Lebanon to Strafford
LEBANON
BOWLMOR LANES RT 66
Located on Historic Route 66, Bowlmor Lanes Rt 66 offers a fun bowling experience. Whether you are in the mood for arcade games, glow bowling, sports bar excitement, or batting cages, this is the perfect family-friendly destination. The bar serves items like double smash burgers, loaded nachos, pizza, and crispy chicken sand- wiches. Customers can finish off with a milkshake or a slice of carrot cake.
• 1331 East Route 66, Lebanon • Bowlmore on Facebook
MUNGER MOSS MOTEL
Constructed by Pete and Jessie Hudson in 1946, this vintage auto court offered seven modern units. Over several years, Pete expanded to 71 units before selling the operation to Bob and Ramona Lehman, who kept the motel thriving. In 2024, The Dels Corporation bought the motel and donated its sign to the city of Lebanon. The motel is closed for renovations, but visitors are welcome to take photos in front of its neon sign.
• 1336 US Route 66, Lebanon • LebanonRoute66.com
SMOKIN’ JONES BBQ
Located in the historic Wrink’s Market building, Smokin’ Jones BBQ offers classic hickory-smoked barbecue including brisket, pulled pork, and ribs in a relaxing setting. Classic sides include mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, and green beans. Guests can enjoy desserts like fruit cobbler. Opened in 2024 by pitmaster Michael Jones, this restaurant uses local ingredients to make its dishes.
• 135 Wrinkle Avenue, Lebanon • SmokinJonesBbqMo.com
BOSWELL PARK
All three Route 66-themed murals in Boswell Park were kiln-fired onto ceramic tiles in Spain. Also in the park is a replica fountain from Nelson’s Dream Village—a collection of stone cottages to accommodate travelers that were situated around a lit musical fountain—and the last surviving cabin from Camp Joy, one of Lebanon’s first tourist camps. The park, playground, and amphitheater feature a Route 66 theme.
• 700 West Elm Street, Lebanon • LebanonMissouri.org
PHILLIPSBURG
REDMON’s CANDY FACTORY
When John and Sharon Redmon opened the Candy Factory in 1995, their mission was to create a fun, clean, and comfortable stop for everyone. There is an on-site kitchen where they produce gourmet chocolates and homemade fudge. Other treats for sale include 70 flavors of salt water taffy and 70 flavors of bulk candy.
• 330 West Pine Street, Phillipsburg • RedmondsCandy.com
CONWAY
OFFICIAL MISSOURI WELCOME CENTER
Offering a nice place to take a break from driving Route 66, this welcome center not only offers a variety of information about the local area and Missouri’s attractions, but it also has a playground area, spacious picnic sites, and areas to walk pets. Visitors can enjoy the classic Route 66 motif as they learn about our great state.
• 110619 I-44 West, Mile Marker 110, Conway • VisitMO.com
STRAFFORD
JOE’S ROUTE 66 DINER
Joe and Jackie Waugh transformed a former M and P Drive-In into Joe’s Route 66 Diner in the 1970s. Current owners Kaitlyn McCarty-Sconce and her husband, Wes Sconce, purchased the diner in 2021, preserving an old-fashioned white menu sign above the cash register. The majority of the diner’s dishes are made from scratch using Joe and Jackie’s recipes.
• 201 East Chestnut Street, Strafford • Joe’s Route 66 Diner on Facebook
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LEBANON-LACLEDE COUNTY ROUTE 66 MUSEUM
Offering a glimpse into the history and evolution of Route 66, this museum, located within the Lebanon-Laclede County Library, brings a touch of nostalgia. Exhibits include fully furnished re-creations of a 1950s gas station, diner, and motel cabin. The museum also offers sections packed with Route 66-themed books, magazines, original photos, and videos.
• 915 South Jefferson Avenue, Lebanon • Lebanon-Laclede.lib.mo.us/66-museum
Presented by Missouri Life in partnership with Visit Missouri.
This article was originally printed in the February 2026 issue of Missouri Life.
