The Ultimate Birthplace of Route 66 Festival Itinerary in Springfield, Missouri

As the birthplace of Route 66, Springfield, Missouri is pulling out all the stops to kick off the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in unforgettable fashion. From August 7–8, the city will host a lineup of events, paired perfectly with iconic attractions, classic diners, and local favorites that capture the spirit of America’s most legendary highway. Whether you’re a longtime Route 66 road-tripper or planning your first journey, this itinerary is your guide to experiencing the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival right where it all began.

Need help planning your Route 66 Journey in Springfield? Check out our Route 66 planning page.

Aug. 6, 2026

Lunch at St. Michael’s

Kick off your Route 66 weekend with lunch at St. Michael's in the heart of downtown Springfield just steps from the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival. Known for its burgers, sandwiches, wings and cold drinks, it's the perfect place to relax and fuel up before exploring festival activities and downtown attractions.

Address: 301 South Ave., Springfield

Tour The Route 66 Car Museum

For classic car enthusiasts, visitors can step inside the Route 66 Car Museum and view over 70 car models that owner Guy Mace has been collecting since 1990. View brass-era vehicles that date back to the early 1900s to celebrity cars that are famous for their time on the big screen.

Address: 1634 W. College St., Springfield

Complete the Springfeild 66 Story Trail

Want to explore Route 66 history in Springfield? Step back in time with the Springfield 66 Story Trail, a free, self-guided walking experience through downtown Springfield. Visit 19 historic Route 66 locations, unlock interactive stops as you explore, discover the stories behind the Birthplace of Route 66, test your knowledge with trivia and collect digital passport stamps along the way. It's a fun, immersive way to experience the history of the Mother Road while exploring downtown during your festival weekend.

Dinner at College Street Cafe

Located on Historic Route 66, the quaint College Street Cafe is the perfect stop for hungry travelers. With down-home cooking as their staple, they want all of their customers to feel as though they are sitting at mama's table every time they come in.

Address: 1622 W. College St., Springfield

Drinks at Golden Girl Rum Club

Step into a tropical time machine at Golden Girl Rum Club, a retro-inspired tiki bar located along historic Route 66 in downtown Springfield. With vintage flair, bold rum-forward cocktails, and a crave-worthy pizza menu, it’s a perfect stop for Route 66 travelers looking to unwind after a day on the Mother Road.

Address: 137 Park Central Square Second Floor, Springfield

Aug. 7, 2026

Breakfast at Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe

A longtime downtown favorite a street over from Route 66, Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe has been serving all-day breakfast for nearly 20 years. Known for its locally inspired atmosphere, homemade classics like eggs benedict and chicken and waffles, plus fun extras like mimosa flights and occasional live music, it’s a great fuel-up stop for Route 66 travelers before hitting the road for the day.

Address: 220 E. Walnut St., Springfield

Check Out the Route 66 Car Show

Going from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., check out the historic cars lining East St. Louis Street in downtown Springfield, Missouri. Walk the street and the square and see some amazing historic vehicles and talk to the owners about their rides!

Tour The History Museum on the Square

Cool off and head indoors off the square to hear the history of Springfield and Route 66. Voted the best new attraction in the nation in a USA Today readers’ poll, the History Museum on the Square is a must-see for Route 66 enthusiasts visiting the birthplace of the Mother Road. The museum explores the history of the Ozarks and the city’s growth while featuring an immersive Route 66 exhibit that takes up much of the top floor. With vintage memorabilia, historic photos, and interactive displays, it offers a deeper look at how Route 66 helped shape Springfield and American road travel.

Address: 154 Park Central Square, Springfield

Lunch At Civil Kitchen

Located just up the street from The Birthplace Plaza along historic Route 66, Civil Kitchen is a great spot to gather for lunch in downtown Springfield. With indoor and outdoor seating and local favorites like Chicken and Waffles and Banh Mi Tacos, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing stop for Route 66 travelers.

Address: 107 Park Central Square, Springfield

Complete Stops Off Your Route 66 Passport

Take your Route 66 adventure beyond the festival with Springfield's free Route 66 Digital Pass. Check in at iconic landmarks, local businesses and attractions throughout the city to earn points and unlock exclusive prizes. It's a fun, self-guided way to experience the Birthplace of Route 66 while discovering even more of what Springfield has to offer during your festival weekend. Many of the stops are downtown and you can easily win prizes in just a few check-ins.

Check out First Friday Artwalk

Experience a local favorite while you’re in town, First Friday Artwalk in downtown Springfield! Visit the Downtown Arts District on First Friday to enjoy original art, live music, hands-on activities and live art demonstrations in more than 20 participating galleries, as well as fine and casual dining, cutting-edge fashion, one-of-a-kind retail and vibrant nightlife throughout the historic heart of Springfield. It’s the perfect activity to check out the downtown scene before the parade!

Address: Downtown Springfield

See the Classic Car Cruise

New to the festival this year is the Classic Car Cruise! Head over to East Saint Louis Street or East Trafficway to watch the car cruise come to life. The car cruise will last one hour with registration not required.

Dinner at Springfield Brew Co.

Take a break from the festival and grab dinner at Springfield Brewing Company, a downtown favorite just steps from the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival. Enjoy handcrafted beers brewed on-site alongside a menu of burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and hearty pub fare in a relaxed atmosphere that's perfect for refueling after a day of exploring.

Address: 305 S. Market Ave., Springfield

See The Emerald City Band

Cap off your Friday at the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival with a high-energy performance by Emerald City Band. Known for its electrifying stage show, incredible musicians and crowd-pleasing mix of classic hits and today's favorites, the Dallas-based band delivers an unforgettable concert experience that's the perfect soundtrack to a celebration of America's most famous highway. This stage is located next to the Discovery Center downtown.

Address: 438 E. St. Louis St., Springfield

Aug. 8, 2026

Breakfast at The European

Located in the heart of downtown on historic Route 66, The European sits on Park Central Square within walking distance of many Springfield favorites. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and seasonal menu, it’s a great breakfast or brunch stop for Route 66 travelers craving classics like homemade biscuits and gravy or cream ricotta pancakes before exploring the city.

Address: 105 Park Central Square, Springfield

Check Out the Car Show & Vendor Village

Take a stroll through rows of beautifully restored classic cars at the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival Car Show, where vintage vehicles and automotive history celebrate the spirit of the Mother Road. Then head inside the historic Old Glass Place to browse Vendor Village, featuring local artisans, Route 66 merchandise, unique gifts and more. It's the perfect place to shop, discover local makers and take home a souvenir from your festival weekend.

Address: Downtown Springfield

Tour Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

While not on the Route, an afternoon at Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is a must. Be prepared to spend several hours here, as the 350,000-square-foot space houses over 35,000 species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals, from small turtles to a large albino alligator. The sea of blue tanks stretches through a series of themed areas visitors can roam, such as an ocean shipwreck, Louisiana swamp area, Amazon rainforest and others.

Address: 600 W. Sunshine St., Springfield

Lunch at Hemingway’s Inside Bass Pro Shops

No reason to drive to lunch! Simply walk over to this stunning cafe nestled inside Bass Pro Shops and enjoy a sportsman-inspired menu like Bacon Wrapped Duck Poppers, Bison Burger, and much more amidst an aquarian backdrop. 

Address: 1 Bass Pro Dr., Springfield

Complete the Route 66 Centennial Sculpture Series

After lunch, continue your Route 66 adventure with the Springfield 66: Centennial Sculpture Series. This free digital pass guides you to 16 one-of-a-kind sculptures celebrating the people, places and stories that shaped Springfield and America's most famous highway. Check in at each sculpture, learn about the artists and their inspiration, and earn collectible Route 66 pins along the way. It's a fun way to explore downtown and experience even more of Springfield during the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival.

Dinner & Drinks at Eyrie at The Moxy Hotel

Wrap up your night with a gorgeous view of downtown Springfield at Eyrie Rooftop Bar at The Moxy Hotel. Not only can you enjoy some delicious cocktails and food, but you’re still just a block from Historic Route 66.

Address: 430 South Ave., Springfield

Aug. 9, 2026

Breakfast at Early Bird Breakfast Pub

Before hitting the road, make one last delicious stop at Early Bird Breakfast Pub. Just a short drive from downtown Springfield, this local favorite serves creative breakfast classics like stuffed French toast, chicken and waffles, breakfast tacos and hearty skillets. It's the perfect way to wrap up your Birthplace of Route 66 Festival weekend.

Address: 1717 E. Cherokee St., Springfield

Take a Tour of Fantastic Caverns

You can’t leave Springfield without visiting one of the city’s iconic caves. One of Missouri’s most well-known caves is Fantastic Caverns. As the only ride-through cave in North America, riders can relax in the big red trams while the cave guides stop throughout the cave and dive deep into the cavern's history. Fantastic Caverns is open 362 days a year and is an all-weather, all-seasons natural attraction.

Address: 4872 N. Farm Road 125, Springfield

Continue Down Route 66 or Back Home!

Whether you want to stay in Springfield a bit longer, or continue down the route, it’s up to you!