Route 66 stretches between Tulsa and Amarillo like a ribbon of pure Americana, packed with oddball attractions that make you wonder what people were thinking. This legendary stretch of the Mother Road serves up everything from giant statues to buried cars, each stop more wonderfully weird than the last. Pack your camera and sense of adventure because these roadside gems represent the heart and soul of classic American road trip culture.
1. Buck Atom Space Cowboy — Tulsa, OK
Standing guard over Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios like a friendly galactic sheriff, this 20-foot fiberglass giant captures the imagination of every passerby. The statue arrived in 2019, breathing new life into this Route 66 gift shop with his rocket-wielding pose and space-age charm.
Part of the famous “Muffler Man” family of roadside giants, Buck Atom represents the perfect marriage of space-age dreams and cowboy spirit. His bright colors and towering presence make him impossible to miss from the road.
The shop beneath him offers classic Route 66 souvenirs and cosmic-themed trinkets that match his otherworldly vibe perfectly.
2. Golden Driller — Tulsa, OK
Towering 76 feet above the Tulsa fairgrounds, the Golden Driller has watched over Oil Capital since the 1960s with the stoic presence of a petroleum giant. This massive oilman statue ranks among America’s tallest statues, his hard hat nearly scraping the Oklahoma sky.
Originally built to celebrate Tulsa’s oil heritage during the International Petroleum Exposition, he’s become the unofficial mascot of the entire city. His weathered face and work clothes tell the story of countless roughnecks who built fortunes from black gold.
Free parking makes this an easy photo opportunity, and his sheer scale never fails to impress first-time visitors to Tulsa.
3. Blue Whale of Catoosa — Catoosa, OK
Hugh Davis built this 80-foot concrete whale in the early 1970s as a swimming hole for his family, never imagining it would become Route 66’s most beloved aquatic landmark. The whale’s cheerful blue paint and friendly smile have welcomed countless road trippers over five decades.
Measuring 20 feet tall with a diving platform on top, this gentle giant once hosted swimming parties and family gatherings. Today, the pond remains but swimming is no longer allowed, though the whale’s charm remains undiminished.
A small park surrounds the whale, offering picnic tables and restrooms for travelers needing to stretch their legs along the Mother Road.
4. Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park — Foyil, OK
Ed Galloway spent decades creating this folk art wonderland, crowned by what locals proudly claim as the World’s Largest Concrete Totem Pole. Standing 90 feet tall with intricate Native American-inspired carvings, this masterpiece earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Galloway hand-carved every detail using basic tools and boundless imagination, creating a towering testament to one man’s artistic vision. The surrounding park features smaller totems and structures, each telling part of his creative story.
Located just a few miles off Route 66, this hidden gem requires a small detour but rewards visitors with truly unique photo opportunities and fascinating folk art history.
5. Arcadia Round Barn — Arcadia, OK
Built in 1898 by William Odor, this perfectly circular barn represents agricultural ingenuity from a bygone era when farmers believed round structures better withstood Oklahoma’s notorious winds. The barn’s unique architecture makes it one of Route 66’s most photographed agricultural landmarks.
Free tours allow visitors to climb into the loft, where the barn’s ingenious construction becomes apparent through exposed beams forming a stunning geometric pattern. The interior shots are famously Instagram-worthy, with natural light streaming through windows in perfect symmetry.
Recently restored to its original glory, the barn now serves as both historical monument and popular wedding venue, proving that good design never goes out of style.
6. POPS 66 Soda Ranch — Arcadia, OK
The 66-foot LED soda bottle beacon glows like a neon lighthouse after dark, drawing thirsty travelers to this modern Route 66 oasis. Inside, over 700 different sodas line the walls from floor to ceiling, representing flavors from around the globe.
The attached diner serves classic American comfort food alongside exotic soda pairings you never knew existed. From pickle-flavored pop to lavender lemonade, the selection challenges even the most adventurous taste buds.
Gas pumps out front make this a practical stop, but most visitors come for the novelty and stay for the experience. The glowing bottle has become an iconic Route 66 photo backdrop, especially stunning at sunset.
7. Milk Bottle Grocery — Oklahoma City, OK
Blink while driving through Oklahoma City and you’ll miss this tiny triangular treasure topped with its signature milk bottle crown. Built in 1930 during Route 66’s golden age, this diminutive grocery store represents the era when roadside architecture shouted its purpose through creative design.
The building’s unusual triangular shape was dictated by the intersection where it sits, proving that necessity often mothers the most interesting architectural solutions. The oversized milk bottle on top announced the store’s dairy focus to passing motorists.
Though no longer operating as a grocery, the building survives as a beloved Route 66 landmark, reminding us when every roadside business competed for attention through pure creativity and charm.
8. Lunch: El Reno Onion-Fried Burger — Sid’s Diner, El Reno, OK
Sid’s Diner serves up Oklahoma’s Depression-era culinary masterpiece: paper-thin beef patties smashed with mountains of onions on a blazing hot griddle. This technique, born from necessity during lean times, transforms humble ingredients into something magical through the alchemy of caramelization.
The onions cook down into sweet, golden strands that meld with the beef, creating flavors that fancy restaurants spend fortunes trying to replicate. Each burger arrives as a testament to making the most of what you have.
El Reno celebrates this local specialty with an annual Fried Onion Burger Day, drawing pilgrims from across the country to experience authentic Depression-era comfort food at its finest.
9. Leaning Tower of Britten — Groom, TX
Someone had a sense of humor when they decided to leave this water tower tilting at a precarious angle instead of demolishing it completely. The purposely preserved lean creates an optical illusion that stops traffic as drivers do double-takes at what appears to be an engineering disaster.
Originally built to serve the small community of Groom, the tower’s dramatic tilt occurred naturally over time through settling and structural shifts. Rather than repair it, locals embraced the accident as a tourist attraction.
Perfect for quirky photo opportunities, the tower leans at just the right angle to create dramatic shots that play tricks on the eye and social media feeds alike.
10. The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ — Groom, TX
Rising 190 feet into the Texas sky, this massive roadside cross commands attention from miles away along Interstate 40. Erected in 1995, the steel structure weighs 1,250 tons and stands as one of America’s largest religious monuments.
Sculpture gardens surrounding the base feature life-sized bronze depictions of the Stations of the Cross, creating a contemplative walking path for visitors. The site serves both as spiritual destination and impressive roadside landmark.
Easy access from Exit 112 makes this a popular stop for travelers seeking either spiritual reflection or simply marveling at the engineering feat. The cross remains illuminated at night, serving as a beacon visible across the flat Texas landscape.
11. VW Slug Bug Ranch — Conway, TX
Five Volkswagen Beetles buried nose-down in the Texas dirt invite the same spray-paint ritual that made Cadillac Ranch famous. Created as a whimsical tribute to the iconic German cars that became symbols of 1960s counterculture, these colorful bugs wear layers of visitor graffiti like badges of honor.
Bring your own spray paint can and add your mark to the ever-changing automotive art installation. The rules are simple: paint whatever you want, but respect other visitors and their creative expressions.
Located on private land but open to the public, this smaller cousin to Cadillac Ranch offers a more intimate graffiti experience with the same interactive spirit that makes roadside art unforgettable.
12. Cadillac Ranch — Amarillo, TX
Ten vintage Cadillacs planted tail-fin-up in a Texas wheat field since 1974 represent the ultimate fusion of American automotive dreams and pop art rebellion. Created by the San Francisco art collective Ant Farm, these buried beauties mirror the angle of Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza.
Open 24/7 with no admission fee, the installation encourages visitors to bring spray paint and leave their mark on these automotive canvases. Layers of graffiti create an ever-evolving rainbow of colors and messages from around the world.
Accessible via the south frontage road of Interstate 40, Cadillac Ranch has become Route 66’s most famous attraction, inspiring countless imitators but never losing its original power to surprise and delight travelers.
