National Route 66 Museum
Time Needed: full-day, half-day
Experience Type: museum, Route 66
Located in western Oklahoma, this museum brings the spirit of the Mother Road to life with immersive exhibits, vintage cars, and nostalgic roadside flair. It’s a must-stop along the state’s 400-plus miles of historic Route 66—the longest drivable stretch in the nation.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- “Drive” a Pink Cadillac – Climb into a 1955 pink Cadillac and “cruise” Route 66 through a fun, interactive video experience that feels like the open road.
- Watch a Film at the Mock Drive-In – Relax inside a vintage Chevy Impala at the museum’s recreated drive-in theater and enjoy a black-and-white movie classic.
- Journey Through Eight States – Travel from Illinois to California through themed exhibits featuring classic cars, motorcycles, and roadside scenes that tell the Route 66 story.
- Snap a Photo with Myrtle – Meet Myrtle, the towering two-story kachina doll at the museum entrance—a quirky Route 66 icon and favorite photo op.
- Explore Oklahoma’s Route 66 Heritage – The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton showcases decades of highway history—from Dust Bowl migrations to 1950s family road trips.
Cool Find: If you’re planning to drive historic Route 66, the EZ66 Guide for Travelers is a practical resource. It offers turn-by-turn directions, updated maps, and helpful notes to navigate many original sections of the route that are no longer well-marked.
Photo Credit: Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department