ST. LOUIS COUNTY THE COUNTY IS COMPRISED of more than a dozen towns, with Route 66 having many different alignments in or around the city of St. Louis. The old Route 66 follows the towns of Maplewood, Brentwood, Kirkwood, Des Peres, and Ballwin, while the 1932 realignment west of St. Louis trails from St. Louis to Eureka, Allentown to Pacific.
The former Coral Court Motel, St. Louis Shellee Graham
St. Louis, considered the Gateway to the West, has a plethora of sights and attractions and warrants a couple of days of exploration. Chain of Rocks
Museum of Transportation, Kirkwood
Bridge, the Gateway Arch, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, the wonderful Saint Louis Zoo, and numerous
8 | Guide to Missouri’s Route 66
The Chain of Rocks Bridge, St. Louis
Ted Drewes, St. Louis
Lynn deLearie, Jeff Hirsch
museums are just some of the must-see attractions. If the day is sunny, and it usually is, Route 66 State Park features classic hiking and biking trails and is a great way to experience the spirit of St. Louis. Be sure to check out the visitor center housed in the former Bridgehead Inn, a 1935 roadhouse that sat on the original Route 66. The visitor center has exhibits and unique factoids on display about the historic route that will both educate and entertain you. It is worth a stop.
