Destinations Guide / Oklahoma / United States

The Oklahoma Route 66 Interpretive Center and Gifts Shop

The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum is located in Clinton, Oklahoma. This community is a very close neighbor to the original towns of Clinton and Raymond, which served as the starting point of the American railroad road. “For the best Route 66 adventure, go on a guided tour through our museum here in Clinton, OK.” says museum owner Gary Craig.

The Oklahoma route 66 museum was built to be a recreation for those who are interested in the history and the heritage of this area. It is a place where one can learn about the train that made this area famous. The various locomotives and other railroad equipment on display include pictures, posters, articles, and actual vintage items. There are also artifacts featuring early black and white photographs of the train tours of this era.

The main attraction of the Oklahoma route 66 museum is the historic depot, which is approximately a mile long. It is also a one hundred and fifty year reenactment of the original railroads of the United States, complete with model homes, train cars, cabooses, and buildings. The exhibits consist of passenger cars, wagons, and other equipment used on this excursion. These included food boxes, sleeping bags, glassware, tin cans, furniture, and other items that were made or lived in during these trains trips.

An array of attractions and activities makes this route 66 museum a popular visitor attraction. In addition to the historical exhibits, there is a gift shop, which offers a wide selection of brochures, postcards, and other items that are unique to this region. Other activities include an interactive learning center where visitors can learn about life on the railroads of this era through movies, music, history, discussions, and hands-on activities. There is also a gift shop with unique items and gift choices, which visitors can purchase to take home with them.

The Oklahoma Museum also features a beautiful garden surrounding the depot. The garden contains a butterfly house, a fountain, a pond, and other special exhibits. The garden gives visitors a peek into the lives of those who lived during this era and provides a glimpse into the farming life that was prevalent during this time. There are also several interpretive displays throughout the grounds, which help visitors learn more about the area and the people of the region.

A special feature of the Oklahoma route 66 interpretive center is that it allows visitors to purchase passes to be able to enjoy a complimentary tour of the entire museum. With a variety of passes available, visitors can tour any number of the exhibits and rooms on the grounds. Many passes also allow visitors the option to travel around the state. Museum workers and volunteers will lead visitors through each section of the museum, explaining the artifacts and explaining why they are there.

Oklahoma Route 66 mother road museum is also home to one of the most exciting attractions in the area: the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. The museum features two full-size, fully-operational saltbox model Shells, which were hand-cranked by Matthew and Mary in their own garage. Travelers can also enjoy the museum’s galleries, which feature works of art including life-sized paintings and reproductions. Several of the museums also contain interactive exhibits and videos that take visitors on a virtual stroll through the museum.

One of the most exciting parts of the Oklahoma route 66 interpretive center is its gift shop. Located off of Old Oklahoma Highway 41 close to mile marker 33 on the east side of town, the gift shop sells everything from knick-knacks to gadgets to greeting cards and gift items for special occasions. Some of the popular items in the gift shop include: shakers, coasters, mugs, magnets, clocks, postcards, key chains and more. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop when you enter the museum because they tend to run out of some items a few minutes before the doors to the center open. Another unique aspect of the gift shop is the free photo booth that is operated by the midway terminal. The gift shop is only open during the peak hours of the year, so check in advance if you want to go in during non-peak times.