1

122 S. Michigan Ave.

Image: Allen Boguslavsky

Why not start the trip at the place where it all began? For Route 66, the beginning is right in the heart of Chicago , at 122 S. Michigan Ave. Look for the iconic pylon near the intersection of South Michigan Avenue and East Adams Street.

Fun fact: the Mother Road didn’t always start there. Back in 1926, Jackson Boulevard at Michigan Avenue was the official launch point for travelers!

2

Gateway Arch

Image: Intricate Explorer

Follow your adventure in St. Louis with the Gateway Arch, a towering 630-foot tribute to westward expansion. This stainless-steel beauty isn’t just a landmark, it’s an experience in itself.

Ride the tram to the top for jaw-dropping views of the Mississippi River and the city skyline. It’s the perfect way to set the tone for the rest of your journey.

3

Route 66 Drive-In Theater

Image: Tim Mossholder

Ready for some vintage vibes? Swing by the Route 66 Drive-In Theater in Carthage, Missouri. This blast from the past offers double features under the stars , just like in the good old days.

Opened in 1949, closed in 1985, and re-opened in 1998, this drive-in theatre has functioned ever since and plays two movies from Friday to Sunday every single week. Bring your lawn chairs and a cooler, or cozy up in your car for the full retro experience.

4

The Golden Driller

Image: Jametlene Reskp

Now it’s time to meet the Golden Driller, a 76-foot-tall oil worker who’s been standing proud in Tulsa, Oklahoma, since the 1960s.

It’s one of the largest freestanding statues in the country and a nod to Oklahoma’s rich oil history. At the base, there’s a sign that reads: "The Golden Driller, a symbol of the International Petroleum Exposition. Dedicated to the men of the petroleum industry who, by their vision and daring, have created from God’s abundance a better life for mankind." Strike a pose with this gentle giant, and you’ll feel downright tiny.

5

Route 66 Museum

Image: Carol Highsmith's America

For the following stop, you can take a break to explore the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. In it, you’ll be able to see artifacts, photos, and exhibits celebrating the history of the Mother Road.

Wander through rooms themed by decade, and you’ll feel like you’re traveling through time. From the Dust Bowl to the heyday of diners, this museum paints quite a vivid picture of Route 66’s golden era. And, of course, you can go by the gift shop to get a road trip memento.

6

Cadillac Ranch

Image: Heidi Kaden

If you’ve ever wanted to graffiti a Cadillac, this is your chance. Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, features 10 half-buried cars sticking nose-first out of the ground. It’s an open-air art installation that’s as weird as it is wonderful.

Grab a can of spray paint (provided by friendly locals or your fellow travelers) and leave your mark. Just be warned, it might only last a day before someone else paints over it!

7

Route 66 Halfway Point

Image: Vicky McLain

Welcome to Adrian, Texas, the official halfway point of Route 66! You’re 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Los Angeles, so take a breath and celebrate!

The MidPoint Café is famous for its "ugly crust" pies. Don’t trust the name; they are actually delicious! It’s a perfect pit stop to recharge and think about the fact that you’ve conquered half of the Mother Road. Only halfway to go!

8

Meteor Crater

Image: John Ballem - a collection of personal photos

Arizona is home to some magical attractions, and Meteor Crater is no exception. This massive impact site, located near Meteor City, was created by a meteorite over 50,000 years ago . Standing on the rim and peering into the 560-foot-deep crater, you’ll feel like a tiny speck in the universe. The visitor center has some cool exhibits on space and meteors, which is perfect for science lovers or anyone who likes their roadside stops with a side of awe.

9

Old Trails Bridge

Image: Jimmy Whitson

Crossing the Colorado River into Arizona, the Old Trails Bridge in Topock is a picturesque reminder of Route 66’s early days. Though it’s no longer open to traffic , it’s a popular photo spot for travelers.

The rusted steel beams and sweeping desert views will give you a beautiful moment. Pause here, take in the history, and imagine the countless cars that once went across its span.

10

Burger Hut

Image: Haseeb Jamil

Needless, California, may be small, but it’s big on charm, especially at Burger Hut. This unassuming little eatery is beloved for its old-school burgers, fries, and milkshakes. It’s the kind of place where the food is made with love , and the portions are hearty. Don’t take our word for it; just go try it!

After hours on the road, there’s nothing better than a juicy burger and a chance to stretch your legs. This spot is a gem along Route 66!

11

Hollywood sign

Image: Scott Greer

As you approach the end of Route 66, why not take a detour to see the world-famous Hollywood Sign? Perched on the hills overlooking Los Angeles, it’s a symbol of dreams and stardom .

Take a hike to the best viewpoints for some exercise (and epic photos, of course). Sure, it’s a bit off the beaten path, but what’s a road trip without a side quest?

12

Santa Monica Pier

Image: Joel Mott

You’ve made it! The Santa Monica Pier marks the official end of Route 66 . With its iconic Ferris wheel, arcade games, and ocean views, it’s the perfect spot to celebrate completing your journey.

Now you’re done, dip your toes in the Pacific, grab a cone of soft-serve, and reflect on all the memories you’ve made along the way. The Mother Road may end here, but the stories you’ve collected will last a lifetime.

1

Kathleen Kennedy

Image: Thea Hdc

Kathleen Kennedy has been a part of many of the greatest movies of the last 35 years. She’s been involved with almost every Steven Spielberg movie since Raiders of the Lost Ark, but also Back to the Future, The Goonies, The Sixth Sense, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button , to name a few. Also, she is the president of Lucasfilm following its sale to Disney.

2

Reed Hastings

Image: Jakob Owens

Netflix’s co-founder Reed Hastings is a big name in the entertainment business, helping distribute some of the world’s most-viewed television shows over the last years.

With a background in technology and software, Hastings capitalized on the changing media consumption behaviors and created something that took the media business by storm.

3

Bob Iger

Image: Clyde He

Quite probably the most influential person in Hollywood, Bob Iger presides over the industry’s largest and most influential entertainment business, the Disney brand. Add 21st Century Fox, Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar , and a few other things, and you have a modern-day media empire.

4

Kevin Feige

Image: Brands&People

Arguably the most successful film producer of all time, Kevin Feige has championed the superhero cinematic universe that has swept over Hollywood in the last decades, whether you like it or not.

5

Dana Walden

Image: J. Schiemann

Dana Walden was a key figure in Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox TV , which she built into a powerhouse over two decades. She is also in charge of ABC Studios, ABC Entertainment, Freeform, and Hulu .

6

Oprah Winfrey

Image: Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov

A true household name, Oprah Winfrey is one of America’s most trusted stars . She also writes bestsellers, has her own cable network (OWN), and is involved in infinite ventures in the entertainment landscape.

7

J.J. Abrams

Image: Billy Freeman

The name behind some of the biggest blockbusters of the last 30 years, J.J. Abrams, is one of the most sought-after directors and producers in all of Hollywood. He is responsible for movies like Armageddon, several Mission: Impossible installments, and a couple of Star Wars films , to name a few.

8

Shonda Rhimes

Image: Jakob Owens

As the creator and showrunner of Grey’s Anatomy, Bridgerton, Scandal, Private Practice, How to Get Away with Murder , and many other series, Shonda Rhimes has been a strong presence in Hollywood since the early 2000s and has been featured multiple times in the Times 100 Most Influential People on the World list.

9

Steven Spielberg

Image: Mirko Fabian

Probably the person most of us would expect to be on this list, Steven Spielberg has shaped America and the world’s pop culture with some of the most successful and influential films ever made . His presence has been a force to be reckoned with and a strong influence in Hollywood since the mid-1970s.

10

James Cameron

Image: Kyle Loftus

The man behind blockbusters like Titanic, Terminator, and Avatar , among many others, has kept himself busy diving to the deepest point in the ocean, creating documentaries, series, producing, directing, writing, and more for a few decades now and his work is embedded in pop culture, in a similar way to Spielberg and our next entry.

11

Stephen King

Image: Vitalii Onyshchuk

The man responsible for some of the biggest film classics, not just in the horror genre but in many others as well, didn’t even intend to go into the movie business in the first place.

As one of America’s more successful contemporary writers, Stephen King has created stories that started as bestsellers and eventually found their way into Hollywood. From Carrie, Cujo, Pet Sematary, The Shining, to Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, Stand By Me , and countless others, his stories are the basis for some of the biggest blockbusters that Hollywood has ever seen.

1

ALF

Image: Erik Mclean

In case you didn’t know, this beloved TV character’s name is not short for "Alfred." It actually comes from the term " A lien L ife F orm," but don’t be alarmed: This alien is as friendly as they come. ALF is the quirky and lovable adopted family member of the Tanner family, who gained the heart of the American public in the 80s and 90s.

ALF’s story begins after this alien’s spaceship crash-landed in the garage of the Tanner’s, a typical suburban American family. Although his many antics often bring trouble for the entire family, ALF’s big heart quickly makes the Tanners fall in love with him, harboring and keeping him hidden from the U.S. government.

2

E.T.

Image: Rick L

Are we in the presence of the most famous film alien in history? While we might not be able to answer this question (the remaining entries on this list might very well be as beloved), E.T. is definitively a heavy contender for this highly-coveted title. It’s been over 40 years since this extraterrestrial’s only on-screen appearance, but he still remains as iconic as he ever was.

Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film tells the story of Elliot, a typical American boy who befriends a lovable alien stranded on Earth. Elliot, alongside his family and friends, helps E.T. go back home, leaving us with a few of the most memorable moments in cinematic history.

3

Mork

Image: photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0

Not every alien on this list has to look weird: Leave it to the amazing Robin Williams to portray one of the most beloved TV aliens in history. "Mork and Mindy" shows the adventures of Mindy McConnell, an American teenager who befriends an alien simply known as "Mork from Ork."

Not many know that this now classic TV show was an offshoot of another beloved American show, "Happy Days." Williams's only appearance in a Happy Days episode impressed producers so much that they decided to give this TV legend his first chance.

4

Marvin the Martian

Image: cogdogblog, CC BY 2.0

Marvin the Martian might be the first alien on this list to pose a threat to mankind, but don’t worry: His plans usually backfire in a spectacular fashion, usually thanks to a wisecracking rabbit or to a lisping duck with anger issues.

Originally voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc, perhaps what’s more memorable about Marvin is his unusual design: You wouldn’t expect a creature of outer space to sport a red unitard, green skirt, nor a fashionable broom on his helmet, right?

5

Chewbacca

Image: Kadyn Pierce

If you had to describe Chewbacca to someone who had never seen the film, the image they would form in their head wouldn’t necessarily describe Han Solo’s partner in crime, right? After all, they would probably think of Chewie as some sort of huge and extremely adorable teddy bear, unaware of the danger they would be in if they called this iconic Wookie cute.

However, as ferocious as Chewbacca was to any Storm Trooper that dared to step in his way, he was also an extremely loyal and loving comrade to any of his many rebel friends. Few movie sounds are as memorable as Chewie’s deafening roar.

6

Xenomorph

Image: Hossam el-Hamalawy, CC BY 2.0

First things first: In case you didn’t know, the titular alien species in the " Alien " film series does have a name. Well, sort of. These jet-black monstrosities are actually known as the Xenomorph . However, should you ask an etymology aficionado about what this Ancient Greek word actually means, the answer would simply be "an alien or strange creature." So, in a way, these creatures can simply be called "Aliens.".

In any case, few extraterrestrials have instilled so much fear into the hearts of moviegoers: Their razor-sharp claws, amazing strength, and acidic blood definitively make them one of the most dangerous creatures in film history. In fact, only one fictional alien species has been able to stand their ground against the vicious Xenomorphs and, as luck would have it, they are the next entry on this list!

7

Predator

Image: Anderson Mancini from Sao Paulo, Brazil, CC BY 2.0

Way before the 2001 movie "Alien vs Predator" pitted these two science-fiction juggernauts against one another, the Predator had already established itself as the deadliest hunter in the galaxy. This alien race lives for one thing and one thing only: To prove their skills by tracking and hunting down the most dangerous and exquisite creatures.

The 1987 film "Predator" introduced the world to this cold-blooded hunter by placing him in a terrifying environment: The film follows Vietnam War veteran Major Dutch (played by Arnold Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his efforts to escape the Predator that’s hunting them in the deep jungle. However, the second Predator film saw an even more unnerving scenario: The Predator hunting down prey in the streets of Los Angeles.

8

Mr. Spock

Image: Wonderlane

Is Mr. Spock on this list? It seems only logical. In a list almost entirely comprised of extraordinary and bizarre creatures, it only took a set of pointy ears to turn actor Leonard Nimoy into one of the most instantly recognizable fictional aliens in history.

Mr. Spock has been a staple of the Star Trek universe since the very first episode of the original show aired in the 1960s. Spock quickly became a fan favorite: His highly logical brain, combat skills and passion for science made him extremely interesting to TV audiences. Not only that, Nimoy’s deep voice and magnetic personality added to the depth of this character.

9

Mars Attacks!

Image: Derpy CG

When audiences saw Tim Burton’s 1996 black comedy "Mars Attack!," they were quickly enthralled by the menacing yet funny-looking Martians attacking our country. However, few of them knew that these aliens were actually much older, dating back to a 1960s trading card game produced by Topps.

The lore established by the trading card series and the film is pretty much the same: One day, our planet finds itself invaded by a race of Martians hell-bent on taking over our planet. While the Earth is first unable to defend against their superior technology, our tenacity and grit allow us to battle these hideous space invaders.

10

Superman

Image: Esteban López

We’ll end this article with the last son of Krypton. Sometimes we tend to forget that Superman , a superhero believed by many to be the ultimate American icon, arrived on our planet as a baby from outer space. After his home planet was doomed, Kal-El’s biological father sent him far away across the galaxy, with his small vessel crash-landing into a small farm in Smallville, Kansas.

Baby Kal-El was found by Jonathan and Martha Kent, two farmers who instantly adopted him as their own child. Now known as Clark, the boy that would eventually become the "Man of Steel" found his powers at an early age, and set out to defend our world from all sorts of dangers.