Route 66 is probably the most famous roadtrip in the United States, starting from Windy City Chicago, passing through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and finally into California, ending at the seaside in Los Angeles. With a total length of 2,451 mi (3,945 km), along the way, you can not only appreciate the natural features of the Midwestern United States, but also experience the most authentic American countryside behind the bustling, and even pass through the scenic spots along the way to look back on the United States of the last century. No wonder many donkey friends flew from China deliberately to drive Route 66 once.
The first time I heard about Route 66, it may be the strategy you saw on the poor tour. At the beginning of almost every article, you should say "Route 66 is a symbol of American freedom and the mother road of the United States." Etc. Even the interstate highway system (road signs in the shape of blue shields) hosted by Eisenhower failed to win this honor. It is suspected to be a slogan compiled by the Tourism Bureau.
Looking back at "Interstellar", the curious old man recalled the documentary of the sandstorm weather. A search on the Internet revealed that these clips were from real documentaries. They recalled the Dust Bowl incident in the United States in the 66s: due to excessive reclamation in the Midwest , Resulting in soil erosion, causing severe sand storms, like black bowls over the heads of Midwest farms. Farmers can no longer survive in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, etc., so they moved their families to California along Route XNUMX; heavy traffic also brought vitality to the towns along the way, and residents opened restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores Waiting to serve travelers, this is the origin of "Mother Road".
After World War II, the convenient and fast interstate highway began to replace Highway 66 one by one, and its transportation function gradually faded out of people's vision and became a historical tourism road. Despite its popularity, it is no different from the heyday.
In fact, the fate of Route 66 should start with the Disney animation "Cars" watched as a child. Lightning McQueen strayed into the desolate water tank hot spring town, which is the epitome of the town along Route 66 (Radiator Spring, many small places are called xx Spring ~), where a group of old antique cars and volunteers come to open a hotel here Porsche White Formica. Everyone told him about the rise and fall of Route 66, and moved McQueen with the most down-to-earth true feelings of American country people to help him return to the track. Although it is a cartoon for children, the main respect of the Route 66 is shown in the movie. Our strategy will also talk about the clever eggs in the animation ~
Starting point: Chicago-Illinois
Begin Historic Route 66 Sign – E Adams St & S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Very easy to find, right next to Starbucks across the road from the Art Institute of Chicago. Photo sign in ~
Lou Mitchell's – 565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661
Diner on Route 66, a great place to taste traditional American flavors.
Al's Beef – 1079 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607
Known as the best Italian beef and sausage in Chicago, and authentic Chicago hot dogs.
There is too much to say about Chicago, so everyone still pays attentionChicago Food SquadLet's go!
Route 66 Beverage – 6847 Ogden Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402
Soda around Route 66! The retro-looking glass bottle is printed with the Route 66 logo, and there are many flavors. It is said that sucrose is used instead of corn syrup ~ You can buy it in many places along Route 66, but here is the soda of Route 66 Base Camp ~
The Berwyn Rt66 Museum – 7003 Ogden Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402
Along the way there are many small museums commemorating this legendary highway, and this may be the first one heading south from Chicago. Don't expect too much, it's a small broken shop filled with odds and ends about Route 66. It is said that you can get a copy of the Memory Maker Illinois Rt66 Passport for free here ~
http://www.berwynrt66museum.org/index.html
Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket – 645 Joliet Rd, Willowbrook, IL 60527
American traditional fried chicken shop, opened in 1946, and has been operating ever since.
Rialto Square Theater – 102 N Chicago St, Joliet, IL 60432
It's hard to imagine such a gorgeous theater hidden in an ordinary town!This theater, opened in 1926, combines the design styles of Greek, Roman and Byzantine architecture. It was famous at the time, but it still seems to have a classic beauty of the vicissitudes of time.There is a fee for visiting, ranging from $5-$40.
(Picture fromThe internet）
Gemini Giant – 810 E Baltimore St, Wilmington, IL 60481
A huge statue of an astronaut named Gemini not because he was born in June, but because his host remembered NASA's manned space program Project Gemini.
There are many such huge statues along Route 66. The original purpose was to attract tourists to stop and spend money. It is still a popular spot for tourists to sign in to take pictures. It's strange to think about it. What's so beautiful about an ugly statue? The scenery may be too boring along the way ╮ (╯ ▽ ╰) ╭
(Picture fromThe internet）
Polk-A-Dot Drive In – 222 N Front St, Braidwood, IL 60408
Probably the most famous diner on Route 66. Almost everyone who comes to drive Route 66 will come here to take pictures: Because the sculptures of Elvis, Monroe, and cartoon Betty are posing to you in the parking lot ~
(Picture fromThe internet）
Ambler's Texaco Gas Station – W Waupansie St, Dwight, IL 60420
The gas station in the early twentieth century was miserable ~ In the past, the gas station had just settled in the suburban area. In order to integrate with the residential area without appearing obtrusive, the oil company chose this small farmhouse as the gas station. Now it has become the tourist center of the village, and it is also a very famous stop on Route 66.
(Picture fromThe internet）
https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/route66/amblers_texaco_gasstation_dwight.html
Paul Bunyon hotdog statue – sw 61723, 112 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723
Paul Bunyan is a legendary giant. It is said that he started as a lumberjack in the forests of Minnesota during the pioneering period... The sculpture here is the same as the previous Gemini giant, just to attract attention~
(Picture fromThe internet）
Dana Thomas House – 301 E Lawrence Ave, Springfield, IL 62703
In fact, it has nothing to do with Route 66, but this house is the work of Frank Lloyd Wright ~ He is one of the most famous architects in modern and contemporary America. His representative work is the water villa in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Students who study architecture must come. Worship it ~
Lauterbach Tire Muffler Man – 1569 Wabash Ave, Springfield, IL 62704
Gemini and the brother of the giant Bunyan stood in front of a car repair shop with a dazed expression...
(Picture fromThe internet）
By the way, Springfield is the capital of Illinois (??) and the hometown of President Lincoln (!!!) If you are interested in American history, you can visit the Lincoln Library, Lincoln House and Lincoln Tomb, and (Almost the same) State Government Building Old State Capitol.
Henry's Ra66it Ranch – 1107 Historic Old Route 66, Staunton, IL 62088
The exterior is a hut commemorating Route 66, and inside is a small farm with rabbits.The owner here once drove Route 90 in the 66s, and found no memorial when he returned to his hometown, so he decided to build a small museum-like place with various old objects.Raising rabbits was because once his daughter’s pair of rabbits were too capable of giving birth, so he started raising rabbits professionally...
(Picture fromThe internet）
What is the situation of the row of cars in the doorway? Wait until Texas is revealed!
http://www.henrysroute66.com/index.html
Missouri
Cross the Mississippi River from Illinois into St. Louis, Missouri's capital.
As the gateway to the western United States, St. Louis is considered to be a major town in the United States. Must visit some famous attractions ~
The Gateway Arch – 100 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63102
Did n’t you say it was the gate? There really is a gate! Take the elevator to the top of this arch overlooking the vast Midwest.
Anheuser-Busch – 1200 Lynch St, St. Louis, MO 63118
The headquarters of Anheuser-Busch Brewery, eh, the name may be a little strange, but you can recognize the products at a glance even without drinking: Budweiser and Bud Light. Visit the winery and enjoy beer ~
http://www.budweisertours.com/locations/st-louis-missouri.html
St. Louis Union Station – 1820 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103
As a transportation hub, St. Louis' old Union Station is very classical and domineering. However, now that Hilton has been converted into a hotel, I wonder if you are sorry or happy? Anyway, I have to stay here if I have a chance to go to St. Louis!
(Picture fromThe internet）
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard – 6726 Chippewa St, St. Louis, MO 63109
After walking around town for so long, go back to Route 66! The frozen custard, which began in 1941, is the legend of St. Louis and even the entire Route 66.
After leaving St. Louis, you will have to drive alone for a while to encounter the next attraction:
Jesse James Museum – IH 44, Stanton, MO 63079
Maybe we have no feeling for the name of Jesse James, but in the eyes of Americans, this is a legendary thief during the Civil War, and even the last whereabouts are a mystery.
http://www.jessejameswaxmuseum.com/
Meramec Caverns – 1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO 63080
A limestone cave, typical karst landform. There are many karst caves in southwest China, so it may be strange for us ~
Wagon Wheel Motel – 901 E Washington Blvd, Cuba, MO 65453
Although it is a motel, it is very different from the current one. It is a dozen independent small stone houses. People who moved south along Highway 66 at that time had stayed here. There have been repairs and renovations, but the original style is generally maintained. Room prices range from $ 60 to $ 119.
http://www.wagonwheel66cuba.com/
Fanning 66 Outpost – 5957 Highway Zz, Cuba, MO 65453
It used to be a small shop, but it is now closed, leaving only a super rocking chair at the door, which is said to be the second largest in the world. The owner and local workers worked out without engineering knowledge.
(Picture fromThe internet）
Elbow Inn Bar & BBQ – 21050 Teardrop Rd, Devils Elbow, MO 65457
This place is called "Devil's Elbow" and this road is called "Teardrop Road", but these are not the most weird. When you walk into this restaurant, you will find all bra on the head, all kinds of Yes, there is also a signed message from the original owner. Beneath Bra's ceiling are a group of old men in leather jackets, jeans, smoking and drinking, and their cool Harley-Davidson motorcycles parked outside.
(Picture fromThe internet）
Munger Moss Motel – 1336 Rte 66, Lebanon, MO 65536
The owner of this family first opened a sandwich restaurant in the hut of Elbow Inn Bar & BBQ, and moved to continue doing business in the late 40s.There is a big neon sign at the entrance, which is the beautiful scenery on Route 66.
66 Drive-In Theater – 17231 Old 66 Blvd, Carthage, MO 64836
If you are passing by in the warm spring and summer season, don't forget to watch an open-air movie at night: sit in your car, bring snacks and drinks, turn on the radio and tune the channel to listen to the movie audio, and feel the charm of the retro car theater ~
Kansas
Cars on the Route – 119 N Main St, Galena, KS 66739
Route 66 is short in Kansas, and Galena is just a run-down town, but it is said to be the prototype of the "Cars" water tank hot spring town. This small shop was remodeled from an old dilapidated house. Outside the door, the words from "Cars"》 trailer die Mater and the shy and crying fire truck Little Red.
(Picture fromThe internet）
Oklahoma
Coleman Theater – 103 N Main St, Miami, OK 74354
In the era of lack of entertainment resources, going to the theater to see a theater is the biggest comfort in the exhausted journey. Like the Rialto Square Theatre in Illinois, it was once a bustling performing arts center, and now it is a monument to passersby.
http://www.colemantheatre.org/
Route 66 Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum – 128 S Main St, Miami, OK 74354
A museum that motorcycle enthusiasts can't miss~ Here are the collections of Harley in 1917, India Scout in 1949, Yamaha in 1972...
http://www.route66vintageiron.com/
Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park – 21300 E Highway 28A, Chelsea, OK 74016
A series of totem poles created by retired carpenter and blacksmith Ed Galloway from the 30s to the 60s.
https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/route66/galloways_totem_pole_park_foyil.html
Will Rogers Memorial Museums – 1720 W Will Rogers Blvd, Claremore, OK 74017
Will Rogers is known as "Oklahoma's favorite son". In the silent era of the early last century, he created a series of classic western cowboy images. Travel around the world. Come to this museum to learn about his legendary life.
Blue Whale – 2600 OK-66, Catoosa, OK 74015
A big blue whale sculpture is a wedding anniversary gift made by a local zoologist next to his pond next to his wife. It is now one of the must-see scenery on Route 66.
(Picture fromThe internet）
Hot Rod Alley Gifts & Nostalgia – 2300 N 9th St, Broken Arrow, OK 74012
Gorgeous retro-style souvenir shop with many old-fashioned gas pumps and neon lights, like a space-time tunnel.
http://www.hotrodalleygifts.com/
Golden Driller – Tulsa Expo Center, 4145 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK 74114
The sculpture built for the International Petroleum Exhibition in 1966 is the fourth tallest sculpture in the United States.
(Picture fromOfficial website）
Prayer Tower – 7777 South Lewis Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74171
This tower is actually not a subsidiary attraction of Route 66, but now that you have arrived in Tulsa, take a look at the "Googie" of the next century ~
(Picture fromThe internet）
Rock Cafe – 114 W Main St, Stroud, OK 74079
Not only the historical buildings and restaurants along Route 66, the hostess Dawn Welch is also the prototype of the Porsche Sally in "Cars."
Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum – 336992 OK-66, Chandler, OK 74834
What used to be a gas station and auto repair station on Route 66 is now a motorcycle museum.
Arcadia Round Barn – 107 OK-66, Arcadia, OK 73007
The only round barn in the United States, the dome had completely collapsed, but a locally retired building contractor and old friends miraculously repaired the barn at a very low price, so that it is still along Route 66 One of the most famous attractions.
(Picture fromThe internet）
http://www.arcadiaroundbarn.com/Round_Barn_Website/HOME.html
Pops Arcadia – 660 OK-66, Arcadia, OK 73007
A huge soda bottle suddenly appeared on the side of the road. It turned out to be a gas station, and the store is said to have hundreds of sodas!
(Picture fromThe internet）
Lucille's Road House – 1301 N Airport Rd, Weatherford, OK 73096
The old diner who has been holding Route 66 since the forties.
http://lucillesroadhouse.publishpath.com/
Cherokee Trading Post – 23107 North Frontage Road, Clinton, OK 73601
People who have been to the Grand Canyon area should have seen this kind of trading post. It used to be a place to trade with Aboriginal people, but now most of them are gift shops run by Aboriginal people.
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum – 2229 W Gary Blvd, Clinton, OK 73601
The museum is worth a visit. It displays the shop layout of the past and the old cars that used to travel on Route 66.
http://www.okhistory.org/sites/route66.php
National Route 66 Museum – 2717 W 3rd St, Elk City, OK 73644
It's bigger than the previous one and introduces the whole route of Route 66 (so there is National in front of the name).
(Picture fromThe internet）
http://www.elkcity.com/museum_national_route_66.aspx
Sandhill Curiosity Shop – 144-, 198 3rd St, Erick, OK 73645
Although it is called a shop, it is actually more like a museum, or a magic garage of an old American grandpa. The owner, Harley Russell, is a musician. His wife died a few years ago, but he still clings to the cabin. Come take a break, take a picture and see their personal memories of Route 66.
(Picture fromThe internet）
Texas
Devil's Rope Museum – 100 Kingsley St, McLean, TX 79057
The so-called "devil's rope" is actually barbed wire with barbs. They all look similar, but there are more than two thousand styles. This museum is dedicated to collecting all kinds of barbed wire.
http://www.barbwiremuseum.com/
Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries – I-40, Groom, TX 79039
After entering the small town of Groom, you will first see a Leaning Water Tower imitating the Leaning Tower of Pisa on the side of the road, and the so-called largest cross in the Western Hemisphere.
http://www.crossministries.net/
VW Slug Bug Ranch – I-40 Frontage Rd, Panhandle, TX 79068
A few Volkswagen Beetles with their heads slanted into the ground are covered with spray paint and graffiti. Is this... performance art?In fact, the earliest version continues not far to the west C – I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124 Created in the 70s by a team of architects and artists, several Cadillac shells from the 40s to 60s were erected according to the slope of the Giza Pyramids in Egypt.The Beetle Ranch is a later tribute.
(Picture fromThe internet）
(Picture fromThe internet）
In "Cars", Cadillac Ranch appears as a mountain in the background of the town of Water Tank Hot Springs.
(Picture fromThe internet）
The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery – E, 7701 Interstate 40 Access Rd, Amarillo, TX 79118
When you come to Texas, you must know about steak (the specialty of Texas in the United States is not steak chicken, that is a specialty of Shandong Dezhou ~) If you think you are a super invincible stomach king, then challenge this 72oz giant steak!
Midpoint Cafe – 305 West Historic Route 66, Adrian, TX 79001
Finally reached the midpoint of Route 66! Although it seems as if this midpoint is a little west-west, it doesn't matter, you can just take a photo here and sign in ~ In order to find it on the map, the address of the cafe next to the midpoint is listed.
(Picture fromThe internet）
(Picture fromThe internet）
New Mexico
Blue Swallow Motel – 815 E Rte 66 Blvd, Tucumcari, NM 88401
The motel, which was founded in 1939, uses a small swallow as a symbol because in the past sailors regarded the swallow as a symbol of returning home safely (seeing a swallow means that it is very close to land). Cozy Cone Motel, the ice cream cone-shaped hotel in "Cars", borrowed a neon sign "100% Refrigerated Air" from this motel.
(Picture fromThe internet）
http://www.blueswallowmotel.com/
Blue Hole – 34.940447°N 104.673239°W
It looks like a pool, but the deep blue of the water is curious. In fact, this is a 80ft (24m) deep water pool, a mecca for American diving enthusiasts.
Next to New Mexico's largest cityAlbuquerque.The most famous one here is the annual hot air balloon festival~ around October every year.It doesn’t matter if you miss it, you can go to Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum – 9201 Balloon Museum Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
As a museum controller, the author is most concerned about the Albuquerque museums, such as the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, a series of museums at the University of New Mexico, and so on.There is also Kimo Theatre full of historical vicissitudes – 423 Central Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
If time permits, it is recommended that you turn around. New Mexico CapitalSanta Fe. The city has consciously preserved its traditional style since the beginning of the twentieth century. The city is full of adobe houses with local aboriginal houses and Spanish colonial style, which is very artistic. There are still some Aboriginal villages that continue to the north. The most suitable one is Taos Pueblo. Some other villages may not allow photos.
There are also some interesting places to the south, such as Spaceport, an aerospace experiment base that is open to the public – http://spaceportamerica.com/ , And White Sands National Monument – https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm
Arizona
Petrified forest national park – 1 Park Rd, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028
The world's largest petrified forest, looked at the human landscape all the way, come and see the magic of nature.
(Picture fromThe internet）
https://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm
Wigwam Motel – 811 W Hopi Dr, Holbrook, AZ 86025
A small house that looks like an aboriginal triangle cone tent is the prototype of the Cozy Cone Motel in "Cars." There used to be seven Wigwam throughout the United States, and now there is only one here and San Bernadino.
(Picture fromThe internet）
(Picture fromThe internet）
http://www.sleepinawigwam.com/
La Posada Hotel – 303 E 2nd St, Winslow, AZ 86047
The Eagles once wrote a song "Take it easy" by Winslow, and the lyrics is "Well, I'm a-standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona".This hotel was built for the railway.Einstein, President Franklin Roosevelt, Clark Gable, Tom Ford and other celebrities have stayed here.
Meteor crater – 35°1′38″N 111°1′21″W
The best-preserved crater on Earth, with a diameter of 1200 m (3900 ft).
Flagstaff
It's a small town rising from the railway. You can take a break here and explore the old town.
Williams
From here, you can take the train to the southern edge of the famous Grand Canyon. After all, there are tight parking spaces and Shuttle between the scenic spots. It is also a good way to visit the Grand Canyon on the way.
Delgadillo's Snow Cap – 301 AZ-66, Seligman, AZ 86337
Like many shops along the way, this restaurant also collects all kinds of broken cars and signs. There is an exaggerated Chevrolet decorated at the door. The menu includes "Dead Chicken" and "Cheeseburger with cheese". . The old owner, Juan, and his brother Angel (who opened a barber shop next door) established the Arizona Route 1987 Association in 66 and was quickly followed by other states.
(Picture fromThe internet）
http://delgadillosnowcap66.com/
Kingman Railroad Museum – 402 E Andy Devine Ave #2, Kingman, AZ 86401
A museum spontaneously built by train enthusiasts, outside is the old steam train and the Amtrak in operation, with exquisite train models inside.
http://www.kingmanrailroadmuseum.org/index.html
Oatman
A town famous for wild donkeys hanging out on the road.
California
Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch – 24266 National Trails Hwy, Oro Grande, CA 92368
Grandpa Elmer has been collecting glass bottles since the XNUMXs, and combining them with steel pipes, wheels, street signs and other "broken copper and iron" to make colorful bottle trees, covering an area of two acres, enough to be called a bottle forest ~ I see An article about a poor traveler said that the grandfather felt that there was no bottle from China, and they gave the grandmother with him.
(Picture fromThe internet）
Historic McDonald's museum – 1398 NE St, San Bernardino, CA 92405
The world's first McDonald's is now a museum. Come here and see what happened to those uncle McDonald's, the brothers who founder McDonald's, and Ray Kroc who later made McDonald's into a restaurant giant.
(Picture fromThe internet）
end Santa Monica beach
Finally! Through the desert of the Midwest, I finally saw the lively crowd and the magnificent sea. The finish sign is actually easy to find, not far from the entrance to Santa Monica Pier.
(Picture fromThe internet）
Reference materials are also recommended for everyone:
One of the Lonely Planet series is dedicated to Route 66, but I bought USA's Best Trips, which introduced 52 classic roadtrip routes.
If you want to further explore the niche attractions in the United States, Lonely Planet USA is really a masterpiece, very reliable.
Searching for Route 66 will bring up a lot of NGO-made websites. The quality is uneven, it ’s tiring to read, and the page design you know. Recommend one here:
https://roadtripusa.com/route-66/
Some sections of Route 66 may have road repairs, road closures, etc. This site contains links to inquire about road conditions in the states along the way:
http://www.theroute-66.com/road-conditions.html
National Park Management System's official website on Route 66. This page records almost all national historical sites along the way:
https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/route66/listofsites66.html
There is also a website that I like very much, Roadtripper, super small and fresh, and the attractions recommended by newsletter are also great:
https://roadtrippers.com/trips/10296177
I have also read several travel notes on the poor tour, but I have seen a bit of spoiler after reading more. . . Travel must be planned, but there are always some unexpected stories and clever encounters, which is the most charming place to travel.
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