Omaha NE to New Orleans LA OR Oklahoma City OK

[Mark Sedenquist]

So, just looking at the most direct route, there ARE a few things to look at.



You can move this map around, click on the flags to see short little articles about the places we've written about.

And then I just randomly added some markers by searching ~100 miles from Omaha (when there's not a route, the automatic zoom feature doesn't work, but you can can manually zoom in and look at the attractions. (Use the + /- zoom tool or just zoom in with your mouse.)



Mark

[DonnaR57]

In Hutchinson, KS, there's a fabulous air & space museum -- Cosmosphere -- nicely done. A few years back, they were the caretakers of the recovered command module for Apollo 13, among a lot of other great stuff if you're into space exploration history.

I haven't been to Lindsborg, but I have family members who have gone down there.

Another place in KS that we love - and it's right next to I-70 near Abilene -- is a factory and outlet for Russell Stover Chocolates. On a good day you'll smell chocolate before you get there. Last time we stopped in there, there was a school bus full of kids who had just taken a pre-arranged tour and were now the proverbial "kids in a candy shop". My husband has proven that the boxes of candy purchased there have more candy in them for a lower price. Go into the back room and you'll find all sorts of discounted candies and chocolates. Just be careful, as some of them are past the "sell by" date. (Of course if you're going to eat them all within a week you may not care. We've bought them, didn't open the box for a couple of months and they were just fine, but YMMV - your mileage may vary.)


Donna

[AZBuck]

We have a saying around here. "There are no boring places.' In southeastern Nebraska some of the truly non-boring places on your route would include Arbor Lodge State Historical Park in Nebraska City, the Spirit of Brownville Riverboat in Brownville, Indian Cave State Park in Shubert and the Montz Motorcycle Museum in Tecumseh, In addition, the state of Nebraska maintains a large number of State Recreational Areas.

AZBuck

[Mark Sedenquist]

In Hutchinson, KS,

And actually, Hutchinson, Kansas will always be remembered fondly by Megan and I since we met the plant manager for the Rainbo Bakery on the 3rd of July 1995 there. The 4th of July was only a few hours away and Bill Ahlgrim took us on a behind-the-scenes tour as the bakery production staff was making thousands of fresh hot dog buns. That was a memorable day!

Mark

[DonnaR57]

Sad to say, the bread plant in Hutchinson closed a number of years ago.



Donna

[Mark Sedenquist]

Ah, I didn't know that and didn't check, (like I should have.)

Thanks,

Mark

[East19Mom]

So, here's my new itinerary. OKC (lots to do). Drive to Wichita with Rt 66 stops: Round Barn & Pops in Arcadia, Interpretive Center in Chandler, and Rock Cafe in Stroud. At Wichita, see the Keeper of the Plains over the Arkansas River, Cowtown and World Treasures Museum. On to KCMO, with a stop at Abilene for Russell Stover.

Lots to do in KCMO but haven't determined that yet. 2 nights there. Then onto Omaha, possible stop at Homestead Park (out of the way some) definite at Strategic Air Command and maybe Holy Family Shrine.

[DonnaR57]

KCMO has a ton of things to do, including the American Jazz Museum, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Legoland Discovery Center, if it's a nice day there's always Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun (generally not open until April or May), and so much more!


ADDED LATER: On the east side of KCMO, in Independence, are some other places of interest:
First, there's the National Frontiers Trails Museum. This one is all about the Oregon Trail, California Trail, Santa Fe Trail that began in Independence 180+ years ago. It also has a lovely section about Lewis & Clark's journeys in the early 1800s.

Another thought for Independence: President Harry Truman's Library and Museum. You can also get a tour to see his and Bess' home in Independence. The other Harry Truman thing in the KCMO area is the Harry Truman National Historic Site, which is his farm. It's a peaceful spot in the midst of Grandview. (On a map, you'll find that along I-49, just south of the intersection with I-435 and I-470.

Also in Abilene KS, is President Dwight D Eisenhower Library and Home. It is also where he and Mamie (his wife) are buried, I believe.


Donna