Of all the states we explored along Route 66, New Mexico and Arizona stood out as my absolute favorites! While they may not boast as many giants as Illinois or Oklahoma, and their attractions might be fewer and further apart, the sheer WOW factor of these two states earns them the prestigious “top prize” for Route 66 amazement!
Here are my leading reasons for any Route 66 travelers to be sure to add New Mexico and Arizona to the top of your list!
TUCUMCARI, NEW MEXICO
This quaint hamlet, situated just over the Texas border, conceals its charm—truly! A prime example of this was when we paused at the Russell Truck and Travel Center for what we thought would be a “regular gas fill-up,” but stumbled upon an AMAZING museum filled with Route 66 artifacts and other memorabilia! This delightful place raised the intriguing question, “How many Coca-Cola products can you fit into a single building?”
The BLUE SWALLOW HOTEL
A fun stop along the way is the Blue Swallow Motel. More known for the evening neon lights they display, this hotel was still pretty “retro” and worth a few minutes to snap photos.
The ALBUQUERQUE ROUTE 66 DINNER
Say YES to this diner! I spoiled myself to “carb-hell” and back! From the vanilla shake to the huge grilled cheese sandwich- I loved it! And, while in Albuquerque, check out their world-renowned balloon museum.
DO NOT MISS THE PAINTED DESERT and PETRIFIED FOREST – ARIZONA
There are very few places on this planet that are so beautiful it renders me quiet! But the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest are two tanem parks that did just that of them! Juxtaposed to the endless skies above the north-eastern Arizona, is this massive national park with rock and mountain formations that are beyond description. In lieu of trying to conjure up words, I will let the photos that I snapped on an iPhone 17 do my “talking”.
Learn more on their website.
PAINTED DESERT and PETRIFIED FOREST
OUTSIDE OF HOLBROOK
ON THE WAY TO WINSLOW, ARIZONA
SPEND TIME IN WINSLOW, ARIZONA
Be sure when driving on Route 66 to follow the directive of front-man, Don Henley, for the band the EAGLES, and “Stand on the Corner in Winslow Arizona!” Then celebrate by purchasing one of the thousands of commemorative t-shirts available! For more info, go here.
Also, check out LA POSADA, a hotel on the train line that is simply goregous. Known for the many notable /celebrity guests who have stayed there it is lovely!
** We veered off Route 66 to discover Sedona, Oak Creek, Clarkdale, and a small village on the top of a step mountain – Jerome, Arizona! I will cover more about these areas in another blog.
FLAGSTAFF, SELIGMAN, OATMAN, and KINGMAN*
Note: I have visited Route 66 in this area before. This time we arrived to Seligman only to find out that there was a major accident that resulted in a total “black-out”. Not one light was on for miles! So, we left and continued to Kingman. Fatigued and ready for some good ‘ol comfort food- we headed to a perennial favorite, Cracker Barrel!
HELPFUL LINKS
Albuquerque Route 66 Centennial link
Special events in Seligman and Visitors Bureau
