A Route 66 Road Trip

Once the car became widely accepted as a mode of transportation in the United States, families started looking for places they could drive their new automobiles for vacation. The iconic Route 66 didn’t take long to become the most popular thoroughfare in the nation, as it exemplified the expansion west that occurred the century before. No bucket list is complete without a road trip along at least a stretch of the infamous Route 66.

Route 66 runs from Chicago, Illinois in the east to Los Angeles, California in the west. It gave individuals and families from the east their first glimpse of the west. Today, some portions of this road have been replaced or diverted to interstates, but a Route 66 road trip is still popular today.

Attractions

If you start your road trip in the east, the city of Chicago itself is your first stop. Amazing shopping, world-class skyscrapers, eclectic museums, and public installations and art exhibits, such as The Bean (Cloud Gate, officially) are all here.

After the lights of Chicago, it’s small town America that will entertain you, like Carthage, Missouri’s still-operating drive-ins.

Heading westward, the first major famous attraction you’ll come across is Cadillac Ranch. “Built” in 1974, Cadillac Ranch isn’t really a ranch at all – it’s 10 Cadillacs buried fender-first, with their bumpers in the air, all in a line.

San Miguel Mission, located in New Mexico, is the United States’ oldest church. You’ll catch your breath at the Roman-Spanish architecture. Beyond, at the Grand Canyon, other breathtaking vistas await in Arizona. Route 66 ends at California’s Santa Monica Pier.

Dining

You’ve gotta eat! And what better place than an authentically old-school American diner. A prime example – with great food! – is Miz Zip’s in Flagstaff. Locals drive several miles just to grab a slice of pie from this place.

And in Texas, just as massive as the state itself, the portions at Big Vern’s Steakhouse are famous. Try the ribeye with a side of Big Vern’s homemade beer bread.

Ready to head out on a Route 66 road trip? See you on the road!