Getting Your Kicks Along Missouri Route 66

by Thena Franssen 

submit@hpr1.com

17 June 2021

When people think of Missouri, most think about the larger cities and sports teams but fail to look past much more of that. Failing to dig deeper into what the state of Missouri has to offer means that you're going to be missing out on some truly amazing sights. One of the best trips to venture on when visiting Missouri is to hop on historic Route 66. From world-famous custard to a town that sounds like your rear end (seriously - it's called Uranus), there is something for everyone to explore in Missouri.

If you're looking for a fun trip that is full of beautiful scenery and unique stops, it's time to get your kicks on Route 66.

It's safe to say that you can easily stop at more than a dozen places along Route 66 in Missouri and spend days, if not weeks, doing this as well. Below you'll find some must-sees on that are going to feed your travel bug and give you fun stories to tell.

Cuba, Missouri

The town of Cuba might be small, but it is mighty! Not only are there 14 murals scattered all over the town that you have to find and see, but you can then end your mural scavenger hunt at the Fanning 66 Outpost General Store as well.

This general store has over 75 flavors of fudge, 300 types of popcorn, and is home to the famous Route 66 Rocker weighing over 27,000 pounds! It's the perfect selfie stop for sure.

St. James, Missouri

All that driving is certain to build up your thirst so make certain that you take a pit stop at the St. James Winery. If you happen to arrive on a weekend, you can take a wine cellar tour as well. You'll be amazed to find out that this small town produces over 500,000 gallons of wine yearly! They have quite the wine sampling as well and you can easily buy wine to take along with you on the rest of your trip.

Uranus, Missouri

If the name of this town doesn't draw you in, the fun places have to! Find some cool and unique treasures at Funk Yard, which is home to a lot of "stuff.” It's like a treasure hunt for adults and kids where you really don't know what you're going to find.

You also have to stop and try some famous Uranus fudge. The play on the name is a big draw for fun and quirky tourists and you'll be certain to see a ton of Uranus jokes and puns as well.

Springfield, Missouri

If you're a fan of bigger cities, heading into Springfield will give you so many options. Taking a tour of the Fantastic Caverns is an easy way to see underground caves that were discovered as far back as 1862.

The Pythian Castle is also really cool to tour and is known for its famous ghost stories as well. What used to be an orphanage now beckons only the bravest to come and take a peek.

Carthage, Missouri

Carthage, Missouri is probably most known for having the Precious Moments Chapel, which is something that the older generation probably collected a lot of when they were younger! This chapel is full of hand-painted murals that tell true-life stories and visitors from all around come and visit.

The Carthage Disc Golf Course is also really great and has 18 holes to toss and stretch those muscles after traveling in the car. It's a great stop to break up the drive and enjoy the beauty of nature, too.

As you can see, these are just five towns that you'll find along Route 66, but there are so many more to explore and discover! Take your time enjoying all the history and fun activities that Route 66 has to offer because it's one of the best ways to see a ton of great sights in the state of Missouri!

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Thena Franssen has fun running a family blog, HodgePodgeHippie, that is all about camping, travel, and family fun. She is mom to two crazy-smart girls and loves to spend time with her husband tandem biking the towns. When she’s not writing, you’ll find Thena reading, drinking an insane amount of coffee, and enjoying the everyday beauty of life.