Route 66 – Love, Laughter, and Luggage

Oklahoma 16 Jun 2026

Desert Hills Motel and Tally’s Good Food Cafe in Tulsa on Route 66

We are pretty fortunate to live in Joplin, just a few blocks from Route 66. Since we live in Missouri, we can also easily experience some attractions on the Route in either direction. Tulsa is a great example of a city on the Mother Road that is well within a day trip and a quick getaway for us. So one summer, when I had a medical procedure scheduled in Tulsa, Jeff and I made an overnight of it and booked a room at the Desert Hills Motel on Route 66. I won’t lie; this place often has mixed reviews, and some people question the safety of this particular area. Still, I was drawn in by the classic neon, so for one night, I thought we could give it a try. And I’m glad we did. Is this luxury lodging? No. But many old classic motels on Route 66 aren’t. Does…

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New Mexico 23 Apr 2026

Frontier Restaurant in Albuquerque on Route 66

If you’re traveling the Mother Road in Albuquerque, consider stopping for a bite to eat at Frontier Restaurant. Opening in 1971, this isn’t one of those places that have been there from the beginning; it seems to have sprung up as a college student haven for those attending the University of New Mexico right across the street. However, as more people discover the nostalgic adventure of driving Route 66, the Frontier Restaurant is just as likely to serve up its New Mexican cuisine or American favorites to travelers as to locals. When planning our road trips, I’m also on the lookout for something unusual for us to experience along the highway. When I discovered I could sample some New Mexican fare while my pickier travel companions could have something familiar, I knew this was a place for us. After settling in at our home for the night at El Vado…

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New Mexico 31 Jan 2026

Staying a Night at the El Vado Motel-ABQ on Route 66

One of the most adorable places we’ve ever stayed is along Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The historic El Vado Motel originally opened in 1937 as a motor court with open garage spaces to park your car, not unlike many motor inns along Route 66, including the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari. Built in the Spanish Pueblo Revival style, this motel makes your imagination a reality as you experience the Southwest corner of the U.S. In 2005, the El Vado Motel closed, its future uncertain. For a while, it looked like demolition would be the motel’s fate, but in 2008, the City of Albuquerque made it a city landmark. Then, in 2028, the El Vado Motel reopened as a boutique motel that honored the motor inn’s past while giving it a fresh, new vibe. On a road trip in 2022, we gave the motel a try. “El Vado…

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Oklahoma 28 Jun 2023

Stopping By Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger on Route 66 in Miami

If you’re driving Route 66 and find yourself in Miami, Oklahoma, be sure to stop at Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger. This iconic drive-in hamburger joint opened in 1965, and it wasn’t long before more restaurants sprang up across the Midwest. Today, only one restaurant remains. The current owner purchased the restaurant in 1973, and he continues to make sure that his customers can come by for a hamburger or a sweet treat. One cloudy day during spring break, Kristin and I decided to make a drive over to Miami to give it a shot. Joplin is only about a half hour away from Miami, but we’d never been. Incidentally. we only live about two blocks off Route 66 in Joplin. It was time to check out some local history and taste some yummy treats. Initially, I was bummed that our Ku-Ku day was a tad dreary, but really, it made the…

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Oklahoma 20 Mar 2023

Touring the Coleman Theater on Historic Route 66

If you’re driving along Route 66 in Oklahoma, be sure to put the historic Coleman Theater on your list of stops. We had the opportunity to tour this gorgeous theater last spring as part of a paranormal conference and ghost tour. The Coleman Theater still hosts shows and touring acts regularly, but if you’re in the area when nothing is scheduled, be sure to give them a call to see if you can arrange a tour. Or, if you’re lucky, if you stop by during typical business hours, you may just score a tour if someone is available. So don’t think you won’t be able to see the inside of this magnificent theater if you didn’t plan ahead. Check it out. And if you’re on the fence about whether you should stop during your Route 66 adventure. read on. You’ll discover why the Coleman Theater is a highlight of Route…

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Texas 26 Feb 2023

Sampling the Steak at Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo

One of the best things about driving along Route 66 is stopping at all the quirky, historic stops along the way, and Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, fits this description perfectly. Who can resist the challenge of the place–finishing a 72-ounce steak and all the fixings in one hour and getting the meal for free? Turns out, we could resist, but that didn’t stop our family from stopping for lunch on a road trip out west. And let me tell you, the smaller steaks are delicious. Even if you’re not hungry, this place is worth a stop to check out the decor and roadside fun. The Big Texan Steak Ranch and Route 66 The original location of The Big Texan Steak Ranch opened in 1960 along Route 66. When I-40 opened, the location was moved, though it’s worth noting that I-40 mostly runs along Route 66, often parallel…

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New Mexico 21 Aug 2022

Staying a Night at the Historic El Rancho Hotel on Route 66

If you spend enough time driving Route 66 and learning about the highlights along the way, you’ll inevitably stumble upon the El Rancho Hotel and its movie star history. When we found ourselves driving through the American Southwest, we couldn’t resist staying a night. Located right on Route 66 in Gallup, New Mexico, this historic hotel is not only a fun place to sleep, it’s also a fun Route 66 attraction that will have you looking in every nook and cranny for its surprises. History of El Rancho Hotel In the 1930s, a man named R.E. Griffith, known as Griff, came to Gallup. He liked the area enough that he decided to build a hotel, so he hired Joe Massaglia to build the hotel on Route 66. In 1936, the hotel was completed. Griff’s brother, movie director D.W. Griffith, used the hotel to house movie stars and production crews that…

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Illinois 10 Aug 2022

Henry’s Rabbit Ranch on Route 66

When traveling along Route 66, it’s fun to stop at the various roadside attractions you’ll encounter, both original to when Route 66 was in its prime and the newer stops that have resulted in renewed interest in Route 66. Henry’s Rabbit Ranch is one of those newer attractions. Located about 50 miles south of Springfield, Illinois, in Staunton, we found the ranch to be a well-timed stop when we made our trip home from Springfield to Joplin. And it’s a lot of fun! Henry’s Rabbit Ranch: A Little Background Rich Henry, the owner of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch, launched the attraction in 1999 after he came to the rescue of his daughter who needed help with her rabbits that had multiplied. Rich was glad to help, and eventually, the rabbits made their home at the ranch. Over the years, rabbits have come and gone. You can even pay your respects in…

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Missouri 24 Jun 2021

66 Drive-In: Summertime Fun in Carthage, Missouri

Few places scream “summertime” like a drive-in movie, and luckily, 66 Drive-In is one of the few still in operation. Located outside of Carthage, Missouri, along historic Route 66, this drive-in promises family fun under the stars. 66 Drive-In 66 Drive-In: 17231 Old 66 Boulevard, Carthage, Missouri Since we live in nearby Joplin, we arrive from the west. It’s important to arrive early to be sure you can get in, especially when the movie offerings are popular. If you wait too long, you will find yourself in a line of traffic waiting your turn to pull into 66 Drive-In. The drive-in is only open three days–Friday, Saturday, and Sunday–during the summer. Currently, the prices are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for kids. Compared to indoor movie prices, that’s a bargain! And you get to see two films if you wish. One thing to note–you must pay cash to get in,…

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