Northern Arizona’s Quirkiest Roadside Attractions

Above, Jack Rabbit Trading Post in St. Joseph, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I moved to New Mexico seven years ago, I have found myself in northern Arizona several times. Most of my trips there have been to Lupton, Arizona to buy cigars at the Tee Pee Trading Post. Lupton is right at the Arizona-New Mexico border.

I have also driven through northern Arizona, primarily on Interstate 40, to go to a clampout or visit friends in Lake Havasu. Along the way, I have made stops at such places as Jack Rabbit Trading Post, Meteor Crater, Wigwam Motel, Standin' On The Corner Park (in Winslow), Petrified Forest National Park and Geronimo's Trading Post.

Above, yours truly with my mini mileage sign at Jack Rabbit Trading Post. Photo by Cindy Jaquez.

Only In Arizona has posted a list of several places can visit while on a road trip on Interstate 40. They refer to the attractions as "quirky". 

They begin it with:

Living in Arizona can be quite an adventure for tourists and residents alike. There are countless things to see, do, and experience, and road trips are often the most incredible way to see the best parts of the state. While adventuring along the open roads of the Grand Canyon State, I usually have a destination in mind, but I'm also open to the spontaneous roadside stop when something calls my name. I've often done entire road trips with only roadside stops in mind! If you'd love to see some of the most unusual attractions in the state, here is a road trip to some of Northern Arizona's quirkiest attractions.

Above, Standin' On A Corner park in Winslow, Arizona. Photo by Russell Azbill.

To read more, go here. 

Most Scenic Stretch of Route 66

Above, the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Route 66 was once the main highway to get from Chicago to its end in Santa Monica. There are still parts of the old "Mother Road" remaining since its decommissioning in the 1980s and replacement by Interstate 40.

Some of those sections remaining are in northern Arizona. 

TheTravel has posted an article on the most iconic things to see on Route 66 in Arizona.

They begin it with:

Route 66 is one of the most iconic and historical routes in the United States and is ingrained in the country's culture and history. The highway was originally built in 1926 (making it nearly 100 years old) to link Chicago to Los Angeles for the migration of farmworkers, and was one of the first highways built in the United States. Route 66 later became an icon and symbol of the American Dream.

Today, it is still possible to travel down historic Route 66 and get a good taste of its lingering remnants. As the highway makes its way into the Southwest, it goes straight through New Mexico, and on through Arizona. The stretch of Route 66 that goes through Arizona offers some of the most iconic stops and stunning scenery of the whole route. There is one stretch in particular that shouldn't be missed.

 To read more, go here.

7 Pixar's "Cars" Location Inspirations

Above, the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that Pixar's Cars was released back in 2006.

Many locations, some of which are on Historic Route 66, served as inspirations for some of the movie's features. 

Roadtrippers has listed seven iconic Route 66 locations that inspired the movie.

They begin with:

Nearly two decades after its debut, it’s almost impossible to travel along any portion of Route 66 and not see several references to Disney Pixar’s 2006 animated movie Cars. Inspired by director John Lasseter’s real-life cross-country road trip, the film still draws families and fans to iconic attractions featured (or riffed on) in the movie, including the remaining Wigwam Villages, trading posts, curiosity shops, and vintage filling stations. 

Here are seven real-life locations that inspired the makers of Cars. 

To see what they are, go here. 

Best Route 66 Landmarks and Attractions

Above, the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona on Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Route 66 is about two miles from home and is basically a frontage road between Gallup, New Mexico and Iyanbito (a chapter community of the Navajo Nation). It stops and starts at various points across New Mexico.

For those interested in seeing the old "Mother Road", RV Life has an article on the best Route 66 landmarks and attractions state-by-state.

They begin it with:

From Illinois to California, Route 66 runs through 8 states and nearly 2,448 miles. Even if you only want to experience a part of this epic road trip, there is still plenty for a family to see and enjoy. These are some of the must-see Route 66 landmarks and tourist destinations along the way.

To read more, go here. 

18 Places To Experience On Route 66

Above, the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona is number 12 on the list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Route 66, known as "The Mother Road", was the main highway from Chicago to Los Angeles (ending at the Santa Monica Pier) before it was decommissioned in 1985.

However, many segments of Route 66 still exist and some of it has been restored.

Do It Yourself RV has a list of 18 "kickass places" to see along the route, some of which I have already visited.

They begin their list with:

Route 66 is the road trip of a lifetime. Over the years, US 66 has been renamed in various stretches but this cross-country route, from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, can still be followed with just as many attractions to see along the way as picture-perfect western landscapes. 

Classic restaurants, gift shops, lodging options, and neon signs dot the way for 2,448 miles total. We narrowed down the options to 18 places in particular you should experience the next time you drive this route. So grab your keys and your camera, and hit the road soon!

To read more, go here. 

Holbrook's Wigwam Motel

Above, vintage vehicles parked at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While I was in Holbrook, Arizona yesterday, I drove around town looking for a supermarket to pick up a few things. While doing so, I came across an old relic of historic Route 66: the Wigwam Motel.

Above, the Wigwam Motel office. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At one time, before the interstates were built, there was a chain of Wigwam Motels where guests can spend the night in a kitschy way. They aren't wigwams, but tee pees. I've read about them in the Roadside America website.

According to Wikipedia:

The Wigwam Motels, also known as the "Wigwam Villages," is a motel chain in the United States built during the 1930s and 1940s. The rooms are built in the form of tipis, mistakenly referred to as wigwams. 

It originally had seven different locations: two locations in Kentucky and one each in Alabama, Florida, Arizona, Louisiana, and California. 

They are very distinctive historic landmarks. Two of the three surviving motels are located on historic U.S. Route 66: in Holbrook, Arizona, and on the city boundary between Rialto and San Bernardino, California. All three of the surviving motels are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Wigwam Motel in Cave City, Kentucky, was listed in 1988 under the official designation of Wigwam Village #2; the Wigwam Motel in Arizona was listed as Wigwam Village #6 in 2002; and the Wigwam Motel in California was listed in 2012 as Wigwam Village #7.

Above, one tee pee being cleaned. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I stopped to take a few photos. The Wigwam Motel is still in use and along with the tee pees, there are vintages vehicles parked around the property. I have seen so many 1950s cars since I was in Cuba two months ago.

Above, an old car in front of the office. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fortunately for me, there was a Safeway market across the street from the Wigwam Motel.