"Route 66, or the Mother Road as John Steinbeck called it in The Grapes of Wrath, turns 100 this year. And while the centennial celebration is the perfect time to celebrate all things related to roadtrips-gas station snacks, carefully curated playlists, rearview mirror decor-it's also a welcome call to hit the highway in search of some seriously dazzling architectural sights. Here, we've rounded up 14 can't-miss design landmarks along Route 66, with a healthy dose of kitsch sprinkled throughout."
"Consider the Mother Road a 2,400-mile design museum, from its start in Chicago to its end point in Santa Monica. Kick off your trip with an architectural colossus-the Windy City, one of the most dynamic destinations in the country. The Art Institute of Chicago is a must-visit, with its greatest hits-including Grant Wood's American Gothic, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, and Picasso's The Old Guitarist -as well as a dedicated architecture and design department that has curated more than 250,000 objects dating as far back as the 1870s."
"But it's not just the museum's collection that'll leave you slack-jawed. The building itself, especially the Renzo Piano-designed Modern Wing, is a sight to behold. Need to rest up before hitting the road? Pendry Chicago is an easy 10-minute walk to the Art Institute and is housed within the iconic 1929 Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building. Map out your road trip over Campari cocktails and live music at Château Carbide (a.k.a. the hotel's Speakeasy in the Sky), then wander out to the terrace to get a view of Chi"
"Take a peek at Honest Abe's former abode, walk one of the country's most impressive Art Deco districts, take part in a hands-on art installation spray-painting Cadillacs in the middle of a field, and more. Consider the Mother Road a 2,400-mile design museum, from its start in Chicago to its end point in Santa Monica."
Route 66, known as the Mother Road, spans about 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica and serves as a design museum along the way. The route includes major architectural destinations such as the Art Institute of Chicago, featuring a Renzo Piano-designed Modern Wing and major works like American Gothic, Nighthawks, and Picasso’s The Old Guitarist. The trip also incorporates Art Deco highlights, historic districts, and playful kitsch experiences, including hands-on art installations such as spray-painting Cadillacs in a field. Stops are paired with nearby stays and amenities, including hotels housed in notable Art Deco buildings, making the journey both visually rich and convenient.
Read at Architectural Digest
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