A sports betting firm that analyzed online data listed Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo as the seventh most-crowded place in Texas. The Amarillo Globe-News, which flagged the study, reported that Canada Sports Betting issued the most-crowded list in the Lone Star State. The team at Canada Sports Betting analyzed TripAdvisor reviews for Texas’ top tourist destinations, … Continue reading Study: Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo the seventh most-crowded place in Texas
Category: Attractions
Planned $2 billion theme park near Vinita may not happen at all
Two years ago, a $2 billion theme park off Route 66 in Vinita, Oklahoma, was announced with much fanfare from the principals and area officials. Now, the Tulsa World reports that an apparent falling out between two of the project's principals has placed it in limbo. The newspaper reported the American Heartland theme park may … Continue reading Planned $2 billion theme park near Vinita may not happen at all
Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita soon will add a second Muffler Man
The Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita, Oklahoma, recently announced it had acquired a second Muffler Man that will be added to its premises. The Route 66 restaurant stated on Facebook that it will move its Big Bill fiberglass statue next door to its Western Motel and its fabulous neon sign. That's so it makes way for … Continue reading Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita soon will add a second Muffler Man
Expert: Muffler Men seeing a resurgence across the U.S.
Joel Baker, an expert on the Muffler Men made in the 1960s and '70s, reported something I've suspected for a few years -- that those fiberglass giants are seeing a big resurgence across the country. Baker in this recent video recounts all the activity seen with new and old Muffler Men, including along the Route … Continue reading Expert: Muffler Men seeing a resurgence across the U.S.
Sprague’s Super Service station in Normal receives $150,000 grant
The Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau won a $150,000 state tourism grant for further restorations to Sprague’s Super Service in Normal, Illinois, before Route 66's centennial next year. According to WGLT radio, the money comes from the Route 66 Grant Program, which aims to preserve and educate travelers along the state's Route 66 corridor. The funds … Continue reading Sprague’s Super Service station in Normal receives $150,000 grant
Doug Quarles, creator of dozens of murals in Tucumcari, dies of cancer at 72
Doug Quarles, creator of an estimated 50 murals -- many along Route 66 -- in Tucumcari, New Mexico, died of colon and rectal cancer last week. He was 72. Several muralists have followed in his footsteps in Tucumcari, but his efforts, starting in 2003, raised the city's tourism profile and led the chamber of commerce … Continue reading Doug Quarles, creator of dozens of murals in Tucumcari, dies of cancer at 72
Albuquerque opens Route 66 Trailhead at former Little Beaver Town site
The City of Albuquerque a few days ago opened the Route 66 Trailhead at the long-defunct Little Beaver Town site that once operated on Route 66 in the East Mountains area. According to a news release from the city, the trail functions as a new community access point to the Manzano/Four-Hills and Tijeras Bio-Zone trail … Continue reading Albuquerque opens Route 66 Trailhead at former Little Beaver Town site
Original stretch of Route 66 opens to public at Carpenter Park in Springfield
The City of Springfield, Illinois, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week to celebrate the opening of a quarter-mile stretch of original Route 66 in Carpenter Park to the public. The 16-foot-wide roadway, which had served as Route 66 from 1926 to 1936, sat unused and mostly neglected for 90 years. More from Capital City Now: … Continue reading Original stretch of Route 66 opens to public at Carpenter Park in Springfield
Viking Carpet giant installed at American Giants Museum
The American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, has added another very tall artifact. This time, it's the Viking Carpet giant, originally hailing from Virginia, that was installed at the Route 66 landmark. It was purchased two years ago and restored. The Viking giant stands alongside the Phillips 66 Cowboy and a Snerd at the museum. … Continue reading Viking Carpet giant installed at American Giants Museum
New Muffler Man installed at O’Brien Tire & Auto Care in Granite City
Another Muffler Man stands along the Mother Road when the fiberglass giant named Earl was installed at O'Brien Tire & Auto Care in Granite City, Illinois. The business announced the arrival of the Muffer Man in late June: The O’Brien Tire shop at 3924 Nameoki Road (aka Route 66) has been operating for nearly 120 … Continue reading New Muffler Man installed at O’Brien Tire & Auto Care in Granite City