Route 66 -Celebrating 100 Years

Route 66 Centennial Celebration: 100 Years of the Mother Road

Get ready to celebrate 100 incredible years of America’s most legendary highway on an unforgettable group adventure along historic Route 66! From charming small towns and quirky roadside attractions to powerful museums and iconic landmarks, this centennial journey honors the spirit, stories, and nostalgia of the Mother Road.

This is more than a road trip — it’s a celebration of Americana, community, and the open road.

Our centennial celebration kicks off in charming southeast Kansas.

If walls could talk, the Galena Mining and Historical Museum would have a LOT to say — and thankfully, it does! Housed inside a beautifully restored 1904 Missouri-Kansas-Texas (KATY) railroad depot, this charming museum is packed with personality, pride, and plenty of Route 66 nostalgia.

Before you even walk inside, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The building itself is a piece of history — once a busy railway depot that connected Galena to booming mining towns across the region. Imagine the whistle of steam engines, miners heading to work, and families arriving in hopes of striking it rich.

Car lovers especially enjoy seeing the vintage vehicles on display, including a restored truck that famously inspired the character “Tow Mater” in Pixar’s Cars. Yes — there’s Hollywood history hiding right here in small-town Kansas!

Between classic automobiles, roadside memorabilia, and plenty of Route 66 photos, this stop is perfect for capturing those centennial celebration moments.

Just down the road, we’ll visit the beautifully restored Kan-O-Tex Service Station, a beloved Route 66 photo stop and nostalgic reminder of classic road trips. The Kan-O-Tex Service Station is a restored 1930s gas station located in Galena, Kansas, along the historic U.S. Route 66. Once part of the Kan-O-Tex fuel network, the site has been preserved as a Route 66 landmark and tourist stop celebrating early American motoring culture.

As we travel toward Baxter Springs, we’ll stop at the legendary Old Riverton Store — the oldest continuously operating store on Route 66 — before crossing the historic Rainbow Bridge, one of the last remaining Marsh arch bridges on the Mother Road. History, charm, and classic Americana set the tone for our journey.

Next up, it’s Onward to Oklahoma!

We will stop and explore the Baxter Springs Historical Society Museum. This charming stop is packed with stories that span Native American history, Civil War battles, early frontier life, and of course — the glory days of Route 66.

Inside, you’ll find vintage photographs that capture the town’s transformation over generations, Route 66 memorabilia that celebrates the heyday of road trips, fascinating artifacts from Baxter Springs’ Wild West days.

Get ready for one of the quirkiest, most colorful stops on Route 66 at our next stop!

Totem Pole Park is home to the world’s largest concrete totem pole, standing tall and proud like a guardian of the highway. Built by artist Ed Galloway in the 1930s and 40s, this masterpiece is bright, bold, and completely unforgettable.

This isn’t just a quick photo stop (although you’ll definitely want photos!). It’s a true roadside wonder — the kind that makes Route 66 legendary. It’s fun. It’s funky. It’s pure Route 66 magic.

Next on our tour it’s all aboard for one of Tulsa’s most exciting historic experiences! The Route 66 Historical Village isn’t just a museum — it’s an outdoor adventure through transportation history. This is where trains, oil, and highways come together to tell the story of how Tulsa helped fuel America’s growth. Here we’ll see a massive steam locomotive that makes you feel tiny, historic rail cars you can explore, and an authentic oil derrick showcasing Tulsa’s “Oil Capital” roots. It’s hands-on, wide-open, and full of larger-than-life visuals. You won’t just learn history — you’ll walk right through it.

We then head to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum which is where legends live. From rugged cowboys and fearless rodeo stars to Native American artistry and classic Western films, this place celebrates the spirit of the American West in a BIG way.

Inside we’ll see stunning Western art that makes you feel like you’re riding across the prairie, a real-life rodeo history that’ll make you want to grab a lasso, and Native American exhibits rich in culture and craftsmanship. Oh, and don’t forget to stop at “Prosperity Junction” — a full-scale replica of a 1900s Western town you can walk through!

It’s immersive, it’s inspiring, and it’s the perfect stop to connect Route 66 travelers with the frontier spirit that shaped America. Expect wide eyes, camera clicks, and maybe even a few “Howdy, partner!” moments.

Now, if Route 66 had a storytelling headquarters, this would be it!

The Route 66 Interpretive Center is dynamic, interactive, and packed with personality. Instead of just looking at exhibits, you’ll experience the road decade by decade — from the Dust Bowl migration to the neon glow of the 1950s and beyond. We’ll learn about the grit and determination of families heading west in search of opportunity, the golden age of roadside diners, motels, and drive-ins, and the evolution of cars, culture, and cross-country adventure. It’s nostalgic in all the best ways — the kind of place that makes you say, “Can you imagine driving this in 1935?!”

Round barns are rare.

Round barns on Route 66? Legendary.

And let’s be honest — nothing says “centennial road trip” quite like snapping a group photo in front of a giant round barn. We’ll stop at the vibrant and visit the beautifully restored Arcadia Round Barn, a true architectural treasure.

Built in 1898, the Arcadia Round Barn is one of the most unique and photogenic stops on the Mother Road. From the outside, it’s a charming red circle against the Oklahoma sky. Step inside, and you’ll be amazed by the soaring wooden beams and incredible acoustics.

Fun fact: Stand in the center and clap — you might hear the echo bounce in a way that surprises you!

Our final attraction on this epic trip brings to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. This isn’t just a place to look at old things — it’s an immersive, decade-by-decade road trip through 100 years of American adventure! The museum is designed like a journey down the highway, starting in the roaring 1920s and cruising all the way to modern-day nostalgia.

As you move through the exhibits, you’ll experience the Dust Bowl migration years, when families packed everything they owned and headed west in search of hope, the golden age of the 1950s, complete with neon signs, chrome details, and classic diners. Each section feels like stepping into a movie set — only this story is 100% real.

Join us as we celebrate 100 years of Route 66 — where history, nostalgia, and adventure come together for one unforgettable group getaway!