Super Southwestern Roadtrips -- Family Vacation Fun Along Interstate 40 (AKA old Route 66!)

You still love Route 66, the "Mother Road." Or, you'reNew Mexico. There, you may tour an ancient Native
too young to actually have traveled that road...butAmerican pueblo...or try your luck at a modern Native
you're lured by its lore. You love SouthwesternAmerican casino. Further down the road, you'll pass
scenery and marvel at natural wonders. Does thisGrants and Gallup, then cross the state border into
describe YOU? Then, it's time you plan anArizona.A major tourist sight--and natural wonder--lies
adventuresome road trip through fabled Route 66just to the side of Interstate 40 at Arizona exit 311.
terrain, traversed in these modern days by theThat's where you'll find the Petrified Forest National
Interstate 40 superhighway.Try starting your roadtrip atPark. Its visitor's center, visible from the roadway, hosts
Albuquerque, New Mexico's Route 66 Diner. Locatedinterpretive exhibits explaining how an ancient forest
on old Route 66 (AKA Central Avenue, these days),fell, became steeped in a mineral bath...and literally
this cafe has installed a memorial to the Mother Roadturned to stone! You may purchase shined-up samples
within its walls. As you enter the Route 66 Diner, you'llof petrified wood in the gift shop, or you may examine
see photos, maps...and even old highway signs...from(but not take!) specimens in the raw by driving along
the famous road's heyday. When you get hungry, youthe park's internal roadways.Motoring westward, you'll
can munch down on the diner's old-fashioned "Bluefind another natural wonder of a completely different
Plate Special" and order a super-thick malt. (For akind. Between Winslow and Flagstaff, you'll reach
REALLY old-time treat, you can even still get an EggArizona's Meteor Crater. When you look at this giant
Cream or an ice cream soda at the Route 66crater, you won't believe that it's not really the Moon
Diner!)Next, take a drive down Albuquerque's Centralyou're observing! The Meteor Crater's visitor's center
Avenue. You'll pass dozens of motels and restaurantshosts a movie and educational exhibits that interestingly
which were once spiffy-new, built for the motoringexplain this natural cataclysm which happened so very
crowds who spent the night in this popular Route 66long ago.You might wish to stop for a break at
"hub city." While many of these motels have "slidFlagstaff, New Mexico. Flagstaff's downtown area has
downhill," others stay well-painted and maintained forbeen "cutesified" and turned into a hip 'n' happening
today's tourists wishing to re-live an "authentic" Routerestaurant and shopping district frequented by the local
66 experience.While cruising down Central Avenue,university crowd. Flagstaff also makes a good base
you'll come to a brand-new attraction--the sparklingfor day-trips...either to the red rock paradise of Sedona,
Albuquerque Aquarium. Stop in! You'll see high-qualityto the south; or to the volcanic and Native American
exhibits of marine life from all cross-sections of thewonders north of town at Wupatki and Sunset Crater
oceans, from shore creatures to deep-waterVolcano National Monuments.Ready to see the biggest
specimens. Traveling with kids? They'll particularlynatural wonder of 'em all? From Flagstaff (or from
enjoy the adorable seahorses, luminous jellyfish, andWilliams, Arizona, further west on I-40) you can get to
"scary" sharks!Animal-lovers will also want to visit theGrand Canyon National Park! You can gaze into its
Rio Grande Zoo, an excellent mid-sized zoodepths, take a hike, raft through the gorge on the
showcasing all the popular zoo animals that your familyColorado River...or even fly overhead on a helicopter
will want to see. For a barnyard experience, head totour! Don't forget to check out the visitor's center,
the Rio Grande Botanic Gardens. Besides displayingwhere you'll learn how the giant canyon was carved
plants, the botanical gardens host a popular outdoorover eons by the Colorado's flowing stream. Also, the
exhibit called Heritage Farm. You can seeIMAX Theater, just outside the park, provides a visually
demonstrations of farming and craftwork from thestunning overview of the Grand Canyon and its
"olden days," ride a horse-drawn wagon, or pet farmhistory.From Interstate 40 in western Arizona, you'll
animals in a barnyard petting zoo.Before leavinghave a number of possiblities for continuing your road
Albuquerque, make absolutely sure that thetrip. Continue on I-40, and you'll head into
boutique-lovers in your family visit Old TownCalifornia...towards the beaches and theme parks of
Albuquerque, where you can find unique, hand-craftedLos Angeles. Or...head northwest on US Highway 93,
merchandise while exploring the nooks and courtyardsand you'll soon reach the bright neon lights of Las
of Albuquerque's original old adobes. Old TownVegas. Or, still another alternative--head north from
Albuquerque is also a great place to dine, to relax in aFlagstaff and view the many natural wonders of Utah,
Spanish-style plaza, or to take interesting photographs.including Arches National Park, Zion National Park, and
On the other hand, make sure the theme park lovers inBryce Canyon National park. What a delightful
your group get to Cliff's Amusement Park for a dosechoice!Author Vicki Funes has been traveling Interstate
of thrills. Cliff's hosts the state's largest roller coaster,40 at regular intervals since it was, indeed, old Route
the "New Mexico Rattler," and other scream-inducing66. To discover more exciting vacation attractions
attractions. For families with children, Cliffs also offersalong I-40, check out the "Interstate 40 Road Trip
a good selection of family and "kiddie" rides, asPlanner" page of her website (which is called "Family
well.Time to get on the road again! Traveling alongVacation Getaways at Los Angeles Theme Parks.
Interstate 40 westward, you'll soon reach Sky City,