8 Roadside Attractions Along Route 66
Some iconic, whimsical, and wacky attractions to your Route 66 itinerary.
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Rebecca Ortenberg
Cadillac Ranch on Route 66 (2014-07-26) by Rhys MartinNational Trust for Historic Preservation
Longing to hit the road? Take a virtual road trip with this collection of iconic, kitschy, and just plain wacky attractions along Route 66. Featuring unusual sculptures, classic cars, “cheeseburgers with cheese,” and more, these sites are sure to leave you smiling.
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The museum closed following Bill Shea’s death in 2016, but the city of Springfield reopened the attraction in 2024.
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Today, visitors are encouraged to relive the Route 66 glory days with this photo op.
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Originally conceived as a private family gathering spot, the giant whale attracted attention from travelers before it was even completed, and Davis decided to open it to the public. Today the site is managed by the city of Catoosa.
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Road-trippers were–and still are!–encouraged to spray paint or otherwise leave their mark on this interactive installation.
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All that remains of this desert ghost town is a run-down building and these two 25-foot-high arrows.
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The chain offered travelers a cheap place to stay the night, along with a kitschy, stereotype-laden experience meant to evoke the “Old West.”
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On the menu, visitors will find playful items like “dead chicken” and “cheeseburger with cheese.” Check out the collection of vintage Chevrolets, which helped inspire the Pixar film Cars!
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After inheriting a collection of bottles from his father, Land installed them on metal “trees” that stretch across the desert. He continued to add to this unique work of art until his death in 2019.
Learn more about the National Trust for Historic Preservation's campaign to preserve Route 66, sign our petition to advocate for the Mother Road, and then share your Route 66 story with us.
Explore other stories on the Mother Road
6 Stories of Remarkable Women on the Mother Road
8 Delicious and Historic Pit Stops Along Route 66
Rebecca Ortenberg is a public historian, digital storyteller, and wrangler of people and ideas. She has served as the managing editor for Lady Science, a magazine and podcast about women in the history of science, and has written for the Science History Institute's Distillations magazine. Though she has adopted Philadelphia as her home, she will always be a West Coaster at heart.
This story is made possible by the generosity of David and Julia Uihlein.
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