Everyone loves a summer road trip. What better way to explore rural America than traversing historic Route 66? Here are 6 of the kitschiest attractions to help you get your “kitsch” on Route 66.
- Roundup at Cadillac Ranch
Right off Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, you can practice your graffiti skills on any one of the ten Cadillac cars that are half-buried, nose-down, in a cow pasture. Make sure to bring plenty of spray paint, and leave your mark as the cows looks on.
- Look to the Sky at Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park
Just 3.5 miles off Route 66 in Foyil, Oklahoma, lies a 14-acre park that is home to the "World's Largest Concrete Totem Pole.”
Standing a magnificent 90 feet tall, atop a concrete turtle, visitors can pay homage to Galloway’s beautiful carvings that grace this huge totem pole.
- Take a Stroll Through Elmer Long's Bottle Tree Ranch
The bleak desert stretch of Route 66 in Barstow, California, contains a forest of over 200 scrap metal “trees” decorated with colorful glass bottles.
Take a walk through the ranch to admire the artful display, listening to the melodic tones as the wind gently passes over the bottle tops. You even have a good chance of meeting the artist himself and hearing his fascinating story on how his project began.
- Get Swallowed Up By the Blue Whale of Catoosa
Located on Route 66 in Catoosa, Oklahoma, a spring-fed pond is home to a very large, very blue, sculpted cement whale.
What started out as an odd anniversary gift from a husband to his wife has now turned into a beloved public attraction. Stop and picnic at one of the whale-shaped picnic tables, and stroll right into the beast’s gaping mouth!
- Wrap Your Mind Around the Arcadia Round Barn
Stop at The Old Round Barn on Route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma, and marvel at America's only true round barn.
Built in 1898, the barn's two levels have been fully restored. The lower level is equipped with a museum and gift shop, while the upper level gives you a magnificent view of the barn's roof. A popular local venue for weddings and gatherings, the site also features antique farm machinery.
- Unwind at the Wigwam Village Motel #6
At last, when your day of visiting quirky attractions comes to a close, park your car, and claim yourself one of fifteen concrete and steel wigwams for the night in Holbrook, Arizona. Arranged in a semicircle around the motel office, each wigwam room offers a unique lodging experience, complete with private bathroom.
Route 66 offers a never-ending supply of kitschy roadside attractions, no matter what stretch you are traveling. Be sure to take the time to stop and discover the history behind what has made Route 66 so truly unique.
