Top 10 Route 66 Attractions
Route 66 is an American Highway that stretches from Chicago, Illinois all the way to Santa Monica in Los Angeles. The highway was established in November 1926 and stopped being recognized as Route 66 in 1985, although many motorists still choose the follow the Route of the original highway.
The route became popular for a number of reasons, one of which was the geography the road passed through. The popularity of the Route also leads to numerous eateries and other establishments being created to cater to the traffic and this, in turn, helped to make the route more popular still. Here are a few of the attractions that people should not miss on Route 66.
1. Chain of Rocks Bridge
Most bridges are built in a straight line from one shore to another. It makes sense, after all a straight line will use as few materials as possible and it provides the fastest passage across the river for anybody using the bridge. The chain of rocks bridge, however, wasn’t so straight forward, so to speak. During the planning stage, there was resistance to the bridge because of its proximity to a pumping station. In addition, a straight bridge would have meant the bridge was built over a section of bedrock that was not solid enough to support the bridge’s foundations. For these reasons the bridge, which is now open only to foot and cycle traffic, has a 30-degree bend in the middle.
2. Cars on the Route
You’ve probably seen at least one of the popular Cars animated movies by Pixar. The movies feature the adventures of Lightning McQueen, a superstar racecar who inadvertently ends up lost in a sleepy town on Route 66. Having caused damage to the town, he is forced to stay until it is repaired and he ends up making friends during his time there.
At Cars on the Route, you will find a 50s themed service station that is also home to a 1950s boom truck that was allegedly the inspiration for McQueen’s new best friend, Tow Mater. You will find other characters in the car park and around the station, and it makes a great place to take a break from driving and get something to eat.
3. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
Georgia O’Keeffe was an artist that was known for painting stunning New Mexico Landscapes, skyscrapers in New York, and larger than usual flowers. According to many, she was the mother of American modernism. O’Keeffe stopped painting in 1972 due to her failing eyesight. She died at the ripe old age of 98 in 1986.
The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was opened 11 years after O’Keeffe’s death. The museum is home to nearly 700 drawings by O’Keeffe as well as over 140 oil paintings by her. It makes for an ideal stop for any art enthusiasts travelling along route 66.
4. Dixie Truckers Home
Driving over long distances requires a lot of fuel, both for the vehicle and for the people behind the wheel. As such, along motorways around the world you will find truck stops where long distance truckers can get something to eat, refuel their truck and maybe get some sleep.
Dixie Truckers Home has been providing these services to weary and hungry truckers since 1928. Changes have been made to the buildings since they were first constructed but the signage has remained mostly the same since the stop was first opened. It’s a chance to take a step back in history for visitors, as well as an opportunity to get some great food.
5. Cadillac Ranch
A field full of old cars lined up in a field may not sound like much of an attraction, but this is just what the Cadillac ranch is. The Cadillac Ranch is no ordinary line of cars, however, as each of the cars has been lined up nose first into the ground with the trunk of the car pointing skywards.
Initially created as an art-piece in 1974, people have since been visiting the showpiece and many have added their mark by painting the cars themselves. This has left the cars coated with a plethora of different artworks and other markings in every color under the sun.
6. Cozy Dog Drive In
When passing through Springfield, Illinois, on Route 66, you can be in for an opportunity to try a famous American culinary treat, corndogs. Corndogs are typically hot dog sausages that have been coated in a layer of cornmeal batter and then fried.
This is not just any corndog joint, however, because the owners of the Cozy Dog Drive In claim to be one of the pioneers of what is now considered to be an American classic. While the original corndogs are an obvious attraction the drive through does have a menu with plenty of options that ensure there is something for everybody.
7. Tower Station and U-Drop Inn
You will notice many unusual looking structures along route 66 and the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn are one of the most unusual looking of them all. The building was constructed in 1936 in an Art Deco design and made from green glazed tile and brick.
Taking pride of place on top of the tower is a metal tulip. The building is now owned and maintained by the city of Shamrock, who also renovated to its original glory after years of neglect. Some people might recognize the building from the Pixel Cars movies because it was the inspiration for Ramone’s House of Body Art.
8. Will Rogers Memorial Museum
Will Rogers was a popular actor and stage performer who was most active in the 1920s and 30s. He was a prolific columnist, having more than 4,000 columns published in newspapers and he also made no fewer than 71 films. Rogers died in a plane crash aged 55 in 1935.
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum was established in 1938 and covers just over 19,000 square feet. The museum is home to photographs, artifacts, and other memorabilia as well as speeches and manuscripts. If you are planning to travel along route 66, the museum offers an insight into one of America’s most popular entertainers and philosophers.
9. Wigwam Motels
Route 66 travels through a part of America that is well known for being Native American Indian territory. You will see evidence of this numerous times during your stay, including in various places along Route 66. One example of this is the wigwam motels in which visitors are free to stay in a wigwam of their own.
For those that are not aware, wigwams are a kind of tent that native American Indians and they were made using a framework of logs and sticks which was covered in animal hides. There are two wigwam motels located along route 66 and they contain all the comforts of a standard, modern motel.
10. Santa Monica Pier
For a lot of people, a journey along Route 66 is a vacation in its own right. It is the opportunity to start at one end, travelling through and experiencing different cultures and foods etc. as they make their way along the highway. It is common for people to start in Chicago and for their journey to end when they have reached the Pacific Ocean.
The official end of the Route 66 trail is at Santa Monica Pier in California. The pier is an attraction in its own right with an aquarium, arcade games, and other attractions. There’s also the beach which is popular among surfers and people that just want to relax and play in the sun.
