Field trip ideas needed for Illinios and Iowa

[phathui5]

I've been offered a midwifery apprenticeship in Oregon, so it looks like our family is going to be making the drive from upstate New York to Lebanon, Oregon this fall.

We'll be driving along I-80W for a large portion of the trip and I am looking for field trip suggestions for stops along the way.

Our children will be 11, 8, 6, and 4 when we make the trip. We've always homeschooled and I'm thinking we'll treat this like the biggest homeschool field trip we've ever had.

What can you suggest that's close to the highway that we shouldn't miss?

[Honey693]

I have to admit I love the World's Largest Truck stop.  And the Children's Museum in Coralville/Iow City is cool.

[phathui5]

Is that the Children's Museum in the mall?

[Honey693]

yes

[RiverTam]

There's tons of stuff to do in Chicago. The Field Museum is one of my kids' favorite places. 

http://whales.fieldmuseum.org/

The evolution exhibit and dinosaur exhibit are really exceptional. The ancient Egypt exhibit is also outstanding.

When you get to the Illinois-Iowa border, you might want to stop off in Moline.  You can go the John Deere Commons. They have a museum with a ton of farm implements and exhibits on the history of farming and the history of John Deere.  You can also take a factory tour to see how they make farm equipment. 

http://www.deere.com/wps/dcom/en_US/corporate/our_company/fans_visitors/tours_attractions/index.page?

You can also take a ride on the Mississippi via Chanel Cat Taxi. It's just a boat ride, but you really get a feel for the size of the river. 

http://www.gogreenmetro.com/maps-and-schedules/channel-cat-taxi/

The Amana Colonies might be nice. It's a former communal living colony in Iowa. It's very crafty.

http://amanacolonies.com/pages/about-amana-colonies.php

[Honey693]

Originally Posted by RiverTam 

The Amana Colonies might be nice. It's a former communal living colony in Iowa. It's very crafty.

http://amanacolonies.com/pages/about-amana-colonies.php

If you like sweet wine and good truffles stop here.  We go twice a year, just for those two things.