25 Hidden Gems And Oddities Of Route 66

Route 66 is a journey through quirky, offbeat landmarks that will make you question reality and embrace the weird. Is it giant rocking chairs or blue whales lounging by the roadside? The legendary route offers surprises at every turn. Get ready to explore the unexpected because, along Route 66, the strange is always around the corner.

Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In

Since 1953, Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman, Arizona, has served shakes, laughs, and roadside charm. Built from scrap wood by Juan Delgadillo, it’s a playful paradise of puns and quirky decor, from a fake door to half a car in the wall—pure Route 66 magic.

Cadillac Ranch

Created by the art collective Ant Farm in 1974, this wild installation showcases Cadillac tailfin designs from 1949 to 1963, each car a colorful canvas of dynamic graffiti. The best part? Guests are encouraged to grab a spray can and make a mark. It’s a quirky, paint-splattered tribute to creativity.

Big Texan Steak Ranch

Ready for a Texas-sized challenge? At Amarillo’s Big Texan Steak Ranch, brave diners face a 72-ounce steak, shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad, and roll, all in under an hour for a free meal. Since 1960, over 10,000 have conquered it, earning glory and a spot on the wall.

World’s Largest Rocking Chair

In Fanning, Missouri, the World’s Largest Rocking Chair, at 56 feet tall, commands attention. Once holding the Guinness World Record until 2015, this oversized icon originally stood beside a roadside general store. Now, it looms proudly along Route 66, challenging visitors to snap a photo that captures its giant presence.

Gemini Giant

Standing 30 feet tall, the Gemini Giant guards the Launching Pad diner in Illinois like a cosmic sentinel of Route 66. Decked out in a sleek silver spacesuit and a retro green helmet, this fiberglass astronaut rocketed onto the scene in the 1960s during the height of America’s space race.

Blue Whale Of Catoosa

Have you ever seen a giant blue whale chilling by the side of the road? Meet the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma’s quirkiest aquatic mascot. Stretching 80 feet long and flashing a friendly, cartoonish grin, the massive sea creature was built in 1972 as a one-of-a-kind wedding anniversary gift. 

Leaning Tower Of Britten

In Groom, Texas, the Leaning Tower of Britten tilts at a dramatic angle, defying expectations and catching the eyes of Route 66 travelers. Installed in the 1980s, this off-kilter water tower wasn’t a mistake; it was cleverly slanted as a roadside attraction to lure passing traffic.

Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch

Picture a forest of steel trees sprouting from the sand, their branches heavy with colorful glass bottles that catch the sunlight and throw rainbows across the dusty ground. As the wind whispers through the bottles, they clink and chime, creating a melody that dances down Route 66.

Shaffer Springs

Shaffer Springs, also known as “Shaffer’s Fish Bowl,” is a natural seep in the Black Mountains of Arizona. Here, water collects in an artificial stone basin, which is stocked with goldfish to keep the water clean. This tranquil spot is a vital water source for wild burros. 

Devil’s Rope Museum

Dedicated to the history of barbed wire, the Devil’s Rope Museum in McLean, Texas, offers an extensive collection of different types of barbed wire and fencing tools. Visitors can learn about the role “the devil’s rope” played in shaping the American West and its impact on agriculture and ranching.

Muffler Men

If you’re cruising down Route 66, keep your eyes peeled for the legendary Muffler Men, massive fiberglass figures with prominent personalities and even bigger stories. Born in the 1960s as eye-catching advertisements for tire shops, each has its quirky twist: some grip axes or wrenches, while others cradle rockets or hamburgers.

Jack Rabbit Trading Post

Cruising through Joseph City, Arizona, you’ll spot a legend of Route 66, the Jack Rabbit Trading Post, and its iconic “HERE IT IS” billboard featuring a bold black rabbit silhouette. Since 1949, this quirky stop has lured travelers with promises of souvenirs and a taste of roadside Americana.

Meteor Crater

Near Winslow, Arizona, Meteor Crater is where space rock meets desert drama. Formed 50,000 years ago, this nearly mile-wide pit still looks epic. NASA even trained astronauts here. Standing at the rim, you’ll feel tiny and start scanning the skies.

U-Drop Inn

Inspiring Ramone’s Body Shop in Cars, the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas, is a dazzling Art Deco gem along Route 66. Built in 1936 as a former gas station and cafe, it gleams with green tiles and glowing neon. Now, as a visitor center, it perfectly blends past and present.

Chain Of Rocks Bridge

Stretching across the Mississippi near St. Louis, the Chain of Rocks Bridge isn’t your ordinary crossing; it has a twist. Right in the middle, this mile-long structure takes an unexpected 30-degree bend, making travelers pause and marvel. It once carried the flow of Route 66 traffic.

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona feels like stepping into a prehistoric dream. Ancient trees have turned to stone, their crystal-filled logs shimmering with red, purple, and gold hues. Around 225-205 million years ago, these trees fell, were buried under sediment, and slowly changed as minerals replaced their wood.

Henry’s Rabbit Ranch

What do cars and cuddly bunnies have in common? At Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois, the answer is pure Route 66 fun. Rich Henry created this quirky stop as a nod to Jack Rabbit Trading Post, with buried Volkswagen Rabbits and real hopping bunnies.

Blue Swallow Motel

What if you could time travel with just a motel key? At the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, you can. Since 1939, this Route 66 gem has welcomed travelers with glowing neon and original garages. It’s a roadside treasure where the past still feels alive.

Wigwam Village Motel

The Wigwam Village Motel in Rialto, California, is pure vintage magic. Built in 1949 as part of a seven-location franchise, it features 19 concrete teepees with kitschy charm under swaying palm trees. As you park beside your teepee, you’ll feel time-traveled to Route 66’s heyday.

Rialto Theatre

Step into the past at the Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, where golden-age glamour lingers in every corner. The Spanish Baroque beauty has hosted silent films and decades of memories. Though closed, its hand-painted ceilings and wrought iron balconies still whisper stories of old Hollywood.

Chicken Boy Statue

Like a surreal poultry guardian, Chicken Boy watches over the end of Route 66 in Los Angeles. Standing 22 feet tall, this chicken-headed giant once advertised a fried chicken joint. After decades in storage, artists rescued him in 2007, giving the quirky icon a new roost atop a gallery.

Route 66 Drive-In Theatre

For a movie night with a twist, head to the Route 66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage, Missouri, where nostalgia meets the silver screen. Since 1949, this classic twin-screen venue has offered the perfect setting to watch the latest films beneath the stars. Just park and enjoy a blockbuster with vintage vibes.

Totem Pole Park

In Foyil, Oklahoma, Totem Pole Park feels like stepping into a concrete dreamscape. Folk artist Ed Galloway built it, and it is a colorful cluster of towering totems packed with intricate details: owls, turtles, warriors, and more. The 90-foot centerpiece is the world’s tallest concrete totem pole.

Twin Arrows

The 1940s Twin Arrows Trading Post once thrived along Route 66 near Flagstaff, Arizona. Though it closed in the 1990s, two massive arrows still pierce the desert floor, their weathered shafts slicing the terrain like roadside punctuation—a bold reminder of the highway’s golden days.

Roy’s Motel & Cafe

In the heart of the Mojave Desert, Roy’s Motel and Cafe in Amboy once buzzed with the energy of road-trippers. Opened in 1938, its mid-century design and vacant gas pumps were once a welcoming sight for travelers. Now mostly abandoned, the neon still hums quietly, evoking memories.