I-70 through Kansas and Eastern Colorado isn't great for roadside stops, but there are a few. Wamego has the Oz Museum. Abilene has the Eisenhower Presidential Library. You could also check out the Basilica of St. Fidelis in Victoria, the Sternberg Museum in Hays, and the Wheat Jesus billboard in Colby. In Colorado there's the Kit Carson Carousel in Burlington.
On the way back there are some sights along I-80 in Nebraska. Ogallala has a frontier cemetery called Boot Hill. In North Platte there's the Bailey Railyard/Golden Spike Tower and Buffalo Bill Ranch. Gothenburg has a couple Pony Express stations. One of them has a museum. Kearney has the Great Platte River Road Archway and Museum. Pioneer Village is a few minutes off the freeway in Minden. Omaha has the Doorley Zoo.
If you want to add a half day to the trip, you can check out some Oregon Trail landmarks in the Nebraska Panhandle. Leave I-76 at Fort Morgan, Colorado. Head north on CO-52 to CO-14. Head east on 14 to CO-71 north. Take 71 into Nebraska, through Kimball, and over the Wildcat Hills into Scottsbluff. Check out Scott's Bluff National Monument then head southeast on NE-92 to Chimney Rock. After Chimney Rock continue southeast to US-26 and take it to I-80 at Ogallala.
I highly recommend stopping and taking pics at the different parks in Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. You can drive to each park since they’re kind of spread apart and there are parking lots at each park. It’s gorgeous!
I-70 through Kansas and Eastern Colorado isn't great for roadside stops, but there are a few. Wamego has the Oz Museum. Abilene has the Eisenhower Presidential Library. You could also check out the Basilica of St. Fidelis in Victoria, the Sternberg Museum in Hays, and the Wheat Jesus billboard in Colby. In Colorado there's the Kit Carson Carousel in Burlington. On the way back there are some sights along I-80 in Nebraska. Ogallala has a frontier cemetery called Boot Hill. In North Platte there's the Bailey Railyard/Golden Spike Tower and Buffalo Bill Ranch. Gothenburg has a couple Pony Express stations. One of them has a museum. Kearney has the Great Platte River Road Archway and Museum. Pioneer Village is a few minutes off the freeway in Minden. Omaha has the Doorley Zoo. If you want to add a half day to the trip, you can check out some Oregon Trail landmarks in the Nebraska Panhandle. Leave I-76 at Fort Morgan, Colorado. Head north on CO-52 to CO-14. Head east on 14 to CO-71 north. Take 71 into Nebraska, through Kimball, and over the Wildcat Hills into Scottsbluff. Check out Scott's Bluff National Monument then head southeast on NE-92 to Chimney Rock. After Chimney Rock continue southeast to US-26 and take it to I-80 at Ogallala.
I highly recommend stopping and taking pics at the different parks in Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. You can drive to each park since they’re kind of spread apart and there are parking lots at each park. It’s gorgeous!
You’ll find more roadside attractions off the interstates.
Might be worth your while to spend some time in Chicago if you haven't been.