American Road Trip Route 66
Sometimes, a good holiday can be more about the journey than the destination. Usually the journey is associated with the boring and stressful parts of a holiday; catching a plane, riding on a long train journey and flagging down taxis.
Yet that cannot be said when you are on a road trip. True, getting from point A to B takes a lot longer and is less convenient, but that feeling of controlling your own destiny and seeing where the roads take you can never be found on a flight to Los Angeles.
The U.S is the most popular location for said trips, its numerous routes bring with it many sights and attractions as you drive along its expansive roads, admiring the numerous billboards and giant statues that frequent the roadside
The most popular route way is the iconic Route 66. Running between Chicago and Los Angeles, the route symbolises the American Dream as those who migrated west followed this path, earning itself the title “Main Street of America.”
But to even get started, you obviously need a car and renting one is easy. So long as you have a driver’s license and are over 25, you can rent one for as little as €130 for seven days. Once you’ve that done, where you go is up to you.
But starting off with Route 66 first, if you’re looking for sites and attractions, one of the main features is the Meramec Caverns. Located outside the city of St. Louis, the cave is home to rare and unique mineral formations and is the largest commercial cave in the state of Missouri.
Located east of the town of Catoosa, Oklahoma lies another major attraction, the Blue Whale of Catoosa, one of the most recognisable roadside attractions in America. Originally built by a young entrepreneur in the 1970s as an anniversary gift to his wife, the water park was closed in the 1980s, but has been kept alive by the local community, retaining its status as a major Route 66 landmark.
While we’re on the subject of giant oversized landmarks, another attraction in the state of Oklahoma is the Totem Pole Park. Created by acclaimed folk artist, Ed Gallowway, the park is home to numerous large and colourful totems like the world’s largest concrete totem pole, which rises from the back of a giant turtle. The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places back in 1999 and is seen as a monument to Native American culture.
These attractions barely scrape the surface of the numerous attractions, sights and landmarks located on Route 66. Although there are places to visit, the joy of it is discovering everything else inbetween as you explore the heart of America. Whether you’re interested in its history, or just want to experience the diverse landscapes and people for yourself, Route 66 offers a journey that you will never forget.
