Grand Canyon Caverns, on Route 66 between Seligman and Peach Springs, Ariz., boasts a number of gimmicks and attractions to draw in tourists. But the latest one may be the strangest -- and among the most enticing -- one yet. A few weeks ago, Grand Canyon Caverns unveiled its Cavern Suite, 220 feet below ground. … Continue reading Sleep in a motel room way underground
Category: Motels
Fire kills man in former Route 66 motel
A man died in a fire Wednesday at a former motel along the Kearney Street alignment of Route 66 in Springfield, Mo., according to news reports. James Martin Steffens, 51, died as a result of smoke inhalation. According to the Springfield News-Leader, the fire was caused by careless smoking in his room at the Rancho … Continue reading Fire kills man in former Route 66 motel
Notes from the road
(Editor's note: This is my Catch Up from the Memorial Day Holiday Edition.) Actor and director Dennis Hopper died over the weekend after a long bout with prostate cancer. He was 74. A memorial service and burial was held Wednesday at a church in his beloved Taos, N.M., where he lived for years. Although a … Continue reading Notes from the road
Wagon Wheel Motel reopens to travelers
The Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., will partially reopen to travelers this weekend, then will have a full opening the following weekend, according to its owner. This comes after months of renovations on the historic Route 66 property. Owner Connie Echols, who bought the motel in fall 2009, said three rooms will be available … Continue reading Wagon Wheel Motel reopens to travelers
Rail Haven Motel listed to National Register
The Route 66 Rail Haven Motel of Springfield, Mo., now an independently owned part of the Best Western chain, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places effective May 10, according to an e-mail today from the National Park Service. The motel, at 210 S. Glenstone Ave., contains 93 rooms and has served travelers … Continue reading Rail Haven Motel listed to National Register
Topock Marina will be replaced this fall
The Topock Marina on Old Route 66 in Topock, Ariz., will be replaced with a $14 million, 102-room hotel, spa, nightclub, microbrewery, restaurant, and conference center starting this fall, owner Chet Hitt told the Mojave Daily News. Based on the new website, it will be rechristened as Topock 66 Spa & Resort. Hitt plans to make … Continue reading Topock Marina will be replaced this fall
Two vintage Albuquerque motels will find new life
The Luna Lodge and the Sundowner Motel along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque are going to be renovated in the coming months and converted into apartment complexes, according to the Albuquerque Journal. According to the newspaper: The Sundowner Motel at 6101 Central NE, just west of San Pedro, would be transformed into a … Continue reading Two vintage Albuquerque motels will find new life
Notes from the road
Richard Talley of the Motel Safari in Tucumcari, N.M., says a lot has been happening in his town lately. Here's what he said by e-mail (with some minor editing): Here's a shot of the new AutoPros auto care center across the street from us on Route 66 (used to be Tucumcari Tire Co., closed for years). … Continue reading Notes from the road
Book review: “Appetite for America”
The last of the Harvey Houses closed more than 40 years ago, and they barely register a blip in the current public consciousness. But author Stephen Fried makes a compelling case in "Appetite for America" (Bantam, 544 pages, $27) that Fred Harvey and his restaurants and resorts made an impact on tourism, dining and the hospitality … Continue reading Book review: “Appetite for America”
Wagon Wheel Motel is now on Facebook
The new owner of the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., has set up a Facebook page for that historic Route 66 motel. From a news release from Viva Cuba: According to the new owner Connie Echols, “The Facebook page offers a little history, some construction updates, and information about what the gift shop has … Continue reading Wagon Wheel Motel is now on Facebook