Route 66, also known as the "Mother Road," has become a pop culture icon of sorts, making appearances in countless films and TV shows. The historic highway runs straight through Arizona, and two of its very best roadside attractions are located right here.
Just minutes from the Mother Road lies the most well-preserved meteorite impact site on earth. Meteor Crater. Located near Winslow, this wonder is one mile across, 2.4 miles in circumference, and 550 feet deep and the result of a massive collision that took place about 50,000 years ago.
With a visitor center located directly on the rim, restaurant, gift shop, and viewing areas both indoors and out, there's so much to see and do. Tourists flock here from all over the globe, and it's easy to understand why.
Hike to the three lookout points on your own, or embark on a guided rim tour. The latter takes 45 minutes to an hour, but the rich, educational experience more than makes up for the extra time.
Don't forget to stop by the museum, where you can marvel at a real piece of the meteorite that formed the crater! Hours of operation are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily, and admission ranges from no cost to $22. Click here
for details.
Another top-rated attraction near Route 66 is the iconic Petrified Forest National Park. Nestled within the Painted Desert, this otherworldly landscape is a must-visit for Arizonans everywhere.
Petrified logs, dating back millions of years, are the park's namesake. These ancient fossils are now filled with quartz, which imparts a brilliant spectrum of colors when the sun hits just right.
The park is open daily and features such activities as sightseeing, photography, hiking, and backpacking. With mystical badlands far as the eye can see, it's a truly incredible place. Hours vary throughout the year, so visit the NPS website
before visiting.
Have you been to either Petrified Forest National Park or Meteor Crater (or both?) Let us know in the comments section, and check out our previous article for an incredibly scenic drive along Route 66.
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