Granite City to light up its new neon sign park on the evening of Aug. 1

Granite City, Illinois, will host a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and lighting ceremony for its new Route 66 neon sign park on the evening of Aug. 1. The event also will include food trucks, classic cars, music and more. An artist’s rendering of a forthcoming neon sign park in Granite City, Illinois. It will take place from … Continue reading Granite City to light up its new neon sign park on the evening of Aug. 1

CNN Travel names Flagstaff one of America’s Best Towns to Visit in 2024

CNN Travel named the Route 66 town of Flagstaff, Arizona, one of the 10 America's Best Towns to Visit in 2024. Eschewing large metros, it looked at "smaller cities that aren’t already at the top of everyone’s travel list — places where you’ll often find small-town vibes and loads of personality as well as plenty … Continue reading CNN Travel names Flagstaff one of America’s Best Towns to Visit in 2024

Public art panel announces mural to highlight Baxter Springs history, including Route 66

The Public Art Committee of Baxter Springs, Kansas, announced a forthcoming public mural emphasizing the town's history, including Route 66. According to the Spring River Current and KSNF-TV, the mural will be funded by a $7,500 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Office of Rural Development, with matching funds from the Ronald … Continue reading Public art panel announces mural to highlight Baxter Springs history, including Route 66

Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremores likely will close for full remodeling in early 2026

The director of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, said the facility likely would close in January 2026 for a full remodeling project, then reopen by that spring. Museum director Tad Jones gave the Claremore Progress newspaper some details: Jones, who has been museum director since 2014, said plans to renovate every exhibit … Continue reading Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremores likely will close for full remodeling in early 2026

Organization wants a big “Clinton” sign on city’s east side of Route 66

The city council of Clinton, Oklahoma, heard a local organization's proposal of a two-sided big sign to showcase an original section of Route 66 on the city's east side. According to a recent print edition of the Clinton Daily News, Andrew Stone of the West OK Co-op presented its idea to the city council where … Continue reading Organization wants a big “Clinton” sign on city’s east side of Route 66

New markers erected on Route 66 in Chicago

Choose Chicago, the city's tourism department, recently placed new Route 66 signs to celebrate the highway's upcoming centennial. According to WGN-TV in Chicago, the signs were placed near the Art Institute of Chicago, plus at 1969 W. Ogden Ave., 3100 W. Ogden Ave. and 3801 W. Ogden Ave. Ogden is a main alignment of Route … Continue reading New markers erected on Route 66 in Chicago

Tulsa officially earns “Capital of Route 66” title

Several towns along the Mother Road for years have claimed to be the "Capital of Route 66." But the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Route 66 Commission ensured it isn't just an idle boast. After a lengthy process, Tulsa officially secured a federal copyright for "Capital of Route 66." According to KJRH-TV and other … Continue reading Tulsa officially earns “Capital of Route 66” title

Women want to preserve prairie dog colony off Route 66 near Yukon

Two women want to protect a prairie dog colony of about 800 animals from development off Route 66 near Yukon, Oklahoma. The Yukon Progress newspaper reports that the colony at Sara Road is one of the last in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Janet Combs and Kathy Crews hope someone buys the land so it's … Continue reading Women want to preserve prairie dog colony off Route 66 near Yukon

Stella Atom joins Buck Atom at the fiberglass giant’s Route 66 souvenir shop in Tulsa

A 19-foot-tall fiberglass giant named Stella Atom joined the namesake of Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66 shop in Tulsa.

Cloud Gate, aka The Bean, in Chicago reopens to the public after months of construction

The "Cloud Gate" sculpture, better known as "The Bean," reopened to the public Sunday after being off-limits due to construction at Grainger Plaza in Chicago. The ABC-TV affiliate in Chicago reported the construction barricades were removed that day after the artwork was closed in August. Upgrades include new stairs, accessible ramps, paver replacement, a waterproofing … Continue reading Cloud Gate, aka The Bean, in Chicago reopens to the public after months of construction