When I started researching our family’s Route 66 centennial adventure, I expected to find old highways, interesting museums, and plenty of places to stop for a good meal. What I didn’t expect was to find myself staring at pictures of downtown Weatherford, Oklahoma, wishing I could climb into the car and head there right then.
And the first thing that caught my attention? A giant astronaut named Major Tom! Now, buttercup, you have to admit that isn’t something you see standing on a downtown street corner every day. But the longer I looked at Weatherford, the more I realized that Major Tom is only the beginning of what could make a walk through downtown so memorable as my mind kept drifting to Top Gun.
Major Tom is a towering astronaut statue near the intersection of Main Street and Broadway in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He’s a fun reminder of the community’s connection to space exploration and hometown astronaut General Thomas P. Stafford which would have been a fun #Homeschooling Lesson..
When we visit, I want to stop and take a photograph of Major Tom. I can already imagine Charlie wanting to photograph him from different angles, while David and I look around at everything else nearby. And since we’re celebrating Route 66’s 100th birthday in 2026, it seems like the perfect place for a family picture to remember the occasion.
I also think children would enjoy seeing an astronaut standing in the middle of a Route 66 town. It’s an easy way to start a conversation about space exploration, Oklahoma history, and the people who grow up in small communities and go on to accomplish extraordinary things.
After noticing Major Tom, I started looking at the buildings surrounding downtown Weatherford. That’s when I really became interested. I love the character of older downtown areas. The brick buildings, storefront windows, and different architectural details make me wonder about the businesses and families that were there years ago.
How many people have walked those sidewalks? What did the stores look like when Route 66 was still a young highway? What kinds of Christmas decorations might have filled the windows decades ago? Those are the questions I find myself asking when I look at an old downtown. And while we haven’t visited Weatherford yet, the photographs have already made me want to slow down and explore instead of simply driving through.
One of the things I want to do when we visit is take photographs that tell the story of our day. Of course, we’ll need a picture of Major Tom. But I also want photographs of the historic buildings, interesting signs, storefront windows, and little details we might otherwise overlook.
Charlie enjoys photography, so this could be something we do together. We might even end up noticing completely different things. I could be looking at a pretty shop window while he’s photographing an unusual angle of a building. David might notice an old sign, a classic car, or something that reminds him of years gone by. That’s what I enjoy about exploring a new town with family. Everyone sees something different, and those discoveries become part of the story.
If you’re visiting Weatherford with children, you could turn a downtown walk into a little scavenger hunt which is something my family enjoys doing. You could ask your family to look for a Route 66 sign, an interesting brick building, a historic-looking storefront, a place to take a family photograph, and something that reminds them of the past.
Older children could photograph architectural details or write down questions they want to research when they get home. Younger children might enjoy drawing Major Tom or creating their own imaginary Route 66 postcard. And grandparents could share stories about what shopping downtown was like when they were growing up. That’s the kind of learning I love. It doesn’t always happen at a desk, and it doesn’t have to feel like schoolwork.
Now, I already know one possible problem with our downtown walking adventure. Shopping! David and I both enjoy antiques, and I’ve already found several stores in Weatherford that I want to investigate. I can just imagine us setting out for a quick walk and then getting distracted by a window full of interesting treasures. But that’s part of the fun.
We don’t have to rush through every attraction or follow a minute-by-minute schedule. If we find a shop we want to explore, we can stop. If we discover a pretty place for a photograph, we can take one. And if we decide we need another trip to see everything, that’s perfectly fine with me.
We’re including our Route 66 adventures in our Christmas Gift Guide Wishlist this year because I believe experiences can make wonderful presents. Imagine giving a child or grandchild a homemade certificate for a day exploring a Route 66 town. You could pack snacks, bring a camera, take pictures with Major Tom, and enjoy discovering downtown together.
It doesn’t have to be an expensive adventure. Families can choose how much they want to spend on meals, shopping, and attractions. The important part is making time for one another. And when you get home, you could print a favorite photograph and turn it into a Christmas ornament, a scrapbook page, or a framed memory. That would be a gift worth keeping.
We’re hoping to travel from the Fort Worth and North Richland Hills area to Weatherford, Oklahoma, as part of our Route 66 centennial celebration. Before leaving, we’ll check the weather, confirm which businesses are open, and decide how much walking everyone in our group will be comfortable doing. We’ll also allow time for breaks, photographs, and a meal.
I’m not going to promise we’ll see everything on our first visit. In fact, after everything I’ve discovered, I’m beginning to think that’s impossible! But I do know one thing. Major Tom might be the first reason we stop in downtown Weatherford, but I have a feeling the historic buildings, family photographs, and unexpected discoveries will be what make the day special. And if David and I disappear into an antique store for a little while, Charlie will know exactly where to find us. LOL!
Continue Our Route 66 Centennial Adventure: Read Happy 100th Birthday, Route 66! and Visit Weatherford, Oklahoma: More Than Museums! for more ideas as we plan our trip.
Disclosure: This is an independently researched, pre-visit travel feature. We have not received compensation or complimentary admission from the businesses or attractions mentioned. Business details and availability should be confirmed directly before visiting.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
