In today’s social media-driven world, finding the perfect spot for a selfie can be just as key to a successful vacation as, say, booking the perfect hotel or stumbling upon an unexpectedly delicious meal at an unassuming roadside diner.
Fortunately, Route 66 has no shortage of snap-worthy spots along its nearly 2,500 miles. In fact, the Mother Road is famous for its unexpected, and even odd, mix of roadside novelty attractions — from the famed Gemini Giant, aka “Muffler Man,” statue in Wilmington, Illinois, to the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, and beyond.
These are just a few of the many spots along the Mother Road that beckon travelers to stop the car, grab a camera — or a phone — and capture the moment. When groups slow down to enjoy the journey and seek out the unexpected, they’ll end up with a reel full of images proving they not only drove Route 66, they lived it.
Gateway Arch
St. Louis, Missouri
Completed in 1965, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis is at once recognizable as a groundbreaking highlight of modern American architecture and a symbolic gateway to the American West.
At 630 feet tall, the arch is the nation’s tallest monument, and its curving, stainless steel design was the brainchild of renowned architect Eero Saarinen. Visitors can snap a photo at the base of the arch before journeying inside for the memorable tram ride to the top.
Once inside, a small tram car takes guests to the observation deck at the top of the arch, where 16 small windows offer sweeping views of downtown St. Louis and the Mississippi Riverfront.
The aptly named Museum Under the Gateway Arch offers free access to six interactive galleries, each focused on different eras of American history and Westward expansion. Afterward, visitors can stroll the miles of paved paths that crisscross the 91-acre Gateway Arch National Park surrounding the iconic landmark. While exploring the grounds, travelers should remember to capture snapshots of the arch from different vantage points, ensuring they get a perfect shot to commemorate their visit to St. Louis.
When hunger pangs call, groups can head to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a Route 66 favorite since 1929 that’s famous for its generations-old recipe. Travelers can take a walk across Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, which spans the Mississippi River on the north edge of the city. Once the original crossing for Route 66, the bridge is now open to pedestrians and bikers only, providing the perfect overlook to enjoy the majesty of one of America’s most famed waterways.
Of course, stops at the arch and ties to Route 66 are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to exploring St. Louis. Groups can wander through exhibits at the Saint Louis Zoo or Saint Louis Art Museum; stroll among colorful natural displays at the Missouri Botanical Garden; tour the world-famous Anheuser-Busch Brewery; or spend a perfect summer evening at a Cardinals baseball game.
Cars on the Route
Galena, Kansas
Kids and kids at heart won’t want to miss the chance to pose for selfies by a life-size replica of Disney-Pixar “Cars” character Tow Mater in Galena, Kansas. The city’s tourist-favorite Cars on the Route attraction will have travelers feeling as though they’ve crossed the city limits into the movie’s fictional Radiator Springs.
While groups will know they’re still in Kansas, there’s no mistaking the cartoon-character fun that’s boldly on display.
“Cars on the Route is one of those Route 66 stops where nostalgia and personality collide,” said Colby Sharples-Terry, public relations and communications manager for Kansas Tourism. “From the iconic tow truck that inspired a beloved animated character to the vibrant, photo-ready setting, it’s a standout for group travelers, offering something fun and familiar for everyone.”
After exploring the restored 1930s-era gas station and its surrounding photo-ready, Cars-inspired attractions, groups can head to the Galena Mining and Historical Museum on historic Route 66. Drawing on the city’s early pull as a center for mining lead and zinc, the museum’s extensive collections bring to life a cross section of American mining and railroad history. Exhibit highlights include vintage Model T and Model A Fords, rare railroad and mining equipment, and a train engine and caboose.
Before leaving town, road-trippers should stop by Miners Park on Main Street for another photo-ready backdrop. The mural there depicts the city name in bold lettering atop an idyllic Route 66 vista, providing another picture-perfect spot to capture and preserve Galena memories.
Blue Whale of Catoosa
Catoosa, Oklahoma
Since 1972, a whimsical blue whale has welcomed visitors to the Tulsa suburb of Catoosa, Oklahoma. Built by zoologist Hugh S. Davis and said to be an anniversary gift for his wife, Zelta, the Blue Whale of Catoosa has become one of Route 66’s most beloved — and quirky — roadside attractions.
At roughly 20 feet tall and 80 feet long, the whale’s metal and concrete structure extends into a small pond. Its soaring head even includes a small ladder leading to porthole windows that guests can peek from. The whale’s smiling mouth opens wide enough to walk through, providing the ideal spot for a one-of-a-kind photo.
Tables flank the pond, which is now part of a city park, so travelers can enjoy a picnic lunch while checking off sightseeing at one of Route 66’s most unique landmarks.
The Blue Whale of Catoosa is “a whimsical landmark that invites you to slow down, visit and take part of a tradition that’s delighted generations,” said Lee Benson, chief communications and marketing officer for the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.
A new visitor center, gift shop and museum is scheduled to open this spring on the property, providing an even bigger reason to make Catoosa a planned Route 66 pit stop.
“The Blue Whale is not just a fun roadside attraction; it’s also a love story,” said Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. “I think that’s why it has endured over the decades. You stop by with some curiosity. Maybe you just want a photo with Ol’ Blue, but then you learn about Hugh and Zelta Davis and their love of nature and each other. This started as an anniversary gift and today is a gift to everyone who loves a good road trip.”
Cadillac Ranch
Amarillo, Texas
One of America’s most famous and enduring public art installations is also one of its most improbable. No one expects to see 10 graffiti-painted, partly buried Cadillacs in a dirt field outside Amarillo, Texas. And yet, there they are: another ideal photo op for a Route 66 memory book.
Since its placement in 1974 by an art collective known as Ant Farm, the row of fins-up, 1940s- to-1960s-era Cadillacs has delighted and perplexed travelers on Route 66, becoming itself one of the Mother Road’s most iconic area attractions.
Located about 10 miles from Amarillo’s city center, through which Route 66 flows, the Cadillac Ranch site is open 24/7, and visitors are encouraged to bring their own spray paint to contribute to the Cadillacs’ ever-changing designs.
“Cadillac Ranch represents the creativity, freedom and one-of-a-kind roadside culture that travelers have come to expect from the Mother Road,” said Brady Wilson, communications director for the Old Route 66 Association of Texas.
“Cadillac Ranch is one of those places where you don’t just stop and take a photo; you become part of it,” said Hope Hoeffner, director of marketing at Visit Amarillo. “Every layer of paint represents someone’s story. It’s a shared experience. Grab a can of spray paint, leave your mark and walk away knowing you’ve added to one of the most iconic pieces of Route 66 history.”
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, California
Road-tripping travelers can mark the milestone end of their Route 66 adventure by snapping a selfie at the iconic “End of the Trail” sign on Santa Monica pier. While there, visitors should keep their cameras and phones ready for snapshots of all the pier’s other fun attractions, from the iconic Ferris wheel and West Coaster rollercoaster to the charming 1920s-era carousel.
Though the pier’s “End of the Trail” sign marks the symbolic end of the Mother Road, the historic or original end of Route 66 falls more accurately at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica, according to the California Historic Route 66 Association.
No matter which endpoint travelers choose to celebrate, Santa Monica offers multiple ways to make the most of their Route 66 conclusion, from a day exploring the city’s history at the Santa Monica History Museum to idyllic sunset views at Palisades Park, overlooking the Pacific.
Downtown, the Third Street Promenade is packed with upscale retailers for those looking for a little retail therapy after a long road trip. Santa Monica is also a foodie town, with a host of award-winning local restaurants primed to deliver elevated, farm-to-table dishes — in case groups want help balancing all those burgers and corn dogs from earlier days on the road.
