The Quirkiest, Nostalgic, And Strangest Airbnbs on Route 66

Of all the road trips a traveler can take in the United States, none is more epic than Route 66. For nearly a century, the 2,448-mile-long Mother’s Road has been remembered in music, film, and literature, from John Steinbeck to John Mayer for inspiration in the lonely nothingness that dots small towns and cities. This historic highway begins in Chicago and ends in Santa Monica, one of the first thoroughfares of the U.S. highway system. It became rapidly popular in the 20s and 30s of the 40th century, and it was used by Depression-era immigrants to flee from sandstorm areas to the Pacific coast.

The route was decommissioned in 1985, but many of the original sections have been preserved. Today’s drive may take a week or less, but it’s best to slow down and enjoy the ride. While it’s fun to book a night at one of the well-known cheesy motels (I’m thinking of Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona and Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri), there are plenty of Airbnb options to choose from – especially if you want a kitchen or laundry. The next dozen properties are all located near the original route, and some are even decorated with Mother’s Way memorabilia. Each room is run by a super host rated 4.8 or above, so you know you’re well looked after. Here are the best Airbnbs on Route 66.

An Airy and Bright Studio in Chicago, Illinois

• Bed and bathroom: Studio apartment,1 bathroom
• Attractions near Route 66: The long-abandoned castle car wash at the corner of Ogden and Hamlin was built in 1925 and is rumored to be Al Capone’s hideout.

If you want to experience the full Route 66, start with this clean and tidy studio in Chicago’s Humboldt Park. Housed in a converted 1930s machine shop, this medieval-style rental house features 14-foot tin ceilings, original steel I-beams, and thoughtful amenities such as luggage racks, full-length mirrors, yoga mats, local guidebooks, and indoor plants everywhere. The claw-foot bathtub can be seen from the living room, so this layout is perfect for solo travelers, couples or very good friends. There’s also a kitchenette with Dansk cooker, but given the free off-street parking and walking distance to great restaurants, you probably won’t need it.

A Charming Ranch in Lola, Missouri

• Bed and bathroom: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
• Attractions near Route 66: The gadget-filled Totem Pole Trading Post dates back to 1933 and is the longest-running business along the Missouri Route.

A 20-hour drive from Chicago, this Mid-South town of 000,6 is a natural stop on Route 66, and luckily, there are several rental options. This recently renovated ranch house is set in a quiet neighborhood on half an acre of idyllic ground. The Zen of the outdoors continues indoors, with calming tones and pretty furnishings including woven leather ottomans, spherical chandeliers and vintage wicker headboards in one of the bedrooms. Other charms include: private backyard, garage, washing machine and dryer.

Bohemian Modern Cottage in Lola, Missouri

• Bed and bathroom: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
• Near Route 66: The mini-Stonehenge monument, 0.4 miles from the route, was carved in 1984 to demonstrate the capabilities of the Missouri Department of Science and Technology High Pressure Water Jet Laboratory.

This striking black cottage with butter-yellow shutters deserves to be featured on Pinterest. Set on 40 acres of wooded land near the scenic creek, the unit features a private bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor and a second bedroom in the upstairs attic. There’s a small convertible sofa bed that’s more child-friendly than adults, but the cabin’s steep, open stairs date back to the 1800s, making renting a challenge for families with babies or toddlers. Outdoor amenities include partially shaded decks, charcoal grills, hammocks, fire pits surrounded by stump seats, and easy access to nearby trails. Record players, board games, and HDTV connections with Apple, Disney+, Hulu and Netflix keep guests entertained after dark.

Vintage Cottage in Riverton, Kansas

• Bed and bathroom:2 bedrooms,1 bathroom
• Attractions near Route 66: Cars along the way stop at a restored 1934 Kan-O-Tex gas station in Galena, about 5 minutes east of Riverton, showcasing a series of anthropomorphic vehicles inspired by the Pixar animated film Cars.

The Kansas section of Route 66 is the shortest of its eight state routes (just 13 miles!). But this playfully decorated rental house goes all out to embrace nostalgia. Just two blocks from Mother Road, the historic building conveys a bygone bygone time with whimsical vintage furniture (love that chrome and formica dining table), checkerboard kitchen floors, framed photographs of Elvis Presley, and artwork made with rusty license plates. Second floor apartment with private covered balcony and two separate bedrooms, as well as sofa bed, air mattress, baby cot and baby door; It is also suitable for pets.

Historic Resort in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Bed and bathroom: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• Points to visit near Route 66: Pops 66 Soda Ranch in Arcadia is a restaurant, gas station, and convenience store that offers international soda and a 66-foot-tall bottle as a lighthouse.

This lovingly restored and renovated 1940s Tudor home is located approximately 3.5 hours from Riverton, and details matter. From the Art Deco velvet chairs and floor mantle in the living room, to the stylish black and white kitchen with honeycomb tiles, the property looks like it stepped out of a design magazine. Guests appreciate its convenient location, easy access to the highway and proximity to restaurants and shops. There is off street parking, a covered balcony swing and a large fenced backyard – it’s simply great music for road travellers with pets. Other perks include a fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, and a 65-inch HDTV for Easy Rider playback.

Roadside Houses in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Are Full of Attractions

• Bed and bathroom: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
• Attractions near Route 66: Katusa’s cartoon blue whale is an oversized sculpture of a marine mammal left over from a private zoo.

If you want to go slower, consider staying in Tulsa, just two hours south of Riverton. There, you’ll find the incredible Buck’s Cosmic Crash Pad tucked away behind the Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curious souvenir shop, the pillar of Route 66. True to its name, the rental house is a quirky “living gallery” full of vintage art, most of which is for sale. Three bedrooms with room for up to six guests, making them an excellent choice for families. Kids will go crazy when they see this legendary robot dominating a fenced backyard. Beyond the glowing neon signs, old-fashioned record cabinets, and tacky beaded curtains, the most important thing is the modern style – that is, quality linens and a spotless metro tiled kitchen with gleaming stainless steel appliances.

Norman, Oklahoma, pays tribute to Mad Men

• Bed and bathroom: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• Attractions near Route 66: The University of Oklahoma’s National Weather Center delves into climate science through its interactive weather exhibit.

This beautifully maintained property from the 20s of the 60th century is the work of a fine art furniture maker and University of Oklahoma faculty. Handmade solid wood cabinets are everywhere, along with vintage furniture and authentic medieval lamps. The living room has a wood-burning fireplace and a games table; The kitchen has a Don Draper-style dry bar. The house is set on wooded grounds with a more peaceful view from the floor to ceiling windows and outdoor facilities include a hot tub, fire pit, gas grill and bike rental.

Time Capsule in Amarillo, Texas

• Bed and bathroom: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
• Attractions near Route 66: The Cadillac Ranch is one of the route’s most famous art installations, featuring 10 vintage cars buried under their heads and covered in graffiti. (Comes with spray paint.) ）

You’d never guess what the interior of this modest brick house in the Texas Panhandle looks like, though the cherry-red flip chairs on the porch hint at time travel to come. Each space in this three-bedroom home unfolds a different decade, from the tacky Wonder Years-era living room to the awesome ’80s-themed bedroom with a taffeta dress hanging from the closet. But the best room must be the “grease” kitchen with a 20s checkerboard floor, robin’s egg-blue cabinets, and chrome dining tables and chairs. Older games like Twister complete the wormhole experience of going back into the future.

Desert Hut in Los Serilos, New Mexico

• Bed and bathroom: 1 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
• Attractions near Route 66: You won’t be able to order burritos every day at the 1885-built bar, but that’s exactly what awaits you at Los Cerrillos’ historic Black Bird Saloon.

Once upon a time, the deposits of Los Serios were rich in gold, silver, lead, zinc and turquoise. Today, this old Wild West town looks like a dirt road scene from a movie, and in fact, it was filmed here in 1988 Young Guns. But the real reason for living near Los Cerrillos is this 10-acre plot of land with picturesque rock formations and stunning views of the Ortiz Mountains. Hiking, cycling and stargazing are extraordinary, and the house itself is stunning: all the glass windows, Otomi textiles and ristras hanging from the welcome sign. The kitchen is smaller in size but still equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, and there is also a wood-burning stove for extra hygiene in winter.

A Delightful Cottage in Santa Fe, New Mexico

• Bed and bathroom: Studio apartment, 1 bathroom
• Attractions near Route 66: The Turquoise Walk, a scenic trail connecting Santa Fe and Albuquerque that runs along the original Route 66 and dotted with historic mining towns, quirky museums, trading posts, and salons.

This detached guest house has gated off-street parking and is only 5 to 10 minutes from most of Santa Fe’s attractions, but far enough from the city center so you won’t hear traffic. Highlights include a bubblegum pink Smeg fridge, antique chandeliers, exposed wood-beamed ceilings, spacious tiled showers and a private garden terrace with fringed anthropological-style parasols with unobstructed views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

A Messy Estate in Santa Fe, New Mexico

• Bed and bathroom: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathroom
• Attractions near Route 66: Visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe to learn how her surroundings inspire her artwork.

If canyon Road, where galleries are dotted, is the center of Santa Fe, this art house might be its soul. Once a nearby shop with donkey parking, this luxury hotel now features a light-filled living room and a newly renovated kitchen with exposed wooden beams and three eye-catching kiva fireplaces. Handmade touches abound, from woven textiles and delicate ceramics to colorful paintings on the walls. The private backyard has electric BBQ and gates to two off street parking spaces, although you may not need them; Rental homes are within walking distance of Santa Fe’s historic plaza and other top attractions.

A Dramatic Little House in Williams, Arizona

• Bed and bathroom: 1 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
• Attractions near Route 66: The Pete Route 66 Gas Station Museum is a restored gas station filled with Mother Way memorabilia and memorabilia.

Another 6 hours west, 60 miles south of the Grand Canyon, this small town of about 3,200 residents is a smart stop before entering California. The tiny 350-square-foot house features striking vaulted ceilings and uses recycled wood from the original 1920s carriage house, but now features luxury amenities like an ultra-deep Kohler soaking tub. The loft is accessed via a rolling library ladder and is fitted with a large memory foam mattress; If you need extra bedding, there is a leather futon downstairs with pillowcases and sheets. The kitchenette includes a full-size refrigerator, microwave, electric hob and convection oven, and a high chair and travel cot for the family. The listing has multiple Airbnb hosts, so some of the amenities (barbecue grills, fire pits, cornhole courts) are shared.

Mcm Loft in Santa Monica, California

• Bed and bathroom: 1 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
• Points of interest near Route 66: The iconic Route 66 terminus sign on the edge of the Santa Monica Pier marks the official terminus of Mother Way.

Route 66 ends at the beginning of the ocean, so it’s only fitting to end everything in Santa Monica. Superhost Kevin offers overnight parking, and this newly renovated studio apartment is steps from the beach and Third Street Promenade. The loft is painted bright white with plenty of natural light. Spiral staircases, drum kits, orange sofas with coarse pillows and vintage cameras bring personality. Guests also raved about the welcome basket full of snacks and the sunny private balcony.