10 Stops You Can’t Miss On A Route 66 Road Trip

Route 66 is without doubt one of the most well-known highways in American historical past, spanning from Chicago to Santa Monica. Formally established in 1926, this iconic street served as the primary route for vacationers shifting between America’s Midwest and West Coast. From the street migrants who used to flee the devastating Mud Bowl within the Thirties to the inspiration for Pixar’s Automobiles, Route 66 symbolizes a bygone period, embodying all the pieces from loss to new beginnings.

Although Route 66 was decommissioned within the Nineteen Eighties, a lot of its authentic route can nonetheless be traveled by means of America’s present interstate system, permitting street trippers to get a style of the nostalgic sights and sounds of the unique route. Listed here are ten of the most effective stops on a Route 66 street journey for the final word exploration of the USA on wheels.

1 Begin Route 66 In Chicago, Illinois

Thought of the start line for one in every of the most famous road trips in the United States, Chicago is a vibrant metropolis that boasts world-class museums, theaters, and structure. It additionally begins the journey out with a bang; it is simply probably the most well-known Route 66 sights in itself, provided that it is among the many finest cities within the US to go to as a vacationer.

Street trippers can go to the Historic Route 66 Start Signal earlier than spending the day exploring this metropolis’s high sights like Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the well-known Willis Tower (previously often called Sears Tower). Town is understood for its mouthwatering meals, together with the traditional Chicago deep-dish pizza, Chicago hotdogs, and Italian beef sandwiches.

• Tackle:
  78-98 E Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603

Associated: Chicago Unveiled: A Creative Tour of Its Iconic Architecture, Art, & Food Scene

2 Take A Photograph With The Gemini Big In Wilmington, Illinois

The 30-foot-tall Gemini Big is a remnant of a bygone period. Embodying the Nineteen Sixties obsession with area, automobiles, and consumerism, this fiberglass statue of an astronaut is a Route 66 traditional. Big sculptures such because the Gemini Big had been often called muffler males and had been used for promoting companies and roadside sights within the mid-Twentieth century.

Wilmington’s Gemini Big was initially constructed to promote the Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant. Only a few of those sculptures stay immediately, so stopping to take an image with the Gemini Big is an effective way to start a Route 66 street journey.

• Tackle:
  S East St, Wilmington, IL 60481

3 Tour The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library And Museum In Springfield, Illinois

Positioned in Illinois’s capital, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is a must-visit cease on Route 66 for historical past buffs. From his childhood and legislation profession to his presidency and assassination, this museum traces the lifetime of one in every of America’s most beloved presidents, Abraham Lincoln.

Right this moment, the museum is without doubt one of the high stops on Route 66 and showcases numerous uncommon artifacts and private belongings of Lincoln. However the true showstopper is its Ghosts of the Library exhibit that seamlessly blends holographic expertise and archival preservation to convey historical past to life.

• Tackle:
  212 N sixth St, Springfield, IL 62701

4 Move By way of The Gateway Arch In St. Louis, Missouri

The Gateway Arch in Missouri is an iconic monument with an interesting history. It stands as an emblem of America’s westward enlargement.

A feat of engineering, this massive arch stands at 630 feet and presents gorgeous views of the Mississippi River and town of St. Louis.

• Tackle:
  Gateway Arch, St. Louis, MO 63102

Associated: Gateway Arch & More: The Ultimate Guide To St. Louis & Things To Do

5 Discover The Meramec Caverns In Missouri

When passing by means of Missouri, street trippers on Route 66 should cease at Meramec Caverns. This spectacular collection of underground caves is without doubt one of the most lovely stops on Route 66, dwelling to out-of-this-world rock formations and underground lakes.

Guided excursions present a captivating glimpse into the world’s geological formation and Native American historical past.

• Tackle:
  1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO 63080

6 Go to The Route 66 Museum In Clinton, Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s Route 66 Museum is the proper –– albeit meta –– technique to study Route 66 whereas road-tripping by means of Route 66.

This museum offers a complete take a look at the historical past and tradition of Route 66, with reveals starting from classic automobiles and street indicators to Native American artifacts and memorabilia.

• Tackle:
  2229 W Gary Blvd, Clinton, OK 73601

7 Spray Paint At The Cadillac Ranch In Amarillo, Texas

The Cadillac Ranch – probably the most well-known quirky roadside sights within the US

The Cadillac Ranch is a quirky public art installation absolutely worth visiting in Amarillo, Texas, that options 10 Cadillac automobiles half-buried within the floor and lined in graffiti. It is one of many quirkiest roadside sights on Route 66 and attracts in lots of road-trippers annually.

Together with serving as an unbelievable and distinctive photograph alternative, that is among the many most well-known stops on Route 66 and is a notable instance of American pop artwork. In reality, to today, it continues to be probably the most well-known roadside sights in the US, not simply on this iconic street journey route.

• Tackle:
  13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124

Designed within the Seventies by a gaggle of artists often called the Ant Farm, guests are inspired to climb on high of the automobiles and even add their very own graffiti.

8 Hike By way of The Petrified Forest Nationwide Park In Arizona

Petrified Forest Nationwide Park in Arizona

Positioned in northeastern Arizona, the Petrified Forest National Park is dwelling to a set of petrified wooden, fossils, and prehistoric rock formations. This is without doubt one of the finest stops alongside Route 66 for nature lovers particularly. Past the petrified wooden, this park additionally options gorgeous badlands, mesas, and buttes with a surreal array of colours.

Guests can hike one of many park’s trails and maybe encounter antelope, coyotes, and even the endangered Mexican grey wolf. The park additionally has rock carvings made by the world’s indigenous peoples and has museum reveals that permit company be taught extra in regards to the space’s wealthy historical past.

9 Marvel At The Grand Canyon In Arizona

Grand Canyon, Arizona 

Probably the most well-known pure wonders on the planet, the Grand Canyon is among the many finest locations on Route 66 and is an absolute should for any street journey itinerary alongside this street. Whether or not stopping by for a few hours or a number of days, guests shall be awe-struck by the immense measurement and fantastic thing about the Grand Canyon.

Guests can tour the park by helicopter, hike its quite a few trails, and even spend the night time stargazing after watching a spectacular sundown.

Associated: 10 Of The Most Exciting Things You Can Do On The Santa Monica Pier

10 Full The Route 66 Street Journey Itinerary At Santa Monica Pier In Santa Monica, California

Santa Monica Pier in California

Not solely is that this probably the greatest stops for a Route 66 street journey; it is also the tip of the road. Visiting the Santa Monica Pier is the proper manner for street trippers to have fun finishing their cross-country journey by means of Route 66.

The Santa Monica Pier is a historic landmark in California that incorporates a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean, a vibrant amusement park, and quite a few eating places and lodges the place vacationers can unwind after their lengthy journey.

• Tackle:
  200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401​

All that driving is certain to have vacationers hungry on the finish of Route 66. When arriving in Santa Monica, road-trippers ought to make sure to try the best food stops on Santa Monica Pier and remedy these starvation pangs!