Most Charming Route 66 Tourist Attractions Worth Seeing

Nat King Cole famously sang "get your kicks on Route 66" and this has never been truer as I attempt to rundown the best Route 66 tourist attractions around. The road itself runs from Chicago to Los Angeles and is often considered to be one of the most fascinating and historic routes in the whole of the United States. It was constructed and paved back in 1926 and since then has become a focal point of popular culture, as well as being host to some of the most interesting and exciting points of interest in America. The most charming Route 66 tourist attractions worth seeing are quirky, beautiful, and delicious!

Cadillac Ranch

One of the most most charming Route 66 tourist attractions is the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. It was created in 1974 by members of the art group "Ant Farm" as a piece of art for traveling tourists along Route 66 and in the Texas area. The row of cars shows the evolution of the Cadillac line and they are buried nose-first at an angle matching that of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Since its construction, it has become a big part of United States popular culture: being the name of a 1980 Bruce Springsteen song, featuring as a mountain formation in the Disney-Pixar movie Cars and starring in music videos for Cage the Elephant and James Brown.

66 Drive-In Theatre

66 Drive-In is one of the most iconic and long running drive-in theatres in the entire United States. It is located in Jasper County, Missouri and is considered to be one of the most popular attractions in the area. It is also steeped in history: it first opened in September 1949 yet was closed in 1985, due to a lack in popularity of the film industry. However, it was then renovated and reopened in 1998, to this date showing six movies a week, and two on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

The drive-in theatre was too featured in Cars, showing parody versions of several other famous Pixar movies. The 66 Drive-In is often considered by movie lovers to be the most interesting of the Route 66 tourist attractions.

Wigwam Motel

Also known as the "Wigwam Villages," Wigwam Motel is a chain of motels which initially covered seven different locations around the USA. These were located in Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, Arizona, Louisiana, and California. They were constructed during the 30s and 40s, yet contrary to popular belief, they are built in the form of tipis, not the titular wigwams.

In the modern day, only three remain, with two of these located along the historic Route 66. One can be found in Holbrook, Arizona, with the other situated on the border of San Bernardino in California. The motels are featured in popular culture, being parodied in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, as well as the 1991 film The Dark Wind.

Petrified Forest

The Petrified Forest National Park is one of the most beautiful Route 66 tourist attractions that you can visit. It is located in the Navajo and Apache counties of Arizona and covers around 600 square kilometers of land. In the park you can find over 400 species of plants, as well as examples of petrified wood, which is formed of fossilized vegetation. There is even evidence of early dinosaurs which would once roam the Arizona wilderness.

The park is open every day except Christmas and there are various landmarks to explore and activities to take part in. There is a museum of the site's history, several archeological ruins and hiking/horse riding trails. It is very popular with tourists who come to the United States in search of the most beautiful views, but also offers educational benefits for local students.

Tow Tater

Back in pre-production for the Disney-Pixar movie Cars, director John Lasseter stopped by at an old Kan-O-Tex station in Galena, Kansas, where they were inspired by the old 1951 International Harvester tow truck outside the station. This car, called Tow Tater, proved to be the inspiration for Cars character Tow Mater, voiced by Larry the Cable Guy.

Since the release of the movie, tourists have flocked to this old station and taken pictures of and with the iconic vehicle. It has also been restored to functionality and is often lent out to make guest appearances at events and parties. The car is found alongside other vehicles which resemble characters from Cars and has brought fame and tourism to the small town of Galena.

Jack Rabbit Trading Post

The Jack Rabbit Trading Post is an iconic convenience and souvenir store located west of Joseph City, Arizona. The Trading Post is a big part of Route 66's history and is therefore one of the most charming Route 66 tourist attractions worth seeing along the actual route itself. There are numerous signs and billboards up and down Route 66 which show tourists and travelers the distance to the post, with a giant billboard labelled "HERE IT IS" found just outside the store.

The store even has a giant (and mountable) fibreglass rabbit which attracts tourist attention and was featured in Cars, with a Ford replacing the titular Jack Rabbit on the billboard. It is a bustling and fascinating Route 66 tourist attraction, selling all sorts of gifts and items.

The Painted Desert

The Painted Desert is a roughly 20,000 square kilometer desert of badlands, located in the Four Corners area of Arizona. It is found in between the Grand Canyon National Park and the Petrified Forest National Park. It is famous for its picturesque beauty and varying colors and terrains.

It is called the Painted Desert because on an expedition led by Francisco Vazquez de Coronado in 1540, to find the Seven Cities of Cibola, they found the desert and gave it the 'Painted' name to represent the variety and extravagance of different colors on show. It is popular with tourists for its hiking trails and walking opportunities, as well as being a hotspot for photographers wishing to capture its beauty.

Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In

Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In can be found in Seligman, Arizona and is one of the most visited Route 66 tourist attractions for hungry travelers and locals. It was constructed by Juan Delgadillo in 1953 and due to a limited budget, was built mainly from scrap lumber found at a local railroad yard. The eatery grew in popularity due to Delgadillo's creative flamboyance and flair, with a neon sign in the window saying "Sorry, We're Open."

Delgadillo passed away in 2004 but since then, ownership has been transferred to his son and daughter who continue to run it to this day. Outside the restaurant is an old 1936 Chevrolet hardtop with its roof sliced off, covered in paint, stickers and emblems in an attempt to bring more attention to the eatery.

Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier is easily one of the most iconic places in the entire USA, let alone just along Route 66. It is located in Santa Monica, California, at the end of Route 66. It first opened in September 1909 and has since then attracted tourists and visitors from all over the world. The pier has its own amusement park, named Pacific Park, featuring a solar-panelled Ferris Wheel, an aquarium, a video arcade and plenty of restaurants and shops.

It is featured heavily in popular culture: starring in films such as Iron Man, Titanic, Forrest Gump and Her, as well as being in music videos from artists such as 30 Seconds to Mars, Fall Out Boy, and Maroon 5.

Lincoln's Tomb

Finally, the tomb of Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, located in Springfield, Illinois. It was built between 1868 and 1874, with funds being raised just the day after the former President's death. It is found on the National Register of Historic Places and is ever-popular for its place in American history.

It attracts tourists from all over the world, as well as local residents and students who wish to learn more about the 16th President of the USA. It is around 117 feet tall and was restored back at the turn of the 20th century after it had fallen into disrepair the years prior. To this day, it remains one of the most popular and famous Route 66 tourist attractions that lay along, or just off, the historic route.