Top 5: Route 66 Attractions

Since the birth of the country, Americans have packed their bags and headed west. Some left to find land, while others left to find gold or fame — all with the hope of starting a new life. In the 1950s, a new passage to the west was forged — Route 66.

These 2,451 miles of desert and open road quickly became a monument to the automobile, and a rite of passage for Americans looking to see their country’s true colors. Along the way are a number of attractions — diners and motels and enormous pieces of roadside art.

Dixie Truckers Home, McLean, Ill.

Established during the great depression, The Dixie Truckers Home is widely known as the original truck stop. While here, visitors can refuel and grab a bloody rare burger while admiring the stop’s iconic sign.

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard on Route 66, Chippewa, Missouri © Philip Leara | Flickr

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Chippewa, Mo.

Some say Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is even more famous than the neighboring city of St. Louis. Their famous “concrete” custard is so thick, it will remain in place even when a cup of the frozen treat is flipped upside down.

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas

For a true piece of Americana, travelers should visit Cadillac Ranch. This unique outdoor art attraction was created in 1974 by a troupe from San Francisco called The Ant Farm, in collaboration with famed billionaire and prankster, Stanley Marsh 3. This roadside stop is comprised of 10 Cadillacs buried face down in the dirt at the same angle as the Great Pyramids of Giza, as legend says. Since that time, it has been evolving, as travelers spray paint and damage the cars.

Sky City, Acoma Pueblo, N.M.

Sky City is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in all of North America. Here, travelers will find one of the sanctuaries of the Puebloian people atop an enormous desert plateau.

Santa Monica Pier, California © Jason Alan | Dreamstime

Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, Calif.

At the end of Mother Road lies the endless Pacific Ocean and the great Santa Monica Pier. Visitors can complete their journey by testing their luck in the arcade, listening to live music or enjoying the amusement park.