8 Route 66 Attractions You Can’t Miss During the Centennial Year

In 2026, America’s most legendary highway turns 100. Spanning 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, the Mother Road is a living museum of neon lights, roadside diners, vintage cars, and small towns that refuse to be forgotten.

If a birthday ride down Route 66 is on your mind, we asked our local Sonesta teams to help chart out the stops that still carry the spirit of the road.

So, we bring you 8 must-see Route 66 stops for the Centennial Year, plus exciting events worth catching and cozy Sonesta stays along the way.”

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1. Chicago, Illinois: The Starting Sign

Every legendary journey deserves an iconic starting point, and for Route 66 adventurers, that place is the brown road sign at Adams Street and Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago.

Marking the official eastern terminus of the Mother Road, this modest marker carries enormous symbolic weight as the launchpad for the 2,448-mile trek to the Pacific.

Centennial Highlight: Route 66 Road Fest Kick-Off Weekend

We always recommend kicking things off with a photo at the iconic Route 66 Starting Sign (map it), then heading a few steps to Lou Mitchell’s (map it), a legendary Chicago diner that’s been part of the journey since 1923 with fresh coffee and hearty breakfasts.

In honor of the centennial, the city is going all out. Chicago will host the Route 66 Road Fest Kick–Off Weekend (April 24–26), with classic car rallies downtown, vintage bus tours of historic sites, food festivals, and live concerts, all centered around the starting point.

If you’re kicking off your Route 66 adventure from its original eastern terminus, Sonesta ES Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile – Medical puts you just a few miles from the official Route 66 “Begin” sign on E. Adams Street. This all-suite stay is a great solution for road trippers who want a little time to explore the city before heading west.

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The famous Route 66 starts in downtown Chicago, on Adams Street near the corner of Adams and Michigan Avenue.

2. Springfield, Missouri: The Birthplace of the Mother Road

Welcome to the city where it all began. Springfield, Missouri, officially recognized as the “Birthplace of the Mother Road”, is where the name Route 66 was first proposed back in 1926.

For travelers chasing the spirit of the open road, Springfield feels a little more meaningful this year. During the 100th anniversary, every street corner and roadside diner seems to carry a story.

We recommend slowing down here: grab a slice of pie, visit the Route 66 Car Museum, and let the nostalgia sink in before hitting the next stretch.

Centennial Highlight: National Kick-off Celebration

On April 30, 2026, Springfield takes center stage with the Official Route 66 Centennial Kick–off at the iconic Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque (map it).

When the day arrives, vintage car parades will roll through town, jazz will echo from the Shrine Mosque’s storied walls, and the community will finally get to throw the party it’s been waiting a century for. The streets will be glowing with restored neon, and the whole event is a love letter to Route 66’s golden past and its bright future.

To stay within easy reach of the centennial events, our budget-friendly Americas Best Value Inn Seymour is just half an hour from Springfield. Guests can expect cozy rooms, essential amenities, free parking, and a complimentary hot breakfast.

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Pedestrian bridge at Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza on Historic Route 66, Tulsa, Oklahoma

3. Tulsa, Oklahoma: The “Capital of Route 66”

No city wears Route 66 crown quite like Tulsa. Known as the “Capital of Route 66,” this is where Cyrus Avery, the “Father of Route 66,” once lived and worked, helping to shape the road’s route and its role as a vital corridor of American commerce and culture.

Route 66 runs right through Tulsa’s core, lined with vintage gas stations, glowing neon signs, restored motor courts, and quirky roadside attractions that reflect nearly a century of American road culture.

It’s also home to the Route 66 Historical Village (map it), a rail-themed attraction with a restored gas station, vintage steam engine, and the giant Route 66 oil derrick, standing as a nod to Tulsa’s deep oil heritage.

Centennial Highlight: Route 66 Capital Cruise & Birthday Concert

Tulsa knows how to throw a party, and on May 30, 2026, the Capital Cruise will roll through town in full Route 66 style. This dazzling procession of classic cars will drive along the historic route, culminating in a centennial birthday concert at Cain’s Ballroom (map it).

Known as the “Carnegie Hall of Western Swing,” Cain’s has hosted legends from Bob Wills to the Sex Pistols and remains a Tulsa icon.

If you’re road-tripping through, we recommend staying at Americas Best Value Inn Tulsa at I-44. It’s right along the route, close to downtown, and offers the kind of comfort and value that make long drives feel a little easier and a lot more fun.

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Leave your mark at Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX, and become part of Route 66 lore.

4. Amarillo, Texas: Cadillac Ranch & The Big Texan

Everything’s bigger in Texas, and nowhere is that more true than Route 66 in Amarillo, home to two of the most iconic and eccentric roadside attractions on the Mother Road.

First, there’s Cadillac Ranch (map it): a surreal stretch of prairie where ten vintage Cadillacs are buried nose-first in the dirt, tail fins jutting skyward like modern monoliths.

Created in 1974 by a group of San Francisco artists and a local millionaire, if you ask us, this is a must-stop, interactive art installation as layers upon layers of spray paint have built up over decades.

What you see today will likely be painted over tomorrow, so every visit is one-of-a-kind. Bring your own spray paint, leave your mark, and become part of Route 66 lore.

Just down the road is The Big Texan Steak Ranch (map it), famous for its 72oz steak challenge, a massive meal that’s free if you can finish it in under an hour. Since opening in 1960, it’s fed cowboys and tourists from around the globe.

Centennial Highlight: Big Texan Soiree & Texas Route 66 Festival

We recommend planning your Amarillo stay around the Texas Route 66 Festival, happening June 4–13, 2026. It’s a full week of pure Americana with food truck rodeos, country bands playing into the night, classic car shows, mural tours, and the famous Big Texan steak challenges.

To stay close to it all, book a stay at Americas Best Value Inn Amarillo Airport, offering cozy rooms, free breakfast, and friendly Texas hospitality.

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The Midpoint Café on Historic Route 66 in Adrian, Texas

5. Adrian, Texas: Midpoint Café

Adrian, Texas is the emotional halfway victory lap of the ultimate American road trip. This tiny Panhandle town marks the exact mathematical center of Route 66—1,139 miles from both Chicago and Santa Monica.

But Adrian wasn’t always the midpoint. Realignments over the years shifted Route 66’s length. When the road was finalized at 2,278 miles, Adrian earned its perfectly balanced place in Route 66 history.

The town is also home to the legendary Midpoint Cafe (map it), a classic Route 66 Americana with checkerboard floors, vintage signage, friendly locals, and slices of homemade pie that have fueled generations of road-trippers.

Snap a photo at the famous “Midpoint of Route 66” sign, grab a booth, and savor the moment.

Centennial Highlight: Midpoint Parties

Throughout the summer of 2026, Adrian will celebrate its spot as the halfway mark of Route 66 with a series of Midpoint Parties honoring the highway’s centennial.

We recommend planning your visit when things are in full swing with classic cars rolling in, live bands by the roadside, pie-eating contests in full mess, and travelers swapping road stories over coffee and chili dogs.

Americas Best Value Inn Santa Rosa, NM is a convenient stop for travelers heading to Adrian, Texas, the official midpoint of Route 66. Located about 90 miles west along I-40, it offers a budget-friendly, comfortable stay right on the historic route.

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico

6. Albuquerque, New Mexico: The “Neon & Sky” Spectacle

We head into Albuquerque next. Home to the longest continuous urban stretch of Route 66, an impressive 18 miles along Central Avenue, Albuquerque mixes classic roadside Americana with bold Southwest flair.

For the centennial year, the city is doubling down on its signature “Southwest Neon” identity, restoring historic motel signs and lighting up the night in all the neon colors.

Driving this stretch after sunset is a true Route 66 rite of passage, with glowing cacti, zig-zag motel signs, and vintage diners reflecting off chrome bumpers and desert skies.

Centennial Special: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Route 66 Edition

From October 3–11, 2026, the world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will feature a dedicated Route 66 Centennial theme. Picture hundreds of hot air balloons rising at dawn many shaped like vintage cars, gas pumps, and Route 66 shields, floating above the Sandia Mountains.

Relax after a day of sightseeing at Sonesta Simply Suites Albuquerque, offering the ideal mix of comfort and convenience right near Route 66. With spacious suites, full kitchens, and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s ideal for travelers wanting a little extra space while exploring the city.

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Seligman is a major attraction for Route 66 tourists and is known as the birthplace of Route 66 revival.

7. Seligman, Arizona: The Birthplace of the Revival

If Chicago is where Route 66 begins, and Santa Monica is where it ends, then Seligman, Arizona, is where its second life was born.

This small town in the high desert earned the title “Birthplace of the Route 66 Revival” after locals, led by barber and preservationist Angel Delgadillo, rallied to save the spirit of the Mother Road following its bypass by I-40 in the 1980s.

Angel Delgadillo still owns his barbershop in Seligman, and many travelers consider it a pilgrimage site. Stop in and you might just meet the man who helped save Route 66 from disappearing.

Our team loves pointing road-trippers to Seligman. It’s a stretch of Route 66 that feels frozen in time with vintage cars out front, neon signs, and diners straight out of the ‘50s. Pixar even used it as inspiration for Radiator Springs in Cars.”

Centennial Highlight: Route 66 Fun Run & Radiator Springs Cultural Festivals

For the 100th anniversary, Seligman will host the Route 66 Fun Run, a rolling parade of classic cars making their way from Seligman to Kingman, cheered on by locals and travelers alike.

The town will also celebrate with “Radiator Springs”, themed cultural festivals, featuring Route 66 storytelling, retro costume contests, live music, and appearances from the real-life characters who helped revive the road.

Just a short, scenic drive away, Sonesta ES Suites Flagstaff offers a peaceful home base right on Historic Route 66. With spacious suites, full kitchens, and a relaxing outdoor hot tub, it’s the ideal retreat after a day of nostalgia-fueled exploration.

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The iconic sign for the end of Route 66, where the highway meets the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California

8. Santa Monica Pier, California: The “End of the Trail”

We end where so many dreamers have before us, at the Santa Monica Pier, where Route 66 officially meets the Pacific Ocean. Though not part of the original route alignment, the Pier has become the symbolic western terminus of Route 66, marked by the iconic “End of the Trail” sign (map it).

The sign is placed in the 2000s to honor Route 66’s cultural legacy, as the original route technically ended a few blocks inland at 7th and Broadway in downtown LA.

After 2,448 miles of Americana, neon, diners, and desert skies, there’s nothing quite like walking the wooden planks of the pier, watching street performers, or catching the sunset from the Ferris wheel.

Centennial Highlight: The Great Route 66 Centennial Convergence

On April 30, 2026, Santa Monica will host The Great Route 66 Centennial Convergence, a massive coast side celebration marking 100 years of Mother Road.

There’ll be beachside concerts, classic car shows, and nostalgic nods to Route 66, all capped off with fireworks over the ocean. People will be coming in from all directions, ready to celebrate and kick off summer together.

Wrap up your journey with a restful stay at Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX, offering easy access to the coast and an upscale experience with 24/7 airport and area shuttle service. It’s the ideal base for exploring Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Los Angeles.

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Travel Smart with Sonesta Travel Pass

Make the most of your Route 66 Centennial journey with Sonesta Travel Pass, a Sonesta rewards program designed for travelers who love the road and the perks that come with it.

As a Travel Pass member, you’ll enjoy:

• Complimentary upgraded Wi-Fi
• Early check-in and late checkout, when available
• Exclusive member-only rates

Thanks to Sonesta’s partnership with Shell Fuel Rewards®, members can also save 5¢ per gallon at participating Shell stations across the country, ideal for fueling your 2,400-mile journey from Chicago to Santa Monica.

Join Sonesta Travel Pass today!