Oak Ridge has both the original Y-12 reactor (but I think you have to arrange in advance to see that), and the Atomic Energy Museum (that you don't, it's outside the main research facility).
Better wild horses up on Chincoteague Island north of Norfolk, but that might be out of the way.
Also on I-40 (or just off it): Biltmore House, George Vanderbildt's summer home (365 rooms, four kitchens, a bowling alley, and a 3/4 Olympic pool) set up as a museum with among other things Napoleon's chess set. The Parthenon in Nashville, a replica of the one in Greece. Just beyond the western end of I-40 is Mojave, home of many wild and wonderful aircraft and space ships. (Dunno about tours, but they're there; there's also an awesome wind farm atop the ridge west of Mojave.)
Oh, and getting into Albuquirky on 40, when you come off the Sandia plateau and into ABQ proper? There's a big freakin' hill, that says TRUCKS 35. They MEAN IT. Cars can go faster, but don't push it; when we did it we saw a semi go by with his brakes ON FIRE. (We did not, thankfully, find him in a heap at the bottom or up one of the runaway ramps.)
Also, definitely recommend taking the southern route across the Rockies; even this late you may find inclement weather in the passes on 70, 80, or 90. (Cliff Mass says the passes are supposed to get dumped on this weekend, maybe even as we speak.) Donner Pass (I-80) is LEGENDARY for this.
And the drive through the Smokies will make up for missing Kentucky. OTOH? I hope your suspension is good, because last I checked, 40 through Arkansas is segmented concrete. BUMPadaBUMPadaBUMPadaBUMPada... Only way to fix is plow up the road and start over; even fresh asphalt over top will develop cracks in a year or two. But the Ozarks are pretty too...
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Better wild horses up on Chincoteague Island north of Norfolk, but that might be out of the way.
Also on I-40 (or just off it): Biltmore House, George Vanderbildt's summer home (365 rooms, four kitchens, a bowling alley, and a 3/4 Olympic pool) set up as a museum with among other things Napoleon's chess set. The Parthenon in Nashville, a replica of the one in Greece. Just beyond the western end of I-40 is Mojave, home of many wild and wonderful aircraft and space ships. (Dunno about tours, but they're there; there's also an awesome wind farm atop the ridge west of Mojave.)
Oh, and getting into Albuquirky on 40, when you come off the Sandia plateau and into ABQ proper? There's a big freakin' hill, that says TRUCKS 35. They MEAN IT. Cars can go faster, but don't push it; when we did it we saw a semi go by with his brakes ON FIRE. (We did not, thankfully, find him in a heap at the bottom or up one of the runaway ramps.)
Also, definitely recommend taking the southern route across the Rockies; even this late you may find inclement weather in the passes on 70, 80, or 90. (Cliff Mass says the passes are supposed to get dumped on this weekend, maybe even as we speak.) Donner Pass (I-80) is LEGENDARY for this.
And the drive through the Smokies will make up for missing Kentucky. OTOH? I hope your suspension is good, because last I checked, 40 through Arkansas is segmented concrete. BUMPadaBUMPadaBUMPadaBUMPada... Only way to fix is plow up the road and start over; even fresh asphalt over top will develop cracks in a year or two. But the Ozarks are pretty too...