Twin Arrows Trading Post (2018-03-31) by Marine 69-71Arizona Preservation Foundation
Get your kicks in Arizona
Here is our guide to iconic sights and offbeat stops that bring America’s highway legend to life.
Giganticus Headicus (2003/2004) by Gregg ArnoldArizona Preservation Foundation
1. Giganticus Headicus
Just outside Kingman, Arizona sits Antares Point. At two miles long, this is one of the longest continuous highway curves in America. Antares Point is also home to Giganticus Headicus, one of the charmingly bizarre tourist attractions that help make Route 66 so beloved.
Tap to explore
It ain't easy being green
Artist Gregg Arnold created Giganticus Headicus, a fourteen-foot tall, green, tiki-style head, in 2004. Today, it sits in its original location at Antares Point, watching the tourists drive by and take pictures.
Motel Du Beau (2009-02-21) by teofiloArizona Preservation Foundation
2. Motel Du Beau
When it was completed in 1929, the Motel du Beau was Flagstaff's first motel. Rates started at just $2.50 per night, and advertisements for the motel boasted “luxurious” amenities, including carpeting, double beds, and private tiled bathrooms with indoor toilets.
Motel Du Beau SignArizona Preservation Foundation
Sign of the times
In the 1930s, the iconic eighty-foot tower sign on the corner of Phoenix and Beaver avenues was added. The sign features orange lettering and classic Route 66 styling, including an arrow with rotating lights. Today, it's one of only three historic “tower” signs still up in Flagstaff.
A landmark of travel freedom
Motel Du Beau was one of the safe lodging options listed in the Green Book, providing welcoming accommodations for Black travelers during segregation. It played a vital role in ensuring safe and dignified travel experiences along key routes like Route 66.
Here It Is Sign (2018-04-02) by Carol M. HighsmithArizona Preservation Foundation
3. Here It Is Sign
Trading posts have become classic Route 66 lore, but only a few of the original posts remain. The Jack Rabbit post is one of those few, and it's made even more iconic by its legendary "Here It Is" sign.
Here it is SignArizona Preservation Foundation
Jack Rabbit Trading Post
The signs were originally put up in 1949 to promote the Jack Rabbit Trading Post.
Even if you haven't travelled along Route 66, chances are this sign is recognizable. It’s one of the world's most famous billboards, for both old-time travelers and modern day roadsters.
Pixar's Here It Is (2021-08-20)Arizona Preservation Foundation
Life in film
In fact, the sign is so iconic that it even made an appearance in Pixar’s "Cars," with the Jack Rabbit being replaced by a jalopy.
Still iconic
The trading post was a must-stop for travelers for decades, and remains so today. The Jack Rabbit Trading Post is still in business. It’s owned by Cindy Jaquez, who runs the post with her husband Tony.
Rainbow Rock Shop (2023-09-21) by Valerie BromannArizona Preservation Foundation
4. Rainbow Rock Shop
The Rainbow Rock Shop in Holbrook, Arizona, is a beloved Route 66 stop known for its towering dinosaur sculptures and colorful rock displays. Built to catch the eye of passing motorists, the dinos – crafted from concrete – have stood for decades as playful roadside icons.
Rainbow Rock Shop (2023-09-21) by Valerie BromannArizona Preservation Foundation
These whimsical dinosaurs aren’t just fun – they're part of Route 66’s legacy of creative marketing meant to lure travelers off the road. Along with giant arrows and wigwams, they reflect the Mother Road’s spirit of novelty, nostalgia, and small town ingenuity.
Vintage Postcards (1944)Arizona Preservation Foundation
Start your nostalgic journey here
Arizona's Route 66 has plenty more to offer, from classic small towns to iconic history. Check out the other stories on our site to learn more!
Written by Reese Finnigan. Images sourced by Reese Finnigan and Brook Crowell.
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.