Route 66 Road Trip Stops in Missouri

Missouri is the second to last state we drove through on our 14 day Route 66 road trip. It was a fun state to get to know more and I especially loved the fact that there are so many caves to tour in Missouri, with Meramec Caverns being a major highlight for me. Some of the other highlights during this portion of the route were our time visiting Gary's Gay Parita, the Chain of the Rock Bridge, the large rocking chair and the fun roadside stop of Uranus.
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[@charlesrives9092]

Ted Drewes is probably the best frozen custard anywhere. I have plans to travel 66 thru Missouri and Oklahoma in a month or so- Ted Drewes is on my list of places to stop!

[@garrettayres5948]

These videos give me such a good feeling. I want to do this one day

[@ThroughMyLens]

So glad to hear you are enjoying the videos. I hope you can make the drive one day.

[@jaysantos536]

@@ThroughMyLens Too bad your Dad is so boring.

[@DrBilly90210]

17:43 Route 66 State Park used to be known as Times Beach, MO. One of the first EPA Superfund sites, it was the largest civilian exposure to dioxin (e.g. Agent Orange) in history. The town was evacuated and the first couple of feet of soil from the town had to be decontaminated.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Wow, interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[@michelleboots4093]

I played in those dusty streets a few times back in the late 60's...had family that lived there😮

[@richardeast3328]

@@michelleboots4093Me too.

[@kellyjohnson3617]

You are inspiring me to do Route 66. I have friends that live along the route that I would love to see and so much history and kitsch and natural wonders to see. Thanks for posting

[@ThroughMyLens]

That is awesome to hear! There are long stretches of nothing but there is still a lot of cool stuff to see on the route.

[@rhondaaliah3475]

I love these videos! September 2019, I rode my bicycle by myself with a friend along in her motorhome as my support along Route 66 from Wilmington, IL to Cataloosa Oklahoma. Revisiting these places was wonderful. I hope to finish to California starting from Tulsa either this year or next. These videos have given me the inspiration to complete my original adventure. Thank you.

[@cherylbarnes4032]

Please keep giving all kinds of tours all over I will follow you two wherever you go!! Your the best and I've traveled all over the world!!😊😷Cher

[@Giles29]

Bass Pro Shop in Springfield is absolutely amazing, and I also loved the aquarium.

[@tmorente]

I did this road trip and I stopped at the Meramac caverns. That was fun, our tour guide was a de shelved looking young man who looked like he just woke up and was tucking in his shirt. And at the end he was controlling the lights for the light show ending. It was very patriotic and loved it

[@exploringsoutheastarizona2167]

I used to live in MO., Grand Falls was my favorite place to photograph. Love the waterfall there. It's quiet, calm & peaceful.

[@ChuckShiley]

In Dec 1962 I drove route 66 between Santa Rosa, NM and Chicago two times. I have viewed other presentations of this route and I really like your presentation style. Thanks

[@aaroncurry1084]

Thanks so much for posting this. My wife and I just got back from a weekend trip to Springfield, Mo. We watched your videos before we left and stopped at several different places. We enjoyed most of the stops. We didn't even know about the big chair until this video. Hope others get to watch this and enjoy some stops. If you do, tell the merchants you saw this video. I told them and they were surprised.

[@pamgaines970]

Thank you as always. So fun to come along with you and your Dad and. Hi Amy

[@lewiskalb]

These videos are amazing....all from the comfort of home, seeing these wonderful attractions

[@jennifersanders1111]

Thank you for a Missouri Route 66 video that was interesting and helped answer some of my questions for our upcoming trip!

[@zachr.3635]

As a resident of Springfield, SW MO has tons of gems. The more I travel the world, the more I love Springfield. I actually worked at that Steak n Shake years ago! Thanks for the video!

[@DirectionWideOpen]

Glad to hear about the Grandaddy of Bass Pro Shops. We're going to drive up from Rogers, Arkansas to see it. We didn't even know about it or that it was so close! Thanks for such a great video!

[@rutheiermann3476]

Missouri is very interesting. Never knew they had caverns. Very clean looking part of route 66 too.

[@randyrick8019]

there are several other commercial caves in Missouri. Don't forget Tom Sawyer's cave in Hannibal. Actually there are well over 2,000 caves in Mo (I'm an ex-member of National Speleological Society aka cave explorers).

[@rutheiermann3476]

@@randyrick8019 wow!

[@50lindafrey]

Thanks again for sharing your experience!!!

[@jaysonguzman4347]

Josh and Jeff you guys are the best travelers in through my lens 🙂👍 it's great to see these places in Missouri still in service today 👍 neon lights are the best things to see 🙂 and it's cool that you guys went to the precious moments chapel 😎👍 and it's awesome that you guys went to bass pro world and seeing the fishes 🐙🐠🐟🐬🐳🐋🐡🦀🦐🦑🦈 and reptiles 🐍🐢🐸🐊🦎 😎.

[@hammockstocoasters]

We’re planning an April trip. Finding this very helpful. Thank you for all that you do.

[@leilacruz3272]

Soothing voice, neat pics, i like! Thx for sharing!

[@oohyllab]

Well that was a great vid guy! Looked very fun. I’ve been to a few lil places as I live in MO. Nice that you & your pop got to do that. I find it a real shame that most of the cool old bridges are systematically being torn down & hadn’t realized there were any left frankly, except the Chain of Rocks. Thanks for posting the awesome trip.

[@charlespenny7992]

Excellent video series! I've really enjoyed the adventures you and your dad had through the Route 66 states, west to east. One more to go!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks so much for watching and for following along. It will be bittersweet for me to post the last video since it finally signals the end of this trip

[@charlespenny7992]

@@ThroughMyLens Thanks for your kind reply! I hope you have great success with these and other videos you make.

[@rodolfojoseespino6729]

The Aquarium was amazing place , it's installed in my mind and I liked too much... Thanks for show all place beautiful 👍🇦🇷🌎

[@Fly420]

Springfield resident would like to add THE CRUISE which happens on nice weekend evenings on a stretch of Kearney Ave. (Rte 66) that the City set aside for the purpose. Folks bring out their hot rods, bikes, rats, muscle cars, etc and cruise from dinner to 3 a.m. It is something to behold!

[@marylozano495]

I enjoyed your videos. Im in Kansas and im always looking for things to explore. Thank you for sharing!

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

Ha ha - Jim and I probably would have been sitting outside the cavern with your dad, although that was huge! I had no idea Bass Pro Shops had an aquarium and the "dead animal" museum ~ impressive! Oh my... your dad posing in Uranus - ha ha ha ha!!!! Classic. All of these stops are so kitschy and so right up my alley.

[@markscaturro8324]

So glad to see this video. I live in Illinois and learned of a few additional sites to see!

[@rosalieduenas9546]

🥰🥰🥰thanks for sharing God bless to both of you

[@thebeartk]

That "general store" (in Plano, MO ghost-town) was actually a casket factory.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Oh really? Didn't know that, thanks for the comment

[@Ronnieyotob]

Taking the route from my hometown in stl west to the end this summer. Your videos have been AMAZING for me, thank you guys!

[@ThroughMyLens]

No problem, glad you enjoyed the series

[@melindakeown7500]

Love this!! We’re traveling to Missouri & needed ideas!! Thank you!

[@justhonest41]

Thank you for you info. We are going to Midwest trip for Dec'21 and for sure we will see some of your suggestions.

[@KodyKline]

Have done the whole route 66 couple times---you got many of the good spots. Well done. Looking forward to 66 out west again 2020.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Awesome! It is a pretty special road trip for sure.

[@Baronboley]

Very cool video. I live in Republic, Mo, just outside Springfield. I am also friends with George over at Gay Parita and hang out with him fairly often. He's a great guy. Several years ago my dad and I did Route 66 from Springfieldz Mo to California and it was an amazing trip. Looks like your trip is as well.

[@kxrv6629]

Another great Vid. Fortunately we were able to stay at the Boots Motel prior to its most recent renovation. Fantastic Caverns is probably

[@robertschaefer3223]

I grew up 3 blocks from Ted Drewes. I say he made me the man I am today!

[@brenw.6096]

Awesome video. Thanks.🇺🇸🦄💜

[@nbragtop]

Wonderful video, thank you!

[@cherylbarnes4032]

You have the best tours ever!!

[@Tboneguy03]

Grew up in KC. Went to college at Missouri State in Springfield :) Fun to see all the surrounding cities featured, too.

[@ThroughMyLens]

So awesome, thanks for watching the video!

[@alphaomegasurvivalsupply6548]

@ 14:39 the hillbilly's top hand was taken off by a semi truck pulling thru the lot, which broke the motor that spun the arms which is why they aren't spinning in the video just in case you were wondering lol. I worked at the store he is in front of at the time this was filmed, very neat to have stumbled across this vid, great job sir.

[@JeffDeWitt]

I did the whole route a couple of years ago and loved it so much I'm going to do the OK city to probably Springfield IL part of it in a few months. The one spot you visited that I'd really have liked to was Fantastic Caverns, so I'll have to check that one out this trip!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Awesome! Yea Fantastic Caverns is great

[@bassque]

Ted Drews. It really is good guys! And Gals!

[@skipandcherieadventures116]

Really enjoyed this one! Makes me want to see the places!

[@ThroughMyLens]

So awesome, there are a bunch of fun spots in Missouri for sure!

[@Sam-qn4ly]

used to live in springfield, really miss it. It is a super fun town to spend a weekend in.

[@ThroughMyLens]

I agree, I wish I would have had more time there to explore.

[@creationsbyrosita6306]

Where do you live now

[@evamaggard]

Was born and raised in Missouri… Grew up on and by Route 66 in Missouri

[@josevantrabuco9425]

Gosto muito de seus vídeos. Trabalhei 15 anos como Cinegrafista,. Sou fã de imagens sensacionais. Parabéns pelo seu trabalho. Estou aqui no Brazil curtindo seus vídeos.

[@TheLastAdventurer]

Dang, look at that giant chair that is epic show me style!

[@CEagle-cl5xd]

Carolyn Eagle This video is really well done. It is fun and interesting.

[@mariebrundridge2679]

Really enjoyed your trip video on route 66 through MO. I lived in Springfield not far from route 66. I use to take many trips on sections of route 66. I now live a half mile from route 66 in San Bernardino. Can't seem to get far from route 66.

[@angelitanagun220]

Beautiful place

[@juliamarple3785]

Cool! I'm planning a roadtrip thru Missouri this fall. But this confirmed that I'm not much of a Route 66 fan. IM GONNA WATCH YOUR ST LOUIS VIDEO, cuz I'm going thru there & I wanna go up!

[@johnwest8383]

The whole serise is the best I ever seen Great job Oh I guess you left out the part of wild girls LOL.

[@beatlessteph]

Was actually at fantastic caverns not to long a go on vacation and it’s pretty cool

[@evamaggard]

I was born and raised in Missouri and been on Route 66 a bunch of times.......2021

[@joharmon2148]

Great another section of Route 66. I'm with your dad I'll wait in the lobby.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for watching!

[@jdbaumanns]

Great video series! Love this channel and all your content! As a native Missourian I just wanted to coerrect your pronunciation of Rolla. Unless you are from around here it is easy to not know the “O” line in the name is pronounced with an “ah” sound. This is not a complaint just an FYI. Too bad you missed the vacuum museum as closed about a year ago. Looking forward to the Illinois video. Thanks again for all your hard work and great content.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for the fix and the comment, appreciate it!

[@kevp9601]

I Love It a Lot.

[@MyCornerOnline]

Great video.

[@JodysJourney]

I’ve been waiting for this one. 😀. I’m a lifelong Missourian and my brother lives in Lebanon (which is pronounced Leb-a-nun, not Leb-a-non. Just FYI). And it’s Raw-la, not Roll-la. Missouri place names are fun. 😀

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for the suggestions, it's always hard to get to the different cities and hope you are pronouncing the names right haha 😀

[@JodysJourney]

Through My Lens Good thing you didn’t go to Versailles, Mo. (Ver-say-eles). Haha.

[@CoryTheRaven]

Is it Mizz-oor-ee or Mizz-oor-ah? :)

[@JodysJourney]

CoryTheRaven Haha. It depends on which side of the state you are in. 😂

[@RicG.]

Jody - I was just getting ready to write the exact same post, and then I saw yours. LOL (I grew up in Springfield, MO.)

[@kcnative1]

I went to Fantastic Caverns about 30 years ago. I only remember the guide turning off the lights in the cave. But I believe my mom still has the photo of us in the caves.

[@ThroughMyLens]

It is always crazy when they turn the light off and it is complete darkness.

[@SomeplaceOrAnother]

It’s a little late now, but you missed something cool. Bob’s gasoline alley, it is down the road from that giant rocking chair. About 5 minutes off of Route 66. It’s been a great series, well done 👍

[@ThroughMyLens]

Bummer, will have to drive the route again!

[@jasonhellman5780]

Bob from Bob's gasoline alley passed a few days ago. Very sad.

[@SomeplaceOrAnother]

Jason Hellman 🙁

[@benjigreenlee9540]

I grew up in this area, my dad, my mom, my grandma and grandpa are all buried in Bourbon, MO and I didn't know about some of these places, tbh. I'm going to go soon

[@michaelanderson2106]

I live in Waynesville and used to live in Devils Elbow. Glad you came through that way, I think it is a beautiful area. The sign for Uranus looks pretty epic at night with all the neon lit up. And St. Robert is working on making a neon park with old signs from the Route restored and lit up in and old highway park. In Waynesville the old courthouse and the old stagecoach stops are museums if you are passing though on a weekend when they are open and the area in general is a great place to grab food. It is the home of Fort Leonard Wood (which has some museums of its own) and has some great Korean restaurants due to the Korean population from the military base.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for all the tips!

[@glbehnken]

I grew up in Missouri...If you enjoy the outdoors, it is one of the best kept secrets in the country.

[@shill9315]

Rumor in Springfield is that it is the birth place for Route "66". The 66 designation was originated here in Spfd, MO

[@evie0922]

In Stanton The the road to meramec cavers theres a place called the reptile ranch theres a lion some tigers u can also hold alligators and now there is a second one on the other outer road with sting rays and there's may places to do float trips also in Bourbon there's a place called blue springs ranch where you can ride horses and stay theres some good geocache out there. Sullivan is my home town 😀

[@abbycusumano6981]

Nice video Keep up the good work

[@int3nzpeax49]

I quite liked the Video because it has shown nice Places on Route 66 such as Ted Drewes, which sells nice ice cream and stuff and it's like so much fun to see it. Another nice sight were the Praying Hands, which were like 32 feet tall and they could easily be seen from the road and looked amazing at sunset. The Route 66 drive in Theatre is definitely a place to go for me because I love open air Movies and stuff like that, but its kind of sad that there are no movies on weekdays. The Gay Parita Sinclair Station is a nice little Place with a replica gas station from 1930s with real pumps and there are all sorts of memorabilia from Route 66 history. The Last sight where I definitely want to go is the Jasper County Courthouse because it has this spectacular architecture and there is even a little museum inside. It was built in 1894 which makes it much more interesting. Go on with nice Videos like this.

[@kcountrygirlstl19]

I'm in Carthage,MO and wanted to let everyone know that the small museum in the Jasper County Courthouse is closed. They are doing renovations to the courthouse.

[@samtheram13]

You see all the bill boards for these places, drive southwest from stl. Really cool

[@derekbaber2109]

Ted Drew’s was awesome on to the arch and Busch stadium tomorrow

[@Zenmazter]

Love the videos bro! Stl Native! This channel is soo good ✌🏾

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thank you so much, that is very kind!

[@CoryTheRaven]

You touched on stuff I had no idea about... I already knew about Meramec but not Onondaga Caves or Fantastic Caverns... As a geology nerd, I'm gratified to know that Missouri will be a hghlight when we eventually do Route 66, whenever that will be :D

[@ThroughMyLens]

Missouri has dozens of caves to explore. I would love to go there and just visit a bunch of caves!

[@CoryTheRaven]

@@ThroughMyLens and Hannibal is just 2 hours north of St. Louis... As a Twain fan I'm in good stead. I just have to decide if I'm doing Route 66 or just Missouri :D

[@glbehnken]

I was born in Hannibal and grew up in Kansas City. Missouri is an awesome state, unfortunately I no longer live there. The real Ozarks (not the Lake of the Ozarks) are an amazing place if you like the outdoors. There are so many geological things to see in the Ozarks (Elephant Rocks and the Johnson Shut-Ins just to name a couple). The rivers that comprise the Ozark National Scenic Riverways are the Jewel of the state. The Ozark Trail is a great hiking / backpacking trail and there are more spring fed streams than you can count. You could spend a month sight seeing the Ozarks and not see half of the stuff worth visiting. Hermann, MO., (not in the Ozarks but not far away) has to be one of my favorite small towns anywhere. I could go on and on about my favorite state......

[@lenalyles2712]

I grew up in MO and been on RT66 many times. One thing I always bypass ST Louis just like I avoid Dallas and Houston in TX. The bridges you showed closed I traveled many times.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Yea, Chain of the Rocks Bridge is probably a pretty popular way for people to drive that bypasses St Louis.

[@nunyabizznizz7326]

better than travel channel videos, imho...thank you for posting

[@ThroughMyLens]

Really appreciate it, thanks for the comment!

[@beatlessteph]

Was also at the bass pro shop aquarium and I saw fish I didn’t know existed

[@MarksKicksOnRoute66]

Another nice video I've shared it through my channels. The bridge that was closed is the Gasconade River Bridge and if you look to the north there is a replacement bridge that has recently opened that keeps you on Route 66. I'm involved with the efforts to save the old Bridge.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thank you so much for sharing and for the comment. Also, thank you for working to save the old bridge, that is awesome to hear!

[@MarksKicksOnRoute66]

Through My Lens your welcome brother!

[@deejt5220]

I agree with your dad, I can’t do claustrophobic situations either. I couldn’t go up in Gateway Arch elevator.

[@ThroughMyLens]

I can do the caves but the Arch is too small for me as well

[@anneliesesmith8983]

No stop to St. Louis is complete without a trip to Ted Drewes

[@smflatt]

Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard is probably the best tasting I've ever had.

[@Mina-mt6kt]

Very Professional!

[@MariaCruz-cn8hj]

Hola muy hermoso video muy informativo y muy bien editado. Pregunta? Donde se encuentran las manos orando?

[@v247videos]

You have to help Pops fight his cave fears

[@kevp9601]

Awesome :-D

[@dallascarrell9327]

I live in Carthage Missouri lots of history here from route 66 to the civil war

[@koongdavis]

I would like go to visit there 😍

[@kathydelucia3892]

I feel like I'm along for the ride.

[@ThroughMyLens]

I am glad! That's what we were hoping for!

[@bbobmc2201]

The city of Rolla is pronounced RA-la, It was suppose to be named after Raleigh NC but none of the pionees knew how to spell Raleigh.

[@ThroughMyLens]

haha, good to know!

[@mikesaunders4775]

Is Raleigh pronounced 'Rawla'?

[@PhotoAlbert]

Very nice video. We are planning on exploring the Missouri section of Route 66 this summer. We usually travel in a 30 foot Class C motorhome and were wondering if you thought we'd have any problems following the old route in it?

[@QBAN2010]

You missed Bob’s Gasoline Alley?!?!?!?!?! It is within walking distance from the large rocking chair and is the coolest thing on Route 66!!!

[@joshriles84]

I live in Marshfield, never been most places local to me lol

[@n1spirit]

Fudge factory in the town of Uranus... ROFL!!!!!

[@ThroughMyLens]

I thought it was funny as well haha

[@Big824John]

Yeah, “I got fudge from Uranus” is bound to raise some eyebrows ;)

[@coryCuc]

Haha! When you walk in they ask if you want them to pack your fudge for you lol. Goofy store right off 44.

[@grangergreenback7152]

Hey, buddy that wasn't fudge!

[@zachmoss3611]

Ted Drew's is a St.Louis delicacy.

[@ReeCooks14579]

The new largest rocking chair is in Casey, Illinois

[@stargroves14]

Too bad you missed red oak 2 in Carthage..it was a wonderful stop

[@steveblankenship5474]

My parents are from Missouri. I’m pretty sure I went to that drive in as a kid and I remember getting a bottle of Dr Pepper for a nickel. That Bass Pro shop is the largest and the second largest one is Las Vegas

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thats awesome, I didn't even know there was a big one in Vegas as well! Dr Pepper for a nickel is pretty awesome too.

[@MrAndrewasher]

I live in Marshfield, the springfield bass pro has actually reclaimed largest after the aquarium finally finished (took longer than promised) the Memphis bass pro is the biggest by volume but springfield is by sq ft.(POST AQUARIUM) The springfield bass pro actually has a replica of the original small bass pro that was once in springfield.

[@Stormskiing]

Boots Court Motel: A Radio in Every Room!!! Fancy!!!

[@ThroughMyLens]

haha I know right?

[@nurse28707]

What guide did you use to safely incorporate the historic road with the interstate or other highways and not end up off a cliff?