Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico
Apr 26th, 2013, 07:25 AM
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Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico
We are planning a 2 week road trip from Missouri bootheel thru Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico, and back. Thought about going the Route 66 trip, but not sure if that is the best route. Can anyone give me ideas on the "Must Sees" and Things to do. We'll be traveling in a convertible Camero, so would really like "back country" roads, scenic routes, etc. Ideas on good "out of the way" places to stay would be nice too. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. Thank You!
Apr 26th, 2013, 10:32 AM
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My spouse and I have wanted to take Route 66 for years, so that's the one I'd take. Should also be as "back country" as I'd want to do out in the part of the West without ending up in a "Thelma and Louise" experience. However, Route 66 is either right next to or covered by I-40 today, so you may want to go a little farther afield.
Things to do: Lubbock, TX--home of Buddy Holly, Santa Fe, NM, as far west as Petrified Forest N.P. and perhaps as far south as Carlsbad Caverns, NM, which is pretty cool. But it depends on how far north/south of Route 66 you want to go.
It'll probably be very, very hot and sunny and not the time of year I'd choose to go to that part of the world in a convertible nor is that the part of the world I'd regard as very scenic, either.
Things to do: Lubbock, TX--home of Buddy Holly, Santa Fe, NM, as far west as Petrified Forest N.P. and perhaps as far south as Carlsbad Caverns, NM, which is pretty cool. But it depends on how far north/south of Route 66 you want to go.
It'll probably be very, very hot and sunny and not the time of year I'd choose to go to that part of the world in a convertible nor is that the part of the world I'd regard as very scenic, either.
Apr 26th, 2013, 10:45 AM
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If you are interested in the Route 66 plan:
I am a fan of the Mother Road with dreams of seeing the whole thing eventually, and have visited some highlihgts in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. You really can't just drive it straight through because some of it doesn't exist anymore, but with a little research you can see some cool things. The best thing would be to pick the segments most interesting to you and alternate between those and bigger roads.
Oklahoma has preserved a lot of the old Road. Here's a neat link that shows you points of interest in Oklahoma. http://www.travelok.com/maps/view.ro...e12_Route66Map. We enjoyed so much of it!
In Amarillo, there's about mile of 66 downtown on sixth (street or avenue), with lots of neat little shops and some bars and restaurants. Also in Amarillo is the iconic Cadillac Ranch that is a "must see' photo opp.
In New Mexico, Tucumcari has a lot of old 66 sites. We stayed at the restored Blue Swallow Motel and enjoyed ourselves several years ago. I assume it is still up and going. blueswallowmotel.com/
The historic 66 also goes through Santa Fe, which is just a neat destination in general.
Sounds like a fun trip, whatever you do!
I am a fan of the Mother Road with dreams of seeing the whole thing eventually, and have visited some highlihgts in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. You really can't just drive it straight through because some of it doesn't exist anymore, but with a little research you can see some cool things. The best thing would be to pick the segments most interesting to you and alternate between those and bigger roads.
Oklahoma has preserved a lot of the old Road. Here's a neat link that shows you points of interest in Oklahoma. http://www.travelok.com/maps/view.ro...e12_Route66Map. We enjoyed so much of it!
In Amarillo, there's about mile of 66 downtown on sixth (street or avenue), with lots of neat little shops and some bars and restaurants. Also in Amarillo is the iconic Cadillac Ranch that is a "must see' photo opp.
In New Mexico, Tucumcari has a lot of old 66 sites. We stayed at the restored Blue Swallow Motel and enjoyed ourselves several years ago. I assume it is still up and going. blueswallowmotel.com/
The historic 66 also goes through Santa Fe, which is just a neat destination in general.
Sounds like a fun trip, whatever you do!
Apr 26th, 2013, 01:05 PM
#6
If you wanted to drive a longer stretch of the "old 66", you can go to Seligman AZ (pronounced se-LIG-man) and go past the Grand Canyon Cavern and end up in Kingman. (about 85 miles).
There are several stretches of the National Trails Highway left in California. There are Rt. 66 museums in Barstow and Victorville California.
There are several stretches of the National Trails Highway left in California. There are Rt. 66 museums in Barstow and Victorville California.
Apr 26th, 2013, 02:50 PM
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The "old alignment" of Route 66 went through Santa Fe, but it was changed in the late 1930s so that 66 went through Albuquerque (Central Avenue, parts of which still have a very "Route 66" feel with old-school motels, restaurants, shops, etc.). There's lots to see and do in Albuquerque as well.
Springfield, MO, is the "Birthplace of Route 66".
For more info on Route 66 in Oklahoma check out http://www.travelok.com/route_66 (for example, there are Route 66 museums in Chandler, Clinton, and Elk City, OK).
You can check out a listing of "mobile tour" stops in Oklahoma (call a telephone number from your cell phone and punch in the stop number to hear recorded info about it) at http://edgecast.data.travelok.com/ok...ile%20Tour.pdf
Springfield, MO, is the "Birthplace of Route 66".
For more info on Route 66 in Oklahoma check out http://www.travelok.com/route_66 (for example, there are Route 66 museums in Chandler, Clinton, and Elk City, OK).
You can check out a listing of "mobile tour" stops in Oklahoma (call a telephone number from your cell phone and punch in the stop number to hear recorded info about it) at http://edgecast.data.travelok.com/ok...ile%20Tour.pdf
