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I recently retired and I finally have the time, money, and a beautiful car to take the road trip I have dreamed of. I am driving route 66 (what is left of it) from Chicago to Albuquerque. Then north through Colorado and east back home to the Milwaukee area. Any "must sees" for an old car guy? Have you done this and how did it go? Thanks in advance.
Lots of good stuff to see in Arizona and California. I like the western half of the route better than the eastern half. Study the book I recommended, then decide how far to go. Some of the stuff west of Flagstaff:
Lots of good stuff to see in Arizona and California. I like the western half of the route better than the eastern half. Study the book I recommended, then decide how far to go. Some of the stuff west of Flagstaff:
I live in Edmond, OK. 66 passes through Edmond. I live about nine miles from the big red round barn right off 66 in Arcadia, OK. (66 is the road between my former Vette and the round barn.) There are some cool places that were part of the 66 time period that are always neat to see. But a couple of post 66 attractions I think are must sees are the Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford, OK ( https://staffordmuseum.org/ ) and the Route 66 museum in Clinton, OK ( https://www.okhistory.org/sites/route66.php ). About a half mile from the big red barn is a newer place called "Pops" (http://www.pops66.com/arcadia-ok-on-route-66/ )it is a large filling station with a great diner! As the website says they have over 700 varieties of sodas!
I have met General Stafford many times. An absolute brilliant man and a hell of a nice person. Probably the most respected of all astronauts. I have some great stories of conversations with him. A real gentleman and a true American hero.
Enjoy your trip!
Last edited by bigblock427; 05-03-2019 at 09:12 PM.
We drove much of Route 66 from Portland Oregon on our way to Charleston South Carolina last August. Here are a few must see places/stops.
If you are driving through or staying anywhere near Oklahoma City Oklahoma a cannot miss restaurant is Cattlemen's Steakhouse (https://cattlemensrestaurant.com/. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura..._Oklahoma.html). It’s like stepping back in time and has the best beef we have eaten and the prices are ridiculously low. Again, do not miss this opportunity!
MUST SEE McLean, TX: 23 miles west of Shamrock TX take a slight detour off interstate 40 to McLean, TX - McLean, TX: Route 66's nearly-abandoned "ghost town" frozen in time. It's a town that flies very much under the radar. However, you'd definitely miss out if you drive past it without stopping for a visit. It's one of the best-preserved, most obscure ghost towns along Route 66. It's a hidden gem that's incredibly enchanting.
Shamrock, TX, another DO NOT MISS stop, Check out the old Conoco Gas Station (1242 N Main St, Shamrock, Texas). Have lunch at Big Vern's Steak House just down the street from the Conoco gas station, 200 E 12 St Shamrock, TX 79079
If you plan to stop in Albuquerque NM I highly recommend Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town. 800 Rio Grande Blvd Nw Albuquerque NM. Request top floor which have great views of Albuquerque NM.
Standin' on the corner in Winslow AZ such a fine sight to see.............
I'd go as far as Flagstaff. See the Grand Canyon. It is as advertised. GRAND indeed. Then head home.
a few more miles. we just did G Canyon & Kingman AZ, then a bit further to Ottman do Not miss those hills & curve, but there are no guard rails, then watch for donkeys
a few more miles. we just did G Canyon & Kingman AZ, then a bit further to Ottman do Not miss those hills & curve, but there are no guard rails, then watch for donkeys
Last edited by robertbruce; 05-04-2019 at 02:23 AM.
Hi
my wife and I went to the Albuquerque International Hot Air balloon festival last October....beautiful event....always happens around the beginning of October..
While we were in Albuquerque we visited the musical highway....
The "Musical Highway" is eastbound on Route 333 (part of the old Route 66 system) between mile markers 4 and 5, near exit 170.
On this quarter-mile section of the highway, the rumble strips have been engineered to sound like the song “America the Beautiful.” But they won’t croon their patriotic tune for anyone with a lead foot. Drivers have to be going exactly 45 miles per hour (the speed limit) to hear the vibrations in action.
make sure you check it out ....it was very unique..
Since I live in AZ, I've thought about where I would go? A fun trip is the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams AZ to the Grand Canyon and back. All operated by Xanterra, a serious national park vendor, book a package that includes at least one night at their hotel in Williams. Includes a buffet the check in night. Breakfast the next morning, then a 9 a.m. train departure for the Grand Canyon. Restored train is super nice. No need to pop for the extra observation car though. Just over an hour on the train to the canyon. Well done with some cowboy entertainment along the route. Day trip to the Grand Canyon. Bus transport from the GC Depot and lunch included. About 3 p.m. returning to the hotel for a second night if you wish. It will be about 5 p.m. so time to drive to Sedona for this night. Plenty of secure convenient parking at the hotel for you prize ride. Google Grand Canyon Railway for the skinny.
Another place that is a MUST visit that is right off of 66 in Oklahoma City is the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. It is a world class museum of Western art and artifacts. It is an amazing museum if you are into Western art and artifacts. You could spend any where from a couple of hours to several hours in the museum. The art in the Great Hall is worth the admission price alone. Absolutely beautiful art on a scale that likely doesn't exist anywhere else.
A photo of the Great Hall. I don't know how the paintings are but I would guess they are 16 feet tall. Simply stunning artwork. Looking at the artwork is like standing on a balcony and staring at the real thing.
Last edited by bigblock427; 05-04-2019 at 05:02 PM.
We have traveled all of RT66 twice, the most recent in 2016. Would recommend the EZ 66 Guide by Jerry McClahahan, also stop by and meet him in Chandler, OK. If you are retired you should do the entire trip not just Chicago to Albuquerque. If you are looking for some travel companions you may want to look into the 16 night RT66 cruise Craig Parish organizes ( http://route66motortour.com/ ). We joined it from Tucumcari to Santa Monica in 2016 and had a great time.
We have traveled all of RT66 twice, the most recent in 2016. Would recommend the EZ 66 Guide by Jerry McClahahan, also stop by and meet him in Chandler, OK. If you are retired you should do the entire trip not just Chicago to Albuquerque. If you are looking for some travel companions you may want to look into the 16 night RT66 cruise Craig Parish organizes ( http://route66motortour.com/ ). We joined it from Tucumcari to Santa Monica in 2016 and had a great time.
Sounds interesting, approx. how many cars were on the tour when you hooked up with them. Also, were there a good mix of old classic cars and newer cars?
05-03-2019, 01:53 PM
Route 66-finally!
