After getting some good tips from members on here on our recent trip to Maine, I thought I would try again for our upcoming trip to Wyoming. We will be heading out I80 to Cheyenne to visit our son. Any can't miss spots or good eats going through Iowa/Nebraska that are not too far off of 80? Plan to get through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois as quick as possible then doing a little sight seeing the rest of the way.

It’s a bit far but my favorite place on earth is Valentine National Wildlife Refuge. Every bird hunter should go there at least once. Great fishing too

Scottsbluff and Chimney Rock. If you like Indian food (India) there is an excellent place in a Jay Bros. truck stop at the Overton exit in Nebraska. Whole place is rough but don't let that affect you. Food is excellent. It is called Taste of India.

Ole's in Paxton to eat, if it is still open..... its been awhile since I have been there. Restaurant is packed full of taxidermy work.

Always can stop at the original Cabela's in Sidney. Its right next to interstate. Get fuel, stretch your legs and see a bunch of taxidermy if nothing else.

Ole’s in Paxton NE...... lots of hunting history there and good food.... beef and noodles is outstanding if they have it that day............ Darrell’s in Hamlin Iowa......one of the best tenderloins you will ever eat........ bakery in Walnut Iowa, get a piece of pecan pie that is wonderful

I worked construction in NE Colorado for two years. Going to Sydney to visit Cabelas was the highlight of the week /month as there is not much out in that part of the country. If you are in Sydney you need to go to Dudes steakhouse. Best steak I have ever had. I googled it and it looks like it is still there as I left that area 20 years ago.

As you come through Lincoln on I80 if you can stop at either stauffers Cafe or Tina's Cafe. Both are sort of last of a kind little mom and pop shop good old fashioned home cooked meals. Stauffers has good pies.

In omaha off I80 try Wheatfields restaurant....they have biggest menu of awesome home cooked favorites food ive ever experienced, and they have a great bakery right with it.

Ole's big game bar and grill in Paxton NE is still there and serves great food.

If you are heading to scottsbluff on way to Wyoming, get off of I80 at Ogallala and take the back highway a little north from that point over to scottsbluff. Has a great scenic stretch along south border of Lake McConaughy. Plan your route from there to head a little south to turn toward Bayard and you can drive right by Chimney Rock monument.

In Scottsbluff if your trip takes you through there you have to stop at the Flyover brewery food and local brewed beer. Another really good restaurant in scottsbluff is the Steel Grill. Great barbecue and burgers. Hit the national monument while in town there.

PM me if questions, I have a son playing baseball at the college in Scottsbluff and make that trip across our state often.

Jim

Check out Snowy Range west of Laramie. Beautiful place.

Living history farms in Des Moines is worth checking out. Eat at the Machine Shed while you are there.
There is some pretty country and scenic drives in the Loess Hills in western Iowa.

The wife, kiddos and I just got back from a vacation to see the Henry-Doorly Zoo in Omaha. Takes a bit of time to get through it all, but definitely worth seeing IMO. The walk-through aquarium was my favorite part, followed closely by the rainforest exhibit - there were some 7'-8' aripaima fish there....pretty cool to see.

Wrestle coach.... if you have any wrestlers traveling with you, we can probably get you a work out here in central Iowa...... since my son graduated last year that is one sport I miss

There's not a whole lot on I80, but if you head northwest on highway 26 from ogalala you'll be in some beautiful country. You can see courthouse/jailhouse rock, chimney rock, Scotts bluff, ash hollow, etc. It's very desolate but beautiful. I just did a trip with my boys out that way. western Nebraska trip thread

We really enjoyed them too, and had similar thoughts on the penguins' abilities. It's unfortunate that the primate and aviary exhibits were being rebuilt while we were there; would have like to have seen them too.

Just mapped that route out. Looks like it's doable with our schedule. I enjoyed your pics. Thanks

Going to visit one of my sons who was a wrestler. All my boys have ended their college wrestling careers thats why my wife and I can travel this summer. Vacations for quite a few years was NHSCA nationals, Freestyle/Greco duals and Fargo. That turned into traveling long weekends for college dual meets, Midlands, Southern Scuffle, Nationals etc. I should stop in and see Tom and Terry. Had a good time with them at Midlands one year. We were in the room beside and across from them and I was coaching my middle son. Had some good talks. They were still (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) my son wouldn't go out there for an official visit. They were sure they could have gotten him to go there with the hunting available. He's in Cheyenne now and said he wished he would have gone to the University of Wyoming to wrestle. Way better hunting

Just saw that the Wyoming Trappers convention is going on while we were out there. Going to try to convince my wife that it's in an area we "need" to see.

Ya, Tom and Terry told you right, not much compares to Iowa’s monster bucks during the rut. Definitely one of the top destinations for trophy deer for sure. Also have good turkey hunting, pheasant numbers rising. Where did your boys wrestle college?

Chimney Rock & Scottsbluff as others have said. Also, The Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron if you go that way. If you take a northern route on your return you could hit Devil's Tower, Rushmore, and the Badlands Nat Park. Go south and you could visit Bent's Old Fort in SE Co.

Planning on northern route home and hitting the things you listed. Cody museum and mountain man museum also on my list. Also fishing. Going to need to schedule a month or 2 next time.