Northern Arizona sees a surge in tourism

We're starting to see a pattern here ... Northern Arizona -- namely the city of Flagstaff and surround Coconino County -- saw record levels of tourism in 2010, while the rest of the state declined, reported Arizona Public Media. And Route 66 takes part of the credit. Travelers spent $948 million in Coconino County in … Continue reading Northern Arizona sees a surge in tourism

State honors Arizona Route 66 passport program

The Arizona Route 66 passport program received the prestigious Governor's Tourism Award during the Governor's Conference on Tourism earlier this month in Phoenix, reported the Williams-Grand Canyon News. The Arizona Historic Route 66 Passport, spearheaded by the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona (Association) on behalf of the Route 66 communities, received the distinguished Cooperative … Continue reading State honors Arizona Route 66 passport program

Round Barn billboard dispute festers

The dispute between the owner of a billboard and proponents of the historic Round Barn of Arcadia, Okla., shows no end in sight, according to a report by The Oklahoman. Zoom Media purchased a small parcel just east of the Round Barn in October and erected a billboard there. The Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society, … Continue reading Round Barn billboard dispute festers

Joliet prison may become tourism attraction

The long-closed Joliet Correctional Center, located off Route 66 in Joliet, Ill., and the setting for the opening scene of "The Blues Brothers," is seriously being considered as a tourism site, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. The Joliet prison opened in the 1850s, and during the early years, inmates were used to build the … Continue reading Joliet prison may become tourism attraction

San Bernardino County will sign part of Route 66

San Bernardino County in California plans to designate a portion of historic Route 66 as "County Highway 66" as a way to kick-start its County Route Marker Program. According to a news release from the county: Vice-Chairman Mitzelfelt is using $45,000 of his office’s discretionary funding to pay for the signage on the route. No federal dollars … Continue reading San Bernardino County will sign part of Route 66

Disney provides new inside look at Cars Land

The Disney Parks Blog today provided a new peek inside of the Cars Land amusement park under construction at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. Most of the pictures dealt with the Radiator Springs Racers ride in Cars Land. This is a photo of the Cadillac Range, inspired by Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, and its … Continue reading Disney provides new inside look at Cars Land

Pontiac tourism up 30% this year

Businesses and chambers of commerce along Route 66, take note -- data collected at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Ill., indicate that tourism there has risen nearly 30 percent in 2011, compared to the same period a year ago. According to a news release today from Ellie Alexander, director … Continue reading Pontiac tourism up 30% this year

A virtual view of Cars Land

Disney has created this video that gives you a virtual preview of the Cars Land amusement park that's being built at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif.: https://youtu.be/Pt_9rujHJBo Cars Land is a re-creation of the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs from the "Cars" movies, although much of that town is inspired by real-life Route … Continue reading A virtual view of Cars Land

Notes from the Route 66 festival

A lot is going on this weekend at the International Route 66 Festival in Amarillo. But Friday, most of the newsworthy stuff Friday could be found at the artists and authors exposition, housed in the San Jacinto Christian Academy cafeteria. The inside of the cafeteria provides a good indication why it was used. Check out all … Continue reading Notes from the Route 66 festival

Cars Land set for summer 2012 opening

The Cars Land theme park -- based on the Route 66 town of Radiator Springs from the 2006 Disney-Pixar film "Cars" -- at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., will open in summer 2012, according to a report in the Orange County Register. Cars Land is part of $1 billion, 12-acre expansion of Disney California Adventure. … Continue reading Cars Land set for summer 2012 opening