Route 66: Texas Welcomes the World to the 2018 Route 66 Festival by 30Seconds Travel

It’s just 178 miles across, but there is a lot to see on historic Route 66 in the Texas Panhandle. Thousands are expected to do just that July 12-15, 2018, for the annual Route 66 Festival, this year hosted by Shamrock, Texas, with support from all the Texas towns up and down Historic Route 66.

This festival, sometimes called the International Festival, has been held in cities up and down the Mother Road. It was in Amarillo in 2011. Roadies will come from across the U.S. and around the world to bask in the marvels of Shamrock and the other Texas cities.

Shamrock, Texas, is home to the U-Drop Inn, a beautiful classic gas station that was an inspiration for Ramone’s in the Disney movie, “CARS.” The U-Drop is also home to Shamrock’s Visitor Center and Historic Route 66 Museum.

Photo: Shamrockedc.org 

McLean, Texas, is home to the Devil’s Rope and Route 66 Museum as well as the first Phillips 66 station in Texas.

Photo: BarbWireMuseum.com

Alanreed, Texas, is home to an unrestored, but iconic, Phillips 66 Super Station.

Photo: Wikipedia

Groom, Texas, is home to the leaning water tower as well as the Cross at Groom.

Photo: CrossMinistries.net

Amarillo is the largest Texas city on Historic Route 66 and features a mile-long district on Sixth between Georgia and Western Streets with lots of original architecture, new clubs and restaurants and great antique and gallery shopping. The Big Texan Steak Ranch on the east side of town and Cadillac Ranch just west of town.

Photo: TheRoute-66.com

Vega, Texas, is home to the Milburn-Price Culture Museum while Adrian is the midpoint of Route 66. The Midpoint Café (open April-October) is a great stopping point for roadies.

Photo: Facebook Milburn Price Culture Museum

Glenrio, Texas, is a real ghost town on the Texas/New Mexico border. It is exit 0 off Interstate 40 and features the remnant of a First Motel/Last Motel in Texas sign.

Photo: Wikipedia

The festival is focused on Shamrock July 12-15, but all the towns expect lots of explorers along Route 66 before and after the festival. Admission may be charged at some festival events. Shamrock has over 600 hotel rooms but they will be reserved quickly. Nineteen Amarillo hotels are offering special festival rates from July 10-17, 2018. For a complete list of special rates visit VisitAmarillo.com. Just mention the Texas Welcomes The World Route 66 Festival when making a reservation.