Looking for Places to Stop btwn Kansas and LA
#1
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Looking for Places to Stop btwn Kansas and LA
We'll be driving from Kansas City to Los Angeles in June. We have about 10 days and are looking for suggestions of places to stop and things to see. We esp like offbeat roadside sites and vintage road signage. Destinations where we could do short hikes or walk would be great. Any suggestions for routes with nice scenery would be appreciated. Thanks!
#2
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If you are taking I-70 (doesn't really sound like though, if going through AZ): Not too far off track near salina would be the mushroom rocks and coronado heights castle, but requiring some walking. The Sternberg Museum (dinos and similar) in Hays is a bit of a hoot.
#5
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Bitter, thanks for the suggestions. No routes are planned
We haven't planned a route. Was interested in hearing what there might be to see and then would plan a route accordingly. It doesnthave to be the most direct route. There is more of a time constraint as we must be in LA area on a particular date in late June. We would probably not go thru CO as we did a road trip out there a couple years ago so was hoping to check out some new destinations.
Vintage road signage could be 50's or 60's signs that one often sees while traveling. We have sometimes seen some neat areas where neon is prominent such as old motel or restaurant signs. Hope that helps.
We haven't planned a route. Was interested in hearing what there might be to see and then would plan a route accordingly. It doesnthave to be the most direct route. There is more of a time constraint as we must be in LA area on a particular date in late June. We would probably not go thru CO as we did a road trip out there a couple years ago so was hoping to check out some new destinations.
Vintage road signage could be 50's or 60's signs that one often sees while traveling. We have sometimes seen some neat areas where neon is prominent such as old motel or restaurant signs. Hope that helps.
#6
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Central Ave in Albuquerque is part of Historic Rt 66 and still has several old signs/motels and neon.
If you travel I 40 that would work - a few days in ABQ with a day trip to Santa Fe would be nice. June won't be too hot either.
If you travel I 40 that would work - a few days in ABQ with a day trip to Santa Fe would be nice. June won't be too hot either.
#8
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Thanks, DebitNM -- It's been a long time since we've been in Albuquerque and that route might be a good way to go. I think we've driven part of it, but not all the way across the state.
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The short stretch of The Route in Kansas has a lot to see and do, but the only real hiking spot is Schermerhorn Park and Schermerhorn Cave. This site has pages about all of the Kansas attraction on 66: http://www.kansastravel.org/route66.htm
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This is hard. I-40 will put you closer to more interesting roadside attractions, but I-70 will take you through Colorado for more spectacular scenery. If traveling before April, I'd certainly take the southern route, I-40, to avoid snow.
#11
Stop in to the "Mother Road" museum in Barstow.
http://www.route66museum.org/
It is in the basement of the former Barstow railroad station which was also a "Harvey House".
Across the street from the Victorville station is another Rt. 66 museum.
If you want to drive a long section of the old Rt. 66, you can use the old highway from Seligman (se-LIG-man) to Kingman.
http://www.route66museum.org/
It is in the basement of the former Barstow railroad station which was also a "Harvey House".
Across the street from the Victorville station is another Rt. 66 museum.
If you want to drive a long section of the old Rt. 66, you can use the old highway from Seligman (se-LIG-man) to Kingman.
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May not be particularly interesting, but we did go through Greensburg KS a few years ago on the way to Santa Fe. It had rebuilt after a tornado and had a weird "new" feel to it. That highway (54?) went through or near some small town feel to it, which you may be seeking (compared to i-70 for example). Not always the most efficient, of course. Dodge city has its history (somewhat disney-fied) and a casino.
#14
Be sure to see Joshua Tree National Park , and you might enjoy the Neon Boneyard in Las Vegas
www.neonmuseum.org
www.neonmuseum.org
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There's no getting around it. Traveling from Kansas to California means long days on the road. And in the hot summer. OK, a few sights but the Route 66 relics aren't much really. Might take I-40. Stock up with CDs and tapes, though, since so much highway isn't scenic.
Going down I-35 to get to I-40 through Wichita where our son lives, you can find Old Cowtown Museum and Wichita Art Museum both worth a stop. Also in Okla. City is Cowboy and Estern Art Museum. Further on (once you rumble through the Texas Panhandle) is Albuquerque and surely there must be something to see to there.
In Arizona not too far north of I-40 is Canyon de Chelly Nat'l Monument and scenery worth seeing, a jeep ride into the canyon. And you will see Painted Desert right on I-40.
On you go to Flagstaff and how about a short detour to Sedona? (Also you are dangerously close to that wonderful Grand Canyon). And on you go into California.
Going down I-35 to get to I-40 through Wichita where our son lives, you can find Old Cowtown Museum and Wichita Art Museum both worth a stop. Also in Okla. City is Cowboy and Estern Art Museum. Further on (once you rumble through the Texas Panhandle) is Albuquerque and surely there must be something to see to there.
In Arizona not too far north of I-40 is Canyon de Chelly Nat'l Monument and scenery worth seeing, a jeep ride into the canyon. And you will see Painted Desert right on I-40.
On you go to Flagstaff and how about a short detour to Sedona? (Also you are dangerously close to that wonderful Grand Canyon). And on you go into California.
#17
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What's a drive through New Mexico without staying in Tucumcari? Stay at the Blue Swallow Hotel if you can and while driving through Alburquerque make sure you have a burrito and cinnamon roll at The Frontier!
www.blueswallowmotel.com
www,frontierrestaurant.com
www.blueswallowmotel.com
www,frontierrestaurant.com
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