If you've driven along Old Route 66, then a lot of the driving you're doing will be along present-day Interstate 40. Connecting Barstow, CA to Wilmington, NC, much of the Western portion overlaps what was once the Mother Road. These days, it's part of a much larger highway that connects the western half of the country with the eastern half, via Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee. Passing through major cities like Flagstaff, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City Little Rock, Memphis, and Nashville, it's a great route to take when touring some of the interesting spots across the South as well. With that, here are some of the coolest, must-see stops along I-40!
6982 Integra Cove Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32821-8804 USA
I-40 ends in Wilmington, NC, near the Atlantic Ocean. Good thing, too, because Wilmington is a great vacation destination! Home to Wrightsville Beach, a lovely RiverWalk, parks, gardens, museums, and tons of beachy cafes, bistros, and eateries, you can easily spend a few days relaxing here and soaking up the coastal Carolina vibes!
Buckner Hill Plantation is one of the best-preserved and largest Greek Revival Antebellum plantation homes in North Carolina. It's open by appointment only, so give the owners a call and have them tour you through the historic buildings and around the grounds. It really is like stepping back in time!
Kernersville, NC is home to one of the quirkiest stops along the route: Korner's Folly.
The outside of Korner's Folly looks fairly standard, but it's nothing compared to the crazy interior within. You could peer out a window into another room, look up and find an old-school fresco, or find yourself in a staircase leading into a bedroom with 5-foot ceilings. The house, built between 1878 and 1880, is the work of Jules Gilmer Körner, a visionary interior designer, furniture maker, decorator and painter. The purpose of the building was to display his work and his ideas (like a real-life catalogue or portfolio)-- and Körner had a lot of ideas. So many, in fact, that no two doorways or windows are alike, plus there's 15 different fireplaces (!!) and all kinds of hidden surprises, like hidden cubbyholes, trapdoors, and a private theater-- one of the first in the country. On top of it, the whole place is lavishly decorated (the dude was an interior decorator after all), making it even more awesome.
Overall, the building has 22 rooms all decorated in a different style across 7 floors and is 3 stories tall (the levels of the house don't line up exactly right, adding to the fun)-- definitely impressive for the Victorian era. But how did this work of ingenuity get labeled a folly? It was a practical farmer neighbor of Körner’s who declared that "that house will surely be Jules Körner’s folly". Körner, having a sense of humor, decided to make it the official name of the house and had it tiled on the front porch. While the house is always being further and further restored, it remains a sight that has to be seen to be believed.
If you prefer your mountain views free of ghost town kitsch, then stop off at Rumbling Bald's Chimney Rock State Park. Chimney Rock State Park's main attraction is the magnificent, 315-foot mountain formation that gives the park its name. The 25-minute hike to the top along the Outcroppings Trail (also known as the "Ultimate Stairmaster") contains 491 steps, but the effort is all worth it once you reach the peak, called Exclamation Point (so punny!), and take in the breathtaking views-- you can see 75 miles of pure Blue Ridge beauty. The rock also hides a secret 26-story elevator inside, in case you're not up for the hike but don't want to miss the scenery. And, movie buffs may recognize the landscape from the film adaptation of The Last of the Mohicans.
Ghost Town in the Sky, an "Old West" theme park located in Maggie Valley, is one of the country's most unique amusement parks not just because of its unique brand of kitsch, but because it's located on the top of a mountain. In fact, the only way guests can even reach the park is via a 3,370-foot-long chair lift. Awesome. Opened in 1961 and often referred to as "North Carolina's Mile-High Theme Park", Ghost Town in the Sky is modeled after the classic Old-West town, complete with two saloons (with can-can dancers!), a school, a Native American settlement, and a gold mine. Depending on where and when guests were in the park, they were treated to impromptu gun fights, gold-mine riots, and even "Indian Attacks" on settlements.
It was closed in the 2000s, but was promptly bought at auction and work began to re-open this kitschy, classic Americana attraction. Expect to find the recreation Wild West town functioning, and rides are slowly being added to their list of offerings!
On your way out of Nashville, stop off at Cummins Falls State Park for some fresh air. Hike to the bottom of the park's Cummins Falls, and if you brought towels and a bathing suit, you can even swim in the stream; the pools here have been listed among the best in the country!
I-40 then rolls into Nashville. Known for its Southern charm and country music scene, this city is known for its awesome dining (check out Prince's or Hattie B's for some hot chicken), honky-tonk nightlight (Broadway Street after dark is always fun) and great live music (head to the Grand Ole Opry or the Bluebird Cafe).
This detour will take you off the highway and into the middle of nowhere, but it's worth it to check out this folk art display. It takes up an acre, and the highest point on it reaches 125 feet, making it the largest outdoor sculpture in Tennessee. Tripp, the mastermind behind the installation, says that it is inspired by his life and his emotions, and that he intends to be buried within it when he dies. Until then, he'll keep adding on to it as inspiration moves him!
West Memphis, Arkansas, United States
Right on the border of Arkansas and Tennessee lies the soul-filled city of Memphis. Check out one of their countless renowned BBQ joints, soak up some like blues music on Beale Street, and, of course, pay tribute to The King at Graceland!
North Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Home to historic sites like the Old State House Museum, Little Rock Central High School, and the Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock is a town rich with culture. If you can, stop for a bite at Doe's Eat Place or stretch your legs at T.R. Pugh Memorial Park!
Get out of the car and breathe in the fresh air on a hike at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. The views from the top of the mountain are utterly breathtaking, and the trail up is a fun hike. There are also some great swimming spots, and the park's visitor center is a great stop offering lovely views as well.
As you continue along I-40, you'll make your way into Arkansas. Stop at the Fort Smith National Historic Site for a look into the state's past. The fort was established in 1817, right as the country began to move West, which means that this fort saw a lot: outlaws, clashes with Native Americans, the Trail of Tears, settlers struggling to tame the West, and more. Tour the old buildings and the visitor center, which houses a museum with artifacts that tell the story of Fort Smith.
Woody Guthrie was a massively influential folk artist from Okemah, OK. Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash and tons more drew inspiration from Guthrie's huge catalogue of songs, many of which were based on his experiences during the Dust Bowl of the 1930's, which harshened the blow of the Great Depression in Oklahoma especially. Today, a small park stands in Okemah with a statue and memorial plaque dedicated to Woody Guthrie. It's a small stop, but it's a good place to take a break... and maybe make a new playlist for the next leg of your journey.
Oklahoma City is the next major urban center along I-40. Home to awesomely offbeat attractions like the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the Museum of Osteology, and the American Banjo Museum, along with an aquarium, a zoo, a science museum, an art museum, a history museum, and tons more, it's a rich city bursting with things to see and do. Hit up Ann's Chicken Fry House or Tucker's for an onion burger and tuck in for the night at OKC's boutique hotel, The Colcord.
Another major icon from the glory days of Route 66, the Tower Station Conoco and U-Drop Inn are probably recognizable to most because they inspired some scenes from Disney's "Cars." The stunning Art Deco architecture make it one of the prettiest (former) gas stations in the country, and it's nice to see that the building is being restored and converted!
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a beautiful place to stretch your legs. There are several trails that traverse the bottom of the canyon and take you to the top for more lovely views. The camping in the canyon is excellent as well... and the stargazing is unbeatable!
Welcome to Amarillo, TX! This town in Texas's panhandle is a great place to experience the Lone Star State, since I-40 only passes through a small portion of it. Home to the kitschy Big Texan Steak Ranch and authentic Tyler's BBQ, it's got some good eats. You'll also find the vintage Wonderland Amusement Park, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum here! There are some great hotels in Amarillo, too. The Courtyard in Downtown Amarillo is in a historic building with a great location, and the Ashmore Inn and Suites is incredibly relaxing, with a nice pool and gazebos where you can watch the sun set!
Amarillo, TX is home to the iconic folk art attraction known as Cadillac Ranch. Proposed by 3 artists who called themselves the “Ant Farm” (Hudson Marquez, Chip Lord, and Doug Michels) and financed by an eccentric millionaire named Stanley Marsh 3 (He thought using Roman numerals was too pretentious), Cadillac Ranch went along relatively unnoticed for a few years. Slowly, the Caddies became quite the roadside attraction, and they're meant to be spray painted with graffiti from those who have stopped by. Bring a can of paint to leave your mark (and a trash bag to clean up after those who have left empties littered around the attraction).
There's no bad time to road trip I-40, and thankfully, snowy weather isn't too much of a concern, because the route is mostly pretty far south (although if it happens to snow, be prepared for the road to not be treated properly, as they're not used to dealing with snow and ice here.) Oklahoma sees its fair share of tornados, though, and never underestimate how hot it can get in the desert between Texas and California. Always bring plenty of water and make sure your car's AC is in good working condition!
