9 Of The Best Route 66 Locations To Visit For The Most Exciting Road Trip
It’s America’s most famous roadway, one that’s been immortalized in stories, movies, and songs. Conceived as a way to connect the countries major cities in the early days of automobile travel, its lore as the “Main Street of America” skyrocketed its status as a national treasure.
The history of Route 66 is a fascinating story that not only tells the history of cars but the expansion of America in the 20th-century. It was instrumental in empowering the individual to explore the great and scenic country they live in.
Despite being officially decommissioned in 1985, many of the historic stops and landmarks still survive. Take a trip down memory lane with these top 9 historic Route 66 locations to visit on your next amazing cross-country excursion!
1. “Begin Sign”, Chicago, Illinois
Where better to start your Route 66 journey than at the beginning of the route! High up on a pole to deter thieves in downtown Chicago, sits this sign for tourists to snap some photos and start their road trip.
While the actual location of the official start of Route 66 is debated, the corner of Adams St. and Michigan Ave. is general agreed upon to be the spot. After you get your picture in front of the sign, you can go across the street and explore the The Art Institute of Chicago.
2. St. Louis Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri
As the world’s tallest arch, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis is a modern marvel clad in stainless steel and standing 630 feet over the city. Designed and built from 1963 to 1967 by Finnish architect Eero Saarinen, the arch is a symbol of America’s westward expansion during the countries early years.
Visitors can board a tram inside the arch that will take them to the top of the structure. From there, they can take a look out of the windows in the observation deck for panoramic vistas of St. Louis and the Mississippi River.
When you finish your trip from the top, there’s also The Museum At The Gateway Arch to check out that’s full of exhibits on early American history. You can also take a riverboat cruise down the Mississippi or visit the historic and restored Old Courthouse.
3. Petrified Forest National Park, Holbrook, Arizona
As one of two National Park’s located on Route 66, the Petrified Forest has been a popular destination to visit since the highway’s inception. It is the world’s largest collection of petrified wood with some fossils over 225 million years old.
Known as the Painted Desert, the area gets its name because of the colorful Chinle Formation that create a vivid and unique landscape. While there, visitors can check out the Painted Desert Inn, a Pueblo style structure built in 1937 and contains a museum as well as a nostalgic ice cream parlor.
For those who want to explore deeper into the park, the Painted Desert Rim Trail is a great hike for viewing the petrified wood up close. Just remember that it is illegal to take any of this wood from the park.
4. Sandia Peak Areal Tramway, Albuquerque, New Mexico
If you want a truly unique way of seeing Albuquerque that provides stunning vistas of the city and surrounding landscape, the Sandia Peak Areal Tramway is definitely worth exploring. Ascending to the 10,378 foot crest of the Sandia Mountains, visitors are greeted with a breathtaking 11,000 square mile panoramic vista.
Opened in 1966, the tramway was inspired by similar trams in Europe to take skiers to the top of the slopes. From its opening until 2010, it was the longest tramway in the world and still remains the longest tramway in the Americas.
At the top, Sandia Peak has many year-round activities including hiking and mountain biking in the summer and skiing in the winter. The TEN 3 restaurant is located right next to the top tram terminal and offers dinners an unparalleled view of the western landscape.
5. Meramec Caverns, Stanton, Missouri
As one of the most visited cave systems in Missouri, Meramec Caverns is a prime example of the power and beauty created by millions of years of erosion. It was one of Route 66’s prime attractions, advertised on over fifty billboards and barns spread across 14 states.
The cavern was known to the early Native Americans of Missouri and used as a place of shelter from extreme weather. It wasn’t until 1720 that the first Europeans discovered Meramec after being shown by the local tribe.
For 144 years, the cave was mined for saltpeter, a key ingredient in gunpowder. It became a tourist attraction in the 1890’s and was officially opened as Meramec Caverns in 1941.
One of the caves main draws is the possibility that it was a hideout for the outlaw Jesse James and his gang in the 1870s. Visitors to the cavern can explore the many stunning natural limestone formations including the ‘Wine Room,’ the ‘Stage Curtain,’ and ‘Hollywood.’
6. The Gemini Giant, Wilmington, Illinois
Born out of the “space race,” this 30-foot landmark statue has stood in front of the Launching Pad restaurant in Illinois since the 1960s. It was named after the Gemini space program which helped America develop space travel techniques to support the future Apollo moon landing mission.
Made of fiberglass, the statue is one of many colossal ‘Muffler Man’ models that advertised roadside diners and souvenir shops. This model was specifically fitted with a silver rocket ship and space helmet to look like an American astronaut.
First opened as a hotdog and ice cream shop in 1956, the restaurant has changed hands a few times since then. Travelers can still stop at the Launching Pad restaurant which was last restored in 2017 and includes an Americana mini-museum, Welcome Center, and gift shop.
7. The Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, Arizona
As one of the last two remaining Wigwam Villages on historic Route 66, this motel built in 1950 is an iconic landmark of the old highway. Close to another iconic in already in this list, Petrified Forest National Park, as well as Meteor Crater and the Grand Canyon, this motel is in a prime Route 66 location for exploring the American west.
Built in 1950 from the original 1933 model from Horse Cave, Kentucky, The Wigwam Village #6 is a well-known tourist spot for those traveling the old Route 66. Despite its name, the building shapes actually resemble teepees, not wigwams.
To retain the nostalgic look from Route 66’s heyday, vintage restored cars from the 1960s are park in front of each wigwam and in other places around the complex. Guests can still stay at the motel which was reopened in 1988 after it’s original closing in late 1970s.
8. The Blue Whale, Catoosa, Oklahoma
As probably one of the most recognizable and iconic attractions of Route 66, the Blue Whale of Catoosa has remained a popular spot since its construction in the early 1970s. The site was once home to an earlier Route 66 attraction, Nature’s Acres, owned by Hugh and Delta Davis.
For many years, the couple performed daredevil demonstrations including milking poisonous snakes and handling gigantic alligators. After retiring from this, Hugh wanted to create a gift for his animal loving wife.
Working with welder Harold Thomas, the Blue Whale was constructed over a 2 year period and officially presented to his wife on September 7, 1972. Despite it originally only being a private structure, the couple decided to open it to the public after receiving interest from Route 66 travelers.
It was closed in 1988 and fell into disrepair after Hugh and Zelda’s passing. However, in the early 2000s, dedicated members of the community began restoring the sculpture and the Blue Whale was bought by the city of Catoosa in 2020 and turned into a public park.
Visitors can now enjoy the Blue Whale up close, although swimming in the pond is no longer allowed. There are also picnic tables and a gift shop in the property to check out.
9. Seligman Historic District, Seligman, Arizona
Seligman has been on the map long before Route 66’s creation and is often called the “Birthplace of Historic Route 66” by local residents. Built around 1903, the town was included on the original route from 1926 until 1978.
The town experienced its heyday after World War II with returning soldiers road-tripping with their families across the American southwest. Seligman was officially registered as a historic place in 2005 which included several of the towns historic buildings.
For those traveling on historic Route 66, Seligman is the first stop of the longest uninterrupted stretch of the old highway that runs 160 miles from the town to the east side of the Colorado River. Visitors can also explore the many original buildings and businesses in the historic district to enjoy a little kitschy and nostalgic experience of the past.
Conclusion
While officially Route 66 no longer exists, the historic stops along the way are still waiting for dedicated travelers to explore and enjoy. With these 9 incredible places, you’ll be on your way to a fun and exciting road trip while experiencing scenic landscapes and fascinating American history.
