CITY of lights Las Vegas, Nevada A final push to the Pacific and California brings Route 66 close to the southern borders of Nevada and a second detour to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. On its own it is a ‘must see’ destination, but as a part of a roadtrip that represents so much about 20th century American culture. Marvel at the dancing waters on the lake at Bellagio or the erupting volcano at Mirage. Take a gondola ride along the Grand Canal at The Venetian or just sit back and enjoy the view from your room at Wynn Las Vegas. This really is a destination like no other.ides a fine dining experience at dinner. Clear blue skies, calm winds and mild temperatures are the norm in Albuquerque, encouraging year-round hot air ballooning and enabling more than 300 resident balloonists to fly hot air balloons frequently. If the hot air balloons you see dotting the sky pique your interest, why not take a flight yourself? Local hot air balloon companies provide rides for visitors on a daily basis. Hot AIR HEAVEN Albuquerque, New Mexico Arizona is home to the one of the world’s greatest natural phenomena, The Grand Canyon. With a length of over 440 kilometres and sheer drop nearly two kilometres deep, this rugged landscape is an experience like no other. From Route 66, a short detour north at the town of Flagstaff, brings you to the South Rim of the Canyon, which is the most accessible part of the National Park and is open all year round. Take a helicopter flight from Grand Canyon Airport over the Canyon for the best aerial views. The grand canyon North of Flagstaff, Arizona cadillac ranch Amarillo, Texas Gmeland / Shutterstock.com Undoubtedly the most famous attraction on Route 66 in Texas, Cadillac Ranch is an art installation set up in 1974. Designed by Ant Farm, an avant-garde architecture group, the site contains 10 Cadillacs half-buried in the ground, their tail fins sticking up in the air. The Cadillacs date from 1949 to 1963, but today they’re almost unrecognizable, battered and covered in spray paint. Their scrappy appearance hasn’t stemmed the flow of tourists, however. Just make sure to document any designs you paint with a quick photo, since they’re sure to be painted over by another visitor later on. Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock.com 69
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