| Historic Route 66 occupies a special place in | | | | Motels. |
| American history. Today seems to be a time | | | | In metropolitan Albuquerque, Central Avenue is an |
| when even more Americans are interested in a | | | | 18-mile part of Rte 66. Travelers often start at |
| road trip. Route 66 is THE road trip. | | | | the State Fairgrounds, a landmark since 1936. |
| As you travel the length of it, you can visit | | | | Then you'll discover the De Anza Motel, the Royal |
| authentic Historic Route 66-era hotels, motels, | | | | Motor Inn, the Town Lodge Motel, and the Aztec |
| trading posts, and gas stations some have been | | | | Motel (originally the Aztec Motorcourt, all built in |
| lovingly restored and preserved, others are a | | | | the '30s, and 15 blocks long). |
| reminder of how long ago Route 66 was a well | | | | You will also see Nob Hill, built in 1936-47, and the |
| used highway. | | | | Lobo Theater and Lobo Pharmacy & Bookstore |
| As a scenic route, Historic Route 66 offers | | | | (originally Barber's El Rancho Market), both built in |
| majestic mountains, breathtaking vistas, | | | | the '30s |
| meandering ranch land, Indian reservations, Pueblo | | | | Downtown, there are several buildings that wer |
| communities, and spectacular sunrises and | | | | the gems of downtown in the 40's and 50's era. |
| sunsets. New Mexico is a state you can take | | | | They are: the Sunshine Building (built in 1923-24), |
| parts of the original route but in most cases you | | | | the First National Bank Building (1922), the |
| will be on Route 40. The estimate on driving time | | | | Rosenwald Building (1910), and the KiMo Theater |
| would be 16 hours. And the length is 604 miles. | | | | (1927). |
| New Mexico's part of Rte. 66 history is very | | | | There are also other samples west of Old Town |
| intriguing. | | | | if you haven't had your fill. They are: Lindy's |
| The earliest route was a curving, 501-mile | | | | Restaurant (1929), Maisel's (circa 1940), and El |
| washboard journey in1926. Westbound motorists | | | | Vado Motel (1937), located west of Old Town. |
| first encountered Glenrio and Tucumcari. As they | | | | If you'd like drive down a piece of the 1926 |
| passed Santa Rosa, they turned north to | | | | route, head north on I-25. |
| Romero, and then headed west again. In Santa | | | | Take the Algodones exit and return south via NM |
| Fe, they turned southwest, passing through | | | | 313, the original 66 is now Fourth Street, Isleta |
| Albuquerque to Los Lunas. There they turned | | | | Boulevard, and NM 314. |
| northwest to Correo, then west again to Grants | | | | You'll go 46 miles from Algodones south through |
| and Gallup. They found the route 126 miles | | | | historic Bernalillo and past Sandia and Isleta |
| shorter in 1938. Instead of turning northwest past | | | | Pueblos (You'll know you are here when you see |
| Santa Rosa, they continued west through Buford | | | | the casinos). |
| (later Moriarty) and Albuquerque all the way to | | | | In Los Lunas, turn west onto Main Street. You'll |
| Correo. | | | | pass the Luna Mansion, built in 1881. From there, |
| Here is a sampling of Rte 66 you can try out | | | | stay on NM 6. |
| yourself in New Mexico | | | | It is 33 miles of historic highway all the way to |
| Let's Go! | | | | Correo. Correo is also 33 miles west of |
| Westbound motorists can take a 20-mile gravel | | | | Albuquerque via I-40. At Mesita, old 66 reappears |
| stretch of the old highway from Glenrio to San | | | | as NM 124, slithering 25 miles through Laguna, |
| Jon; this was the last remaining segment of Route | | | | New Laguna, Paraje, Budville, Cubero, and |
| 66 before it became Rte 40 in 1982. | | | | McCartys.. |
| >From San Jon, you can drive an almost always | | | | In Grants, old 66 is called Santa Fe Avenue. Its |
| intact 24-mile paved chunk of Rte. 66 all the way | | | | 41-mile chunk to Top O The World is right out of |
| to Tucumcari. | | | | the '40s. Here you will find the Franciscan Lodge, |
| Along Tucumcari Boulevard (where you will see | | | | Grants Restaurant (where Hollywood stars Jayne |
| the longest stretch of authentic Rte 66)) you'll | | | | Mansfield and Tab Hunter once stopped for green |
| enjoy the 40's and 50's all over again. | | | | chile cheeseburgers), the Uranium Cafe, and the |
| Drive down the road and you will see Cactus | | | | Monte Carlo Restaurant. |
| Motor Lodge, Lasso Motel, the Pine Lodge, the | | | | The original highway reemerges near Iyanbito as |
| Blue Swallow Motel, Teepee Curios, the | | | | a 13-mile introduction to Gallup. Along the city's |
| Westerner Drive-in, The Palomino, and Travelodge | | | | 9-mile segment are Earl's Restaurant, built in 1947, |
| Motel, and Del's Restaurant. | | | | and the El Rancho Hotel, built in 1936 and home to |
| More retro 40's and 50's awaits you with the | | | | some Hollywood stars during the time when |
| Town House and Safari Motels, the Buckaroo | | | | Gallup was a Western film capital( from 1929-64.) |
| Motel, the Redwood Lodge, and the Paradise | | | | You can also visit the one-time Drake Hotel |
| Motel, the Sahara Sands Motel & Restaurant, | | | | (1919), the Santa Fe Railroad Depot (1923), the |
| Dick's Auto Service, and the Pow-Wow | | | | former White Cafe (1928), the Richardson's |
| Restaurant. | | | | Trading Post, the old Palace, the Rex Hotels (both |
| On to Santa Rosa where you will find that Will | | | | circa 1900), and Virgie's Restaurant. (1950). The |
| Rogers Drive is the city's four-mile Route 66. | | | | final 16 miles of old 66 continue west from Gallup |
| Stop in at Joseph's Restaurant (build in 1956) or | | | | as NM 118 to Arizona |
| the Club Cafe (a landmark since 1935) for a bite | | | | Many communities in New Mexico celebrate the |
| or liquid refreshment.. | | | | famous Route: |
| Continue 43 miles west on I-40, You should get | | | | Festival in Los Lunas.It is New Mexico's Largest |
| out, stretch and climb Palma Hill, and view 7,576 | | | | Car Show |
| foot-high Cerro Pedernal to the southwest. This | | | | Annual Route 66 Roadie Gathering in conjunction |
| where you will see and feel the New Mexico dry | | | | with Annual Tucumcari Route 66 Festival |
| air at its best. | | | | Annual Fire and Ice Bike Rally in Grants New |
| Next stop has got to be Cline's Corners, where | | | | Mexico |
| you can see more southwest souvenirs than you | | | | Annual Santa Rosa Route 66 Festival |
| thought could fit in one place. You can find | | | | There are also many byways along the Rte 66 |
| rattlesnake ashtrays, beaded belts, tomahawks | | | | paths you can take a few hours off or a day or |
| and Indian lore. You can also have a meal here | | | | two to explore everything from National parks |
| with a home cooked southwestern flair if you | | | | and monuments to pueblos and old mining towns. |
| haven't eaten yet. | | | | New Mexico is a very rich state historically from |
| On next to Moriarty which is where a 58-mile | | | | the prehistoric time thru the Rte 66 1920, - |
| chunk of highway to Rio Puerco begins. | | | | 1950's |
| Along NM 333, you'll spot the former Buford | | | | It all can be seen best on a road trip. Take yours |
| Courts, Blackie's Restaurant, and the one-time | | | | this year! |
| Yucca, Cactus, and Lariat Motels and Sands | | | | |