and history of a different sort, try this museum in Baraboo, WI. As you proceed through the midwest, remember that this is where America's westward expansion started. Although not necessarily historic, in eastern Pennsylvania you'll be driving by the southern end of one of the northeast's great hidden treasures - see if you can find time to stop. On a final personal note, I share your interest in history, and if any of these suggestions have been helpful, do me a favor and say hello to the spirit of my 9x great grandfather (say great 9 times), one of the founders of New Haven, CT in 1638.

AZBuck

Hi,

From an early American living history point of view (my favorite style of history experience), I-80 and I-70 have quite a few attractions that are worth your time. You could drop down near Cheyenne, or later as you see fit, and not lose much time.

Fort Laramie, Fort Laramie, WY
Harold Warp's Pioneer Village, Minden, NE
Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, Grand Island, NE
Living History Farms, Urbandale (Des Moines), IA
Amana Colonies, Amana, IA
Conner Prairie, Fishers (Indianapolis), IN
Sunwatch Indian Village, Akron, OH
Roscoe Village, Coshocton, OH
Old Economy Village, Ambridge, OH
Fort Ligonier, Ligonier, PA
Compass Inn, Laughlintown, PA
Old Bedford Village, Bedford, PA
Cornwall Iron Furnace, Corwall, PA
Ephrata Cloister, Ephrata, PA
Hopewell Furnace, Birdsboro, PA
Valley Forge, PA
and then there are all the good places in the Philadelphia area,
Washington Crossing, Washington Crossing, PA and NJ
Old Barracks Museum, Trenton, NJ
Morristown Battlefield, Morristown, NJ

I hope you aren't in a hurry - these are all good places with interesting stories to tell. Depending on what parts of history you are intrested in, you'll find something to amuse, entertain and enlighten in this list. I'll leave you to do the research.

Craig Sheumaker
co-author of the travel guide: America's Living History-The Early Years

Thank you both for your replies! They were both much more then I was expecting. I have written them all down and planned for my trip to be about 10-11 days so I am sure to check some of these out. Thnks again!