we plan on driving from NYC > Austin, TX in mid Sept. All of the map sites want me to go south on I-81, west on I-40, the south on I-35. I have done this before and am not crazy about going this way...Since I have never really been thru the midwest, I was thinking of going west, then south...

Can anyone recommend good stops along the way, i.e. food, quirky places, or anything out of the ordinary? Since I am pressed for time, I can't really go too far out of the way, but I don't mind taking a local road in the same general direction that I will be traveling....

I look forward to hearing any and all suggestions...

Thanks in advance!