Tulsa According to Route 66

Posted by Tasha on March 9th, 2011 in Attractions, Culture

One of my top tips for getting to know your town, whether it’s Tulsa or Timbuktu, is to swear off highways.

Route 66 is one huge exception to this rule.

Yesterday morning my little family hopped into our little car to run some errands, hopefully to be rewarded with a free trip to Philbrook Museum (Philbrook hosts a Free Family Day the second Saturday of each month).

After two measly errands, though, our two-year-old was asleep in the backseat. Out like a light.

While we love a visit to Philbrook, it’s not on the list of reasons for which we’d dare disturb the slumber of our son. Imminent danger, perhaps. Armageddon, maybe. A life-sized replica of Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars, should we find one day it exists, yes.

But a visit to a quiet, echo chamber of a museum? Absolutely freaking not.

So, instead, we hit the road – the Mother Road.

While I know Route 66 relatively well when it comes to west Tulsa and Sapulpa, I knew next to nothing about the treasures it holds on the east side of town. Since my husband spent a lot of time in that part of town when he first came to Oklahoma from his native state of Arkansas, he was nice enough to show me a thing or two about what I’d been missing.

I like to think I know where to find a bargain, especially here in Tulsa. How is it, then, that I’ve managed to miss Admiral Flea Market? I mean, I knew it was there. I just had no idea what a hot spot it could be on a Sunday afternoon.

Me thinks I need to follow my own advice a little more often.

Something that’s easy to love about Route 66 are the roadside signs. The neon ones get a lot of love, but the other types are fun, too.

Check it out: the He’s Not Here Sports Bar.

Imagine: *ring ring* “Hello? He’s Not Here.”

Classic.

I told my husband while we were driving that one could easily start a blog about Route 66 roadside signs. Or Route 66 tattoo/piercing parlors – there are as many as one per block along certain stretches of Tulsa’s slice of the Mother Road.

Hotels and motels, too.

Then, there’s this place.

East Central High School on Route 66 in Tulsa, Oklahoma

That’s East Central High School, one of the most interesting school buildings in T-Town. Will Rogers High School is great in all of its art deco splendor, but East Central is pretty fabulous, too, if you ask me.

Something I wish I had known when I was younger is exactly how much fun it is to cruise Route 66 as it winds and meanders around town. It passes through parts of my old stomping grounds in Sapulpa, which makes me wonder why none of the boys I dated in high school were clever enough to take me out on a Route 66-themed drive. Or a Route 66-themed date, even.

I guess that’s why I married the guy with all the good ideas.

What are your favorite stops along Tulsa’s stretch of Route 66?

This post was originally published March 1, 2010.

Tagged: attractions, culture, east Tulsa, free stuff to do, kids and families, road trips, Route 66, scenic drives

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11 Comments to Tulsa According to Route 66

Ed

On March 1, 2010 at 10:50 pm

1

I love the Admiral Flea Market! btw, great tacos and tortas from the truck that's parked there every weekend.

Big things will be happening all along Tulsa's share of Route 66 in the next few years. Awesome things.

My favorite Tulsa Route 66 landmarks? The Blue Dome and the Circle Cinema. Both were on the original alignment of Route 66 through town from 1926-1932. On 11th Street, the Meadow Gold sign!
Shane Hood

On March 1, 2010 at 11:12 pm

2

I love going to work in my gas station turned design studio on route 66. An old Pemco service station at 11th and Quincy diagonal from the Meadowgold sign. Desert Hills motel, Rancho Grande, Meadowgold signs are all really nice.
Joy

On March 1, 2010 at 11:37 pm

3

Actually, there are a few Route 66 blogs that cover the signs, motels, general Rte 66 architecture, or other bric-a-brac floating around. I believe I've also found flickr groups too. Fascinating stuff.

I'm truly glad someone decided to save the Meadow Gold sign; I was upset when they removed it. It's still not the same being in the new spot–my inner child pouts about this–but it's still better than gone.

I have too many fave stops to list to be honest; each for various sentimental reasons. Every mile in and around Tulsa has something about it, it seems. I'm a Tulsa sap. Love it.
Mom Mayhem says:

On March 2, 2010 at 4:21 am

4

Ahh-Some familiar sights. I've been to the Flea Market a few times and my mom did graduate from East Central afterall. Yep always good to see signs along Route 66 especially about donuts As for my other favs? Tally's cafe is always a good Rt. 66 stop.
Yogi

On September 3, 2010 at 3:27 pm

6

So how did I miss this post when it came out in March? I hold you personally responsible Tasha! This is great.
Shelby T

On September 9, 2010 at 7:20 am

7

Ahhh East Central. Or as we called it “five floors of fury!”
TravelingSpork

On March 9, 2011 at 3:51 pm

8

The life size replica of Lightning McQueen lives! It’s at Disneyland. HAhahahahaHAhAhahaha! So, when ya goin?
Tasha

On March 9, 2011 at 3:58 pm

9

Ha! Never.
Lauren

On March 9, 2011 at 5:04 pm

10

So my favorite eastside Route 66 thing is not so much on the mother road, but rather a part of it. It’s that BADASS traffic circle near the Admiral Flea. I could drive that thang for like thirty minutes.

I love traffic circles.
Heather

On March 10, 2011 at 8:14 pm

11

I love all those pictures. I feel like I really have missed out- I’ve never been on Route 66! I’m from the Midwest, been all over Europe but haven’t truly explored our beautiful country. I think a driving vacation is in order.

Tasha Does Tulsa.