Route 66 turned 100 in 2026, and the anniversary sent a lot of travelers back to the old highway. The road is still lined with neon signs, mom and pop diners and retro motels. Many of the places that made it famous are still serving customers, selling souvenirs or just standing by the pavement.
Not every landmark has made it, and some are closed for repairs. The eight stops below are ones that recent sources describe as active, visitable places. Hours and conditions change, so it’s worth checking ahead before you plan a drive around any of them.
The Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo, Texas
This is the kind of place you notice from the highway. It’s part restaurant, part gift shop and all kitsch, and it opened on Route 66 in 1960. It’s a bright yellow landmark, and it’s still among the best known stops in Amarillo.
It sits right off I-40, which makes it a popular break between Oklahoma City and Albuquerque. Amarillo is the largest city on the Texas portion of Route 66, with a population around 200,000. That means you’ll find plenty of other things to see nearby.
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas
Cadillac Ranch is less a business than an open air art piece. It was installed in 1974, and the buried Cadillacs keep changing under endless layers of spray paint. It’s one of the most photographed spots on the whole route.
There’s no ticket booth and no closing time to worry about. It’s free to visit and open around the clock. Bring a can of paint if you want to add your own layer.
Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, Arizona
Few motels on Route 66 are as easy to recognize. It opened in 1950, and it’s famous for concrete wigwam rooms. A night here is about as retro as the road gets.
One travel guide describes Holbrook as the point where Route 66 kitsch turns genuinely charming. The motel is a big reason why. It’s an easy stop for anyone driving through northern Arizona.
Totem Pole Park, Foyil, Oklahoma
The 90 foot totem pole took 11 years to create. The park near Foyil is a roadside attraction on Route 66, and it holds the world’s largest concrete totem pole. It’s the sort of oddity that makes a detour feel worth it.
The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It stays open year round with free admission, and the Rogers County Historical Society manages it. That makes it one of the easiest stops on the list to fit into a drive.
Hackberry General Store, Hackberry, Arizona
Hackberry is a small place with a big collection. The store is a nostalgic Route 66 stop packed with vintage cars, signs and decades of roadside memorabilia. Photographers tend to linger here longer than they planned.
It was named in Rider Magazine’s May 2026 roundup of more than 100 roadside attractions along the route. That’s a good sign it’s still on the active map. Even so, it’s smart to call ahead if you’re traveling in the off season.
Tee Pee Curios, Tucumcari, New Mexico
Tucumcari is known for its neon, and this shop adds to the scene. It’s a roadside shop shaped like teepees, packed with souvenirs and classic Route 66 memorabilia. The building alone is worth a photo.
The town’s neon district is described by one travel guide as full of vintage motel signs and classic Route 66 atmosphere after dark. Plan to arrive in the evening if you can. The shop works well as a daytime stop followed by a night walk under the signs.
Rockwood Motor Court, Springfield, Missouri
The historic Rockwood Motor Court has been open since 1929. Springfield also carries a particular title, as the official Birthplace of Route 66. That gives the motor court some extra weight in the story of the road.
The centennial year brought events here. The motor court was set to host porch concerts and vintage car meetups during the April 2026 kickoff festival. Staying or stopping by is a way to see a piece of roadside lodging that has outlasted the decades.
Fanning 66 Outpost, Fanning, Missouri
You’ll spot this one by the chair. It’s a quirky roadside stop with souvenirs, Route 66 memorabilia and a famous oversized rocking chair. It’s a classic photo stop in the middle of Missouri.
It’s also a handy place to pick up a keepsake while you’re in the state. Missouri has a lot of Route 66 character, including murals in nearby towns such as Cuba. The outpost is small, but it fits neatly into a longer drive.
