Get your kicks in Oklahoma City: Route 66 and more

Route 66 – famous for “get your kicks on Route 66” – runs about 2,451 miles, from downtown Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier in California. Yet, the longest stretch of drivable highway lies within the Sooner State. Oklahoma offers travelers about 400 miles of actual Route 66 pavement, along with the myriad of attractions that go along with the miles.
Arcadia, a short drive from Oklahoma City is home to a couple of interesting attractions on Route 66.
Round Barn
The Round Barn was originally built in 1898. Its round shape was believed to be able to save it from tornadoes, since Oklahoma resides in “Tornado Alley.”

The barn was renovated in the early 1990s after falling into disrepair through the years. Today, it’s a tourist attraction and a popular photo opportunity by tourists. It can also be rented for receptions and parties.
Pops
Staying in Arcadia. Pops Soda Ranch is a restaurant, which features a giant soda bottle and several flavor options. Pops’ neon soda bottle stands about 66 feet tall. It changes colors during the evening hours.

Inside, shelves of soda bottles line the glass windows. Several flavors and brands can be seen.

Cold bottles of soda are readily available for purchase. I loved seeing Sioux City Birch Beer among them.

Braum’s
Oklahoma City has a few Route 66 attractions that are interesting to check out. How about a giant milk bottle atop a tiny building? The Braum’s milk bottle is located inside the city limits. Its base is a small triangular-shaped building that housed a take-away restaurant when we visited.

Mutts Amazing Hot Dogs
A short distance away is an outstanding restaurant. Mutt’s Amazing Dogs is home to some of the best hot dogs you’ll find on Route 66 or any other road.

Since you may be driving along Route 66, there are a few Oklahoma City attractions you may want to detour to visit.
Oklahoma State Capitol
The state capitol is a short drive off Route 66. It has a working oil well on the capitol grounds. The Capitol Complex has several monuments and memorials to visit. Every war the United States has participated in has a monument at the complex. And each is worth checking out.

Oklahoma is proud of its Native American heritage. The state has 14 tribes located within its borders. A beautiful monument recognizing the heritage is located near the capitol building.

Sooner Monument
The state recognizes its early non-Indian settlers with a “Sooner” monument near the downtown canal walk. The bronze statues each depict settlers and their modes of transportation on the day the territory was opened for non-Indian settlement. One of my favorite views combines the early days with the present and future, as the Devon Energy skyscraper can be seen in the distance from a guy driving a wagon.

Bricktown
Staying along the canal walk, Bricktown is an old warehouse district that has been converted into a retail, restaurant and entertainment district. Among its attractions are the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (home of the Oklahoma City Dodgers – the top minor league club for the Los Angeles Dodgers), the Bricktown Canal boat ride and the American Banjo Museum.

Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
Another off the Route must-see is the Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The museum explores the history of the 14 western states. The museum flies the state flags of the states involved. Founded in 1955, the museum recognizes the history of the region, including Native Americans, pioneers and cowboys.

The statue “End of the Trail,” recognizes the transformation of a proud spiritual people from the 1800s to a new century. James Fraser debated over how to properly depict the Native American for his work. He changed the look of it through the years before settling on the final image – a Native American sitting on his horse struggling with a back wind.

Oklahoma City Memorial and Museum
A somber time in Oklahoma City is recognized with the National Memorial and Museum. The memorial honors the victims, survivors, rescuers and everyone else affected by the 1995 bombing of the Alfred Murrah federal building. The domestic terrorist act claimed the lives of 168 men, women and children. The memorial was formally dedicated in 2001.

While driving the length of Route 66 is an ultimate goal of ours, Lisa and I have enjoyed checking out the attractions we have seen along the way. In addition, it pays to exit the main road and investigate what a community has to offer.
So, if Route 66 interests you, take advantage of any opportunity to visit “America’s Mother Road” and her attractions. And, as always, safe travels.
For more information on Route 66 or Oklahoma attractions, please visit www.historic66.com, www.visitokc.com or www.travelok.com.