Historic Route 66 has a storied place in American history and lore, and it was a key inspiration for the classic American road trip.
Opened in 1926, the road had one end in Chicago, Illinois, and it passed through several states on its way to Santa Monica, California.
The route was famous for quirky and fascinating attractions along the way, and many of them are still around today.
Although parts of the road have been closed, and others run concurrent with newer highways, you can still drive much of the original route and see many of those attractions. Following are 15 we highly recommend.
Lou Mitchell’s Diner– Chicago, Illinois
The classic way to drive Route 66 was and still is from Chicago to Santa Monica. For many, then, Lou’s was their first stop, where they fueled their bodies up for the long trip ahead. If you’re going in the other direction, that’s okay; Lou’s serves dinner (and lunch) as well, so you can make it your last stop.
The Gemini Giant– Wilmington, Illinois
Route 66 is famous for its giant fiberglass statues advertising local attractions. 30’ tall, the Gemini Giant, themed after the Gemini space program, gives a nod to the town’s Launchpad Diner.
Gateway Arch– St. Louis, Missouri
This arch, the largest one in the world, pays homage to west-bound pioneers and still serves as the symbolic border between the East and the West. It’s also our nation’s newest national park.
Meramec Caverns– Stanton, Missouri
Guided tours of this beautiful cave system that goes on for nearly 5 miles (the tours aren’t that long) are available. The caves also contain Native American artifacts that predate the arrival of Christopher Columbus.
Ed Galloways’s Totem Pole Park– Foyil, Oklahoma
There are several carved sculptures here depicting birds and Native Americans. Included is the world’s tallest concrete totem pole. A retired art teacher built this park in 1937.
The Blue Whale– Catoosa, Oklahoma
Why there’s a replica of a blue whale in a pond in a landlocked state is anyone’s guess, but this spot is one of the most beloved on the route. You can walk into the whale’s mouth, and there are ladders installed to help swimmers out of the water.
The Milk Bottle Grocery– Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
If you keep your eyes low, this place looks like a traditional small-town brick building. Then you look up and see the gigantic milk bottle on top. Interestingly, the old grocery store is now a Vietnamese cafe.
Route 66 Museum– Clinton, Oklahoma
There are several museums along Route 66, and this is one of the best. It’s a journey through history with a Dust Bowl experience, a replica of a 1950s diner, music from the Big Band Era, and many other exhibits documenting the attractions of the famous highway.
Palo Duro Canyon– Texas
This is a short drive south of Amarillo. In length, it’s the country’s second-largest canyon, and most of it is protected as a state park. Go see the red cliffs and rock spires and immerse yourself and the human and natural history of this unique place.
Cadillac Ranch– Amarillo, Texas
Just west of Amarillo is one of the strangest sites you’ll ever see. Several vintage Cadillacs are buried with their noses in the desert. It’s “living” art in the sense that there are always spray cans around so that visitors can temporarily add their touch.
Tee Pee Curios– Tucumcari, New Mexico
Once a gas station, this little outpost of concrete and neon lost its gas pumps due to the widening of the road. The owners kept the place going by converting it into a 66-themed souvenir shop.
Petrified Forest– Arizona
This site in the Painted Desert is said to have the world’s largest collection and concentration of petrified wood. It’s an easy detour off Route 66, and you’ll love the specimens and the colorful scenery.
Wigwam Motel– Holbrook, Arizona
As you leave the Petrified Forest behind, you’ll roll through Holbrook. There, you can’t miss the Wigwam Motel, and you can spend the night in a wigwam, though people who know their stuff will tell you the structures are shaped like teepees, not wigwams.
Mojave National Preserve– California
For better or worse, you have to go through the glitter and glitz of Las Vegas on Route 66. Shortly after passing through and crossing into California, you’ll enter this place that is about as unlike Vegas as it could be. It’s a starkly beautiful landscape of rugged desert mountains, Joshua trees, and dunes.
Santa Monica Pier– Santa Monica, California
And here’s where it all ends or begins. You can enjoy a carousel, amusement park, aquarium, restaurants, and more. It’s also a great starting point for another epic drive: up or down the California coast.
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