The Best Route 66 Attractions You Should Stop at on Your Road Trip
These quirky landmarks are worth taking a break or two—or many, many more!
There's no greater all-American road trip than one that travels along iconic Route 66—also known as U.S. Highway 66, the Mother Road (courtesy of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath), or the Main Street of America. Made official in 1926, it's arguably the most famous road in the country and has been referenced in many a novel, movie, song, and television show through the years. (You, too, could be standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona.)
Though you can no longer drive the entire original route as it once was, the preserved portions of Route 66 boast a number of historic sites, diners, and quirky roadside attractions. In fact, more than 250 stops are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Whether you plan to hit both ends (that's downtown Chicago to or from the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, California), or you're driving just one section, here are some stops we highly recommend you make along the way.
Fair warning: Road trippers looking for a photo op, hearty meal, souvenirs, or just a good story to tell will find themselves elongating their journey to experience several of these must-see Route 66 attractions.
Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based writer covering architecture, design, and travel. She's worked on staff at Architectural Digest, ARTnews, and Oyster.com, a TripAdvisor company, and has contributed to Condé Nast Traveler, The Washington Post, Design Milk, and Hunker, among others. When she's not dreaming about midcentury chairs, you can find her re-watching The X-Files, likely in an airport lounge or on a plane.
When Is the First Day of Fall in 2023?
The Best Fall Towns in the U.S. for Leaf Peeping
40 of the Cutest Main Streets in the U.S.
31 Best Fall Festivals Across the Country