Gear up for adventure with this Interstate 40 Road Trip Planner! Updated Updated March 24, 2007. Related info--- HOME ::   Latest News ::   USA Road Trip Ideas ::   Kids Travel Games ::   California Coast Road Trip Section ::   Interstate 5 Road Trip Section ::   Interstate 10 Road Trip Section ::   Interstate 15 Section ::   Interstate 40 Road Trip Section ::

Your Interstate 40 Road Trip Planner--Adventure Calls!

I-40...Magnet for Route 66 fans of the "Mother Road"

For either category of Route 66 aficionado, a great place to start a journey into yesteryear is in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Route 66 Diner. This cafe serves food, of course...but it also dishes up much more! The owners of this humble restaurant have turned their pride and joy into a memorial to the Mother Road---a museum in its own right! (Not to mention that a trip to the Route 66 Cafe is just plain FUN!)

You know that you'll be stepping back in time from your first glimpse of the Route 66 Cafe's exterior. The rounded edges and windows...the frosted glass squares...the old-style neon lights (as you can see in the Route 66 Diner picture to your left)---it all says, "Hey, we're strollin' down memory lane now!"

The old-time diner decor continues on the inside, where you'll see vinyl upholstery on the booths, chrome table legs and napkin holders, a counter & stools looking into an open kitchen...and even a built-in hopscotch grid on the floor! NATURALLY, there's a jukebox filled with oldies that you can play...and enough Route 66 memorabilia on the walls to keep you intensely interested in "seeing it all"---for as long as your growling tummy will let you!


When you order, you'll find that the Route 66 Diner serves all the old diner favorites. You'll find burger & fries combos (price $5-6), a selection of sandwiches with fries or potato salad (ranging from $4-7), and a whole selection of dinner entrees---fried chicken, meat loaf, chicken fried steak, sirloin steak, or enchiladas, for example. (Entrees, including side dishes, are priced at $6--7). The Route 66 Diner prides itself on continuing the tradition of the "blue plate special"...and serves a different blue plate meal every day of the week (priced at $6-7, including sides.)

Of COURSE there are ultra-thick shakes and malts at the Route 66 Diner...along with other favorites, present and past. (You can actually get an "egg cream" or an old-fashioned "ice cream soda" here!) And for dessert, you'll find sundaes, banana splits, cakes, pies and cobblers! What a place!

The Route 66 Diner phone number is 505/247-1421. The Route 66 Diner address is: 1405 Central Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM. Directions: get on Historic Route 66 (well marked by the government's BROWN signs that designate historic spots.) Route 66 is also called "Central Ave." This address is located between University Ave and I-25. The Route 66 Diner's official website is www.66diner.com.



Does anyone remember the old Jackrabbit Trading Post near Joseph, Arizona? During Route 66's glory days, the Jackrabbit Trading Post used to advertise from hundreds of miles away...with little jack rabbit signs not only by the roadside, but even on the tops of mountains! When I was a kid, one of the most fun parts of the trip was scouring the landscape to find more of the little rabbit signs!

Well, the trading post is not in the best of shape these days...but the sight of the jackrabbit still pulls on my heart strings. Does it yours? To your right, you see a recent photo of the Jackrabbit statue at sunset. Below, you see an image of the peeling...but still lovable!...Jackrabbit Sign, now standing directly across from the trading post itself.

Interstate 40 Road Trip Planner -- Family Fun in Albuquerque, New Mexico!

You'll be surprised at the comprehensiveness of this small city's aquarium. Fish and other small marine life from a wide range of the ocean's geography are represented here. You'll see tank after colorful tank of specimens...including some "kids favorites"...such as the seahorse, sharks and luminous jelly fish! They even have a clear "tunnel" attraction, which they call their Eel Tunnel.

If you walk across an attractive plaza from the Albuquerque Aquarium (on the same grounds), you'll encounter the Rio Grande Botanic Gardens. Maybe you don't think your young children would enjoy a botanical garden...and maybe they wouldn't, if this were just a "regular" botanic garden. BUT WAIT! The Rio Grande Botanic Garden isn't just a place for strolling past plant collections! Here, you'll find a barnyard petting zoo where children can enjoy horses, sheep, cows, and other domestic animals. PLUS, there's a historic farm exhibit---called The Heritage Farm---where kids can actively rove and explore, while learning about "the olden days" at the same time!

At the Heritage Farm, you can see "living history" demonstrations---like ladies doing quilting work. Or you and the kids can take a horse-drawn buckboard ride! You'll find other types of exhibitions, as well. There's always a visiting exhibit...like the 2006 "Butterfly Pavilion." (What child doesn't like butterflies?) There are nature guides stationed throughout the park to answer questions. And, best of all, there's a train! The train goes to the Rio Grande Zoo...so you can visit both attractions without having to re-park!


Your kids will surely want to include a visit to the Rio Grande Zoo. This nice-looking mid-sized zoo has over 1,000 animals, including a polar bear, seals & sea lions, koalas, a komodo dragon...well, you know... Should I go on? There are elephants, rhinos, hippos, chimps, apes, zebras...and on & on. It's a full-service zoo!

In addition to the animals themselves, there are some decorative touches---for example, "African village huts" in the African animals area, and a squirrel-shaped water fountain, to name two. Plus, there are scheduled activities. You'll enjoy the daily polar bear feeding, while seal & sea lion feeding occurs TWICE daily. There are bird shows (1-2 per day) between mid-April and September. From April through August, you can enjoy camel rides 6 days a week (Monday is the "day off.") And during September & October, you'll still be able to ride the camel on weekends. Train lovers get an EXTRA treat! The "Thunderbird Express" circles the park!

Now, here's the really good part: all 3 facilities---the Albuquerque Aquarium, the Rio Grande Botanic Garden, and the Rio Grande Zoo, are part of the "Albuquerque Biological Park." This group of parks has a TERRIFIC discount program. You can visit ALL THREE parks for only $12 per adult...and a mere $5 for kids 3-12 and Seniors 65+. Wow---you won't find prices like THAT in larger cities! You can buy the discount combo tickets at the admission booths of all 3 facilities...but there's a catch! You've gotta show up by NOON! (Since the parks all observe the operating hours of 9 am to 5 pm, they reason that it's impossible to visit all three unless you get an early start.

Now, here's another really good "plus" for buying the combo package: both the "Thunderbird Express" train ride at the Albuquerque Zoo AND the train between the parks (called the "Rio Line" train) come included free-of-charge in the combo ticket. You may ride all you want! (Otherwise, the trains charge $2 per ride for adults, and $1 per ride for kids and seniors.)

If you don't wish to buy a combo ticket, admission to any one of the parks is $7 for adults and $3 for kids or seniors...still a bargain price, don't you think? Another good point about visiting any of these Albuquerque parks: parking is free!

The Albuquerque Aquarium address is 2601 Central Ave NW. The Albuquerque Aquarium phone number is 505/764-6200. The Rio Grande Botanical Garden address and phone number is the same; they're both on the same property.

The Rio Grande Zoo address is 903 SW 10th St, Albuquerque, NM 87102. the Rio Grande Zoo phone number is 505/768-2000. The website for all three parks within the Albuquerque Biological Park system is www.cabq.gov/biopark





CLIFF'S AMUSTMENT PARK

Not quite big enough yet to call itself a "theme park" (but not too small, either!), Cliff's Amusement Park keeps Albuquerque families entertained throughout the summertime. Quite affordable, Cliff's has amassed itself a good number of rides over the years, but has only a $23.95 "all-you-can-ride-pass" price! (Kids under 48" tall are charged only $19.95 for their ride passes.) PLUS, parents who aren't interested in boarding the park's rides can take their kids for some amusement-park fun without spending a fortune. Unlike major theme parks, not everyone entering the park must buy the "all rides included" ticket. At Cliff's Amusement, you may purchase a "General Admission" pass for only $2.50. You can look around the park all you want...and if you DO find a ride you'd like to try, individual ride tickets are available for purchase.


In the photo above, you can see the "Yo-Yo," Cliff's version of the "flying chairs" ride; and a "water plunge" ride called "The Rocky Mountain Rapids." There are 2 roller coasters at Cliff's amusement park, including the huge, wooden, major amusement park-style "New Mexico Rattler." This zooming machine was added to Cliff's in 2002, and continues to be the most popular ride in the park among thrill-seekers! In addition to thrill rides, you'll find a number of for-the-whole-family rides, as well as "kiddie" rides.

The Cliff's Amusement Park phone number is 505/881-9373. The Cliff's Amusement Park address is 4800 Osuna Rd. NE (at San Mateo St), Albuquerque, NM 87109. Directions to Cliff's Amusement Park (from central Albuquerque) are as follows: Take I-25 north to the Jefferson St Exit. From this exit, travel north on the Interstate 25 frontage road. When you get to Osuna Road, turn right....and you'll soon see Cliff's!

You'll want to read through the Cliff's Amusement Park website before you go. You'll be able to see a list of ALL their attractions, plus photos of the rides. You can see a park map, and check for ticket discount offers...there are usually one or two discounts available, depending on when you'll be going. Take special care to note the park's hours on the day you plan to attend. Cliff's Amusement Park closes at least 2 days a week even the busy summer time!

You may check out their fun website at... www.cliffs.net

Interstate 40 Road Trip Planner -- Discover intriguing Old Town Albuquerque

The wares sold in Old Town Albuquerque vary from inexpensive tees, to pricey jewelry and artwork. Much of Old Town's merchandise is hand crafted by local artists! Foodwise, you can order a simple ice cream cone to eat at a patio table in a charming courtyard (such as in the picture to your right), or you may choose a fine-dining restaurant in one of the historic buildings lining the central square.

After shopping and dining, your family might care to stroll about the Spanish-style square in Old Town, enjoying the shade of its tall trees or its old-fashioned band stand. Or, you group can tour an attractive old adobe church and it's beautifully landscaped grounds.

There are 2 websites which devote themselves to giving tourists information about the various shops and restaurants in Old Town Albuquerque. They are www.oldtownalbuquerque.com and www.albuquerqueoldtown.com. Neither of these websites has the charming photos of Old Town on them that I'd like to see there...but, at least they'll give you all the basic information you need to plan which stores you'd like to visit, and in which restaurant you'd like to eat.

Interstate 40 Road Trip Planner -- Discover curiosities of nature at the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona

Eons ago, this area was a forest rather than a desert. Logs fell into a mineral-rich swampy bath and became imbedded with mineral crystals. Lo and behold, the fallen trees didn't rot...they literally "turned to stone" from the hardened--and colorful--minerals inside them! You see in this photo at left, you see an example of a large section of a "petrified" tree trunk. It's beautiful, don't you think?

I'd recommend a stop in the visitor's center, which explains the story of the petrified wood in depth, and with helpful visual aids. (You'll also find out how various colored minerals make up the "paint" of the nearby Painted Desert.) Don't forget to look in the gift shop at the samples of petrified wood. You can buy one as a souvenir! (If you'd like some petrified wood, definitely BUY a sample! It's illegal to pick up specimens from along the Petrified Forest National Park's roadways!)

Now to the "down side" of this national park....namely, not all the specimens are as grand as the one you see in this picture. You'll see many smaller chunks of petrified wood that litter the ground like rocks. Furthermore, the petrified wood in the field has not been "shined up" like the examples in the gift shop, making the "natural" specimens look plainer and less colorful. These factors can mean disappointment for children touring the park...and even for adults, as well.

The Petrified Forest National Park phone number is 928/524-6228. Directions to Petrified Forest National Park: from either eastbound or westbound I-40, take exit #311, which is clearly marked as being the exit for the park. The Painted Desert Visitor's center hours: open from 9 am to 5 pm daily; it's only closed on Christmas Day. Hours for touring the park itself vary by season. There is a $10-per-car entry fee. For further information about the Petrified Forest National Park, you may consult the National Park Services's pages devoted to this topic, at the following URL: www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm

Interstate 40 Road Trip Planner -- Arizona's Meteor Crater really looks like the moon!

When you're looking at the Meteor Crater, it will SEEM like you're looking at the moon. (The owners claim that astronauts have trained here!) You'll also find a museum with interesting exhibits which explain how the Meteor Crater was formed (and other interesting facts), a movie theater (with a regularly-scheduled film about the crater), a gift shop and a snack bar here. There are definitely enought things to do at the Meteor Crater to keep your family busy for several hours, if you'd like.

Admission for adults is $15 each, seniors age 60+ tickets cost $13 each, and admission ticket prices are $6 for kids 6--17. The Arizona Meteor Crater phone number is 800/289-5898 (offices) or 928/289-2362 (visitor's center.) Directions to Meteor Crater: from either eastbound or westbound Interstate 40, take Exit #233. (This lies between Winslow and Flagstaff, Arizona.) Follow the signs to the Meteor Crater site, which is just a few miles off of I-40.

If your family has an interest in visiting the Meteor Crater in Arizona, you'll enjoy viewing their official website at... www.meteorcrater.com

Interstate 40 Road Trip Planner -- The Grand Canyon, Nature's Great Spectacle

Arizona's Grand Canyon was carved by the Colorado River over the course of eons and eons of time...but, I imagine you knew THAT tidbit, as well!

OK...so I'm not an expert on the Grand Canyon! But, I have a friend, Tammy, who IS...and I want to point you to her website at... www.grand-canyon-vacation-information.com

This website will tell you about rafting on the Colorado River THROUGH the Grand Canyon; helicopter tours OVER the canyon; mule rides down INTO the canyon's depths; plus general travel and vacation information you'll find useful for your visit to Grand Canyon National Park. I personally enjoy the info on her site, and hope you will, too!



OK, so back to what I, myself, wanted to mention about the Grand Canyon National Park...namely, that it's gotten more expensive to visit there over the years! The entry fee is now up to $25 per vehicle!

It's sad that our public natural wonders have to be so darned EXPENSIVE! And yet, it's also absolutely essential that this marvel be maintained.

One more bit of advice---unless you've already seen the Grand Canyon's south rim (the popular area), DON'T plan a visit to the north rim. The spectacular view just isn't there. The lodge on the north rim is rustic and inviting. The crowds are thin. You can hike in peace. But, I didn't even bother to pull out my camera, I was so disappointed at the view (by comparison to the south rim.) Save the north rim for a time when you're well-acquainted with the south rim & want to move on to something new.

The Grand Canyon National Park phone number is (520) 638-7888.

Directions to the south rim of the Grand Canyon National Park: from either eastbound or westbound Interstate 40, take the "Arizona State Highway 64" exit (at Williams, AZ). This exit is clearly marked as being the I-40 exit for the Grand Canyon. There are 2 other routes to the Grand Canyon's south rim, both leaving Interstate 40 from Flagstaff; however, the route leading northward from Williams is the quickest and most direct. (To reach the north rim of the Grand Canyon from Interstate 40, you should take the US Highway 89 exit from Flagstaff, and head north.) The Grand Canyon official website is www.nps.gov/grca/

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