Here Are 20 Iconic Roadside Attractions To Visit On A Route 66 Road Trip
Any Route 66 road trip worth its salt would include stops at a number of the Mother Road’s famous roadside attractions. However, there are literally hundreds of attractions along the route. So, we’ve whittled this trip down to a bare minimum of 20 iconic Route 66 attractions by state that require a stop. However, we hope you make time for additional stops along the way and have provided links in the article to many other Route 66 attractions that are worth exploring if you are able to.
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Table of Contents
Illinois
Illinois is often considered the starting point for Route 66, as folks migrated from the cold Chicago winters to sunny Los Angeles – and to and from all points in between. Of course, if you travel Route 66 in the other direction, you’ll end your journey in Illinois. Either way, there are three iconic stops you must make in the Land of Lincoln.
1. Begin Historic Route 66 Sign, Chicago

2. Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum, Pontiac

3. Twistee Treat Diner at the Pink Elephant

Missouri
The Show Me State is next up on your westward journey on the Mother Road. In Missouri, you will find another trio of attractions that you’d kick yourself for missing if you did not stop.
4. Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis

5. Route 66 State Park, Eureka

6. Meramec Caverns, Sullivan

Kansas
Route 66 just nicks the southeastern corner of Kansas, but make no mistake: There’s plenty to see here – especially if you are a fan of Disney’s Cars, which did much to revive modern interest in Route 66.
7. Cars On The Route, Galena

8. Rainbow Bridge, Baxter Springs

Oklahoma
Oklahoma is home to some of Route 66’s most recognizable roadside attractions and, arguably, had more to do with the road’s existence than any other state along its route. We suggest a pair of must-see stops, but be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the many Route 66 attractions in between.
9. Blue Whale, Catoosa

10. Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, Tulsa

Texas
Although it’s the largest state on Route 66, the Mother Road only cuts across the Panhandle, which means Texas is home to one of the shortest stretches of road along the whole route. But what it lacks in distance, it makes up for in personality. Don’t pass up these stops in the Lone Star State.
11. Conoco Tower Station and U Drop Inn Cafe, Shamrock

12. Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo

13. Route 66 Midpoint, Adrian

New Mexico
New Mexico is where you’ll start seeing the iconic red rock and desert landscape that Route 66 is famous for. There are plenty of iconic stops – including an optional side trip to Santa Fe and Taos – on this stretch of the Mother Road, but there are two that absolutely must not be missed on any Route 66 road trip.
14. Rio Puerco Bridge, Albuquerque

15. El Rancho Hotel, Gallup

Arizona
Many of the most well-known attractions on Route 66 can be found in Arizona. However, we think if you were limiting your drive through the state to only two stops, these are the stops you should make.
16. Petrified Forest National Park

17. Standin’ On The Corner, Winslow

California
The final state on your east-to-west Route 66 road trip is California. As you near the end, there are only a few more iconic stops as you make the final push toward the Pacific Ocean.
18. Amboy Crater, Amboy

19. Wigwam Motel, San Bernardino

20. End of the Trail, Santa Monica

Welcome to California and the end of your journey! We hope you enjoyed visiting these iconic Route 66 attractions by state we suggested along the way — this road trip is a long one, so be sure to pack plenty of on-the-go snacks!
Have you visited any of these iconic Route 66 attractions before? Are there other Route 66 attractions that we should have included or swapped out? Let us know in the comments below — we would absolutely love to hear from you!
For some more road trip fun, check out this list of some of the very best road trips to take in America:
Here Are 17 Iconic, Scenic Road Trips To Experience In The United States
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More to Explore
Route 66 Attractions
What are some of the most famous attractions along Route 66?
Route 66 is nothing short of iconic. Filled with Americana and unbeatable roadside stops, it's a road trip that everyone should take at least once. Below are some of the most famous attractions along Route 66:
- Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois
- Route History in Springfield, Illinois
- Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri
- Meramec Caverns in Sullivan, Missouri
- Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma
- Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma
- Leaning Tower of Texas in Groom, Texas
- Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe in Shamrock, Texas
- Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
- Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico
- Meteor Crater in Winslow, Arizona
- Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert in Arizona
- Calico Ghost Town in California
Are there any haunted locations along Route 66?
Yes, indeed! Route 66 is famous for its kitschy attractions, but it also hides a bit of haunted history. In fact, you can take a Haunted Route 66 tour, beginning at the paranormal Monte Vista Hotel in Flagstaff. Think you've got what it takes to brave this haunted Route 66 tour?
What are the best Route 66 restaurants?
Route 66 is brimming with visit-worthy restaurants and rest stops. Below you'll find a list of some of the best Route 66 restaurants:
- Lou Mitchell's Bakery and Restaurant
- Cozy Dog Drive-In
- Dell Ray Chicken Basket
- Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
- Spencer's Grill
- Crown Candy Kitchen
- The Old Riverton Store
- The Big Texan
- Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor