Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, Texas) This famous carscape featuring a series of vintage Cadillacs nose-diving into the ground was created by rancher/art collector Stanley Marsh in 1974. Bruce Springsteen, who wrote a song about it in 1980, has been among its thousands of inspired visitors over the years. The Painted Desert (Arizona) Take a long look out the window or park your ride and hop out to take in this breathtaking hunk of sprawling landscape. Roy’s Motel Café (Amboy, Calif.) This iconically lonely 1950s era Mojave desert motel and diner is the perfect setting for a visit from a mysterious drifter. The Blue Whale (Catoosa, Okla.) The 20-foot tall, 80-foot long landmark, which took two years to build (it was started in 1970 and completed in 1972), is still one of the most popular photo ops on the Mother Road. Cars on the Route (Galena, Kan.) Formerly known as 4 Women on the Route when it was operated by (guess what?) four women from Galena, today, this fuel stop celebrates its connection to the movie Cars (the 1951 Tow Tater truck out front inspired the “Tow Mater” character). Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant (Chicago) Kick off your trip at this legendary diner, established in 1923 and famous for its proprietors giving out fresh donut holes and Milk Duds by the dozen. Oklahoma Route 66 Museum (Clinton, Okla.) Dig into the Mother Road’s story and past glories—and visit a really cool replica diner—at this museum operated by the Oklahoma Historical society. Chain of Rocks Bridge (St. Louis) Spanning the Mississippi River on the north end of St. Louis, the bridge, opened in 1929, is best known for its jolting 24-degree bend. Today, it’s only open for bikes and pedestrians. Wigwam Motel (Holbrook, Ariz. and San Bernardino, Calif.) Did you know that two of America’s surviving renovated concrete teepee hotels are located along Route 66? (The third is in Kentucky). Worth a stop for sure. Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica, Calif.) Although Route 66 officially ended a few blocks north of this landmark pier, which opened in 1909, most people think of this picturesque spot as the end of the trail.
