The best landmarks, attractions, and places to see on Route 66.
States on route 66
Here’s a curated list of the top 10 must-see Route 66 attractions in each state, organized west to east. Each section includes a short description of Route 66’s journey through that state:
California
Route 66 in California:
The Mother Road begins at the Santa Monica Pier and winds through Los Angeles, the Mojave Desert, and ends near the Arizona border in Needles. It offers an unforgettable mix of beach culture, neon nostalgia, and desert solitude.
Top 10 Attractions:
- Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica) – The symbolic end of Route 66 on the Pacific Ocean.
- Route 66 End of the Trail Sign (Santa Monica) – Iconic photo spot marking the western terminus.
- Wigwam Motel (San Bernardino) – Classic teepee-style motel, a Route 66 icon.
- Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch (Oro Grande) – A quirky outdoor art installation of glass bottle trees.
- Route 66 Museum (Victorville) – Exhibits celebrating the road’s impact on California culture.
- Aztec Hotel (Monrovia) – Stunning example of Mayan Revival architecture.
- Barstow Harvey House (Barstow) – Historic train depot and cultural center.
- Roy’s Motel & Café (Amboy) – A ghost town relic with an iconic neon sign.
- Bagdad Café (Newberry Springs) – Filming location of the cult movie of the same name.
- Route 66 Mother Road Museum (Barstow) – Packed with memorabilia and vintage signs.
Arizona
Route 66 in Arizona:
Crossing deserts, volcanic fields, and mountain plateaus, Arizona’s stretch of Route 66 is rich with preserved roadside Americana and Native American culture.
Top 10 Attractions:
- Oatman Ghost Town (Oatman) – Wild burros roam the streets of this Old West mining town.
- Hackberry General Store (Hackberry) – Vintage gas station turned souvenir shop.
- Angel & Vilma’s Route 66 Gift Shop (Seligman) – Run by the “guardian angel” of Route 66, Angel Delgadillo.
- Grand Canyon Caverns (Peach Springs) – Take an elevator down to a massive dry cavern.
- Standin’ on the Corner Park (Winslow) – Tribute to the Eagles’ song, complete with statue and mural.
- Wigwam Motel (Holbrook) – Another teepee-styled motel on Route 66.
- Petrified Forest National Park (near Holbrook) – The only national park that Route 66 once ran through.
- Meteor Crater (near Winslow) – One of the best-preserved impact craters on Earth.
- Twin Arrows Trading Post (ruins) – Famous for its giant arrows pointing to a bygone stop.
- Historic Route 66 through Flagstaff – Classic neon signs and vibrant downtown area.
New Mexico
Route 66 in New Mexico:
The road passes through high deserts, Native American lands, and vibrant cities like Albuquerque and Santa Fe (on the pre-1937 alignment), mixing old pueblos with mid-century neon.
Top 10 Attractions:
- Historic Plaza (Santa Fe) – On the pre-1937 alignment; full of art, adobe, and charm.
- San Miguel Mission (Santa Fe) – Oldest church in the U.S., dating to 1610.
- Tinkertown Museum (Sandia Park) – Whimsical folk art museum built from over 50,000 glass bottles.
- Route 66 Neon Drive (Albuquerque) – A nighttime cruise past historic neon-lit motels and diners.
- 66 Diner (Albuquerque) – A classic 1950s-themed restaurant full of memorabilia.
- El Rancho Hotel (Gallup) – Hosted Hollywood stars in the 1940s; retains its rustic charm.
- Blue Swallow Motel (Tucumcari) – One of the best-preserved and most beloved Route 66 motels.
- Tucumcari Murals – Over 40 murals celebrating Route 66 and local history.
- Laguna Pueblo (Laguna) – Traditional Native village with historic mission church.
- Route 66 Auto Museum (Santa Rosa) – Packed with vintage cars and road trip artifacts.
Texas
Route 66 in Texas:
In the Texas Panhandle, Route 66 crosses flat prairies and winds through small towns and the city of Amarillo, showcasing both kitsch and cowboy charm.
Top 10 Attractions:
- Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo) – Half-buried, spray-painted Cadillacs in a field.
- The Big Texan Steak Ranch (Amarillo) – Famous for its 72-ounce steak challenge.
- Midpoint Café (Adrian) – Marks the halfway point between Chicago and Santa Monica.
- U-Drop Inn (Shamrock) – Art Deco gas station and café, now a visitor center.
- Route 66 Historic District (Amarillo) – Antique shops, restaurants, and restored buildings.
- Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café (Shamrock) – Iconic neon landmark.
- Phillips 66 Gas Station (McLean) – Classic restored station with vintage pumps.
- Devil’s Rope Museum (McLean) – Dedicated to barbed wire and Route 66.
- Groom Cross (Groom) – A 190-foot tall cross with life-size Stations of the Cross.
- Leaning Water Tower (Groom) – A quirky roadside photo stop.
Oklahoma
Route 66 in Oklahoma:
Oklahoma claims more driveable miles of Route 66 than any other state, rolling through farmland, oil towns, and charming small cities that preserve the spirit of the highway.
Top 10 Attractions:
- Route 66 Museum (Clinton) – One of the best museums dedicated to the road’s history.
- Lucille’s Historic Highway Gas Station (Hydro) – Preserved gas station operated by “Mother of the Mother Road.”
- Pops 66 Soda Ranch (Arcadia) – Home to 700+ sodas and a 66-foot soda bottle sculpture.
- Round Barn (Arcadia) – Restored 1898 barn with interpretive displays.
- Blue Whale of Catoosa (Catoosa) – Giant blue concrete whale, once a swimming hole attraction.
- Oklahoma Route 66 Museum (Elk City) – Immersive exhibits about 66 culture.
- Totem Pole Park (Foyil) – World’s largest concrete totem pole.
- Rock Café (Stroud) – A historic diner featured in Pixar’s “Cars.”
- Meadow Gold Sign (Tulsa) – Restored neon sign welcoming Route 66 travelers.
- Mother Road Market (Tulsa) – Modern food hall with a Route 66 vibe.
Kansas
Route 66 in Kansas:
The shortest stretch of Route 66 (just 13.2 miles), but it packs in small-town charm, historic buildings, and a few unmissable stops.
Top 10 Attractions:
- Cars on the Route (Galena) – Former Kan-O-Tex gas station with a tow truck that inspired Mater from “Cars.”
- Galena Mining & Historical Museum (Galena) – Explores the town’s mining history.
- Nelson’s Old Riverton Store (Riverton) – A Route 66 general store operating since 1925.
- Rainbow Bridge (Riverton) – A beautiful single-arch concrete bridge built in 1923.
- Brush Creek Bridge – The last remaining Marsh arch bridge on Kansas 66.
- Murals of Galena – Colorful murals telling the story of the Mother Road.
- Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum – Civil War and Route 66 exhibits.
- Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas Station – Restored 1930s station.
- Galena Historic District – Mining-era buildings and vintage signs.
- Galena’s Main Street – A walkable stretch packed with Route 66 charm.
Missouri
Route 66 in Missouri: Route 66 enters Missouri from Illinois over the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge and travels southwest through St. Louis, the Ozark foothills, and the lush hills of the Missouri countryside before entering Kansas. This stretch blends urban neon, small-town charm, and scenic byways, making it one of the most picturesque and historically rich segments of the Mother Road.
Top 10 Attractions:
- Chain of Rocks Bridge (St. Louis) – A mile-long bridge famous for its 22-degree bend in the middle; now a pedestrian/bike path across the Mississippi River.
- Ted Drewes Frozen Custard (St. Louis) – An iconic Route 66 stop for frozen custard since the 1940s, especially popular during hot Midwest summers.
- 66 Park-In Theater (Crestwood) – A historic drive-in still operating with multiple screens and vintage charm—classic Americana under the stars.
- Meramec Caverns (Stanton) – A massive show cave system famously advertised on Route 66 barns and billboards, once a hideout for Jesse James.
- Route 66 State Park (Eureka) – Offers trails, river views, and a visitor center with exhibits dedicated to the history of the road and Times Beach.
- Fanning 66 Outpost & World’s Largest Rocking Chair (Cuba) – A quirky roadside photo op and gift shop, near the “Mural City” of Cuba with over a dozen historic wall murals.
- Gary’s Gay Parita Sinclair Station (Paris Springs Junction) – A lovingly recreated 1930s gas station, often hosted by friendly Route 66 enthusiast Gary Turner’s family.
- Munger Moss Motel (Lebanon) – Operating since 1946 with classic neon signage and vintage vibes, it’s a true Route 66 overnight staple.
- Devil’s Elbow (near St. Robert) – A scenic stretch of the original road along the Big Piney River, with a historic steel truss bridge and rustic charm.
- Gillioz Theatre (Springfield) – A beautifully restored 1926 movie palace in the city where the term “Route 66” was officially proposed.
Illinois
Route 66 in Illinois:
The highway begins in downtown Chicago and heads southwest through farmland and classic Midwest towns, preserving early alignments and authentic roadside culture.
Top 10 Attractions:
- Route 66 Start Sign (Chicago) – Official sign marking the beginning of the road.
- Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant (Chicago) – Historic diner and Route 66 tradition.
- Gemini Giant (Wilmington) – Fiberglass “Muffler Man” astronaut guarding the Launching Pad diner.
- Polk-a-Dot Drive-In (Braidwood) – Retro restaurant with 1950s icons outside.
- Ambler’s Texaco Gas Station (Dwight) – Beautifully restored 1930s gas station.
- Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame (Pontiac) – Excellent museum with murals and classic cars.
- Paul Bunyon Statue (Atlanta) – Holding a giant hot dog—another fiberglass photo op.
- Lincoln Theater (Lincoln) – Art Deco theater along the historic route.
- Chain of Rocks Bridge (Madison) – Bends in the middle; now a pedestrian crossing.
- Old Chain of Rocks Road (near St. Louis) – Preserved segments of original Route 66 concrete pavement.