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 story about Route 66 history in Missouri, the town of Pacific, and the people who lived and worked along this stretch of highway.
This is the kind of place that gives you a real feel for why Route 66 Missouri stops are so special. You’re not just walking through exhibits, you’re stepping into a preserved piece of roadside history that’s been part of the community since the 1930s. It’s also an easy addition to any list of things to do in Pacific, Missouri, especially if you’re already exploring nearby Route 66 attractions or passing through on a longer road trip between St. Louis and other classic Route 66 towns.
Inside, you’ll learn about the Red Cedar Inn’s history as a longtime family-run restaurant, its connection to Route 66 travelers, and how it eventually became what it is today. The museum also highlights the broader story of Pacific itself, including its railroad roots, silica mining industry, and the impact Route 66 had after being routed through town in 1932. Between the exhibits, artifacts, and local stories, it’s a surprisingly rich stop for such a small space, and a great way to connect the dots on this stretch of the highway.
About the Red Cedar Inn
Tucked right along historic Route 66 in Pacific, Missouri, the Red Cedar Inn has been around a lot longer than most of the road-trippers who pass it by. It originally opened in the early 1930s as a full-service restaurant, built for travelers, locals, and just about anyone passing through this stretch of America’s Mother Road. Over the years, it even became a favorite stop for St. Louis Cardinals players, which gives it a fun little claim to fame you might not expect from a small roadside spot.
The building itself has a lot of character because so much of it is still original. Only a couple of small additions were ever added to the back, but the core structure has held onto its history. The logs used to build the inn were actually cut from the owners’ brothers James and Bill Smith’s family farm, which makes the place feel even more personal and rooted in the area. A bar was later added in 1935, adding to its role as more than just a place to grab a meal.
The Red Cedar Inn stayed in the family for generations, though it had an on-and-off history. It closed for a stretch between 1972 and 1987 before being reopened by another descendant, keeping the legacy going. Eventually, it earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, recognizing its place in Route 66 history.
It officially closed its doors as a restaurant for the last time in 2005, but that wasn’t the end of its story. In 2017, the City of Pacific purchased the property, and today it’s been brought back to life in a new way as a museum and visitor’s center, run by the city and preserving its Route 66 legacy for anyone passing through.
How to Visit the Red Cedar Inn Museum
Address: 1047 E. Osage St, Pacific, MO 63069
Website: https://www.pacificmo.gov/324/Red-Cedar-Inn-Museum-Visitor-Center
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm
Admission: Free!
Our Visit to the Red Cedar Inn Museum
When we walked in, we were immediately greeted by some of the nicest folks working the front desk. We ended up chatting with them for a while about our Route 66 trip and the plans we had ahead, and it honestly set the tone for the whole visit. That ended up being the first of many similar conversations we had along Route 66, everywhere we went, we kept meeting the friendliest people who were genuinely excited to hear about our journey.
From there, we explored the exhibits inside. One of the main walls is filled with informational panels covering the history of Route 66, the town of Pacific, and a variety of local businesses that once lined this stretch of road. It does a great job of tying everything together and giving context to where you’re standing, especially if you’re just starting to learn more about the area.
We also learned that Pacific is nicknamed “Train Town USA” because of its close connection to the Pacific Railroad. On top of that, mining silica was another major industry here. Route 66 was routed through the town in 1932, which helped shape a lot of what the community became over time.
Scattered throughout the museum are local artifacts as well, including the original neon sign from when the Red Cedar Inn was still operating as a restaurant. It’s one of those details that makes the history feel more tangible instead of just something on display behind glass.
In the back hallway, there’s also a really fun kids’ room setup that honestly looked like it would be a blast for younger visitors, our 3-year-old nephew would have absolutely loved it. There are also a few displays featuring local artwork that’s available for purchase, which adds a nice community feel to the space.
During our visit, they also had a special exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of the monster truck Bigfoot, which is actually headquartered right in Pacific. Later in the day, we ended up stopping by Bigfoot HQ for a free shop tour and even spotted a couple of the Bigfoot trucks parked around town. I grew up going to monster truck shows, so this part of the visit was a really fun surprise.
There’s also a small but really nice gift shop inside, and that’s where I picked up my Route 66 passport to carry with us for the rest of the trip. Before we left, they even offered to take our photo behind the old restaurant counter, which was such a simple but fun little touch. Outside, there are a few photo ops as well, including the building itself, a Route 66 shield sign, and a large mural. It’s a great place to grab a few final photos before heading out.
Overall, it was such a fun stop and a great introduction to both the town of Pacific and Route 66 history in general.
More Things to Do in Pacific, Missouri
If you’re following along with our Route 66 journey, this stop in Pacific was just one part of a much bigger day on the road. We explored more of the St. Louis area Route 66 corridor, including stops in Eureka, Missouri, and a few other classic roadside gems along the way. You can read the full recap of our day on Route 66 near St. Louis to see how it all came together and what else we discovered along this stretch of the Mother Road.
Route 66 Missouri: Unexpected Stops from Pacific to Eureka
