Route 66! For more than 60 years now, this mythical and majestic journey has been the dream of all adventurers and lovers of the United States. There are many must-see stops and it is easy to miss one of the wonders of the Main Street of USA. For those in a hurry, Le Petit Futé has selected for you the 10 must-see attractions on Route 66, the 10 things you will have to have seen if you want to transform this American trip into a lifelong dream. Embark with us on this iconic road.
It takes a start and if you start your journey by the East, don't put aside this sumptuous Chicago city. Nicknamed "Windy City" by its inhabitants mainly because of the cold wind that often sweeps the city, Chicago is a city with crazy dynamism. The country's third metropolis is full of exciting museums, lively bars and several sports teams at the top of the American hierarchy. Yet in 1871, a great fire devastated everything or almost. It was necessary to rebuild everything and the bricks were preferred to readily flammable materials. A new architectural movement now brings new materials, new shapes and, above all, a new, ultra modern face. Lake Michigan, which is bordering the city, the river that crosses it, its increasingly high buildings and famous art structures strewn throughout the city, will surely seduce you!
The road would not be what it is without motels and diners. They did and still make the legend of Highway 66. At every stop, when they were full, travelers who joined the east or west of the country no longer knew where to give their heads so much. À la carte: Hamburgers, fried chicken, milkshakes, coleslaw, soda, etc. For the most tired, motels were also present. It was only enough to park near his room to easily deposit his luggage, rest comfortably and leave early in the morning. Today, these establishments are far less numerous and fringed than the most beautiful hours of Highway 66, but the renewed popularity of this route reinforces the second breath of this road economy. The Mother Road is far from saying his last word…
Throughout the road, your eyes will surely be stopped by many paintings decorated on the wall. Historical representations, local pride or icons of the road and a golden era of America, these frescoes are one of the symbols of the road. It is in Cuba or Tucumcari that you will see the most beautiful of them. Real local attractions that move crowds. At Pontiac, some of them present and honor Bob Wildmire's work. The local artist, with a somewhat bohemian lifestyle, was made famous by his famous drawings illustrating the attractions of Route 66. Today, the postcards presenting Bob Wildmire's work are sold by thousands. A humble tribute that you will certainly make your turn.
The road would not be what it is today without the people who shaped it or make it unique, even today. In Illinois, you will necessarily hear about the 16 th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. A still-loved American, often named in the list of the greatest presidents of history. For the preservation of the road, Angel Delgadillo, owner of a trade and barber parlor, will be mentioned. You can meet this road monument in Arizona. But local personalities are many and often interesting. Bob and Ramona Lehman of Munger Moss Motel (Lebanon, Mo), Nick Adam at the head of the Ariston Café (Litchfield, Il) or Harley Russel, manager of the Sandhills Curiosity Shop (Erick, Ok)… they will have to meet today to revive the spirit of the Mother Road.
Throughout the road, you will cross eight states, but above all different cultures. African culture very present in the north of the country, mainly around Chicago. Without understanding this cultural mix, you will not fully understand how the city works. Lower, it is the French influence that you will feel by browsing Saint-Louis, founded in 1764 by French merchants and settlers. By continuing to the west, the whole Indian culture will take over. Walapai, Hopis, Anasasi, Navajos, Pecos, etc. All these Indian tribes live alongside each other, respecting their own local customs. Finally, in the direction of the west, Santa Fé in Los Angeles, it is Mexican culture that occupies an important place, both culturally and culturally speaking. Crossing Highway 66 is therefore also going through a land of cultural diversity, in the heart of the USA.
Throughout the 4,000 km of the road you will encounter many mythical models, two or four wheels. Chevrolet, Cadillac, Christler, Ford, Harley-Davidson, etc. You will cross enthusiasts ready to keep these jewels in their original state. You will also visit in the heart of Texas these fields where Cadillac (or Volkswagen Beatles) are planted in the ground. Folklore or true passion for old mechanics, all the reasons will be good to see these models lustrous on the road. In any case, as you go on board or on one of those beauties, you can imagine yourself, too, surveying this mythical road, 50 years back. Magic!
In the east of the route, metal bridges overlooking the road multiply. The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge or Rainbow Bridge (to name but them) are also part of the Mother Road story. Built to allow US Army trucks to move more easily, especially as the Second World War approaches, these bridges have been phased out as the whole route 66. Today, true emblems of a carrying architectural movement in the 1940 s, hundreds of tourists are being released to photograph them. So don't miss it!
How do you consider taking Route 66 without taking a photo near the Blue Whale or the Round Barn of Catoosa in Oklahoma? How do I go to the Mother Road without stopping at the Ark of Saint-Louis or the Bagdad Café of the eponymous film in California? To enjoy and feel the best of the road, you will be forced to park in places that are sometimes luguber, abandoned, ask you a few minutes before finally asking you the question: How was it before? '. Road establishments competed with ingenuity to attract customers. The Muffler Men, these giants present all along the road, the ever-increasing light signs, the largest casting chair in the world or the largest bottle of ketchup. In short, you'll come back with a memory card or full films of unusual photos, but it's amazing what Route 66 was to its finest hours.
The closer you get to the west coast of the United States, the more you go to desert areas, without souls that live. During daytime, warmth and wildlife make the places hostile… station then runs out of petrol, because many motorists will be trapped. But, once in the evening, many of you fall in love with the palette of colors that will emerge in the sky. Rose, orange, blue, violet… Everything will be magic to leave you an unforgettable memory of your passage into the US desert.
Last stop and not least, the city of Angels is the city of all possible, where all dreams are realized (… or not). You will find a special atmosphere based on more than real life. A huge metropolis, Los Angeles nevertheless brings together many points of interest, particularly at the cultural, sports and university levels: The Walt Disney Concert Hall and its orchestra, the famous Lakers team or the UCLA university for example. This is an essential stop to understand what the Americans were looking for by moving west of the country. To finish your journey, you will logically turn to the ocean. In Santa Monica, you can admire the magnificent pier, walk through the long coastal promenade and, backed up by the "End - Route 66" sign, you can proudly say: I did it! I went through this mythical road! " "
