Route 66 100-Year Celebration Drive - Down the Historic Highway
Drive down memory lane on Route 66, America's first real highway system. Travel back in time as you drive to the Calico Ghost Town, get a float at the Art-Deco styled Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe or just take a thrilling cruise down Sixth Street Historic District.
EXPERIENCE THE ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL
Go on this legendary road trip and stop at the iconic places and old towns with your favourite rental car
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Getting Your Kicks
Illinois - California
Though no longer an officially-designated US Route, the famous road which stretched for almost 2,500 miles came to be one of the most vital links for those seeking a life of adventure out west. Many communities sprang up in its wake and Route 66 became an important part of American culture. From Illinois, the Route 66 road trip heads for the Old South before taking you through the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona, and pitching up on the California coast.
Stops on this Route:
- Cahokia Mounds Historic Site
- Fantastic Cavern
- Nelson’s Old Riverton Store
- Tulsa Zoo
- National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
- Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café
- U.S. Route 66 - Sixth Street Historic District
- Albuquerque Old Town
- Sunset Crater Volcano
- Hackberry General Store
- Kingman Historic Powerhouse / Arizona Route 66 Museum
- Calico Ghost Town
- McDonald’s Museum
- Santa Monica Pier
What to drive:
Make the most of your US road trip with something from our American Collection:
Getting Your Kicks
Stop 1: Cahokia Mounds Historic Site 1/14
At one point in its history, the sprawling population of Cahokia made it even larger than London. Kick off your trip with some fascinating lessons about the UNESCO World Heritage Site which is digging up the history of an early Mississippian settlement - thought to be one of the most sophisticated prehistoric native sites outside of Mexico. While the indoor Interpretive Center museum is currently closed to the public for a massive structural renovation project, the ancient grounds remain fully open. Here you’ll find Monks Mound, the largest known earthen structure in the New World, which was also thought to hold an astronomical post for early observation of the stars. When you are exploring the site, you can also download their app Cahokia AR Tour, which witness the ancient Grand Plaza come to life right on your smartphone screen. This app is for on-site use only.
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Stop 2: Fantastic Cavern 2/14
Discovered in 1862 by a local farmer and his adventurous dog, the Fantastic Caverns takes you on an hour-long ride by Jeep-pulled train cars through a stunning natural underground landscape. Here you can learn about the formation of the Ozarks and get up close with the stalagmites and stalactites. One of the tour highlights is the rock upon which 12 names are carved. They belong to members of the local women’s athletic club, who were the first people to fully explore these dramatic surroundings.
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Stop 3: Nelson’s Old Riverton Store 3/14
Along Route 66 you’ll see many rest stops and signs dedicated to preserving the storied memory of this historic road, but the town of Riverton is packed full of sights dedicated to it. Stop off at the Old Riverton Store for snacks and Route 66 souvenirs, since one of the oldest continuously operating stores on the entire Mother Road (open since 1925). It is a famous real-life inspiration for the vintage store in Pixar's Cars. As you drive down this path, take in the quarter-mile stretch of Empire Power Dam Falls, which used to power the former hydroelectric plant of the same name upriver.
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Stop 4: Tulsa Zoo 4/14
Tulsa Zoo is a regular fixture on nationwide tourist lists, and thanks to its wide variety of climate zones and animals on display, it’s well deserving of its spot. The ‘Life In…’ exhibits explore a wide variety of natural conditions including under the sea and in the desert, while a special rainforest has been constructed to emulate life for the animals beneath the canopy. Perfect for kids or for those adults fascinated by the natural world.
Getting Your Kicks
Stop 5: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 5/14
The Heritage Museum injects the pioneer spirit into old tales of the Wild West, with a range of artefacts and interactive displays dedicated to preserving American tradition and history. In the exhibition wing there’s a display all about life in a turn-of-the-century town, and the museum regularly welcomes some of the world’s most prominent expert speakers to discuss all things Western. It’s a great place for myth-busting everything you think you’ve learned from watching old Westerns. (Image credit: Wolfgang Sauber)
Getting Your Kicks
Stop 6: Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café 6/14
Pull off the highway and then step straight into the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café in Shamrock, which feels like a ‘30s architectural dream. A beautiful Art Deco roadside cafe, boasting a striking 100-foot neon tower that slices into the Texas sky. You can explore the retro Conoco gas station, grab a vintage float or classic American bite inside the café, and even sit in the exact booth where Elvis Presley once ate during his own cross-country travels.
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Stop 7: U.S. Route 66 - Sixth Street Historic District 7/14
Amarillo was an important stop on Route 66, as evidenced by the stretch of towns dedicated to keeping its memory alive. The Sixth Street Historic District of Amarillo was the first inaugurated part of town, and here you’ll find a wide variety of stores and restaurants serving up the best Texan food. Amarillo is no sleepy backwater – boasting museums, botanical gardens and even a dragway, while thrill-seekers can head for the zipline. While away a few hours in the antiques and collectibles shops before hitting the road again.
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Stop 8: Albuquerque Old Town 8/14
The Old Town in Albuquerque was heavily influenced by the Spanish-Pueblo style, with its flat mudbrick roofs and stuccoed walls. Even after the arrival of the railroad in 1880, the decision was made to retain these classic features, and the Old Town now thrives as a tourist hotspot. With museums, galleries and a BioPark, the Old Town is well worth a visit. There’s also a range of fantastic restaurants serving up local treats – the speciality of the area is New Mexican cuisine and there’s no better place to sample the chilli. You’ll be asked ‘red’ or ‘green’ in many of the places you go…
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Stop 9: Sunset Crater Volcano 9/14
Almost a thousand years ago, a volcano spewed lava and ash over what was once an inhabited region. Sunset Crater Volcano stands 8,000 feet tall and overlooks Flagstaff to the south. It’s one of many of Arizona’s remarkable natural landmarks. There are a number of hiking trails leading up and around the crater at a range of difficulty levels – and even a wheelchair-accessible section of the path from where you can see the lava flow, as well as some unique wildlife.
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Stop 10: Hackberry General Store 10/14
Located on a winding stretch of original Route 66, the Hackberry General Store is often called the ‘Mother Lode of Mother Road Memorabilia.’ It was a former 1930s gas station and still features old-fashioned fuel pumps, a graveyard of classic rusted cars, and glowing neon signs. Step inside to browse a massive collection of Route 66 souvenirs, and experience how the caretakers have kept the spirit of the 1950s alive and well in the Arizona desert.
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Stop 11: Kingman Historic Powerhouse / Arizona Route 66 Museum 11/14
Before work on the Hoover Dam was completed, the Powerhouse provided power to the Kingman district and nearby towns. It’s now home to a number of museums and visitor centres covering the history of the area and the part which Route 66 played in making Kingman a prosperous place. Look out for the scale trains circling the venue – these are modelled after two of the engines from the iconic Santa Fe railroad.
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Stop 12: Calico Ghost Town 12/14
Located right off the historic highway corridor near Barstow, Calico is an authentic 1881 silver mining boomtown that went completely bust when silver lost its value in the 1890s. Dive into pioneer history and witness the dusty roads taking you down historic Maggie Mine or even engage in gold panning activities as was once done during the Gold Rush era. You can also ride the open-air Calico & Odessa narrow-gauge railroad around the mountain.
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Stop 13: McDonald’s Museum 13/14
This shrine to fast food stands on the site of the very first branch of McDonald’s, and celebrates all things red and yellow with a vast collection of displays and dioramas including the original 1940s menus. With knowledgeable staff on hand to answer questions, and an all-out visual assault from the decades of collectibles and knick-knacks, this museum is a dream come true for fast food fans. It is not an official corporate McDonald's museum, which is why it's packed with such a unique, quirky collection of pop-culture Americana.
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Stop 14: Santa Monica Pier 14/14
End your drive through Americana at its finest with a stop at this Santa Monica hotspot. The famous pier celebrated its centennial in 2009 and is still going strong with its iconic Ferris wheel dominating the skyline. Take a guided tour and discover how the region has changed throughout the years, before taking a ride on the celebrated Carousel and indulging in a sweet treat or two.
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