Think You Know The "Mother Road?"
There are endless roads you can take, but few are as legendary as America's Route 66. From massive public art installations to quirky motels, the iconic highway is packed with roadside attractions that have been drawing in visitors for decades with their Americana charm. While some have already been immortalized in millions of Instagram photos, others are truly off the beaten path. Here are 10 of the most famous Route 66 stops and 10 hidden gems you might drive right past.
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1. Gateway Arch
The Gateway Arch in Missouri is the tallest monument in the US. It's an iconic symbol of America's westward expansion and marks the beginning or end of the Route 66 adventure for many.
2. Cozy Dog Drive-In
Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, is the dose of 1950s Americana you didn't know you needed. The classic diner that claims to be the birthplace of the corn dog is a Route 66 staple.
3. The Gemini Giant
The Gemini Giant is arguably the most iconic part of the Muffler Man collection of roadside attractions along the highway. It's a giant fiberglass statue of a space-age man holding a rocket to commemorate the space race era of American history.
4. Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, is a public art installation featuring a collection of vintage Cadillacs buried nose-first in the desert ground, covered in graffiti. Visitors are encouraged to bring their spray cans to add to the perpetually changing art.
5. Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier is a quintessential California stop. It features an amusement park with a Ferris wheel and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
6. Wigwam Motel
One of the most famous motels along the route, the Wigwam offers guests the chance to sleep in a teepee-shaped room. A relic from the past, it's a well-preserved example of themed architecture that was popular in the heyday of Route 66.
7. U-Drop Inn
U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas, is an impressive Art Deco gas station and café built in 1936. It's so stunning and famous that it was featured in the movie Cars.
8. Petrified Forest National Park
The only national park on Route 66, Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park is full of fossils, badlands, ancient petroglyphs, and spectacular scenery. You can also find some of the original Route 66 roadbed here.
9. The Blue Whale of Catoosa
One of the more bizarre and whimsical photo ops along Route 66, the Blue Whale of Catoosa is an 80-foot-long sculpture of a smiling whale on a pond in Catoosa, Oklahoma. A zoologist had it built as an anniversary gift for his wife.
10. Midpoint Cafe
As the name suggests, Midpoint Cafe is the official halfway point of Route 66, located dead in the center between LA and Chicago. As such, it's a must-stop milestone where motorists can take a pause and enjoy a celebratory bite at the classic diner.
Now that we've covered the most famous stops along Route 66, let's cover the hidden gems that you might drive right past.
1. Henry's Rabbit Ranch
Henry's Rabbit Ranch is part rabbit sanctuary, part souvenir shop. It features a collection of Volkswagen Rabbits with their noses buried in the ground: a playful nod to Cadillac Ranch.
2. The Old Trails Bridge
The Old Trails Bridge in Needles, California, built in 1916, was the original Route 66 crossing over the Colorado River. It's now a pedestrian bridge offering immaculate views and a glimpse into history.
3. The Blue Swallow Motel
The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, is a relic of America's golden era of road trips. Clad in neon lights, the pink stuccoed building has been dubbed "the last, best, and friendliest of old-time motels."
4. The Milk Bottle Grocery
The Milk Bottle Grocery, established in Oklahoma City in 1930, is a tiny store with a giant glass milk bottle on top meant to grab the attention of passing vehicles. It's listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Library of Congress on Wikimedia
5. The Painted Desert Trading Post
The Painted Desert Trading Post is a long-abandoned shop in the middle of nowhere. It was preserved by volunteers as a 1940s time capsule.
6. Barstow Station
Barstow Station in Barstow, California, is a fast-food stop court to resemble a 19th-century train depot. Iconic restaurants like McDonald's are located inside train cars.
7. Jackrabbit Trading Post
Famous for its "Here It Is" billboard that can be seen from the main road, Jackrabbit Trading Post is a convenience store and antique shop in Joseph City, Arizona. It's a 1940s relic preserved in time.
8. Russell's Travel Center Museum
A pleasant surprise for car lovers, Russell's Travel Center Museum is located inside a random truck stop in Glenrio, New Mexico. The free museum is a treasure trove of vintage cars, motorcycles, and memorabilia.
9. Jericho
If you're on the lookout for a true American ghost town experience, Jericho, Texas, is a must-visit stop. The once-bustling town stands vacant as an eerie and desolate reminder that everything is impermanent.
10. Cuba, Missouri's Murals
The town of Cuba in Missouri is easy to drive right by, but motorists who venture a stop are treated to a series of impressive, large-scale murals. They depict key moments in the town's and Route 66's history and make for a colorful and enlightening stroll.
