ROUTE
GLENRIO TO SANTA ROSA
• Roughly 100 miles •
Glenrio, San Jon, Tucumcari, Cuervo, Santa Rosa
STAY. A classic motor-court gem built in 1939, Tucumcari’s Blue Swallow Motel features an iconic arched entry lit by a glowing neon sign and beautifully restored midcentury decor. Owned by Route 66 enthusiast Larry Smith (and his dog, Sam), the 1959 Motel Safari features Googie-style architecture and midcentury decor. With a 1960s vibe, the Roadrunner Lodge has dog-friendly rooms where vintage radios play songs and commercials from the era. Camp lakeside at Santa Rosa Lake State Park.
EAT. Decorated with license plates and other Mother Road kitsch, Tucumcari’s Kix on 66 serves classic fare with New Mexican flair. It’s a favorite spot for locals to start the day with giant breakfast burritos and bottomless cups of coffee. In Santa Rosa, the Silver Moon Café is famous for green chile cheeseburgers and a gift shop overflowing with books, jewelry, and souvenirs. At Chico’s Tortas y Piñas Lokas, savor mouthwatering Mexican food and refreshing watermelon aguas frescas.
Santa Rosa’s Route 66 Auto Museum.
DO. In Tucumcari, browse stylish women’s clothing, accessories, and shoes at Blanco Creek Boutique while enjoying a Nutella latte or a Pineapple Paradise smoothie from the on-site Jackalope Coffee Haus & Smoothie Bar. Opened in 1936, the Art Deco–style Odeon Theatre screens first-run movies with 21st-century technology. Check out the 1954 Manley Popcorn Maker. Housed in the 1926 Spanish-style restored Union Station depot, the Tucumcari Historical Museum showcases eastern New Mexico’s railroad industry. In Santa Rosa, the Route 66 Auto Museum is a beacon for classic-car nuts and anyone with nostalgia for the Mother Road. Kids can splash and play on the inflatable obstacle course at Park Lake, in Santa Rosa.
EXPLORE. Tucumcari’s newest bright lights (LED, that is) can be found just off Route 66 at Art City, a family-friendly immersive sculpture park set on 40 acres with walking trails and camping and glamping accommodations. The sculptures are a joy to see when illuminated at night.
Dive into the Blue Hole.
Photograph by Steven St. John.
