Route 66

[UMAlum]

Looking for suggestions of your favorite things to see along Route 66 (or side trips off Route 66). Taking it from Chicago to Needles, then hitting Zion, Arches on our way back home.

[UMAlum]

Great ideas....

We are enjoying doing the research and the ideas are really helpful.

Looks like we need to pick up a book or two to assist in our trip.

[Matt_Colie]

UMAlum,

Buy the book.
EZ 66, Guide for travelers
ISBN 0-9709951-4-8

It is spiral bound and breaks the route up into very workable sections.
Or, If you are in SE MI, make contact and I might lend you ours. It is 10 years old, but I am told that you can download the updates.

We only got as far as Albuquerque, but we were really going to the Balloon Fiesta.

Matt - Near DTW

[rgatijnet1]

If you want a real treat, stop at the Golden Light Cafe & Cantina at 2906 SW 6th Ave, Amarillo, TX. It is the oldest CONTINUOUSLY operating restaurant on Route 66. Prices are cheap and the grill is seasoned with 72 year old grease. The burgers are juicy and thick and the fries have just the right amount of grease that an old dive on Route 66 should have. Naturally they serve beer to go with your meal. :B

[Passin_Thru]

Stop and see a real life Ghost Town at Glenrio TxThere was aTruck stop there until the 80s I believe. In Tucumcari, eat a Lota Burger with Green Chili, it is a New Mexico favorite. Go to Old Town Albuquerque, vist the Isleta reservation (Not just the Casino) and Indian Ruins in NM.

[NEOK]

When you pass through Claremore, Oklahoma if you want a good meal and great pie, the Hammet House restaurant is a great place to stop. In Tucumcarie, NM the Kicks on 66 is a great place for breakfast and lunch and Del's restaurant almost nexr door is good for an evening meal. The Cactus RV park is othing fancy but almost next door to both restaurants.

[wallynm]

Take a look

[UMAlum]

Thanks for all the ideas. We will continue our research and look into the many suggestions provided.

I am sure there is way more for us to see and do than we have time, but as one noted, we will not try to do it all..and enjoy our trip and time with the family.

[Chum_lee]

ArchHoagland wrote:
Don't buy fuel in Needles!! Just east of there in Arizona on I40 at the highway 95 turnoff is a large fueling stop, Pilot Travel Center. They are cheaper.

I'll go one step further. Don't buy fuel anywhere in California if you can help it! Everywhere west of the Rockies is cheaper. (generally)

Chum lee

[NCWriter]

Shamrock, Texas has some nice restored 66 buildings - I recall the U Drop Inn and an old gas station. There’s also a replica of the big stone Texas-shaped Highway markers that used to indicate your entry into the state. I was born in TX, so have lots of family photos my parents took with the signs starting when I was about one year old.

Winslow, AZ has the “can’t miss it’” corner to stand on, with the giant 66 emblem painted on the pavement, and a great mural on a building wall. Nice store on the corner with all kinds of 66 souvenire doodads. As mentioned above, Homolovi State Park is nearby and a great place for some easy, interesting hikes.

[NMDriver2]

Read the Wiki Route 66 wiki If you follow the old route up to Las Vegas, NM and Santa Fe then down to Los Lunas instead of staying on I-40 to Albuquerque, there are plenty of sights and places to see.

I would recommend that you do NOT try to drive Central Ave (66) in Albuquerque. The few Old 66 sights to see are overshadowed by the homeless and hooker sights. Use business routes through Tucumcarri, Santa Rosa, Grants and Gallup, NM to see some 50's era business establishments that are still in business. Mostly closed store fronts though. Have a Blakes green chili Lot-a-Burger while in NM and find a restaurant serving Sopapillas with the meal. I recommend Garcia's in Albuquerque at Wyoming and Indian School for Huevos Rancheros. There are lots of other places but Garcia's is fairly close to I-40 and is one of the best.

[ArchHoagland]

Don't buy fuel in Needles!! Just east of there in Arizona on I40 at the highway 95 turnoff is a large fueling stop, Pilot Travel Center. They are cheaper.

You didn't say what time of year but from now through Sept plan on 100 degree plus temperatures every day. Usually less wind early in the mornings.

[John_Joey]

When in the Joplin area we enjoy going to the Route 66 Drive in theater for a movie. A true piece of Americana that is all to quickly dying out.

[Branson_N_Tucso]

Williams AZ. has a nice RV park right on Rt. 66 .You can take the old steam engine train up to the Grand Canyon for the day. Nice club car and even a staged train robbery takes place.

[rgatijnet1]

"Standing on the corner" in Winslow, AZ, Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest, are just a few things to see along the way.