Developers seek to buy a piece of land from the Grand Canyon Railway and build a $700 million theme park in the Route 66 town of Williams, Ariz., reports the Arizona Daily Sun. It sounds like an awfully ambitious plan, however. Developers think they can draw 8 million to 10 million visitors to theme park, … Continue reading Theme park proposed in Williams, Arizona
Month: January 2006
Kingman, Arizona, sees tourism boom
Not only are tourists visiting the Route 66 desert town of Kingman, Ariz., but many of them are staying -- for good, the Kingman Daily Miner reports. According to the story, mailings of tourism packets have nearly doubled in a year. Motel taxes are on track to easily beat the previous record. Hits on Kingman's … Continue reading Kingman, Arizona, sees tourism boom
Third Barney’s Beanery opens next month
Barney's Beanery, an old roadhouse on Route 66 in West Hollywood, Calif., is opening its third location in Pasadena. It also will be on Route 66, on Colorado Boulevard. Barney's other location is in Santa Monica, also on 66. Burbank Weekly has the details: Barney’s Beanery Pasadena will be a near replica of the original … Continue reading Third Barney’s Beanery opens next month
What’s going to happen with Pixar and Disney?
The stock price of Pixar Animation Studios has been volatile in recent days, fueled by rumors that Pixar soon will have a new distribution deal with Disney. The deal will expire after the release of the Route 66-themed movie, "Cars," on June 6. A few observations: The L.A. Times reported Wednesday that negotiations have focused … Continue reading What’s going to happen with Pixar and Disney?
Yep … byways are a big deal
If anyone has any remaining doubts that the new scenic byway status for Route 66 in Illinois attracts considerable attention, this British travel insurance Web site ought to dispel them. For more information about the program, go to the byways Web site here.
Double whammy for the Elbow Inn
The Elbow Inn, the venerable old barbecue-and-bar in Devils Elbow, Mo., that's a favorite hangout of locals, Fort Leonard Wood soldiers, bikers and Route 66ers, suffered a double dose of bad luck during the holiday weekend. Not only did a burglar force open a door, reports the Waynesville Daily Guide, but the investigation revealed liquor-license … Continue reading Double whammy for the Elbow Inn
Let the eagle soar
This time of year, it's a good time to watch bald eagles near the Mississippi River, especially from the excellent vantage point of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that carried Route 66 for decades. Explore St. Louis, a tourism blog, has the details.
More Corvette kicks
Another writer has decided to road-test the new Corvette Z06 on Route 66, this time one for the Orlando Sentinal. The writer, Bill Baker, found only one flaw with the car, but it was a significant one -- lack of lumbar support. His back ached so much that he had to buy a trucker's pillow … Continue reading More Corvette kicks
Party in a silver bullet
To heck with limousines. Inspired by a trip on Route 66, a Scottish couple have tricked out a vintage Airstream trailer, called Little Vegas, so it can be rented out for birthday parties, festivals and weddings. It contains a bar, jukebox, casino tables and leather sofas. The price? A cool 500 British pounds a night, … Continue reading Party in a silver bullet
Two more walkers attempt Route 66
We'd reported some weeks ago about Rick and Jane McKinney's announcement to walk much of Route 66. They stated their goal for their "Walk to Reclaim America" on their Web site: It's time to reclaim America's Freedoms, Families, and Faith. It's time to stand up and tell the truth about this country's history of faith. … Continue reading Two more walkers attempt Route 66