“Route 66 Simulator” videogame coming later this year

A new videogame called "Route 66 Simulator" is coming to the Steam platform later this year. The developers are Grande Games, NPC Games and Playway, and the expected release date is the third quarter of 2023. Here's a brief description of the game: Have you ever dreamed about leaving everything behind and setting out on … Continue reading “Route 66 Simulator” videogame coming later this year

Illinois Holocaust Museum near Chicago hosts Negro Motorist Green Book exhibition

The Illinois Holocaust Museum is hosting an exhibition about the "Negro Motorist Green Book" published during America's Jim Crow era from the 1930s to the 1960s. The Green Book, published by Victor Hugo Green, was an annual guidebook for African American travelers looking for nondiscriminating gas stations, restaurants, lodging establishments and other accommodations during the … Continue reading Illinois Holocaust Museum near Chicago hosts Negro Motorist Green Book exhibition

Giant guitar added to the side of Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

Gigantar, a 24-foot-long guitar that was fashioned for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, was installed and later dedicated during a lighting ceremony attended by hundreds of people on Friday evening despite near-freezing temperatures. Cheap Trick guitarist and co-founder Rick Nielsen, a member of both the Illinois Rock & … Continue reading Giant guitar added to the side of Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

Updated fifth edition of “EZ 66 Guide for Travelers” published

Jerry McClanahan, author of the "EZ 66 Guide for Travelers," announced last week an updated fifth edition of the guidebook has been published. The guide, which contains turn-by-turn directions on how to navigate Route 66 both eastbound and westbound, is published by the National Historic Route 66 Federation. McClanahan said in a Facebook post the … Continue reading Updated fifth edition of “EZ 66 Guide for Travelers” published

Springfield, Missouri, poised to break record for hotel stays in 2022

The city of Springfield, Missouri, is on track to break its record of hotel stays in 2022 -- a mark set a year ago. The Springfield News-Leader reported the numbers via Tracy Kimberlin, leader of the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau:  In 2021, Springfield set a record with 1,439,619 occupied hotel rooms. And the city … Continue reading Springfield, Missouri, poised to break record for hotel stays in 2022

Trade Winds Inn in Clinton, best known for its Elvis Room, may be demolished

The Trade Winds Inn motel in Clinton, Oklahoma -- best known for its Elvis Room where Elvis Presley stayed during his cross-country road trips -- may be demolished with the possibility the local school district might use the property. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) reported last week the Clinton Economic Development Authority will discuss … Continue reading Trade Winds Inn in Clinton, best known for its Elvis Room, may be demolished

Mel’s Drive-In restaurant marks its 75th anniversary

Mel's Drive-In restaurants, which includes a location at the actual western terminus of Route 66 in Santa Monica, marked its 75th birthday on Dec. 14 at its eight locations in the San Francisco and Los Angeles regions. On its birthday, the regional chain offered 75% off classic food items, including the Mel burger, country eggs, … Continue reading Mel’s Drive-In restaurant marks its 75th anniversary

The backstory of the Eagles’ seminal hit “Take It Easy”

Recently, Professor of Rock took a deep dive behind the genesis of "Take It Easy," the 1972 song co-written by Jackson Browne that became a key hit single for the Eagles and their first. The host touches on obscure facts behind the tune, then wraps it up in a poignant way with memories about his … Continue reading The backstory of the Eagles’ seminal hit “Take It Easy”

“Magic and history”: Participant recounts her experience in the Route 66 UltraRun

One of the participants of last month's 140-mile Route 66 UltraRun in western Arizona wrote about her experiences in Ultra Running Magazine. Jodi Weiss, who has competed in almost three dozen ultramarathons, said "Guardian Angel of Route 66" Angel Delgadillo, 95, waved the starting flag for the Route 66 Ultrarun in Seligman. Temperatures were about … Continue reading “Magic and history”: Participant recounts her experience in the Route 66 UltraRun

Old Route 66 now is open between Barstow and Ludlow

A section of old Route 66 between Barstow, California, and Amboy, California, that was closed for several years due to bridge washouts is open again. The Facebook accounts of the California Historic Route 66 Association and Roy's Motel & Cafe this week both reported the road being reopened by San Bernardino County, which holds jurisdiction. … Continue reading Old Route 66 now is open between Barstow and Ludlow