Topock 66 Resort and Spa sets grand opening for June 16

The new Topock 66 Resort and Spa in Topock, Arizona, will hold a grand opening and ribbon-cutting from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 16, according to an announcement a few days ago. The event also will come with complementary drinks, live entertainment, an appearance by U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar and "other surprises and guests." … Continue reading Topock 66 Resort and Spa sets grand opening for June 16

Cracks appear on Skydeck Ledge of Willis Tower

Cracks spidered on the transparent floor of a Skydeck Ledge of Chicago's Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, after visitors stood on it 103 floors above ground level, according to various media reports. The NBC affiliate in Chicago posted this video: The Chicago Tribune reported: "I had my palms on the floor and … Continue reading Cracks appear on Skydeck Ledge of Willis Tower

Bloomington moves forward on Route 66 tourism center

Even though it doesn't have all the money needed for the project, the McLean County Museum of History in Bloomington, Illinois, is taking bids on building a tourism center that will highlight Route 66, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The project would turn the south lawn of the museum square into a plaza pointing visitors to the … Continue reading Bloomington moves forward on Route 66 tourism center

Ground broken on Birthplace of Route 66 Park

Officials in Springfield, Missouri, held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for the Birthplace of Route 66 Park as part of the College Street revitalization project. This report by KOLR-TV contains some vintage footage of Route 66 in Springfield: Officials hope to get the first stage of the park completed by the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival … Continue reading Ground broken on Birthplace of Route 66 Park

Arizona publishes travel guide for electric vehicle drivers

The Arizona Office of Tourism launched an Electric Vehicle Travel Guide that includes tours on Route 66, according to a story on HybridCars.com. AOT’s Electric Vehicle Travel Guide is said to be tailored specifically for all-electric vehicle travelers and filled with valuable, downloadable travel information. The AOT said the guide provides multiple suggested itineraries that combine statewide destinations … Continue reading Arizona publishes travel guide for electric vehicle drivers

Groundbreaking on Route 66 park in Springfield is tomorrow

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Route 66 roadside park in Springfield, Missouri, is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, reported KSPR-TV in Springfield. The park will be on West College Street, between Fort and Broadway. The park, which celebrates the city's role as "the birthplace of Route 66," or where the region's road officials accepted the … Continue reading Groundbreaking on Route 66 park in Springfield is tomorrow

Museum wants to organize tours of Joliet Prison

The City of Joliet, Illinois, hopes to strike an agreement with the Illinois Department of Corrections so the long-closed Joliet Prison can be reopened for tours, reported the Northwest Herald. The Joliet Area Historical Museum is clamoring for access of the old prison because tourists -- many of them traveling on Route 66 -- want to … Continue reading Museum wants to organize tours of Joliet Prison

Brand USA now focusing on Route 66 tourism in Missouri

A recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch confirms what we'd suspected -- that Brand USA next would be concentrating on promoting Route 66 in Missouri. We'd noted a few weeks ago that Brand USA, aka DiscoverAmerica.com, had posted high-quality YouTube videos promoting parts of Route 66 in Illinois for potential British, Japanese and German … Continue reading Brand USA now focusing on Route 66 tourism in Missouri

A visit to Cars Land

Here's one of the best videos I've seen about Cars Land in Disney California Adventure Park. It's another example of high-quality equipment and editing software being available to regular folks. Scott & Jimmy Visit Cars Land from Rick Stewart on Vimeo. Naturally, Cars Land's fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs is based on the … Continue reading A visit to Cars Land

World’s Largest Covered Wagon repaired

The World's Largest Covered Wagon, aka the Railsplitter Covered Wagon, in Lincoln, Ill., has been repaired in time for tourism season after a severe windstorm damaged it in January. The Bloomington Pantagraph reported: "It was a challenge, and because it is in the Guinness Book of World Records, we had to make sure that we … Continue reading World’s Largest Covered Wagon repaired