Route 66 : 50 attractions emblématiques à découvrir état par état

Pour les amateurs de nostalgie, emprunter les 3 940 km de la Route 66 est une expérience incontournable. Surnommée "Main Street of America", cette autoroute légendaire, approuvée en 1926, a inspiré voyages, chansons et films. John Steinbeck l'a baptisée "Mother Road" dans Les Raisins de la colère, tandis que Nat King Cole en a fait un tube en 1946. Même Tow Mater de Cars (2006) tire son origine d'une dépanneuse rouillée à Galena, Kansas.

Après la Grande Dépression, des familles ont traversé huit États, de Chicago à Los Angeles, le long de boutiques familiales, stations-service et motels. Visitez encore l'Old Riverton Store à Riverton (Kansas), savourez une root beer au Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In à Seligman (Arizona) ou dormez au Blue Swallow Motel à Tucumcari (Nouveau-Mexique).

Désaffectée en 1985 au profit des interstates, 80 % de la route originelle subsiste. Sites restaurés et statut de sentier historique national (loi du Congrès 2018) en font un trésor préservé.

Stacker a compilé 50 attractions état par état, s'appuyant sur sites historiques, reportages, Roadside America et National Park Service. Parcourez-les pour un road trip authentique.

Vous pourriez aussi aimer : la destination la plus probable pour les voyageurs de tous les États

1 / 50

Parc Grant (Chicago, Illinois)

Many start at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, Chicago's oldest, before heading west. Spot the original "Historic Route 66 Begin" sign at Adams Street and Wabash Avenue (south side, facing west). The "End Historic Route 66" is at Jackson and Michigan Avenues.

2 / 50

Ville murale (Pontiac, Illinois)

Pontiac boasts 23 murals, including the Route 66 shield behind the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum. Grab a mural guide there or follow red painted footprints for a self-guided walking tour.

3 / 50

Géant de Lauterbach (Springfield, Illinois)

This 20-foot fiberglass "muffler man" overlooks Lauterbach Auto Service parking since 1978. Originally holding a tire, it now waves an American flag. A 2006 tornado replaced its head.

4 / 50

Pont Chain of Rocks (Madison, Illinois)

Built in 1929, this 1-km bridge spans 18 m above the Mississippi, linking Madison to St. Louis. Popular with drivers and cyclists, it's named for 17-mile rocky rapids covered by a 1960s dam. Cost: $2.5M, double the estimate.

5 / 50

La plus grande bouteille de ketchup du monde (Collinsville, Illinois)

South of downtown, this 52-m historic water tower (1949, Brooks Foods) could hold 640 000 ketchup bottles. The now-closed factory adds to its quirky charm.

6 / 50

Henry's Rabbit Ranch (Staunton, Illinois)

Step out to meet fuzzy friends at this VW rabbit haven. Tours by appointment; browse rabbits, gifts, and Route 66 souvenirs.

7 / 50

Ancienne cabane en rondins (Pontiac, Illinois)

Start your day at Old Log Cabin restaurant with fresh eggs and hash browns. Opened 1926 as diner/gas station; now serves 5am-8pm daily except Sundays. Locals rave about cheeseburgers, coconut cream pie, rhubarb pie.

8 / 50

(Ancien) plus grand fauteuil à bascule du monde (Cuba, Missouri)

Fanning's 13-m steel rocker held Guinness record until 2015 (Casey, IL: 17 m). Built to rock (did in 2008), now fixed. Prime roadside attraction.

9 / 50

66 Drive-In Theatre (Carthage, Missouri)

One of 325 remaining U.S. drive-ins (peak: 1950s). Open early April to mid-September.

10 / 50

Parc d'État de la Route 66 (Eureka, Missouri)

Visitor center in 1935 Bridgehead Inn details highway history. Trails and picnic areas for road-weary travelers.

11 / 50

Cavernes de Meramec (Stanton, Missouri)

Multi-level natural cave, tourist site since 1933. Alleged Jesse James hideout. 1h20 guided 2-km tour, well-lit.

12 / 50

Motel Wagon Wheel (Cuba, Missouri)

Oldest operating Route 66 motel (1935). Original 1940s neon; updated 1930s doors/windows/floors.

13 / 50

Le coude du diable (Missouri)

Scenic Ozark Mountains/Mark Twain National Forest stretch. Classic diners, bars for American nostalgia.

14 / 50

Cars on the Route (Galena, Kansas)

13 miles in Kansas; restored Kan-O-Tex gas station themed Cars, home to Tow Mater-inspired tow truck. "Four Women on the Route" by Betty Courtney et al.

15 / 50

Musée historique et minier de Galena (Galena, Kansas)

In old MKT depot; educates on mining history. Reveals Pixar based Radiator Springs on Galena.

16 / 50

Pont de Brush Creek (Comté de Cherokee, Kansas)

1923 Rainbow Bridge (James Barney Marsh design, patented 1912). 40-m span used until 1960s interstate.

17 / 50

Magasin Williams (Riverton, Kansas)

Built 1925 by Leo Williams; sold to Eisler family ~50 years later. Groceries, sandwiches, Route 66 souvenirs.

18 / 50

Station-service indépendante de pétrole et gaz de Baxter Springs (Baxter Springs, Kansas)

One of three Kansas Route 66 towns. Homey post-Depression design to comfort customers.

19 / 50

Épicerie Milk Bottle (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

1930 landmark: 32-m² building atop giant milk bottle. Photo op; hosted cleaners, realtors, etc. Dairy ads on side.

20 / 50

Baleine bleue (Catoosa, Oklahoma)

Zoologist Hugh S. Davis' 1972 replica for grandkids' play/swim (2-year build). No swimming now; picnic tables nearby.

21 / 50

Station-service et relais routier de Lucille (Hydro, Oklahoma)

1929 build; restored original. Vintage pumps, historic marker on Lucille Hamons' 50+ years running it.

22 / 50

Station Conoco d'Allen (Commerce, Oklahoma)

~1930 "Hole in the Wall"; Conoco then Phillips 66 (1938). Bonnie & Clyde rumors. Now souvenir shop.

23 / 50

Parc des mâts totémiques (Foyil, Oklahoma)

Ed Galloway's concrete/stone folk art (1937-1961; restored 1988-1998). 18-m tallest totem; Native/bird motifs. 5.6 km off Route 66.

24 / 50

Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, Texas)

1974 San Francisco artists buried 10 Cadillacs (1949-1964) nose-down. Funded by Stanley Marsh 3. Graffiti welcome. Exit 66 off I-40.

25 / 50

VW Slug Bug Ranch (Conway, Texas)

Less crowded alternative: buried VW Beetles near Amarillo. GPS: "Conway Inn & Restaurant".

26 / 50

Midpoint Café (Adrian, Texas)

Official Route 66 midpoint (1 139 miles each way to Chicago/LA). White line/marker. Burgers inspired Flo's V8 Café in Cars.

27 / 50

Tower Station et U-Drop Inn Café (Shamrock, Texas)

1936 complex: detail shop, Conoco station, café (named by local kid contest winner). Now visitor center/chamber/community hub.

28 / 50

Tour penchée du Texas (Groom, Texas)

Ralph Britten's leaning tower (80° angle) lured diners fearing collapse. Restaurant burned; tower remains.

29 / 50

Big Texan Steak Ranch (Amarillo, Texas)

1960 opener. Free 2-kg steak + sides if finished in 1h. Nearby motel for rest.

30 / 50

Motel Blue Swallow (Tucumcari, Nouveau-Mexique)

1939; oldest operating NM Route 66 motel. Vintage neon, restored rooms (some with private garages).

31 / 50

Tee Pee Curios (Tucumcari, Nouveau-Mexique)

1940s gas station turned gift shop: jewelry, pottery, Route 66 souvenirs. Enter via concrete wigwam; shield mural.

32 / 50

Clines Corners Retail Center (Clines Corners, Nouveau-Mexique)

1934 traveler stop. RV parking overnight; café for breakfast/burgers/burritos.

33 / 50

66 Diner (Albuquerque, Nouveau-Mexique)

1950s diner vibe (ex-gas station, 1987). Huge PEZ collection; shakes/malts.

34 / 50

Hôtel El Rancho (Gallup, Nouveau-Mexique)

1936 Hollywood favorite (Wayne, Hepburn, Bogart stayed). Star-named rooms.

35 / 50

Blue Hole (Santa Rosa, Nouveau-Mexique)

Sapphire sinkhole: ex-fish hatchery (1930s), now swim/dive spot. 25-m deep, 16°C artesian-fed.

36 / 50

Hackberry General Store (Hackberry, Arizona)

~80 years old; spot vintage (non-working) pumps. Walls/ceiling: global license plates/patches. 1950s diner replica; souvenirs.

37 / 50

Standin' On the Corner Park (Winslow, Arizona)

Eagles' "Take It Easy" inspired statue (man with guitar by red truck). Built 30 years later post-I-40 bypass.

38 / 50

Boutique de cadeaux Original Route 66 d'Angel et Vilma (Seligman, Arizona)

Angel Delgadillo (90 ans, "Guardian of the Mother Road") turned barber shop to gift shop 1987; co-founded AZ Historic Route 66 Assoc. Occasional haircuts.

39 / 50

Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In (Seligman, Arizona)

Root beer/burgers; walls/ceiling covered in global visitor donations. Juan opened 1953; son runs it.

40 / 50

Ville d'Oatman (Oatman, Arizona)

Ex-mining town: wild burros roam. Gable/Lombard honeymooned nearby Oatman Hotel (now museum/restaurant).

41 / 50

Wigwam Village Motel n°6 (Holbrook, Arizona)

1950 teepee motel (6th version). Classic cars out front; modern AC/cable inside. Lewis family owned.

42 / 50

Parc national du Grand Canyon (Arizona)

Detour from Williams: 100 km north to South Rim. One of world's natural wonders.

43 / 50

Cratère de météore (Meteor City, Arizona)

5 000-50 000 ans; meteor impact site. Near I-40/66; AC visitor center views.

44 / 50

Elmer Long's Bottle Tree Ranch (Oro Grande, Californie)

Instagram-famous: childhood bottles on metal pipes create rainbows. Spot rake-topped favorite.

45 / 50

Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe (Victorville, Californie)

1947 staple (>70 years); in Kill Bill Vol. 2. Breakfast eggs/pancakes; lunch burgers/sundaes.

46 / 50

Musée Rt. 66 (Victorville, Californie)

History, 1950s diner/VW Love Bus photo ops, Model T. Library/souvenir shop.

47 / 50

McDonald's d'origine (San Bernardino, Californie)

1948 near Route 66 (1398 N. E St. & W 14th). Ray Kroc met McDonald brothers here selling shake mixers.

48 / 50

Station-service Cucamonga (Rancho Cucamonga, Californie)

1915 canary-yellow; gas to 1960s, derelict 1970s, now restored museum.

49 / 50

Roy's Motel & Café (Amboy, Californie)

1938 in "ghost town" Amboy. Iconic sign photo spot. Browse old mags, buy snacks/souvenirs.

50 / 50

Jeté de Santa Monica (Santa Monica, Californie)

Original 1926 end: downtown LA. 2009 scenic pier sign post-Bubba Gump, pre-Playland arcade (~60 m walk).

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