route 66 interpretive center

Nice newer interactive museum and historic space to see. There is a cost to go through the museum but it is worth it.

This is an interesting museum. It has several exhibits and is a good place to see some of the history linked to Route 66. It's not over priced. If you are a fan of Route 66 and like traveling and seeing museums along the way, this is the place to visit.

This museum, which is one of three Route 66 museums in Oklahoma, (see separate Tripadvisor Review for National Route 66 Museum in Elk City and Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton) is easily accessed from either I-44 (Exit 161) or historic Route 66. The cost is $5.00 per person (discounts for seniors, students, and groups) and the museum is CLOSED MONDAYS YEAR ROIND and CLOSED SUNDAYS AND. MONDAYS NOV-APRIL. Hours of operation are 10 AM to 5 PM and 1 PM to 5 PM Sundays.What sets this museum apart from other Route 66 museums for me were the six unique areas for viewing videos. There were up to three videos per stop (see as many or as few as you want). In three areas you sat in seats from vintage vehicles-a 1965 Mustang, a 1943 Jeep, and a Model A. In the other three areas you lie down (or sit) on a bed reminiscent of the Moonlight Motel, a Tourist Camp or the 40 Winks Motel. A larger theater with regular seats had a 20 minute video featuring Dick Besser who took Route 66 in its heyday and then again 40 years later and made a film about the experience.There are two sitting areas with brochures (as well as brochures at the Oklahoma Route 66 Association) to help you plan your trip. The free 30 page booklet Oklahoma Route 66-The Ultimate Trip is especially useful. Panels on the wall tell about attractions in each of the eight states Route 66 passes through.The museum is housed in the old National Guard Armory, a WPA structure made of local sandstone and built in 1936-1937. Besides the museum, the building houses the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, a great gift shop with a wide selection of Route 66 souvenirs, Native American crafts and jewelry and works by local artists, and a 7000 square foot community event center that was decorated like a winter wonderland the day I was there for a wedding the next day.I spent about two hours here and saw all the videos, toured the gift shop, and visited each display. If you stop, I would plan on at least 45 minutes. I thought the museum was worth a stop, but of the three museums, I felt the one in Clinton was my favorite as it was more state of the art, was larger, and even had music from the era as you toured. Everything in the museum is fully accessible.

If you are interested in Route 66 this place is a must see!A very well done museum (or maybe a tribute would be better) to the old road.It's in a beautiful old sandstone building that's worth seeing by its self.

We visited all three Route 66 museums in Oklahoma on our trip. This was the first one, and the best one, in our opinion. Another couple arrived just ahead of us, and the cashier/guide was about to tour them around, so we joined them. She explained what the building used to be and how it came to be the Route 66 Interpretive Center, as well as other uses. She shared the significance of the wall decor, then took us into the main area, which consists of a series of sitting (or lying down) areas at which to view videos. The recommendation is to begin with a video about a man who traveled Route 66 to go to college, and who then made the trip again 41 years later. This area is set up like a small movie theatre and the video is about 20 minutes long. It is very interesting. After that, one can walk around and look at photos, read about Route 66 and view other videos of varying lengths while sitting on old theatre seats, car seats or "motel" beds. Most of the other videos are no more than 10 minutes long. They also have a very well-stocked gift shop.

What a great interpretive museum located in it's own piece of Route 66 History. Located in a former armory built by WPA workers, this center is a reflective example of the legacy of this time period.

This was a nice and simple stop on Route 66. I was hoping for a lot more detailed information about local Route 66 hotspots, but it was geared for more average travelers rather than local interests. You do have to pay to get in, it was around $5 per person. You get to watch a few little videos, you can grab lots of pamphlets, which was the best part, about the areas and you can sit in replicas of old hotel beds and older model car seats while you watch the films. It was fun, but it was rather average on the scale though. If you have time and want to have a little Route 66 fun, stop in! The building is really neat though, as is it the old National Guard Armory.

As soon as we arrived we were given a warm greeting by a friendly volunteer who gave us a quick tour and history of this ex-National Guard Armoury. The museum itself has 6 or so videos to watch in various types of car seats, 'motel beds', movie theatre seats. There are photos and to look at. It was nice but it cost $5 admission.

the staff were really helpful with information about the area and places that we were looking to be visiting on our journey along the Route 66. It was very helpful to us and it made a pleasant stop off.

Greeted by a friendly volunteer, who showed us around the building ( it used to be an old National Guard Armory) we watched a bunch of short videos, looked at a bunch of pictures,,browsed in their extensive gift shop ( loads of cute things )Its cute and well worth the trip a nice break from being on the road ...

We were greeted by a volunteer who showed us around and gave us a brief tour of the building. She was very friendly and answered any questions we had. There are about 5 or 6 videos you can watch and some displays/photos that you can check out. We didn't stay long, but it was a nice stop.

If you're driving Rte. 66, this is worth a stop. I took my children with me and we enjoyed the exhibits. There isn't a lot to see, but it's interesting and quite kid-friendly.

From the era to the architecture, the museum covers points of interest, histories, fallen icons, and a healthy dose of character.If interested in any nostalgia, this is the Mother Lode of the Mother Road

Everything it was a nice place with lots of good info. the tour guide that works in the front is very nice and gives you the history of the place. There is a nice little gift shop

I would go back and take family. Did not cost much and it was informative, relaxing, and enjoyable, great way to spend a couple of hours.