Welcome to Route 66 Car Museum along Historic Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri! Our showroom features more than 70 classic and movie-themed cars from 1907 to 2005.
Springfield served as a major stop on Route 66 before travelers headed to larger western states and wide-open spaces. As such, our beautiful city has many Route 66-themed attractions. There are also plenty of historic places to visit as you explore the mystique of the Mother Road.
Our guide discusses some places to visit in Springfield when making your way west along old Route 66.
Route 66 Attractions in Springfield
Adjacent to our parking lot is the College Street Café. If you want a taste of Route 66, this is your place for a hearty breakfast or lunch. Down-home cooking includes chicken-fried steak and gravy, classic burgers and fries, banana pancakes, and omelets.
Casper’s Diner on Route 66 is located at 937 S. Glenstone near St. Louis Street (old Route 66). Originally established in 1909 and famous for chili, the restaurant offers hearty food for big appetites. Casper’s was once housed in a small airplane hangar along West Walnut Street in Springfield. The restaurant is the Queen City’s oldest diner still in existence.
The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival happens every July or August in downtown Springfield. We attend every year with a couple of our cars on display! We invite you to join us in the festival and have fun with the live music, parade, and car show.
Pythian Castle on East Pythian Street sets in the northeast part of the city. Built in 1913, it has a rich history as a hangout spot for the Knights of Pythias in Missouri. After this period, it was used to house prisoners of war from World War II. You can take tours of the newly renovated space as you hear ghost stories related to the venue’s past.
Gillioz Theatre
The historic Gillioz Theatre sets just east of Springfield’s Park Central Square along old Route 66. It was established in 1926 (the same year as Route 66) when the dawn of film and car travel came to the American consciousness. After sitting vacant for a few decades, the theater was renovated and reopened in 2006.
Elvis Presley performed at the Shrine Mosque on May 17, 1956. After a brief sound check, the 21-year-old upcoming star disappeared. He had escaped to the Gillioz to watch a Glenn Ford movie all by himself in the empty theater. So, if you’re ever in Gillioz, the seat you have might have been the one Elvis sat in.
The theater regularly gives tours of the magnificent structure. It’s a glittering gem in one of the many crown jewels in Springfield’s history.
Steak ‘n Shake on St. Louis Street
On the corner of St. Louis Street and National Avenue sets Steak n’ Shake. It’s open 24 hours a day and welcomes hungry visitors for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Known as the Route 66 Steak n’ Shake, it was built in 1962 and is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Two free-standing signs on the property are original. If you want a slice of Americana as you travel along Route 66, this is one place to check along the Mother Road.
The current Red’s Giant Hamburg is 2-½ miles from Route 66 Car Museum on West Sunshine Street. The original opened in 1947 on the corner of Chestnut Expressway and Glenn Avenue. It was owned by Red Chaney, a World War II veteran, and his wife, Julia. The first restaurant featured a classic car on its lot and the iconic cross-shaped sign. Most notably, the sign didn’t have enough room for the E and R at the end of “Hamburger.”
This historic restaurant was credited with inventing the drive-through as one of the first establishments to do so. The original restaurant closed in 1984.
Fast forward to 2019. A local businessman, David Campbell, reopened Red’s Giant Hamburg at its current location in a brand-new building. He was careful to preserve the retro vibe. The cross-shaped sign and a classic car adorn the parking lot the same way the original Red’s greeted hungry customers for nearly 40 years.
Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven
The cozy Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven motel sets on the corner of St. Louis Street and Glenstone Avenue along Old Route 66. Look for the classic, sky-blue car and vintage gas pumps by the entrance to know you’ve found the right place. The lobby and many rooms feature retro and vintage decor from historic Route 66. The Elvis Room, room 409, is where Elvis Presley and his mother stayed in 1956 when he was an up-and-coming star.
The Rail Haven is about as authentic as you can get for a motel during the golden age of Route 66. However, there is one place right down the street from our museum that is a truly authentic place to stay when traveling through town.
Rockwood Motor Court
Just down the street from Route 66 Car Museum, Rockwood Motor Court is a hidden gem along Route 66 and a Springfield staple. Constructed in 1929, this motel is the oldest operating motor court on Route 66. All six cabins, the filling station, the single-car garage, and the cafe are all original buildings. The distinctive pattern of Ozark sandstone gives the place its gorgeous appearance. The buildings are framed in native oak lumber.
The rooms were completely renovated in 2019. While the exterior may harken back to the Mother Road’s history, your beds and rooms have the modern amenities you need. Reserve your place here as soon as you can because this highly rated motor court fills up quickly!
Shrine Mosque
At the time of its opening in 1923, the Shrine Mosque was the largest auditorium west of the Mississippi River. It can seat up to 3,200 people at a time now. The architectural elements and stained glass windows are original and more than 100 years old. The Shrine Mosque, part of the Abou Ben Adhem Shriners, is a landmark of downtown Springfield.
The iconic venue has hosted many musicians on St. Louis Street, just west of downtown Springfield, during the glory days of Route 66. Elvis Presley played here in May of 1956. REO Speedwagon adorned the stage in September 1973, and three months later, The Eagles took flight. Rush, Blue Oyster Cult, and Kansas played at the Shrine Mosque in 1976.
Concerts still happen there today, with artists like Jason Isbell, Papa Roach, Halestorm, and Machine Gun Kelly making appearances.
Springfield Route 66 Visitor Center
Along St. Louis Street in Springfield is the Springfield Route 66 Visitor Center. It welcomes all travelers along the Mother Road. It’s also at the heart of the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival. You’ll find information about the city, including what to see, places to eat, and truly local attractions that make Springfield unique.
There are also souvenirs, maps, guides, and plenty of insider information to make your stay in Springfield more enjoyable. The visitor center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Other Attractions to See in Springfield
These other places are on or near old Route 66 in Springfield as you drive through the Queen City of the Ozarks.
Bass Pro Shops & Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
At the corner of Sunshine and Campbell sets the massive Bass Pro Shops and Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Bass Pro Shops location in Springfield was the first location of the national retailer. You’ll find everything you need for your next outdoor adventure, from camping and fishing gear to boats and gifts.
The Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium has been voted one of the top aquariums in the United States for several years in a row. See sharks, jellyfish, penguins, otters, and more at this massive complex. Other exhibits
Springfield Cardinals
When you visit our city during the summer months, make sure to catch a Springfield Cardinals game just east of downtown. The baseball players are up-and-coming stars of the St. Louis Cardinals honing their craft in front of thousands of fans.
Mother’s Brewing Company
Just west of downtown is a local favorite that makes outstanding craft beer. Mother’s Brewing Company produces many quality beers. There’s something for every beer lover (just don’t love the beer too much if you’re driving along Route 66). Take a tour, sample your favorites, and buy a case to remember your trip.
Discovery Center
If you need a kid-friendly attraction, the Discovery Center is the place to go. Filled with fun activities and science displays, kids can spend hours here thanks to the hands-on exhibits spread over six floors.
Walk through a giant human eyeball to discover how we see. Dig for dinosaurs. Immerse yourself in all kinds of worlds thanks to the only Lu Digital Interactive Playground in North America. Look for the Discovery Center just east of downtown as you drive along old Route 66.
Visit Route 66 Car Museum in Springfield, MO
Perfect for individuals, families, and tour groups, our museum celebrates the cars that shaped Route 66 in its heyday. Contact us online or call (417) 459-2452 to learn more about our exhibits and plan your visit!
