European Tourists Flock to Route 66 for 100th Anniversary as Towns Ready for Extra Traffic
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 6
European Tourists Flock to Route 66 for 100th Anniversary as Towns Ready for Extra Traffic
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 6
Summary
A dozen German and Swiss riders joined a two-week, 2,500-mile motorcycle trip from Chicago to Santa Monica, part of a wider European rush to Route 66 for its centennial year.
The 100th anniversary has turned the highway into a tourism draw, with visitors chasing stops such as Missouri motels, bridges and roadside shops tied to the road’s Americana image.
Towns along Route 66 have repaired neon signs, refreshed diner menus and stocked commemorative merchandise to capture the surge in travelers.
Tourism boards and Route 66 groups have also staged classic car rallies, street-painting contests and art installations, underscoring how the centennial is boosting local business across the historic route.