Explore the outlaw past and beauty of Missouri's Route 66

What this little diner may lack in space and seating, it makes up for in charm and quality comfort food. There aren't many places like Eat-Rite—with just one counter and a line of red stools—left. In fact, Eat-Rite was actually at risk of closing down until Joel and Shawna Holtman, who couldn't bear to see the iconic St. Louis spot close its doors, took it over in early 2018. And while the couple may have added a few new items to the menu, including patty melts and hot dogs, classics like the "slinger" are still available and still just as delicious as the day the diner opened.

Another great stop along the Mother Road, Route 66 State Park is 419 acres of stunning greenery and lush forests. First, check out the visitor center, which is full of old photos and interesting memorabilia (the center used to be the Bridgehead Inn, a 1935 roadhouse that sat on the original Route 66). Next, to really experience all that the park has to offer, try taking one of the four major hiking paths: Inner Loop Trail, Outer Loop Trail, South Loop Trail, or West Trail. The Outer Loop is the longest at 3.2 miles, and offers the most views of the entire park. The West Trail is the shortest at 0.5 miles, and goes through the more wooded section of the park. Other park activities include boating, fishing, picnicking, cycling, and horseback riding. And if you fancy birdwatching, more than 40 different types of birds have been identified here, so keep your eyes (and ears) alert!

This lovely little yellow brick building may be able to help answer an age-old question: When did Jesse James actually die? Geared to both Jesse James fans and the naturally curious, this quaint museum offers lifelike wax figures of Jesse and his family, as well as artifacts, antiques and a $100,000 vintage gun collection. The staff is friendly and informative, the gift shop is unique and unlike many others along Route 66, and your kids will love the wax figures.

About an hour south of Cuba, you'll reach Devil's Elbow. Both the area and the bridge got the name due to their location along the Big Piney River, which was a particularly dangerous curve in the river, often referred to as a "devil of an elbow bend." The bridge offers stunning views of the water and surrounding forests, as well as ample opportunities to stop and take pictures along the bridge itself, or on the painted Route 66 sign that marks the start of the bridge (just be mindful of cars and other vehicles). On the north end of the bridge lies the legendary Elbow Inn Bar & BBQ, a dive bar built in 1926 that hasn't changed much since. And on the south end of the bridge, you'll find Shelden's Market, a general store that is also home to the original Devil's Elbow Post Office.

If you're driving along Route 66, you'd be remiss to skip the Route 66 Museum. An easy stop right off of the highway, swing by to stretch your legs, grab some food, and learn about key landmarks along the Mother Road. The self-guided tour takes less than an hour and features a recreated 1950s gas station and diner, a collection of antique cars, and plenty of Route 66 books, magazines, and videos. Both the museum and the library inside are totally free and open year round.

Located right off Route 66, the Comfort Inn & Suites Springfield is the ideal place to stop and rest as you near the end of your Missouri road trip. Close to both the local airport, as well as many of the shops and restaurants, this hotel is both convenient and accommodating. Enjoy luxuries like an indoor heated pool, super fast WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Click here to book your stay.

Slightly different than Meramec Caverns, the Fantastic Caverns are experienced from the comfort of a Jeep-drawn tram. In an effort to preserve the natural beauty of the caves and avoid potential disturbances to the ecosystems, tour guides at the Fantastic Caverns will load you into a comfortable cart and drive through the entire length of the caves, providing an intimate, yet protected, view of the caverns. This tour is great for those who can't walk long distances or need assistance; each cart has a wheelchair ramp. Driving along the one-mile route, guests will encounter giant mineral columns, delicate soda straws glistening from the ceiling, and tiny cave pearls hidden in crystal-clear water.

The Jeep tour costs $26, with groups leaving every 25 minutes and the full trip lasting about an hour. And don't worry if you brought your dog along, Fantastic Caverns will let Fido take a seat right next to you on the tour!

Gary Turner knows a lot about Route 66, and he's more than happy to share it with you. The owner of Gary's Gay Parita, Gary opened this roadside attraction as a way to showcase his love for the Mother Road and offer a convenient place for travelers to stop and rest. Formerly known as Gay Parita after the original owner's wife, this stop burned down in 1955, and was only recently resurrected by Turner himself. Now re-created to resemble a classic 1930s gas station, Gary's Gay Parita may not be able to offer real gasoline but it does offer an afternoon of great conversation and a refreshing drink.