Things to do on Route 66

Expansive North Side beach popular for recreation, birding, boating access and a relaxed neighborhood feel.

Expansive downtown park with gardens, winding paths, play spaces and skyline views.

Historic free zoo set within scenic Lincoln Park.

Iconic skyscraper offering dramatic skyline and lake views.

Major downtown park cluster with fountains, art and skyline views.

Spacious North Side beach known for sunsets, lakefront recreation, picnic areas and a laid-back local vibe.

Colorful Route 66-themed mural beside beloved hot dog stand.

Historic marquee theater and one of Chicago’s signature icons.

Surviving post-fire landmark anchoring the Magnificent Mile.

Retro castle-style mid-century car wash with quirky architecture.

Historic lakefront planetarium offering astronomy exhibits and some of Chicago’s best skyline views.

Scenic harborfront beach with marina access, skyline views, walking paths and a relaxed waterfront setting.

Historic South Side beach offering broad sands, cultural history, lake access and beautiful open-water views.

Convenient RV park near Cadillac Ranch.

Casual restaurant serving a wide-ranging menu that includes Mexican dishes, plus live entertainment.

Discount chain carrying a variety of goods, including groceries, household items & beauty products.

Old schoolhouse marking a slice of Hackberry’s history.

Route 66 souvenir and gift shop serving travelers in downtown Seligman.

A Route 66 ghost town on the TX-NM state line, famous for bars in New Mexico and gas stations in Texas due to border quirks.

1930s restrooms and motel slab at Bard/Endee ghost-town cluster.

Historic beacon used for early airmail navigation.

Historic mesa-top Native American village known as Sky City.

Large rock formation resembling a dinosaur along Route 66.

A full-service Flying J travel center in Jamestown, NM offering fuel, food, showers, truck parking, and road essentials 24/7.

Basic stop for fuel, snacks, sodas and liquor, as well as propane refills.

Once-bustling Route 66 stop, now abandoned.

Local gas station in Chambers, Arizona.

Old trading post now abandoned.

A convenient Phillips 66 fuel stop off I-40 Exit 243 in Encino, NM, serving travelers crossing the New Mexico high plains.

Ruins of a Route 66-era ghost town.

Old stone bridge with rugged, photogenic charm.

Spacious, clean stopping spot with burgers, BBQ, burritos and more, plus clean restrooms.

128 timber trestle bridges built from 1929 to 1935 along the Mojave Desert stretch of Route 66, under ongoing preservation efforts.

Botanical garden featuring diverse native California plant species.

Historic Pasadena stadium hosting sporting events, concerts, and large-scale entertainment.

Iconic city sign located in Beverly Gardens Park.

Park with trout hatchery, spring-fed streams, and nature trails.

Once a bustling resort on Route 66, now closed and overgrown.

Steel truss bridge with deep Route 66 heritage.

Drag racing facility hosting major motorsports events.

Display of vintage race cars popular for photos.

Shuttered Route 66-era motel, now in ruins.

Local bar and nightlife spot.

Former filling station and café, now a crumbling reminder of roadside hospitality.

Farm-to-fork restaurant featuring local meats.

Pedestrian tunnel along old Route 66 in Chelsea.

Historic twin bridges crossing the Verdigris River on .

Abandoned roadside attraction modeled after a western fort.

Historic Pasadena garden area with walking paths.

Historic Route 66 location in Elwood, Illinois.

Once a charming winery and museum—closed but a reminder of local viticulture.

Iconic marker near Tucumcari Mountain on Route 66.