Driving into Fayetteville, West Virginia, I noticed a sign proclaiming it the “Coolest Small Town.” Of course, I had to wonder: did they just decide that themselves? Did someone else bestow that honor? What did it mean, and why was it on their road sign? It turns out Fayetteville was…
One of the questions we get asked the most after spending more than three months traveling Route 66 is, “What was your favorite part?” Josh never hesitates with his answer: the diners. Sure, the roadside attractions, quirky museums, and historic landmarks are what draw most people to the Mother Road,…
We spent more than three months exploring every corner of Route 66 for its 100th anniversary, and we’d do it all over again. As full-time RVers, though, we couldn’t simply take a three-month vacation. We left our home base in the Chicago suburbs in late February, balancing work, everyday life,…
While passing through Springfield, Missouri on our three-month Route 66 road trip, we made time to visit the Springfield Botanical Gardens. Located within Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, this beautiful collection of themed gardens is one of the best free things to do in Springfield, Missouri. Whether you’re interested in flowers,…
Pacific, Missouri is one of the most charming stops along Route 66 in Missouri and home to several of our favorite attractions on the Mother Road in Missouri. Located less than an hour from St. Louis, this historic town combines classic Route 66 nostalgia with scenic overlooks, local museums, and…
If you’re looking for things to do in Lebanon, Missouri, the Route 66 Museum is a great place to start. Located inside the local library, this free museum explores the history of transportation through the Ozarks, the development of Route 66, and Lebanon’s role along the Mother Road. During our…
During our three-month Route 66 road trip, we visited quite a few car museums along the Mother Road. That probably isn’t surprising considering Route 66 and classic car culture go hand in hand. From vintage cruisers and restored classics to flashy muscle cars and movie vehicles, there are car museums…
Route 66 State Park ended up being one of the most unexpectedly interesting stops during our time exploring Missouri’s stretch of Route 66. At first glance, it seems like a quiet state park near St. Louis with hiking trails and river access, but there’s a lot more history here than…
There are a lot of small city history museums across America that mostly feel like collections of old artifacts and faded signs. The History Museum on the Square in Springfield is definitely not one of them. This museum takes the history of Springfield and the Ozarks and turns it into…
If you’re driving Route 66 through Missouri, the Red Cedar Inn Museum in Pacific is one of those stops that’s easy to miss, but absolutely worth pulling over for. It’s a small, free museum right off the Mother Road, but it does a great job of telling a much bigger…