Leisure Group Travel October 2019
The Mother of All Road Trips By Kathy Nolan
It’s never too late to visit the Sooner state. https://www.route66roadtrip.com/route-66-maps.htm#oklahoma
Planning to motor west? Get your kicks at quirky landmarks and shoot plenty of Instagram-worthy pictures along the Mother Road. Take the Great American Road Trip along Oklahoma’s 432-mile stretch of black asphalt lined with iconic attractions on Route 66. “Oklahoma boasts the most original drivable miles of the world’s most famous road. Over 100 unique attractions, restaurants and don’t miss surprises await you on the Mother Road in our state,” proudly proclaims Todd Stallbaumer, Consumer and Trade Marketing Director - Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department.
Roll down the windows, crank up the radio and travel in nostalgic style with a stop in Miami at the historic Coleman Theatre. Remarkable melodies from a 1929 Wurlitzer pipe organ transport patrons back to the Roaring 1920s when the Spanish Mission Revival building was constructed to host vaudeville shows and silent movies. Sparkling chandeliers and dark mahogany add to the grandeur of the opulent Louis IV décor. Email [email protected] to schedule a 60-minute Beautiful Tour, offered Tuesday-Saturday at the Coleman Theatre. A suggested $5 donation per guest is encouraged to help continue the restoration and maintenance efforts of the historic venue. colemantheatre.org
He never met a man he didn’t like. Learn more about the Oklahoma statesman at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore. Rope tricks, leading acts and thoughtful essays offer a brief glimpse into a day in the life of this larger-than-life character. Don’t just read the rare authentic movie posters that cover museum walls. Watch Will Rogers in one of his famous films that are screened daily in an onsite theatre. Before riding off into the sunset, pay your respects to the legendary performer with a visit to his tomb, located on the memorial grounds. willrogers.com
Some people call him the Space Cowboy of Tulsa. He might not be Steve Miller’s gangster of love, but this 21-ft blue-eyed security guard who protects Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios is out of this world. The “Muffler Man” is a large, fiberglass sculpture originally used as advertisement in the 1960s, that has been recently transformed and installed by artist Mark Cline and sculptor Chris Wollard, who both collaborated with American Giants to restore and reinvent the vintage hero. Step inside the “souvenir shop on steroids” to find the ultimate kitschy (yet somehow still cool) token to document your adventure. buckatomson66.com
Fill ‘er up! That’s a tall order at the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa. Fortunately, the 10,000-sq. ft. dream garage is also home to the World’s Tallest Gas Pump, topping off at 66-ft. Imagination and hard work has transformed an old decommissioned Armory into a sweet dream featuring three huge garage doors that open to house rare antique cars on the former drill room floor. On June 24th, the museum will be promoted as an official pit stop in the 2020 Great American Race. heartofroute66.org Tires and toddlers screech when they pull in to the Rock Café in Stroud. Already famous for its rugged stone face, the diner was constructed with rock removed when the Mother Road was built. In 2001, a team of Pixar animators came to dinner and were inspired to create a Cars character based on Dawn Welch, the charismatic owner. The only thing more popular than the real-life Sally Carrera is Betsy the Grill. More than five million burgers and chicken fried steaks have been seared to perfection on her 200-pound frame over the last 75 years. The café décor features souvenirs left by the Pixar crew and gifts received from Disney. rockcafert66.com
For pure refreshment and entertainment, pop the top on one of 700 signature sodas at one of the newest attractions on the Mother Road in Arcadia. A 66-ft. LED soda pop sculpture at POPS sends a beacon of multi-colored light to point the way to thirsty travelers. A sleek, sophisticated oasis stocks over 12,000 bottles of carbonated concoctions. The diner features old-fashioned milkshakes, juicy burgers and the famous chicken fried steak. After you fill up on American classics, top off you next and hit the road. pops66.com
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton depicts The Mother Road throughout the decades of her history.
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum - Clinton The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton pays homage to the history of transportation and Route 66 in Oklahoma. See why the highway had such an impact on American culture and the hearts of people all over the world. The neon “Route 66” sign on the museum and a classic car in the window give visitors a taste of what they’ll see inside: pure Americana. As you walk in, check out the “world’s largest curio cabinet,” a unique collection of items found on Route 66 throughout the years. Follow the timeline of Route 66 with and explore exhibits showcasing the history of the highway in each decade since its inception, starting with the route's initial construction in the 1920s. Artifacts, signs, vehicles and memorabilia have survived to tell the story of the highway’s golden years, its eventual decline and the nostalgia that surrounds Route 66 today.
• National Route 66 Museum – Elk City - https://www.elkcity.com/departments/museums/national-route-66- museum/
National Route 66 & Transportation Museum - Elk City Visit the National Route 66 & Transportation Museum in Elk City to take a journey through each of the eight states Route 66 passes through – from Illinois all the way to California. See quirky roadside attractions that lured people to stop, and get a feel for the experience of traveling down Route 66. Walk through displays of antique cars and historical documents detailing the narrative of America’s highway. The National Route 66 & Transportation Museum invites both children and adults to experience automobiles of the past with interactive and hands-on displays. “Drive” down Route 66 in a 1955 pink Cadillac and watch a black and white movie at a mock drive-in theater while sitting in a classic Chevy Impala. The museum is part of the Elk City Museum Complex, complete with displays and artifacts that give a glimpse into the lives of early settlers in Western Oklahoma, as well as the Farm and Ranch Museum, celebrating Oklahoma’s agricultural heritage. While you’re at the complex, make sure to see the replicas of a schoolhouse, opera house, doctor’s office and chapel, and immerse yourself in pioneer history.
Blue Whale Catoosa
Drive too fast and you’ll do a double-take, “Was that a whale back there?” Indeed it is–Catoosa’s famous Blue Whale was built in 1972 “for fun” by a local zoologist. Fashioned from hand-mixed concrete and painted a bright sky blue, the whale is hollow inside and now serves as a kind of roadside playground (a perfect stop for tired kids stuck in the backseat). They also offer catch-and- release fishing for children.
Lucille's Service Station & Roadhouse - Hydro & Weatherford During the bustling beginnings of Route 66, service stations popped up along the road to accommodate the needs of travelers. Built in 1929 in Hydro, Lucille’s Service Station is one of only two service stations of its kind left on Oklahoma’s stretch of Route 66. While no longer in business, Lucille’s is a tribute to a bygone era, restored to its original condition. A historical marker at the site tells the story of the service station and its namesake, Lucille Hamons, who ran the business for over 50 years. Long gone are the attendants to pump gas, but the vintage pumps are still there. Remember or imagine the days when friendly service could be found up and down America’s highway.
Inspired by Lucille’s Service Station, a restaurant in Weatherford recreates the look of the service station, down to the vintage gas pumps in front. Lucille’s Roadhouse takes visitors back to the hoppin’ 1950s, with a diner-style restaurant and Route 66 memorabilia. From juicy cheeseburgers to gravy-covered chicken fried steak, the menu is overflowing with good ol’ American favorites. Play classic tunes on the jukebox while you wait for a Western hamburger steak or fried catfish. To sample savory steaks and delicious house specialties, make your way upstairs to the steakhouse.
From juicy cheeseburgers to gravy-covered chicken fried steak, the menu is overflowing with good ol' American favorites.
Totem Pole Park - Chelsea Stop by Totem Pole Park near Chelsea to see the world’s largest concrete totem pole, located right off Route 66. Totem Pole Park, a quirky and popular roadside stop along the Mother Road, was started by Ed Galloway in 1937 as a tribute to the American Indian. He designed and created the giant, colorful totem pole, standing tall at 90 feet and featuring various bas-relief depictions of animals and native people. See a number of similar totems, on a smaller scale, littered around the park. Take a walk around the park, then visit the eleven-sided Fiddle House, also designed by Galloway. The Fiddle House contains a number of ornate fiddles, hand-carved by Galloway himself.
Visit Totem Pole Park to see the world's largest concrete totem pole - standing at 90 ft. tall. The park was started in the late 1930s and is a popular and unique Route 66 roadside attraction. You can walk around the park and visit the 11-sided Fiddle House on the grounds.
Round Barn - Arcadia Built in 1898, Arcadia’s Round Barn had a presence many years before Route 66 was even constructed. The only wooden round barn left in Oklahoma, the structure originally housed livestock and hay, and doubled as a community center where dances were held. While the Round Barn has been a long-time Route 66 landmark, it fell into disrepair in the 1970s and 1980s. After the roof collapsed in 1988, the Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the property and volunteers banded together to repair the roof and restore the entire structure. Today, the Round Barn is home to exhibits of Route 66 memorabilia and a gift shop. See this over 100 year-old architecturally stunning barn for yourself, and tour the structure for an unforgettable look inside.
Even before Oklahoma was a state, the Round Barn stood as an icon on Oklahoma land. The barn was built in 1898 and has become an iconic landmark along Route 66. You can stop into the barn's gift shop and see exhibits of Route 66 memorabilia.
Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum - Warwick Step inside the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum in Warwick for a motorcycle lover’s dream. Seaba Station was built in 1921 as a full-service gas station. Later, the building served as an engine rebuilding shop and antique shop before being renovated and converted into a museum for vintage and modern motorcycles. Visit the museum to view over 65 motorcycles dating from 1908 to present. Admire the streamlined designs, and see how the bikes evolved over time. Displays, antiques and souvenirs round out this fascinating collection.
Waylan's Ku-Ku Burger - Miami On your way through Miami, whether you want a sit-down meal or prefer drive- thru, Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger on Route 66 is sure to cure your food cravings. This unique place can’t be missed. The building resembles a cuckoo clock, right down to the giant yellow cuckoo bird popping out of the roof and this little fast food restaurant has become a steadfast Route 66 icon. Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger has been a Miami staple since the ‘60s, when it was one location of a national chain. Now it’s the only Waylan’s left, and people keep coming back for the delicious hamburgers, ku-ku fries, tator tots, fried pickles, buffalo burgers, chili dogs and so much more. Don’t forget about dessert: a dip cone, sundae or malt will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Blue Whale - Catoosa What’s big, blue, wears a baseball cap and has a great smile? Put on the brakes for the one and only Blue Whale of Catoosa. The Blue Whale was constructed in the early ‘70s as an anniversary gift and became a local swimming hole attraction. Today visitors are invited to stop by and say, “Hello!” to the jovial cement mammal. Enjoy lunch on the picnic tables and marvel at the novelty of a landlocked whale in northeastern Oklahoma. Make sure to take plenty of pictures of this unusual roadside attraction along Route 66.
JM Davis Arms & Historical Museum - Claremore Explore a world of amazing collections at the renowned J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum. This museum, located in Claremore just off Route 66, holds an extensive arsenal of firearms whose origins span the globe and the centuries, including guns used by notorious criminals like Pretty Boy Floyd and Pancho Villa. In addition to this fascinating collection, there are thousands of other interesting items on display. WWI posters, vintage campaign ribbons, antique saddles, Western memorabilia and other artifacts give a fascinating look into America’s past. This museum is closed Sundays from November to mid-March.