Planning to drive from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Check out these legendary Route 66 stops along the way.

Fans of the filmsand anyone with young kidswill want to stop byCars on the Route.

Walkway up to the bean

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Bringing in visitors since 1972, it was purchased by the City of Catoosa in 2020.

In 1926, that road would become part of Route 66.

The site also served as an engine repair shop before being transformed into a tourist attraction in the 1990s.

The gemini giant in Wilmington, Illinois at night

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The motorcycle museum component was added in 2010 and has been drawing in more visitors since.

It’s also known for having more than 700 kinds of sodas, so come thirsty.

It’s definitely worth the stop for a photo op.

The Windows to History exhibit at the Route History Museum in Springfield, Illinois

Courtesy of Route History

The turquoise-blue swimming hole is also a popular destination for diving, snorkeling, and scuba diving year-round.

There’s even an old-school soda fountain if you’re feeling nostalgic.

You’ll also be close to the Badlands-likePainted Desertif you feel like taking a 50-minute detour.

Gateway Arch and St. Louis Skyline

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Then, stick around for stargazing at the Giovale Open Deck Observatory once the sun sets.

Plan your visit for a Saturday night to takea ghost tourthrough this once-abandoned town.

McDonald’s famous golden arches can be spotted from highways across the country.

Caverns of Fisher Cave in Missouri

Courtesy of Missouri State Parks

You’ve earned it.

Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas, on Route 66

Courtesy of Cars on the Route

Rainbow Bridge / Brush Creek Bridge in Kansas, Route 66

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View of the historic Coleman Theatre from the stage

Courtesy of The Coleman Theatre

A visitor walks up to the Blue Whale, a classic Route 66 landmark and curiosity, in Catoosa, Oklahoma, 04 July 2003.

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Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum in Warwick, Oklahoma, part of Route 66

Courtesy of National Park Service

Pops on Route 66 in Oklahoma

Courtesy of Pops

Historic Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas

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Exterior of the Devils Rope and Route 66 Museum in McLean Tx

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Leaning Tower of Texas

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Cadillac Ranch on Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas

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Mesalands Dinosaur Museum and Natural Sciences Lab

Courtesy of Mesalands Dinosaur Museum and Natural Sciences Lab

The Blue Hole is a famous deep pool with hidden underwater caves. Santa Rosa, New Mexico, US.

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Interesting looking artwork at the Tinkertown Museum in Sandia Park, New Mexico, on Route 66

Courtesy of Tinkertown Museum

Route 66 Diner on Central Avenue, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

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Petrified Forest National Park

Witold Skrypczak / Lonely Planet Images / Getty Images

Elevated view of Meteor Crater

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Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Route 66

Courtesy of Lowell Observatory

Calico Ghost Town in the California Desert

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The world’s oldest-operating McDonald’s fast food restaurant on its 50th anniversary August 18, 2003 in Downey, California.

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Santa Monica pier ferris wheel at night

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