The Mother Road lived a brief yet fulfilling life from 1926 to 1985. Route 66 quickly became the most iconic road in the country. It inspired music, film, literature, and enticed many across the country to travel the long stretch of highway in pursuit of adventure or a new life. It created new towns, new attractions, and new lifestyles.
After the road was retired in 1985 when Interstate 40 was built, two generations have missed out on what it means to “get your kicks on Route 66.” Thankfully, however, portions of the highway continue to exist as it was built. That’s especially true for here in Arizona where detours off the 40 take you into little towns, ghost towns, and some pretty crazy attractions.
You could probably spend a whole week or two exploring every Route 66 attraction that sits between Topock and Lupton but most people don’t have time for that. That’s why we designed this trip along Route 66 that can easily be done in a weekend and is customizable depending on where in the state you live. We’re just going to highlight the stops you absolutely must see along the route headed from east to west.
So pack your bags, gas up, and get ready to see a quirky side of Arizona that usually goes unseen!
Petrified Forest National Park
maureen/Flickr Route 66 once ran through this national park and allowed people to get a brief glimpse if they decided to just drive through it. Today, there’s a small monument dedicated to the highway.
Wigwam Motel, Holbrook
Thomas Hawk/Flickr This motel is one of the most iconic images of Route 66 and a modified version was featured in the Pixar film “Cars.” Although shaped more like tipis than wigwams, they evoke a romanticized image of the West that certainly drew the attention of many.
Standin’ On The Corner Park, Winslow
Kent Kanouse/Flickr Named after the Eagles’ song “Take It Easy,” this park serves as a commemoration to the Mother Road’s influence in both song and small town life.
Twin Arrows Trading Post
Pete Zarria/Flickr Although it is now closed, this trading post was once marketed as “The Best Little Stop” on both Route 66 and the 40. It is still standing and is a reminder of the quirky sights trying to entice travelers from the highway.
Museum Club, Flagstaff
Alan English CPA/Flickr This night club dates back to the 1930s as the Prohibition ended and is supposedly haunted.
Delgadillo’s Snow Cap, Seligman
Brett Kiger/Flickr This cool little eatery serves burgers and Americana kitsch. It’s definitely a dining experience you won’t soon forget.
Grand Canyon Caverns, Peach Springs
Laura Vain/Flickr Located in little Peach Springs, Grand Canyon Caverns is home to the largest dry cave in the country. They offer several tours that wind through the caverns, including a ghost walk that may pique the interest of all you paranormal fans.
Hackberry General Store, Hackberry
Gouldy/Flickr Situated in what looks to be an old gas station, this general store is a monument to Route 66 and old gas station memorabilia. If you’re looking for some souvenirs of the old highway, this is one of the places to stop.
Route 66 Museum, Kingman
We travel the world/Flickr I believe that no trip is complete without learning something about the places you’re traveling through. If you’re looking for a place to learn more about the history of Route 66, this is one of the best places to learn about how the road influenced the lives of many.
Oatman
Vicente Villamon/Flickr This former mining town almost became a ghost town in the 1960s. Today, though, it is a major tourist attraction complete with Wild West tours, Americana imagery, and wild burros.
Old Trails Arch Bridge, Topock
Wikimedia Commons The ending point for the Arizona section of Route 66, the Old Trails Arch Bridge was one of spots to travel across the Colorado River to California. Movies like “The Grapes of Wrath” and “Easy Rider” featured this bridge. Today, travelers can no longer travel on the bridge because it now holds a gas pipeline.
I have to say, that was rough choosing just a handful of places to visit along Route 66 but I think these are the most iconic sites. What’s your favorite spot to visit along Route 66?
So pack your bags, gas up, and get ready to see a quirky side of Arizona that usually goes unseen!
maureen/Flickr
Route 66 once ran through this national park and allowed people to get a brief glimpse if they decided to just drive through it. Today, there’s a small monument dedicated to the highway.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
This motel is one of the most iconic images of Route 66 and a modified version was featured in the Pixar film “Cars.” Although shaped more like tipis than wigwams, they evoke a romanticized image of the West that certainly drew the attention of many.
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
Named after the Eagles’ song “Take It Easy,” this park serves as a commemoration to the Mother Road’s influence in both song and small town life.
Pete Zarria/Flickr
Although it is now closed, this trading post was once marketed as “The Best Little Stop” on both Route 66 and the 40. It is still standing and is a reminder of the quirky sights trying to entice travelers from the highway.
Alan English CPA/Flickr
This night club dates back to the 1930s as the Prohibition ended and is supposedly haunted.
Brett Kiger/Flickr
This cool little eatery serves burgers and Americana kitsch. It’s definitely a dining experience you won’t soon forget.
Laura Vain/Flickr
Located in little Peach Springs, Grand Canyon Caverns is home to the largest dry cave in the country. They offer several tours that wind through the caverns, including a ghost walk that may pique the interest of all you paranormal fans.
Gouldy/Flickr
Situated in what looks to be an old gas station, this general store is a monument to Route 66 and old gas station memorabilia. If you’re looking for some souvenirs of the old highway, this is one of the places to stop.
We travel the world/Flickr
I believe that no trip is complete without learning something about the places you’re traveling through. If you’re looking for a place to learn more about the history of Route 66, this is one of the best places to learn about how the road influenced the lives of many.
Vicente Villamon/Flickr
This former mining town almost became a ghost town in the 1960s. Today, though, it is a major tourist attraction complete with Wild West tours, Americana imagery, and wild burros.
Wikimedia Commons
The ending point for the Arizona section of Route 66, the Old Trails Arch Bridge was one of spots to travel across the Colorado River to California. Movies like “The Grapes of Wrath” and “Easy Rider” featured this bridge. Today, travelers can no longer travel on the bridge because it now holds a gas pipeline.
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