A Crazy Trip Along Route 66
Get some snacks ready and buckle up, because you’re going on a trip! You only get to drive down Route 66 once in your life, so make the most of it and have a great time. This old highway was once used to move things across the United States. Now it’s one of the best places to go on vacation. You’re going to see a lot, from big places like Dallas, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, and Santa Fe to small towns along the way.
Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas
Thanks for coming to Texas! The Dallas–Fort Worth Metropolitan Area is ready to be discovered. “Everything’s Bigger in Texas” is definitely true in Dallas. The GeO-Deck at Reunion Tower, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the world-class barbecue restaurants are just a few of the places that will amaze you. To be clear, Dallas and Fort Worth are two towns in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area, which is a larger area. Fort Worth is farther west than Dallas.
Where to Stay:
- The Omni Dallas Hotel is in a great spot and has modern features like a diner, a farm-to-table restaurant, and a high-end sports bar. Did we also say something about the sky pool?
- Hotel Drover is conveniently located at the southern edge of the Fort Worth Stockyards and is a premium place to kick up your cowboy boots after a long day in the Texas sun.
- Stay at The Joule, a 1927 Neo-Gothic landmark that combines a historied past with modern design flare, located right on Main Street in downtown Dallas.
What to Eat:
- Enjoy a taste of locally sourced Dallas dining at Smithy on Henderson. We recommend enjoying their delicious and over-the-top brunch menu, where which features special touches like bourbon maple syrup that can transport anyone into a complete brunch bliss.
- In Texas, barbecue isn’t just a dish: It’s a way of life. That’s why we can’t recommend just one spot – Heim BBQ, Lockhart Smokehouse, Pecan Lodge and Baby Back Shak are all worth a visit.
- Dine at the celebrated Petra and the Beast, a cutting-edge restaurant serving up creative seasonal fare . Savor sharable small bites from their à la carte menu or secure a Saturday night reservation for a showstopping six-course tasting menu.
What to See:
- Dallas is home to the largest concentrated urban arts district in the USA, sprawling across 28 hectares and 19 contiguous city blockss.! The Dallas Arts District includes performance venues, such as the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, and three incredible museums: the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Centerand the Crow Museum of Asian Art. Spend an afternoon – or an entire day – exploring this incredible area.
- Since 1978, Reunion Tower has been an iconic piece of the Dallas skyline. Take a visit to its top floor to explore the GeO-Deck, where you’ll see Dallas from a whole new perspective – 143 meters in the air, to be exact.
- The Dallas World Aquarium is a true underwater spectacle. Home to sharks, crocodiles, stingrays and beyond, this aquarium is absolutely worth an afternoon of exploration.
- The Fort Worth Stockyards are a can’t-miss experience for those looking for true Texas cowboy culture. From the twice daily cattle-drives to quaint shops, it’s the perfect place to spend a day.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Onto Oklahoma City, Oklahoma! This capital city is known for its cowboy culture, so saddle up for a good old time. Roll the windows down and let Route 66 take you on a cruise around the Capitol Building. Once the midpoint for travelers of this historic road, Oklahoma City has played host to generations of road-trippers and their great adventures.
Where to Stay:
- The 21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma City provides an industrial-chic stay that even includes their own art gallery, all in a super convenient location.
- The Bradford House is eclectic, bright and artsy in all the best ways. Book a room in this whimsical boutique hotel for a stay that walks the tightrope between historic charm and new amenities.
- Modern and centrally located downtown, the Omni Hotel doesn’t skimp on accommodations. Pack a swimsuit for the fabulous rooftop pool, or carve out a little time at the Mokara Spa for a rejuvenating treatment.
What to Eat:
- For an upscale taste of the Southwestern USA, check out FRIDA Southwest. Here, you’ll find creative, sophisticated and super-flavorful dishes that are sure to inspire, like short rib empanadas and burnt end flautas.
- Looking for a meal with some attitude? Burger Punk serves up unpretentious and infectiously cool pub grub that’ll make you reach for extra napkins. You truly can’t go wrong with any of the burgers on their menu.
- Named after Oklahoma City’s local hero who swept the world of baseball, Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse has been a mainstay of the Oklahoma City food scene for over 20 years. With some of the top options for steaks and wine in the city, you’re sure to have an excellent dining experience.
What to see:
- Spend a day at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, which houses a truly massive collection of rodeo photographs and early rodeo trophies. With more than 28,000 Western and Indigenous American artworks and artifacts, it’s sure to make for a fascinating afternoon of learning and exploration.
- Spend a sunny afternoon in Scissortail Park, the new 28-hectacre recreation space at the center of Oklahoma City. Catch a live musical performance, or rent a pedal boat from the Scissortail Boathouse for some fun on the water!
- This is a unique one: The Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City is a private museum dedicated to the study of bones and skeletons, and it’s a truly one-of-a-kind exhibition. Those interested in natural sciences will marvel at over 450 specimens of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
Amarillo, Texas
You’ve made it to Amarillo, which is in the middle of Texas! This one-of-a-kind stop on Route 66 is sure to surprise you: This cute Texas town is full of fun things to discover, like the Route 66 Historic District and Palo Duro Canyon State Park, as well as the free-for-all graffiti experience in Cadillac Ranch. Get out of the car, stretch your legs, and stay a while!
Where to Stay:
- If you’re looking for a trendy hotel right in the heart of Amarillo, stay at The Barfield. With an Italian steakhouse, bar, gym and plenty of walkable places to explore nearby, you won’t be bored here.
- Three words: Big. Texan. Motel. That’s right, the Big Texan Motel is everything the name says and more: this quirky, cozy and super unique lodging makes for the perfect Route 66 stopover.
- For a luxury cabin stay off the beaten path, reserve a room at the Three Falls Cove Country Inn and Vineyard. This romantic lodge with a private pond is a great place to relax and recharge.
What to Eat:
- If there’s one cuisine you must try in Amarillo, it’s Tex-Mex. Head to Tacos Garcia near the Amarillo Cultural District for some of the best burritos you’ve ever tasted.
- Enjoy a taste of the locally loved Fire Slice Pizza, which features dishes made from scratch and high-quality ingredients. You’ll definitely want to save room for a bite of the blackberry bread pudding.
- In the mood for an upscale night out? Check out The Drunken Oyster, which serves up savory, palate-pleasing Cajun-style seafood dishes with an ambiance to match.
What to See:
- Get the spray paint cans ready, because you’re going to Cadillac Ranch! This interactive art exhibition features 10 vintage cars that took a nosedive into the ground, all decorated with layers upon layers of colorful paint. Bring a can of spray paint with you: It’s time to add your mark.
- Texas is synonymous with cowboy culture, and cowboy culture would be nothing without horses. Visit the American Quarter Horse Foundation Hall of Fame & Museum to see incredible paintings, photographs, riding attire and artifacts, all paying homage to a cowboy’s four-legged teammate.
- For a deeper look into the history of these lands, visit the important Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian. While you’re there, stop by the Trading Post and purchase a piece of jewelry made by an Indigenous American artisan. Talk about a special souvenir.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Welcome to Santa Fe, New Mexico, the last stop on your trip down Route 66! This lively city has a lot of history and culture that you can explore. You’ll quickly feel like you’re part of a city that’s all its own, from the Pueblo buildings to the art and food scenes.
Where to stay:
- The Inn at Five Graces has been ranked as one of the best hotels in the world, and for good reason. Every corner of this hotel has been carefully designed with the best of Santa Fe’s whimsical style, with every detail addressed to make your stay the best one possible. Time spent here is nothing short of a genuine treat.
- The Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi blends Santa Fe’s unique Pueblo Revival architecture, cowboy influences and vibrant local artistry all into a hotel stay that’s nothing short of spectacular.
- It’s the final stop of the trip, why not treat yourself to a luxury resort? Book at the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado. In true resort fashion, you can enjoy everything from complimentary guided hikes along the Camino Encantado Trail to a prickly pear body treatment at their world-class spa.
What to Eat:
- Start the day right with breakfast at Cafe Pasqual’s. Try the Huevos Barbacoa – it’s the kind of dish you’ll remember forever.
- Enjoy a taste of high-end Latin American cuisine at Sazón, where Chef Fernando Olea thrills diners with his bold and authentic Mexico City flavors. He was even named the Best Chef of the Southwest by the 2022 James Beard Awards.
- Dive into the delectable and decadent world of chocolate at the Kakawa Chocolate House. You’ll learn about the history of chocolate elixirs and how they inspired modern chocolates. Expect to satiate your sweet tooth with delicious truffles, caramels and chili chocolates, too!
What to See:
- The Santa Fe Plaza is the perfect place to shop, dine and stroll through the best of downtown Santa Fe. Mosey into art galleries and jewelry shops, grab a bite to eat or soak in the Santa Fe sun in Cathedral Park!
- Dare to explore the surreal and awe-inspiring side of Santa Fe? Take a tour through Meow Wolf, the interactive art house that’s full of mystery and inspiration.
- Georgia O’Keeffe’s great contribution to the arts is memorialized at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe. Spend an afternoon admiring her exquisite works and learning more about the prolific artist.