Looking for Places to Stop btwn Kansas and LA

Old Dec 31st, 2015, 05:58 AM
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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!
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 06:44 AM
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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.
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 07:58 AM
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Need to know your route. I-70 in Colorado would provide a number of side attractions. Not sure what you mean by "vintage road signage."
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 08:03 AM
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Noticed that Colorado was tagged so the assumption is a southern swing. It would be potentially much hot going south than a more northern route through Colorado.
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 08:14 AM
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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.
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 09:04 AM
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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.
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 09:59 AM
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Google "rt 66 albuquerque nm" lots of great info. I tried to paste links at they wouldn't post.
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Old Jan 1st, 2016, 05:59 AM
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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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Old Jan 11th, 2016, 05:30 AM
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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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Old Jan 11th, 2016, 05:44 AM
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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.
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Old Jan 11th, 2016, 05:52 AM
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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.
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Old Jan 11th, 2016, 06:15 AM
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Thanks for the ideas & websites! We will be driving in June. A couple years ago we drove out the CO so will likely go south of it this trip.

Keep those ideas coming!
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Old Jan 11th, 2016, 06:45 AM
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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.
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Old Jan 11th, 2016, 08:42 AM
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Be sure to see Joshua Tree National Park , and you might enjoy the Neon Boneyard in Las Vegas

www.neonmuseum.org
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Old Jan 11th, 2016, 01:44 PM
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clark...Neon Boneyard looks very interesting and we will see Joshua Tree.

Bitter - defintiely seeking non highway driving where possible.
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Old Jan 11th, 2016, 03:43 PM
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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.
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Old Jan 11th, 2016, 06:24 PM
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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
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