Route 66 Day-trips: Introduction

This blog is for families looking to travel Route 66, and having as much fun as possible. But, also in talking to potential travelers, and through e-mails I have received that 2000 miles of road trip is daunting especially for families. There are a number of reasons maybe it's that the kids just won't stay still for a trip like that, or you may be no where near the Eastern or Western terminus, or you simple don't have the time to dedicate to the whole trip. 

If any of these apply to you, then this article series is for you. Every week I will break the Route down into bite size portions that are equal to a day trip, that is of course based upon how close you are to the starting point of that article. 

By my estimates a "day-trip" suggestion should take you about half a day to drive. I do however, take into account that with a family you will have plenty of stops, both planned and unplanned. This also gives you time to linger at various attractions along the way and still make it to the end point. 

Look for these articles, I will be posting number 1 in the next few weeks.

Route 66 Kids Picks - #6 Illinois: Land of Giants?

A Kids Opinion  - James 9 Years Old

"There are a bunch of statues of giants in Illinois. They are really funny cause the all look alike and are holding things. I like the Gemini Giant the most because he is an astronaut and has a rocket. The restaurant (the Launching Pad) had good food too". 

Yes, Illinois has three "giants" on Route 66. The most notable being the Gemini Giant located outside the Launching Pad Diner in Wilmington, Il. The 30 foot giant is dressed in a green short sleeved spacesuit (say that five times fast), with a silver helmet holding a rocket with Launching Pad markings. The Gemini name is an obvious reference to the Gemini (pronounced Gem•a•née in NASA speak) NASA program of the mid-sixties, about the time the giant would have found his way to Wilmington. 

The next giant is "Tall Paul" in Atlanta, IL. Essentially it is the Gemini Giant but in lumberjack clothes, no helmet, and holding a hot dog. It is my understanding that Tall Paul wondered Route 66 for many years, and at one point held an axe (Paul Bunyan), before the residents of Atlanta, IL welcomed him. 

 

 

Lastly, there is Lauterbach Tireman in Springfield, Il. Think of the other two giants, but with a beard. Holding a tire (formally a muffler), wearing a blue shirt and black pants with his name in yellow on the legs of his pants, oh and wearing floods. Sorry I don't have a picture but he's easy to lookup. 

Apparently these giant fiberglass "giants" where a popular advertising gimmick in the 60's. Considering that was Route 66's heyday it's fitting these giants are here. Route 66 isn't the only place you can find these guys it's just a fitting place to find them. Kids love them because...well kids love giants especially ones wearing spacesuits. Guess it gives a whole new interpretation as to how high the beanstalk went. Anyway, make sure you stop by and see these guys, and get some pics. 

Route 66 Kids Picks #4 – Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX

A Kids Opinion – James 9 Years Old

 

“I saw cars sticking out of the ground and it made me think of the mountains in the movie Cars. It looked like they where painted like a rainbow, then we got up close and they where all painted with bright colors and had words painted on them. I could see it was the back of cars, and they even had the tires on them, and you could even spin them. My Mom and Dad, let me paint the cars on a few spots too, I put my initials. There where cows there too, mooing at us that was funny. I didn’t think it would be fun, but it was and it was really cool”

 

 

 

Speaking relatively the Cadillac Ranch is on the Western outskirts of Amarillo about 3 miles out, but that changes as Amarillo expands and the “sculpture” moves out of its path as it has before. The ranch consist of 10 1949-1963 Cadillac’s with the front ends buried in the ground so the fins (back ends) face out on an angle. Every year the Cadillac’s are spray painted black so to act as a clean slate for another year of artistic, and tourist markings. The Cadillac’s have even been painted pink in October for Breast Cancer Awareness month on occasion as well.

 

The Ranch is located on the south side of I-40, which through many parts of Texas, is old 66. It sits out in the middle of a pasture, and as James says cows are sometimes there but they keep there distance, beware of cow pies though. Get off at exit 60 to access the Cadillac Ranch, and park beside the frontage road. Just enter the gate and walk a little ways beyond and your there. To heighten the experience though you may want to pick up some spray paint, don’t worry there is a Home Depot a little East of here that can hook you up and they are use to helping us crazy tourist go mark up the “Caddies”

 

Sorry there is no website for the Cadillac Ranch, but its pretty much always wide open to visit. Below is the website for Amarillo’s Visitors Bureau, which may help you plan your trip to Cadillac Ranch. 

 

http://visitamarillotx.com/

 

 

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Route 66 Kids Picks #2 - Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, AZ

 A Kids Opinion – James 9 Years Old

“I liked it because it was like sleeping in a tent, but really being inside. I liked the old cars around other tipis, and the town was really cool because of the petrified woods, and the dinosaurs near the one place that sells the petrified wood. The tipi had was white like a real tipi and had a red stripe on it. We got to park our car right in front of it. It also had a TV in it, I liked staying there.”

The Holbrook Wigwam Motel is actually just one of two of these motels on Route 66, the other being in Rialto, CA. Although I should mention that these structures are not strictly confined to Route 66, since Wigwam Motels was actually a chain once found around country originating inKentucky, where the third surviving Wigwam Motel still stands. Many of the structures date back to as early as 1935 making them true historic Route 66 landmarks.

Both the Holbrook, and Rialto locations are well restored and maintained and worth staying in if you have the chance. Essentially each ‘Wigwam” is a small concrete cabin in the shape of a tipi. Although a bit smaller then a standard motel room, the one we stayed at in Holbrook was still very comfortable and allowed us room to move around, and bring some of or luggage in. The rooms come in one or two bed varieties and have there own private baths complete with showers. So although they look small they actually have everything you need.

I can tell you for certain that the Holbrook Wigwam is very clean and well kept, and from reviews the Rialto Wigwam is as well. Pricewise on the other hand the Holbrook Wigwam will set you back in the neighborhood of $50 a night depending on the day of the week, and the Rialtoabout $100.

These motels are true Route 66 gems, and definitely pop culture icons, ala the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars. Your kids will love it and it will defiantly make and impression. The Wigwams are a great and fun family stay.

Holbrook

http://sleepinawigwam.com/index.html

Rialto

http://wigwammotel.com/

Like this Blog? Follow me, and be sure to look for my up coming Kindle Book Traveling Route 66 with Kids