RoadRUNNER’S Favorite Attractions Along Route 66
Route 66 and roadside attractions go hand in hand. At 2,448 miles in length, the Mother Road sure has plenty of wild, wonderful, and weird sights to see.
In fact, there might be a few too many. One of the most difficult parts of planning a ride on Route 66 is deciding where you’ll stop on the way.
The RoadRUNNER crew rode the entirety of the Mother Road in summer 2024. To help you plan your journey, here’s a collection of some of our favorite attractions on Route 66.
Lou Mitchell’s
Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant in Chicago, IL, is popularly known as the first stop on the Mother Road. That’s also what it was for us, too, filling our stomachs before we rolled out of the Windy City.
This classic diner opened in 1923. It was revolutionary at the time for serving all-day breakfast, being the first restaurant in Chicago to do so. Over the past century, Lou Mitchell’s location near Route 66’s official starting point has made it a must-visit before hitting the road.
In addition to Route 66 motorists, the diner is popular among travelers in general, thanks to its proximity to Union Station. Get your ride started right by grabbing breakfast or lunch at the legendary restaurant.
Find it at 565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL.
Uranus, MO
At the conclusion of our ride, Florian said he left a piece of his heart on Route 66. When we asked where, he grinned and replied: “Uranus.”
Uranus, MO, is a tongue-in-cheek collection of roadside attractions, all owned by the self-proclaimed Mayor of Uranus, Louie Keen. The star of the show is the Uranus Fudge Factory, which sells souvenirs and Route 66 kitsch, in addition to the titular brown treats.
Other places to visit at the location include the Uranus Sideshow Museum, the Putt Pirates mini golf course, and the Escape Uranus escape room. If you’re traveling through Missouri on Route 66, make sure to stop by and explore Uranus.
Blue Whale of Catoosa
The Blue Whale of Catoosa is a bizarre structure with a cute backstory. This bright blue whale was originally built in the 1970s by a man called Hugh Davis as an anniversary gift for his wife, Zelta, who loved whale figurines.
Originally a private property, the Davises eventually opened the grinning whale and its pond to the public. Sadly, after Hugh and Zelta passed away, the whale fell into disrepair.
Today, it has fortunately been restored, thanks to a local fundraising campaign. Stop by this unusual sight for a picnic lunch when you motor through Catoosa.
Conoco Tower Station
Located in Shamrock, TX, the Conoco Tower Station and the adjoining U-Drop Inn were built in 1936. The distinctive shape of the Conoco Tower was reportedly inspired by a nail jutting out of the ground—which just shows that anything can be art.
Like many other businesses along Route 66, the Conoco Tower was abandoned and crumbling before a restoration project saved it in the early 2000s. The building has been restored with great care and once again serves lunch to travelers on the Mother Road.
In addition, the place functions as a small museum and a gift shop. Drop by to see why the Conoco Tower Station was once dubbed “the swankiest of the swank eating places” along Route 66.
Cadillac Ranch
The Cadillac Ranch may be one of the most famous oddities on Route 66. After all, seeing 10 Cadillacs buried face-first into the ground isn’t something you can really pass by without stopping to take a look.
This piece of installation art was created in 1974 by the art group Ant Farm. It isn’t exactly in its original condition, as the cars have been moved once and are completely covered in graffiti—with the endorsement of the original artists.
Fun fact, the cars were repainted in their original colors some 10 years ago. That lasted for less than 24 hours before passersby had again sprayed them in all colors of the rainbow.
Blue Swallow Motel
If you’re riding Route 66, you must sleep at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM. This is one of the prime locations for staying at a true classic Mother Road motel.
The Blue Swallow Motel has been in business since 1939. Today, its rooms look much the same as they did back in Route 66’s golden era, with ‘40s-style decor (combined with modern creature comforts).
For Pete’s sake, there’s even a working rotary telephone in each room. If you have pint-sized pillion riders with you, you'll stay entertained all night by telling them to figure out how to make a call on the thing.
Petrified Forest
The Petrified Forest National Park covers 346 square miles of arid desert and badlands in northeastern Arizona. However, this location wasn’t always as dry as it is today—a thick forest once covered this land.
The remnants of that forest are still there in the form of fossilized tree trunks, whose pieces litter the grounds. In addition, the national park is home to more than 1,000 archeological sites once inhabited by Native Americans.
You should certainly stop at the Petrified Forest to admire its rugged beauty. There are no campgrounds or other overnighting options in the national forest, but you can stay at a historical Route 66 motel in one of the surrounding towns.
Kingman, AZ
Kingman, AZ, in northwestern Arizona, was once a significant stop on Route 66. Although the Mother Road has declined, its heritage is alive and well in the city.
The entire story of Route 66 is on full display at the Arizona Route 66 Museum. Its displays, dioramas, and vintage cars showcase the history of America’s most famous road from prehistory to modern day.
Other historical attractions in town include the Mohave Museum of History and Art, the Kingman Railroad Museum, and the nearby ghost town of Oatman. You’ll also find various signs, murals, and other memorials to Route 66 sprinkled throughout Kingman.
Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier marks the official ending point of the Mother Road. It has done so for as long as Route 66 has existed, having been originally constructed in 1909 (although at the time it was there just to carry sewer pipes).
Today, the Pacific Park serves food and entertainment to locals and travelers alike in front of the historical pier. With plenty of restaurants and other attractions, it’s a good place to have one last spot of fun at the end of your journey.
But not every rider feels like participating in the carnival. And that’s fine—just walk to the end of the pier and watch the sun set behind the Pacific as you reflect on the incredible trip you’ve just finished.