When I started planning our Route 66 centennial adventure, one of the first things I thought about was how much everything would cost. After all, we’re driving from the Fort Worth and North Richland Hills area to Weatherford, Oklahoma. There’s gasoline, meals, museum admission, and whatever David and I might find while shopping.
And believe me, after discovering those antique stores, I’m beginning to think we might need a separate shopping budget! LOL! Along with a trailer to bring back anything I find or Granny Sherry finds if she comes with us or even Charlie who likes #antiques. LOL
But here’s something I’ve learned while researching Weatherford: you don’t have to spend a fortune to make wonderful family memories. There are parks, roadside attractions, historic landmarks, and places to explore that don’t require purchasing an admission ticket. Which I am grateful, thankful and blessed to have found. Because money doesn’t grow on Trees. LOL
That’s especially important for families with several children, grandparents on fixed incomes, or anyone trying to enjoy the holidays without adding another bill to the household. And since we’re helping Santa load the sleigh this Christmas, I thought it would be fun to find ways to give our families something that doesn’t have to come wrapped in a box.
I know we’ve already talked about Major Tom, but how could we leave him out of a free family adventure? Standing near Main Street and Broadway, Weatherford’s giant astronaut is one of those unusual roadside landmarks that makes Route 66 so much fun. And the best part? You don’t need a museum ticket to stop and take a photograph.
I’d love to get a picture of David and Charlie standing near Major Tom. It would make a wonderful addition to our Route 66 scrapbook. Children could learn about Weatherford’s connection to astronaut Thomas P. Stafford and imagine what it might have been like to travel into space. One photograph could turn into an entire afternoon of learning once you get home.
Now, this is one of the discoveries that really surprised me.
Weatherford has an outdoor wind turbine blade display near City Hall at Heritage Park. We’re talking about a blade that’s approximately 122 feet long! Can you imagine that? I don’t know about you, but I think seeing something that large up close would be fascinating.
For #homeschool families, this could lead to conversations about wind energy, electricity, renewable resources, and why Oklahoma has so many wind turbines. For younger children, you could ask them to estimate how many family cars would fit end to end alongside the blade.
And for adults? Sometimes it’s simply fun to see something you’ve never seen before. Heritage Park also offers places to sit, a playground area, and opportunities to enjoy a little break from traveling. There’s a veterans memorial in the area, too, which could provide a meaningful opportunity to talk with children about military service and remembrance.
The outdoor park and blade display are free to explore. A more formal Wind Energy Park educational presentation is a separate experience that may require an appointment, so families should confirm arrangements beforehand. Which I may check into. Would you want to visit it with me?
Remember when you’re traveling with children, one of the easiest ways to save money is to find a good park. Weatherford has several public parks with playgrounds, picnic areas, and places to stretch your legs.
McPhetridge Centennial Park is downtown, where visitors can enjoy the Route 66 astronaut landmark and historical features. Means Park has a gazebo, play areas, and picnic facilities. I was especially interested when I saw photographs of a gazebo while researching Weatherford because I love those peaceful little places where families can stop for a picture. Rader Park offers walking areas, playgrounds, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
And if you’re traveling during the summer, Weatherford has seasonal splash pads. Those aren’t part of our November adventure, but they’re something families might want to remember for a future visit. A park stop doesn’t have to be complicated. Bring a blanket, a few snacks, some water, and let the children play while everyone takes a break. Sometimes that ends up being the happiest part of the day.
Now, buttercup, this one might be harder for David and me! After finding Route 66 Antiques, Uptown MarketPlace, and several boutiques, I’m not sure we’ll be able to walk past every shop without going inside. But there’s nothing wrong with window-shopping.
I enjoy looking at older buildings, reading signs, admiring storefront displays, and imagining what downtown looked like years ago. You could turn a walk into a family photography challenge. Look for an interesting doorway, an old-fashioned sign, a beautiful window display, a Route 66 symbol, or a building that makes you wonder about its history. Then compare everyone’s favorite photograph when you get home. And who knows? You might find a small Christmas gift from a local business that fits your budget. Just remember that browsing is free, but shopping certainly isn’t!
Another stop that caught my attention is Tom Stafford Park. This smaller park honors Weatherford’s hometown astronaut and his family. I love the idea of connecting a visit to Major Tom with a quieter stop that recognizes the real person behind Weatherford’s space history.
Children could learn that someone who grew up in Oklahoma went on to participate in important space missions. It’s a wonderful reminder that big dreams can begin in small towns. And for #homeschool families, it could inspire a lesson about astronauts, science, or setting goals.
Now, I’m not saying we’re skipping Jerry’s 66 Diner or Lucille’s Roadhouse. I’ve already been looking at those menus, and I definitely want to try some of that food! But a family doesn’t have to purchase breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks at restaurants to enjoy a road trip. You could eat breakfast at home, pack sandwiches for lunch, and choose one special restaurant meal as your treat.
Or bring crackers, fruit, bottled water, and other snacks so nobody has to stop at a convenience store every time someone gets hungry. If you’re traveling with children, a little planning can make a big difference. And if you’re taking grandparents along, having snacks and drinks available makes it easier to stop whenever someone needs a break. The important thing is enjoying the day, not spending money every time you turn around.
One of my favorite things about #Route66 is how many different subjects families can explore along the way. There’s history in the old highway and downtown buildings. There’s science at the wind turbine display. There’s space exploration through Weatherford’s connection to Thomas Stafford. There’s geography as children follow the route across Oklahoma. And there’s math when families calculate gasoline expenses, compare distances, or work within a travel budget.
You could even have children keep a little travel journal. Ask them to write about their favorite stop, draw something unusual they saw, or choose one new fact they learned. And here’s an idea I especially like: let each child pick one free activity they’d enjoy. That way, everyone gets to help plan the adventure.
As we work on our Christmas Gift Guide Wishlist, I’ve been thinking more and more about experience gifts. What if you gave your grandchildren a homemade Route 66 adventure certificate? You could promise them a day of sightseeing, photographs, a picnic, and maybe one special treat. Or give a teenager a photography adventure where they get to choose the stops and take pictures.
Grandparents might enjoy an afternoon exploring downtown and sharing memories of the places they visited when they were younger. And couples could enjoy a simple day trip together without needing an expensive vacation. It’s not about how much money you spend. It’s about having something to look forward to and making memories with the people you love.
While the outdoor landmarks and public park areas we’ve discussed are generally free to visit, that doesn’t mean the entire trip will be free.
You’ll still need to consider gasoline, meals, shopping, and any admission-based attractions you decide to add.
Some recreational facilities or organized activities within public parks may have separate fees or rules.
Before traveling, check the City of Weatherford’s website for park information, current conditions, and any changes that might affect your visit. And remember, we’re still planning our family’s visit. I haven’t personally explored these places yet, but I’m looking forward to seeing which ones become our favorites.
I started this Route 66 adventure thinking about museums, restaurants, and all the places we might visit. But the more I research Weatherford, the more I realize some of our favorite memories might come from the simplest things. A photograph with a giant astronaut and a walk through an old downtown. A quiet moment at a park and seeing a wind turbine blade up close.
Or sitting together at a picnic table talking about what we’ve discovered. Those are the moments I want to remember. Because years from now, I don’t think we’ll be talking about how much money we spent. I think we’ll be talking about the places we explored, the things that made us laugh, and the time we spent together. And if I can convince David to walk past an antique store without buying anything, that might be a memory worth writing about all by itself! LOL
Travel Disclosure: This is an independently researched, pre-visit travel article. We have not received compensation or complimentary admission from the attractions mentioned. Information may change, so please confirm details before visiting.
Continue Our Route 66 Adventure: Read Happy 100th Birthday, Route 66!, Visit Weatherford, Oklahoma: More Than Museums!, and Downtown Weatherford, Oklahoma: Meet Major Tom and Discover the Heart of Route 66 for more of our family’s centennial plans.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
