Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about the “Mother Road:” Route 66. One of the most famous road trips in the United States, Route 66 crosses eight states. Running over 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, there are some really things to see on Route 66.
Chicago, Illinois
Our list of Route 66 stops kicks off in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper and is known for amazing architecture. Our favorite thing to do in Chicago is to take an architectural boat tour through the city. It’s a great way to learn about the history of the city and how the various architectural styles grew up in Chicago. There are also some really great museums in Chicago, like the Art Institute and the Field Museum. Sports fans also love Chicago for the chance to visit Wrigley Field, one of the oldest baseball stadiums in the United States. And don’t forget to try Chicago-style pizza while you’re here!
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the capital of Illinois and the home of Abraham Lincoln. It’s a great city for history, especially for history buffs. The Lincoln Presidential Museum has the largest collection of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia. The museum really helps you see what it was like to be the President during the Civil War. In Springfield, you can also see the State Capitol, Lincoln’s law offices, and you can even visit Lincoln’s tomb. When it’s time for lunch, Springfield is the birthplace of the corn dog.
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St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is known as the gateway to the West, which is why the Gateway Arch was built here. You can take an elevator to the top of the Gateway Arch and get a beautiful view of the St. Louis area and the Mississippi River. St. Louis has a great art museum and the zoo is actually really great. If you like baseball, you can catch the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. St. Louis is also the home of Budweiser beer; you can take a tour of the Budweiser brewery and see the famous Clydesdale horses. St. Louis has a lot of great Route 66 landmarks.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
OKC has a great entertainment district with a lot of restaurants and bars. There are also some great museums; one of my favorites is the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The National Museum of Western Art is fantastic, as are the Botanical Gardens and the Oklahoma City Zoo. OKC also has some fun Route 66 attractions that were built during the heyday of the highway.
Amarillo, Texas
Route 66 just barely cuts through Texas, but Amarillo is a great place to stop. One of the best things to see in Amarillo is Palo Duro Canyon State Park. It’s a great place to get out and stretch your legs on a hike. The most famous stop in Amarillo is Cadillac Ranch, where dozens of Cadillac cars have been buried in the ground. You can also visit the Big Texan and try your hand at finishing the 72oz steak. The RV museum is also a fun way to see how people have been traveling along Route 66 for decades.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Once you’re in New Mexico, we suggest detouring around Albuquerque and visiting Santa Fe instead. Santa Fe has a really fun artsy vibe and some really interesting museums. The artist Georgia O’Keeffe spent much of her career, and you can see her art throughout town. The Canyon Road art district is full of local artisans and is a great place to shop for souvenirs. The St. Francis Cathedral is also really neat.
Flagstaff, Arizona
Another of our favorite Route 66 stops is the Arizona town of Flagstaff. Flagstaff is a great home base for visiting some of the sights around Northern Arizona. Of course, the Grand Canyon is something you have to see at least once. Flagstaff is part college town and part mountain town, which gives it a pretty fun vibe. There are some great restaurants, a huge brewery scene, and some really good museums as well. The Lowell Observatory is really interesting; Pluto was discovered here. Besides the Grand Canyon, we also recommend visiting Meteor Crater and Sedona. Both are really worth the day trip from Flagstaff.
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Williams, Arizona
Another Arizona stop along Route 66 is in Williams. This is really the gateway to the Grand Canyon. The entire town is pretty much dedicated to Route 66 nostalgia, so you’ll find diners and souvenir shops galore. From Williams, you can ride the Grand Canyon Railway up to the Grand Canyon. This is a really fun way to visit the Grand Canyon without driving yourself.
Small Town America
Ok, this isn’t necessarily one stop along Route 66. But the real joy of driving the Mother Road is visiting all of the little towns along the way. Many of these towns were “left behind” when the big interstate routes were built, so they still retain some of that old Americana charm. Seeing the small towns of America is what’s really special about taking the “back roads” instead of the major interstates. Sure, it might take a little longer, but you get to eat a mom and pop diners instead of fast-food chains.
Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California
At the end of the road, we come to Los Angeles and Santa Monica on the Pacific Ocean. Of course, LA is known as the home of Hollywood, where movies are made and it’s the place that movie stars call home. There are a ton of fun tourist attractions in Los Angeles. LA also has some amazing museums. But the true end of the road is in Santa Monica, home of the Santa Monica pier.
Driving Route 66 is a quintessential American experience. Much of the original route has been replaced by interstates, so you’ll find yourself on major highways sometimes, and other times you’ll have to leave the highway to try and find what’s left of Route 66. If you want more tips on travel in the United States, check out some of our other blog posts: