Suggestions for Travel from Illinois to Dallas, TX

[mweiman]

Planning a trip from Illinois to Grapevine (Dallas) TX this month. Looking to travel about half way the first evening and stay somewhere, then finish trip/possibly make a stop somewhere the following morning. My wife and daughters(3 and 1) will be along. It will probably be late when we stop the first evening. Plan to travel as far as possible with sleeping kids. Don't need to arrive in Grapevine until the afternoon so hoping to find something to do along the way. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Partyat33]

You may not have time but we went to Branson for a couple days. Good time.

 

[CBari]

If coming through Arkansas, there is the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock right off interstate easy to get to. Also close by is the USS razorback submarine. I never been to the submarine, but have seen others and always thought they were near. Arkadelphia has the crater of diamond state park where you can dig for diamonds. If kids are young they might enjoy it. Northwest Arkansas has the Buffalo National River, some beautiful country and lots of wildlife to see.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Hit I-44 at St. Louis and stay on it to Ok. City then I-35 to Ft. Worth area, Grapevine is not far off I-35. The kids will enjoy a stop at the McDonalds on I-44 that spans the hwy. It is in Oklahoma not too far after you enter the state. There are Bass Pro shop and Cabellas in Grapevine, also the grandaddy Bass Pro shop is in Springfield, Mo. . bg

 

[DennyDay]

Hit I-44 at St. Louis and stay on it to Ok. City then I-35 to Ft. Worth area, Grapevine is not far off I-35. The kids will enjoy a stop at the McDonalds on I-44 that spans the hwy. It is in Oklahoma not too far after you enter the state. There are Bass Pro shop and Cabellas in Grapevine, also the grandaddy Bass Pro shop is in Springfield, Mo. . bg

Above are good directions - - except take I-35W south from Denton, the go east on Hwy114 at the Texas Speedway to Grapevine - - - alot less traffic than I-35E to Lewisville then to Grapevine - - there is alot of Hiway construction in the Grapevine area. Good Luck - Safe Trip

 

[mweiman]

You may not have time but we went to Branson for a couple days. Good time.

Not sure how far we will travel before we stop the first night but we had talked about Branson. WE won't have a lot of time though.

there is alot of Hiway construction in the Grapevine area. Good Luck - Safe Trip

Everyone says traffic is terrible around Dallas.

We may travel down one way and back another although we will probably be ready to get home on the way back. I will be tied up with activities for work once in Grapevine, one thing will be touring Peterbilt truck plant, not sure what else. Rest of the family may be looking for something to do a few days.
Thanks for the ideas.
Matt

 

[mweiman]

Sounds like the I-44 McDonald's is closed for the summer to remodel.
Matt

 

[Okie-Go]

Mcdonlds is closed. I drove through there today. 7-06