Next up is St. Louis, Missouri, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, a stretch that some travelers consider the heart of Route 66. It’s where east meets west, linking up the Midwest with the West Coast. Much of this stretch is on I-44, which means lots of exits and county roads, but the scenery is often beautiful. When possible, we’ll point out places where you can hop on and off the original parts of Route 66.
Clanton’s Cafe is an iconic Route 66 restaurant, best-known for its breakfast and local cuisine. Menu highlights include the world-famous chicken fried steak and calf fries (also known as Rocky Mountain oysters)—home-cooked comfort food at its best.
Stop at the Totem Pole Park in Chelsea to check out the World’s Largest Concrete Totem Pole. This 14-acre park, consisting of 11 structures, was the brainchild of Ed Galloway, a retired art teacher. There are more than 200 bas-relief images on the totem pole, including Native American motifs, symbols, and animal figures.
At the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, you’ll find artifacts, memorabilia, and speeches from the actor, vaudeville performer, cowboy, humorist, newspaper columnist, and social commentator himself. You can even watch Rogers’ movies in the on-site theater. This is a special spot for all the Will Rogers superfans out there (yes, they do exist).
You’ve finally made it to one of the most popular roadside attractions along Route 66. The Blue Whale of Catoosa was built by Hugh Davis in the early 1970s as a surprise anniversary gift for his wife Zelta, who loved whales and collected whale figurines. Take time to wander around the remnants of this famed roadside wonder, and have a snack at one of the picnic tables.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Ending this leg at the Blue Whale makes for a Route 66 highlight, but you’ve still got plenty of attractions—and more than half of the Mother Road—ahead of you. No longer the road of desperation as described by John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath, you’ll nonetheless be following in the footsteps (or rather, wheel ruts) of thousands of Okies who once traveled West along Route 66 in search of greener pastures. There are more driveable portions of the old Mother Road in Oklahoma than in any other state, so get comfortable and don’t forget to stick your hand (or head) out the window to enjoy the wind as it comes sweeping down the plain.
Banner Photo Credit: Facebook/Tumbleweed Grill & Country Store
Roadtrippers
Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detours—from roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond.