Route 66 Leg 4: Amarillo to Albuquerque

The town of Vega sits right on historic Route 66 and has several landmarks worth stopping for. Also worth checking out are Dot’s Mini Museum, Rooster's Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, the Hickory Inn Cafe, Bonanza Motel, Vega Motel (built in 1947), and a restored Magnolia service station. As one of the sunniest places in the U.S., Vega is sometimes referred to as the “Solar Capital of Texas.”

The abandoned, vintage Magnolia Gas Station makes for a great photo op, particularly as the sun is setting.

Vega is home to Roosters, a small-town Mexican cantina easily accessed from I-40. Try the steak enchilada and fried ice cream.

Hickory Inn Cafe is an adorable spot in Vega, perfect for photos. Out front is a truck that looks like Mater from Cars, complete with a cow in the back. Stop in, grab an iced tea, and learn about the history of Vega.

Once you reach Adrian, pat yourself on the back: You've made it to the midpoint of Route 66. You'll know you've arrived once you see the MidPoint Cafe, a vintage-style roadside diner with lots of photo ops to commemorate your journey down (half of) the Mother Road. The restaurant and gift shop claims to be located at the geographic midpoint between Los Angeles and Chicago.

Once a bustling desert oasis built on the state line between Texas and New Mexico, today Glenrio is a ghost town. But just because the town is abandoned doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant. The Glenrio Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It also has a place in pop culture: A scene for the film adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath was filmed here, and in the animated movie Cars, an abandoned "Glenn Rio Motel" is turned into a racing museum.

The next-level Russell’s Travel Center is located right on Historic Route 66 and has everything a road traveler could possibly want, including an onsite grocery store, a retro diner, a classic car museum, showers, and even a chapel.

Tucumcari is an iconic Route 66 town—full of retro signage, abandoned motels, and classic diners—that's actively fighting to make a comeback. Tucumcari has a unique and fascinating history filled with tales of Native American settlements, notorious train robberies, and rowdy railroad construction workers so prone to pulling pistols on each other that the area was nicknamed “Six Shooter Siding” before getting its current name in 1901. A few years later, plans for the Mother Road began, and according to local history buffs, the town prepared itself for some of the route’s earliest alignments by building up its downtown accordingly. The result? Tucumcari’s downtown is separated from Route 66, where most of its kitschy motels and shops are still located today.

As larger highways took over, the town was largely left behind, and examples of Tucumcari’s struggles began to pop up everywhere. Many shops and motels closed their doors, but hope for a revival was not lost. Spending a day in Tucumcari means stepping back in time to Route 66’s glory days.

One of the last remaining curio shops in Tucumcari, Tee Pee Curios is not only awesome from the outside, but the inside is packed with all the Route 66 souvenirs, pottery, shirts, and jewelry you could ever want. Stop by after dark to check out the beautiful neon sign, one of only a few along this stretch that still lights up at night.

The iconic Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari has been open since 1939. As far as vintage neon signage goes, it doesn't get much better than the Blue Swallow's classic sign. If you can, stick around until dusk, it’s worth the wait. And there’s a reason for the classic “Tucumcari Tonite!” campaign—there’s no better place to stop for the night. Many rooms at the Blue Swallow come with their own garage, so you can stow your car, grab a lawn chair, and sit outside to bask in the glow of the iconic neon.

Motel Safari is a fantastic motel oozing with retro charm. It’s been a veritable Route 66 icon for more than 60 years. Built in 1959 by Chester Dohrer, the Googie design of the motel is quite fabulous. Architecture buffs will love discovering the many details, from the excellent signage to the counter-stacked brick grids in the facade. The current owners are diehard Route 66 enthusiasts, and they’re more than happy to share a beer on the patio and tell you all about Tucumcari.

The historical Silver Moon Cafe sits just off of Route 66 in Santa Rosa. The recently renovated restaurant has a homey feel, complete with friendly staff, reasonable prices, and a gift shop featuring Route 66 merchandise. Don’t leave without trying the chips and salsa.

Santa Rosa is probably best known for being home to the 80-foot-deep Blue Hole, a lush oasis in the middle of the desert. With crystal clear water that remains at a perfect 62 degrees Fahrenheit all year round, it’s a popular place to dive, or for Route 66 travelers to cool off with a dip.

The lovely Santa Rosa Lake State Park, a must-see on your journey across northeastern New Mexico, features plenty of hiking trails, ample places to camp, and numerous opportunities for water sports. Take advantage of its beautiful vistas and various photo ops.

Head off the route to visit the Singing Road, a pretty amazing engineering feat that was placed in Tijeras by National Geographic and the New Mexico Department of Transportation. Drive along the pavement over the grooves at exactly 45 mph, and you'll hear the familiar tune of “America the Beautiful.” You can find the Singing Road by taking Exit 175 from I-40 going westbound. You can only hear the music going east on historic Route 66. There will be signs reminding you of the optimal speed, so roll down your windows and enjoy those sweet sounds of freedom.