The legendary U.S. Route 66—known as the Mother Road, the Will Rogers Highway, and more—was born on April 30, 1926, when a telegram from Springfield traveled to Washington, D.C., requesting Congress designate the iconic name for this incredible stretch of highway between Chicago and Los Angeles. And on this centennial year, there's no better place to celebrate the route's 100th birthday than where it all began. Keep an eye on the city’s festival site and the national centennial page for the programming schedule, media events, and more as the date approaches.
Springfield highlights & hotels on Route 66
Park Central & College Street Corridor: Stroll the birthplace blocks to see historic murals, neon, and interpretive stops.
History Museum on the Square: Exhibits trace Ozarks history and Route 66 lore. Plan about 90 minutes for your visit.
Gillioz Theatre: A circa 1926 Spanish-Revival jewel restored in 2006 still hosting live shows on historic St. Louis Street.
Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque: Hosting the Kick-Off event in April, this landmark auditorium is an amazing step back in time.
Route 66 Car Museum: More than 60 vehicles—including iconic film cars —line a walkable showroom timeline of American motoring.
Classic Eats: Historic Casper's, modern Black Sheep Burgers & Shakes, classic Route 66 Steak ’n Shake, and more!
Day Trips: Head for Gay Parita Sinclair Station in Paris Springs and the restored ghost town of Spencer for an afternoon of photo-ops.
Choice Hotels: Check out the map for Choice Hotels properties in Springfield—and be sure to book early for the Centennial!
The National Centennial Kick-Off on the Historic Route 66
Springfield is the official host for the Centennial Kick-Off on April 30, 2026, and the city intends to make it feel like a block party that stretches for miles. Expect a ceremony tied to the original naming moment, a classic-car parade with vehicles from every era of the highway, and live performances in historic venues spilling onto College Street. Families can count on plenty of kid-friendly fun around Park Central, too. Base yourself downtown so you can walk to most events, then leave time for a slow drive on old pavement—because the best way to celebrate Route 66 is to put a few miles on it.
Get a taste of classic Americana
Springfield’s burger circuit reads like a tasty road-trip playlist. The Route 66 Steak ’n Shake is a neon landmark and one of the few remaining locations with that classic curb-side service. For a modern twist, Black Sheep layers creative toppings on their burgers and pours boozy shakes spun with Andy’s Frozen Custard, a local legend that fuels late-night dessert runs. Grab a stool at Casper’s (open since 1909) for chili smothered burgers or fries inside Springfield’s oldest diner. Or, slide into a booth at College Street Café—a mom-and-pop spot right by the Route 66 Car Museum—for homestyle breakfasts and classic diner eats.
Catch a show in a vintage entertainment venue
Head to downtown Springfield for music and entertainment, where the marque lights meet neon history. The incredible Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque, which housed one of the country’s largest stages when it opened in 1923, still wows with its polychrome exterior and Moorish turrets. A few doors down, the Gillioz Theatre gleams again after a meticulous restoration in 2006. First opened in 1926 on newly announced Route 66, it's now a sparkling stop for concerts, movie events, and touring acts. Springfield Little Theatre keeps the local arts heartbeat strong inside the historic Landers Theatre (it's the oldest community theater in the state).
Spend an afternoon museum hopping
Start on College Street at the Route 66 Car Museum to see more than 60 classic and movie-famous vehicles in an easy, walkable space that feels like a showroom through time. Then head downtown to the History Museum on the Square for a clear, family-friendly look at Springfield’s past and its Route 66 story. If you have extra time, the Springfield Art Museum offers rotating exhibits and a small outdoor sculpture garden for a quick breather. For hands-on fun, add the Discovery Center of Springfield for all-age, interractive exhibits.
Take a picture-perfect day trip
Aim your headlights westward onto the photogenic “ghost stretch” between Springfield and Carthage. These 60 nostagic miles offer scenes from another time: weathered garages, stone storefronts, classic Americana, and pops of neon resurrected with care. Stop by the Gay Parita Sinclair Station in Paris Springs to explore this restored 1930s-era service station. Next, drive on to the lovingly restored station, store, and garage at the Spencer crossroads. Roll on to Carthage to see the Boots Court Motel (a restored motor court with that iconic stepped neon). And, when the weather's warm enough, you can catch a double-feature under the stars at the historic 66 Drive-In Theatre nearby.