Aug 20, 2026, 10:04 PMHey Fedi Hive Mind: My older sister is currently driving across the US from East to West. She'll hit route 80 tomorrow and is looking for silly/fun touristy type stuff to do on the way. Nothing that requires significant side trips or time commitments. Roadside attraction type stuff. For example: today she went to the Moth Man museum in West Virginia and enjoyed it.
Any ideas?
Aug 21, 2026, 12:05 AM@Karstan On I-80 you'll go through Des Moines, IA, where one of my ancestors is buried on the grounds of the state capital. Not really worth a special trip. Said he was going to CO for the gold rush and left his land for the capitol to be built. Died on the way.
North Platte Nebraska is train central. There's a cool viewing tower of the huge train yard. Web site says it's a once in a lifetime experience, probably because you'll never be back in North Platte.
Aug 21, 2026, 9:21 PM
@Karstan James T. Kirk's future birthplace is in Riverside, Iowa.
It's not far off Rt. 80 and there's a delightfully odd museum (and gift shop).
Aug 21, 2026, 4:45 AM@M2Oskie @Karstan It's a bit of stretch, but it's about 2 hrs from Des Moines IA on I-80 to Clear Lake IA, which is a town all Buddy Holly fans know of: https://surfballroom.com/