A Sleepy Oklahoma Town On Route 66 Offers Cute Lodging, Friendly Vibes, And Countryside Beauty
Route 66 is one of the most stunning and storied routes in the U.S. Stretching epically across eight states from Illinois to California, the affectionately nicknamed "Mother Road," grazes through illustrious cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and St. Louis (which is home to the world-famous man-made landmark, the Gateway Arch). However, the small towns along the route give it its charm. Tiny stops like Seligman, the birthplace of the historic Route 66, are composed of family-owned restaurants and kitschy roadside attractions that might otherwise be forgotten without the legendary road attracting a steady stream of nostalgia-driven travelers.
One of these towns is Chelsea, Oklahoma. Situated about an hour northeast of Tulsa, the pint-sized town is home to less than 2,000 residents and well-populated with classic Route 66 landmarks, including a retro roadside motel and an old-school diner. You'll also find quirky outdoor art installations, beautiful landscapes, and generous helpings of friendly hospitality wherever you go. Whether you're passing through on the Mother Road or searching for a small-town day trip from the bustling Tulsa, Chelsea is a must-stop destination begging not to be forgotten.
Charming places to eat and sleep in Chelsea
If you're on a full-length Route 66 road trip starting in Chicago, you'll be over 600 miles through your journey by the time you reach Chelsea, passing breathtaking countryside landscapes along the way. While most travelers may continue on to Tulsa for the night, the lodgings in Chelsea are too charming to pass up. Check into the Chelsea Motor Inn, a classic roadside retreat where you'll be warmly received by hospitable owners and thoughtfully decorated rooms. The Route 66-themed room is the most popular, whose walls feature a painted map of the road's attractions in Oklahoma and the iconic highway emblem.
Follow the curvy road outside the motel for less than a mile, and it will take you to the Main Street Diner. The cozy comfort food haven oozes with charm, decorated with Americana insignia inside and out. Enjoy homestyle breakfasts, chicken-fried steaks, and scrumptious slices of fresh-baked pie in a classic diner atmosphere. Another beloved spot in Chelsea is the Prairie Rose Grille. Serving old-fashioned burgers and scoops of Blue Bell cream with a smile, it's the perfect place to fill up before biting into the town's Route 66 attractions.
Route 66 attractions in and around Chelsea
Chelsea has several Route 66 sights to see. Built in 1926 — the same year the Mother Road was born — the Pryor Creek Bridge carried Route 66 travelers over its 123-foot steel-truss expanse until 1932. As the only unaltered bridge of its kind left in Oklahoma, it's definitely worth a visit. Though the historic, rusting bridge is closed to vehicular traffic, you can amble across it on foot, tip-toeing over the trickling Pryor Creek below. For another idyllic stroll, walk through the Route 66 Pedestrian Underpass in the heart of Chelsea. Admire its walls that are lovingly painted with vintage-style murals, and bring a sharpie to sign your name.
About 10 minutes north of town, you'll find Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park. A grassy expanse dotted with towering art pieces, including the World's Largest Concrete Totem Pole, the quirky pit stop is one of Oklahoma's best Route 66 attractions. Inside the free-to-enter park, you can also visit the Fiddle House. Originally built as a woodworking museum, the 11-sided building houses a collection of Galloway's hand carved fiddles and other creations. On your way back to Chelsea, pull over and admire the Oklahoma Mona Lisa, a replica of the famous painting on the side of a barn against a gorgeous countryside backdrop.
If you're continuing on to Tulsa, don't miss one of the route's most beloved oversized attractions, the Blue Whale of Cantoosa. Resting about 30 miles south of Chelsea, the gigantic whale structure wades happily in a pond with a gaping mouth inviting visitors to explore inside its belly. As long as you aren't afraid of heights, you can even climb the ladder to sit on his tail. Close to many Route 66 sights, Chelsea is the perfect small-town home base for exploring.