MetroFamily Magazine May June 2025

Local Family Fun

S panning from the Midwest to the Pacific Coast, America’s most famous highway, U.S. Route 66, will celebrate its centennial year in 2026. Traveling Route 66 through Oklahoma offers families a unique opportunity to experience over 400 miles of history, culture and adventure, with some of the most iconic Route 66 sites in Oklahoma City waiting to be explored. This summer, get a head start on the celebration by discovering quirky roadside attractions, Insta-worthy spots, outdoor adventure and more along the “Mother Road.” Get your Kicks Route 66 set to turn 100 in 2026 BY DEBBIE MURNAN . PHOTOS BY MURNAN AND PROVIDED. Established in 1926, U.S. Route 66 became part of the first federal highway system launched by the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads. The concept envisioned by Tulsa businessman Cyrus Avery began with the novel idea of cobbling together existing roads and trails to connect rural communities with bigger cities for improved transportation. Once completed, the highway stretched across eight states for more than 2,400 miles, from the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago, through the Missouri Ozarks and across the plains of the West, ultimately landing in Los Angeles, Calif. Placement of the route was crucial to make this an “all-weather highway,” so as not to go too far north where snow could impact travel nor too far south where the heat would be unbearable in the summer. History of the Mother Road

GET YOUR FAMILY’S PIC IN FRONT OF THE ROUTE 66 SHIELD IN OKC’S BRITTON DISTRICT.

While the highway initially helped farmers transport grain and produce, travel picked up more in the 1930s during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression as people began to emigrate to California in search of work and refuge. This increased traffic helped support merchants along “The Main Street of America” as more fuel, lodging and food businesses were needed to accommodate travelers. Route 66 through Oklahoma City has long been an important stretch of the iconic highway, helping shape the growth and culture of Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas. By 1938, Route 66 was the first highway to be completely paved in the United States, which facilitated easier transportation when moving military troops and supplies to various bases during World War II. After the war, the Mother Road grew in popularity for vacationing out West, thanks to the boom in manufacturing and car ownership. But Route 66’s fame ultimately led to its downfall when President Eisenhower approved the development of a new Interstate Highway System, where faster 4-lane highways, like I-44 and I-40, began to replace Route 66. Although the highway was decommissioned in 1985, 85 percent of the original route is still drivable today. Insta-worthy sights in the metro Now that you know the history of this epic highway, it’s time to “Get your kicks” and visit some of the iconic Route 66 sites in Oklahoma City that bring so much life and diversity to the Mother Road! Route 66 makes its way through six districts in the metro area, each with its own charm and personality.