My DH and I are hitting the road in Oct. for a cross country trip form CA - OH. We plan on taking highway 80 to 50 to 70 East.We're thinking Denver, Co. Springs, on to Kansas City and St. Louis, Indianapolis, Dayton, OH and up to the Cleveland area. Anything you would suggest seeing that is not on the usual tourist maps? Shops, restaurants, (my DH is into golf), short hikes... Appreciate any and all suggestions.

In Indy there is a restaurant called The Jersey, was featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives. Gonna go there first chance we get. Think it is in Carmel a suburb of Indy North. Depending on how much time you have a visit to Brown Co (Nashville) plus the winery on the way into the small town would be worth your while.

Are you planning on going on interstates? as in I-80, I-50, I-70?
you will see more on the "blue highways".

Also, what time frame?

We went to Molly Brown's house in Denver. You know, The Unsinkable Molly Brown - from the Titanic? They made a musical about her. It doesn't take too long to go through. Denver also has a really nice History Museum and a GREAT zoo. But those take a while. Be careful about speeding in Utah, I was stopped for going 3 miles over - didn't get a ticket. The cop was so clean cut and sweet.

We only have a month so we're not taking blue highways (one of my favorite books, BTW) only interstates. Oct. 1 begins our journey. On the way back we're going to Louisiana, Texas...the southern route I-10West

Oh! We just did a mystery road trip last week thru Texas - had a really fun time exploring - enjoy yours and be safe. The best city was Amarillo! Also Kerrville has the most awesome quilt shop called Creations - spent $$$ there.

let us know when you come through Louisiana! I'm right off I-12.

DH and I used to take a month (or less) road trip and travel from NE to the west coast all on blue highways. Plenty of time to see everything in small towns and big cities.
Anyway in Col. Springs, be sure to see Star Kempf's sculptures --
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/17288

I hope they are still there.

BTW, Roadside America is a GREAT site!!

You will be passing near Amish country in Ohio. Great scenery, fabulous restaurants, and tons of quilt and craft shops. Millers's in Charm, Grandma Fannies in Berlin, The Material Girl Fabric Outlet in Dover, Zink's in Berlin and so many more that carry beautiful quilting fabrics.

Denver to the Springs.Highway 24 goes from the springs up to I 70.I don't know about your I-50 but there is one down by me.It's not interstate.
I 70 goes threw Grand Junction CO