EAST ROUTE 66 - From Chicago to Albuquerque

As soon as you catch sight of Chicago – the most important city of the Midwest, standing on the shore of Lake Michigan –, its skyline will leave you awestruck. After the devastating 1871 fire, Chicago was rebuilt by the most famous architects of the day – namely Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies Van de Rohe. The city is now one of the finest examples of contemporary architecture in the world. Chicago also boasts plenty of modern artworks, on display at the Millennium Park and in virtually every square, museums as outstanding as the Art Institute and an extremely thriving music scene, with several top-notch jazz, blues and rock clubs and festivals.

Heading diagonally across the state between Chicago and St. Louis, what remains of Route 66 is a surprisingly rural cruise through endless fields of corn. Despite the urban conglomerations at both ends, for most of its nearly 300-mile trek here, Route 66 and its modern usurper, I-55, pass along flat prairies with nary a smokestack or skyscraper as far as the eye can see. The heavy industrial and poverty-stricken hinterlands of Chicago and East St. Louis aren’t terribly rewarding for travelers in search of the Mother Road, but a couple of intriguing attractions—one a prehistoric city, the other a water tower shaped like a catsup bottle—are worth searching out. The only real city along Route 66 is the Illinois state capital, Springfield, which has preserved its sections of Route 66 alongside a wealth of places connected to the namesake president here in the “Land of Lincoln.” Dozens of small towns across the state play up their Route 66 connections, and most boast at least one true old-road landmark. It can be maddening to follow old Route 66 across St. Louis, but its many great spots—Ted Drewes Frozen Custard Stand, in particular—make it well worth the effort. One route crossed the Mississippi River right into downtown from Collinsville, Illinois, while another “City 66” route headed across the Chain of Rocks Bridge before running into downtown St. Louis along Florissant Avenue and Riverview Drive. Heading southwest out of downtown, the old road followed Gravois Avenue, Chippewa Street, and Watson Road, just south of the parallel I-44 freeway.

Springfield is located in the Ozarks region, a mountainous and wooded area in the state of Missouri, and along Route 66.

Kansas City lies on the border between two states, Kansas and Missouri. It is famous for its 200 fountains, excellent barbecue and jazz, which has been present in the city since the 1920s, where the music scene is still very lively, especially along 12th Street, which is full of bars and jazz clubs.

The actual capital of the homonymous state, Oklahoma City, has a strong economy based on the energy industry, aerospace, and agriculture. The historic Route 66 passes right in front of its majestic Capitol, the only government building in the world surrounded by active oil wells.

After leaving Oklahoma City, continue along Route 66 until you reach Hydro, Texas, and visit Lucille's Service Station. Built in 1929, it is one of the few remaining historic service stations on Route 66 in Oklahoma. Continue along Route 66 to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. Here you will find memorabilia that tells the story and legends of the most famous highway in the United States. As you cross the state border towards Amarillo, Texas, you will travel through a part of Route 66 rich in vintage icons and references to the Wild West. Long stretches of the old road still remain, in various places with the original pavement. Amarillo, whose name in Spanish means yellow, is due to the color of the clayey soils when wet. It is located along Route 66 and near Palo Duro Canyon National Park. The city offers excellent Tex-Mex cuisine, thanks to the numerous cattle ranches in the area.

At the heart of New Mexico beats the pulse of a vibrant city. In Albuquerque, diverse cultures, authentic art and dynamic traditions have helped shape our centuries-old story. No matter your interests, the city has countless opportunities for you to explore. Sample traditional New Mexican cuisine that takes minutes to make and hundreds of years to prepare, experience world-class museums, stroll along Central Avenue under the vintage neon glow of Route 66, or soar high above the city in the hot air ballooning capital of the world — a sight sure to change your perspective. Immerse yourself in our painted skies, abundant space and more than 310 days of sunshine, which make it possible to ski the slopes of the Sandia Mountains and play a round at one of our award-winning golf courses, all in the same day. Albuquerque is an oasis in the high desert, full of rich history and inspiring ideas.