This road is so legendary that the acclaimed writer John Steinbeck referred to it as the Mother Road in his novel “The Grapes of Wrath.” The highway, built in the 1920s, which was once the main east-west route in the country, continues to attract travelers in search of a classic piece of America.
The historic Route 66 in the USA stretches from Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles, California, crossing the states of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Covering a distance of over 3,200 kilometers, Route 66 traverses a portion of the U.S. that allows for a glimpse into the heart and soul of the country. Cross the urban streets of Chicago and St. Louis, appreciate the vastness of the Grand Canyon, experience the indigenous communities of the Southwest, and hit the beach in Santa Monica without leaving the route.
This well-known and famous road has a remarkable history. In the mid-1940s, Route 66 passed through small towns across the Midwest and Southwest. It was often called the “Main Street of America” with its family-owned shops, cafes, motels, and gas stations. By the late 1950s, it became outdated as interstate highways were being built. Even so, popular culture injected life into the road with Nat King Cole’s song “Route 66” and the 1960 TV series “Route 66” starring a Chevrolet Corvette. The Pixar movie Cars was inspired by a trip on Route 66 and almost received its name as the title.
In 1984, Route 66 was decommissioned, and the old route, now called Historic Route 66, still retains its original charm. Attractions along the road include nostalgic treasures from the 1950s ranging from warehouses to diners and quirky motels adorned with neon signs—all capturing the aura of glory days like a timeworn Polaroid photo.
Staying in these kitschy motels is an unforgettable way to experience nostalgia. The Munger Moss Hotel in Lebanon, Missouri, is the epitome of a Route 66 stopover, while the innovative Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, lets you “sleep in a Native American Tent.” The El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico, also known as the “Home of Movie Stars,” catered to the tastes of celebrities like John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart.
Tourist spots include the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in Chicago, Illinois, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Mojave National Preserve in Nipton, California. For novelty, you can see the “World’s Largest Concrete Totem” near Foyil, Oklahoma, and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The Ariston Café is part of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and is a popular dining stop in Litchfield, Illinois. Continuing down the road, in Amarillo, Texas, a famous place called Big Texan serves enormous 2-kilogram steaks.
On the California coast, the Santa Monica Pier marks the end of the original route. However, going to Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles through the oldest part of the city, the Spanish colonial street Olvera Street, is a wonderful extra.
What to bring: an appetite for the eclectic, an open mind, and a travel journal to record casual encounters, hidden gems, and favorite places.
By Kate Donnelly for the website: www.visiteosusa.com.br