2-Day Art Lover’s Road Trip Along Route 66 in OKC
Route 66 is not only America’s Mother Road, but a canvas for Americana. In the cultural crossroads of OKC, roadside attractions range from museums and hidden gems to murals, famous landmarks and kitschy pit stops. Check out our two-day guide to Route 66’s artsy side, with how much time to spend at stops.
Day 1
Stay in Style Among the Murals
Outfitted in retro-inspired murals, Classen Inn offers a stylish stay in a renovated 1963 motor hotel. Today, it’s a grotto of Googie architecture, with pink carpets, quirky in-room art and a mini market.
Brunch with a Side of Street Art
Start the day at Aurora, a sunny brunch spot serving spins on comfort flavors, like fluffy biscuits with tomato jam and chicken-fried steak and eggs. After, explore the mural-lined alleyway in the Plaza Walls. 1.5 hours
Immerse Yourself in Contemporary Creativity
A worthy detour, the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center wows with its ever-changing sculpture garden, its striking aluminum-clad architecture and always-innovative exhibits from modern artists. 2 hours
Lunch Inside a Living Art Installation
Immerse yourself at Factory Obscura, an enchanting art collective where visitors can explore luminous galleries and interactive installations. After, grab lunch at Nashbird Chicken for hot ‘n’ spicy sandwiches and tenders. 1.5 hours
Experience the Spirit of the West
Find your West at Route 66’s National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, where vast galleries celebrate Native American and cowboy culture. Check out their newest exhibit, The Cowboy: An Immersive Journey for a 360° experience of the American West. 2.5 hours
Dinner & District Art Stroll
Teeming with pastel-hued adobe buildings, the Paseo Arts District is a great neighborhood for a stroll to shops like In Your Eye Gallery and Betsy King’s Shoe Boutique. Enjoy edible art at Picasso Cafe, which lives up to its creative name with vibrant dishes like mustard-glazed salmon and parmesan risotto. 2 hours
Day 2
Start with Coffee & Sculpture
Perk up at Elemental Coffee, a minimalist cafe where latte art shares top billing with wall art. Then explore nearby public art, like painted doors in Automobile Alley and the six-ton feather in Scissortail Park. 1.5 hours
New Photo Op
Visit Bricktown for OKC's newest art sculpture, Cloud Embrace. This 24-foot-tall interactive public art installation lights up day and night, creating a stunning photo spot inspired by Oklahoma skies. 30 minutes
Spot the Route 66 Robot on 23rd Street
Head to Uptown 23rd District to see a playful eight-foot robot perched across from the restored Tower Theatre. The Route 66 insignia on its control board nods to the roadway’s history through the heart of Oklahoma City. 20 minutes
Pause at the Milk Bottle Grocery Building
Just down the road on Classen Boulevard, this small brick building topped with an oversized milk bottle has been a Route 66 curiosity for decades. It now houses a nail salon and features the striking “Buffalo Goddess 2” mural by Chris Presley on its side. 20 minutes
Eat at Cafe Kacao
Have brunch at Cafe Kacao, a locally loved spot serving Guatemalan dishes for breakfast and lunch. The colorful mural on its exterior celebrates Latin American heritage with vivid depictions of national flowers and birds from across Central and South America. 1.5 hours
Capture the Summer of 66 Mural in the 39th Street District
In the 39th Street District, known as OKC’s LGBTQ+ neighborhood, the expansive Summer of 66 mural celebrates local landmarks like the Milk Bottle Grocery and the Route 66 Robot. Its vivid design spans the side of a building, so plan on taking a few photos to capture the full scene. 25 minutes
Snap Photos at the Britton District Shield Mural
Explore the revitalized Britton District, where a striking Route 66 shield mural makes a fitting starting point. It’s the only mural of its kind in the city and sits along historic Britton Road, which connects directly to the highway. 35 minutes
Cruise Route 66 to Arcadia
Drive Route 66 to Arcadia, where Pops Soda Ranch features the world’s largest soda bottle and whimsical sodas like bacon and peanut butter. Nearby, the circular Arcadia Round Barn offers tours and a gift shop. 1.5 hours
