5 Can’t-Miss Route 66 Stops in Kansas

Your short-but-sweet ride through Kansas takes you through one-of-a-kind history, unique architecture and plenty of downhome charm.

Although Kansas’ stretch of Route 66 is shorter than what you’ll find in neighboring states, its 19 kilometers of the Mother Road are packed with nostalgic charm, historic landmarks and delightfully quirky stops. Read on to discover what’s waiting for you in Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs, and find fun detours along the way.

Gearhead Curios

Start your adventure in Galena with a visit to this restored Texaco service station, which now houses a souvenir shop and informational center. Route 66-themed art installations, including giant muffler man statue Big A, the Texaco Giant, give a larger-than-life look into the more whimsical side of Route 66’s legacy.

Nearby Attractions: See recreations of and inspirations for characters from the Disney and Pixar film “Cars” at Cars on the Route, then savor espresso drinks and friendly atmosphere at Streetcar Station Coffee Shop.

Galena Mining & Historical Museum

The Galena fun continues! See artifacts from the town’s days as a leading lead and zinc mining hub at the Galena Mining & Historical Museum, housed in a historic train depot. Browse fascinating local exhibits, including a deep dive into the real-life Kansas history that inspired the locales in the Disney Pixar film “Cars.”

Nearby Attractions: Snap some photos with colorful murals and imaginative sculptures in Miners Park on Main Street.

Schermerhorn Park

Get some fresh air and stretch your legs just outside Galena at Schermerhorn Park, where the lovely Shoal Creek makes a picture-perfect backdrop for hiking and picnicking. Walk through the park’s limestone caves, then head to the Southeast Kansas Nature Center for more insight into the rare animals you can spot in the park (like grotto salamanders and Rabbitsfoot mussels).

Nearby Attractions: Take a quick detour for the unique opportunity to stand in three states at once – the Missouri-Kansas-Oklahoma Tri-State Marker is just a five-minute drive from the park.

Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum

Just down the road from Galena, the town of Baxter Springs is a can’t-miss Route 66 stop for history buffs. Detailing Southeast Kansas history from pre-colonization through present times, the Baxter Springs Heritage Center is home to thousands of fascinating artifacts of the town’s military and industrial past. Discover the living legacies of the Osage, Wichita, Kickapoo and other Native American nations and tribes that call the area home. Enjoy free admission and shop for handmade goods in the gift shop.

Nearby Attractions: Dig into artisan pizzas and local beer at Bricks & Brews Woodfire Grill and Pub, a favorite haunt among Baxter Springs locals.

Brush Creek Bridge

On Route 66, you might find that your most unforgettable moments happen on the road between towns. Take a scenic drive or a stroll over the Brush Creek Bridge, which locals know as the Rainbow Bridge. This curved structure between Riverton and Baxter Springs is the only surviving Marsh arch bridge on Route 66, making for a truly memorable photo op – especially in autumn, when colorful foliage surrounds the scene.

Nearby Attractions: Head into the town of Riverton to grab lunch and souvenirs at Nelson’s Old Riverton Store, then spend the night in a former post office at Old Riverton Post.

Getting There

Kansas’ portion of Route 66 is located in the Southeast region of the state, just between the border of Missouri to the east and Oklahoma to the south. To begin your Route 66 journey in Kansas, fly into Kansas City International Airport (MCI), located about a three-hour drive from Galena, and rent a car. Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) in Wichita, Kansas, is also about a three-hour drive from Kansas’ Route 66 attractions.

If you’re driving the length of Route 66, Galena is roughly nine hours from the route’s starting point in Chicago, Illinois, and about 23 hours from its end in Santa Monica, California.