Trifter

If you are ready to drive along “The Main Street of America” here is my Top 20 of favorites places you can stop on your way to California. Of course, there are many others, but this is just a personal selection. For contact details and directions, click on the links of each place.

1.      Chicago (Illinois): Historic starting point in Jackson Blvd. and Michigan Avenue.

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2.      Restaurant Lou Mitchell (Chicago, Illinois): Visited by ex president George W. Bush, among other celebrities.

3.      Ambler-Becker Texaco Gas Station (Dwight, Illinois): It stopped working in 1999, but it keeps its old appearance and is open to the public. Address: 417 West Waupansie Street. Phone: (001) 815-584-3077.

4.      Gemini Giant (Wilmington, Illinois): A big sculpture of an astronaut at the entrance of restaurant Launching Pad. Address: 810 East Baltimore Street. Phone: (001) 815 476-6535

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5.      Old Chain of Rocks Bridge: It crosses from the state of Illinois to Missouri and offers a great panoramic view of the Mississippi River.

6.      Meramec Caverns (Stanton, Missouri): 60 miles West from Saint Louis city, the place where the infamous Jesse James hid in the end of XIX century.

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7.      Arcadia (Oklahoma): Where you can visit the old Arcadia Round Barn or the modern Pops restaurant.

8.      Oklahoma Route 66 Museum: For lots of fantastic memorabilia of the 50s.

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9.      The Blue Whale (Catoosa, Oklahoma): It’s not a swimming park anymore, but it is still one of the most famous icons to take a picture.

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10.  Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, Texas): Ten Cadillacs partially buried are really a curiosity to view. Address: I-40 West, between exit 60 and 62.

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11.  Big Texan Steak Ranch (Amarillo, Texas): Are you ready to try its famous 72 oz. steak? If you make it in less than 60 minutes, it’s free.

12.  Blue Swallow Motel (Tucumcari, New Mexico): Since 1939, with its neon sign, a classic postcard of the route.

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13.  Hotel El Rancho (Gallup, New Mexico): Spend the night in rooms visited by celebrity guests like Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Kirk Douglas and Ronald Reagan.

14.  Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona): One of the greatest landscapes in the world.

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15.  Wigwam Motel (Holbrook, Arizona): If you want to sleep in a tepee as Native Americans used to do, this is your place.

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16.  Jack Rabbit Trading Post (Joseph City, Arizona): Perfect place to buy traditional gifts and souvenirs.

17.  Oatman (Arizona): Revive the old far West experience with gunfight re-actments and visit the mines to remember the “gold fever” of 1900-1940.

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18.  The origin of Mc Donald’s(San Bernardino, California):Brothers Richard and Maurice Mc Donald started their business here in 1937.

19.  Bagdad Cafe (Newberry Springs, California): Original location of the Percy Aldon’s film.

20.  Santa Mónica Pier (California): End of itinerary in the park where it was shot The Sting, with Paul Newman.

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Drive safely and have a nice trip!