Mother Road Must-Sees: Route 66’s Iconic Roadside Attractions

This guide serves as your compass to the quirky, historic and captivating attractions that pepper the legendary Route 66 highway. Route 66 gained its iconic status during the 1930s by connecting rural towns to major cities and fueling the rise of road trip culture in the USA. Buckle up to traverse Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, uncovering the must-see marvels that make this road trip a quintessential experience. 

Architectural Feats

Whether starting your journey in Illinois or joining the Mother Road further west, prepare to be amazed by the eye-catching architecture along Route 66. In Chicago, the Art Deco facade of the Carbide & Carbon Building stands out against the city’s famed skyline. Since 1923, Lou Mitchell’s Diner has continued to attract visitors with its classic neon sign and homespun breakfast. St. Louis, Missouri, boasts the tallest manmade monument in the world – the Gateway Arch. This symbol of westward expansion in the USA rises 192 meters above the Mississippi River. Ride a tram to the top and tour the museum below at Gateway Arch National Park for insightful exhibits on westward expansion, Native Americans and early settlers. Don’t miss the two-story Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma, designed to resist tornadoes. Step inside to explore exhibits about Arcadia and peruse its gift shop. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, the historic KiMo Theatre follows the Pueblo Deco style, blending Native American motifs with 1920s glamour. Just down the road, the Monterey Motel keeps the spirit of the open road alive with its retro signage and 1950s-era charm.

Novelty Shopping

Route 66 offers plenty of chances to shop for the unexpected. The Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston, Illinois, invites visitors to snap photos with oversized fiberglass figures and shop from countless vendor booths stocked with vinyl records and Americana treasures. For a truly unforgettable pit stop, head to St. Robert, Missouri, where the Uranus Fudge Factory mixes sweet treats with offbeat humor. Watch how world-famous fudge is made and explore the Uranus Sideshow Museum – home to oddities like two-headed animals and a quirky magic shop. In Arcadia, Oklahoma, the larger-than-life soda bottle sculpture outside Pops 66 is unmissable. Inside, a world of sodas awaits alongside a full-service restaurant and a variety of Route 66 and soda-themed souvenirs. In Lupton, Arizona, the Yellowhorse Trading Post has welcomed travelers for three generations, offering Navajo crafts, regional pottery and turquoise jewelry – all set against the backdrop of red sandstone cliffs.

Car Lover Havens

The Mother Road is lined with attractions celebrating its deep ties to car culture. You’ll notice a special connection to the Pixar movie “Cars” in Galena, Kansas. At the Kan-O-Tex Service Station – now known as Cars on the Route – a rusty 1951 boom truck parked outside is said to have inspired the beloved Tow Mater character. Inside, visitors can browse souvenirs and order American classics like chicken nuggets and bacon cheeseburgers. Over in Glenrio, New Mexico, Russell’s Truck and Travel Center surprises travelers with a retro diner and a free museum of classic cars restored to showroom condition, jukeboxes and vintage gas pumps. The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton dives into the automotive legacy of Route 66 with immersive exhibits featuring classic cars, old service stations and a 1950s diner scene. Outside Amarillo, Texas, Cadillac Ranch transforms a stretch of prairie into a work of art with 10 vintage Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground. Visitors are even encouraged to leave their mark with spray paint. In Santa Rosa, New Mexico, the Route 66 Car Museum ignites nostalgia with an impressive collection of more than 30 classic and custom vehicles – from sleek hot rods to powerful muscle cars. 

Giant Sculptures

Route 66’s whimsical collection of giant sculptures invites travelers to stop and take a selfie. In Lincoln, Illinois, spot a statue of Abraham Lincoln reading from the world’s largest rail splitter covered wagon. In Catoosa, Oklahoma, the beloved Blue Whale of Catoosa has welcomed visitors since the early 1970s with its cheerful grin, offering a spot for pondside picnics, fishing and nostalgia-filled fun. This quirky icon is currently undergoing renovations and expansion, so check ahead before planning a visit. In Tulsa, roadside giants make a big impression, from the Golden Driller to Buck Atom and his sidekick Stella at Cosmic Curios. In Grants, New Mexico, cruise beneath the Route 66 Neon Drive-Thru Sign, a 5-meter-tall glowing archway shaped like the iconic highway shield – best experienced after dark.

Historic Gems

Cultural landmarks and historic stops abound on the Mother Road. In Springfield, Illinois, Motorheads Bar and Grill delivers a complete Route 66 experience with a motor-themed menu featuring items like the El Camino quesadilla, vintage cars at the Route 66 Motor Museum and a novelty gift shop. In Shamrock, Texas, the 1936 Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn now function as a charming welcome center. Admire the vibrant Route 66 murals and kiss the town’s replica Blarney Stones, rumored to bring good luck. Winslow, Arizona, invites visitors to Standin’ on the Corner Park, a tribute to The Eagles’ iconic song, “Take It Easy.” This small intersection features a mural, bronze statue and vintage flatbed Ford, encouraging visitors to recreate the song’s famous scene. Venture to Amboy, California, to witness the Amboy Crater – a prehistoric and dormant cinder cone volcano. After sunset, see the nostalgic glow of Roy’s Motel and Café boomerang sign light up the desert sky.