Grants, New Mexico – Neon, Mining, and the Mother Road
Welcome to Grants, New Mexico, a Route 66 town with a story as bold as the desert sky. What started as a railroad camp became one of the most significant uranium boomtowns in the country—and today, it’s a must-see stop full of Route 66 charm, history, and geological wonders.
Let’s start with the iconic Route 66 Neon Arch. This 18-foot-tall glowing gateway sits right over Santa Fe Avenue and is perfect for photos—especially at dusk when the neon flickers to life like a time machine to mid-century Americana.
The New Mexico Mining Museum, our next point of interest gives you a chance to go underground—literally. It features a full-scale replica of a uranium mine, telling the story of how a Navajo shepherd named Paddy Martinez discovered high-grade uranium in 1950, kicking off a mining rush that changed the town forever.
And if you’re a fan of vintage roadside stops, don’t miss Charley’s Automotive Service, a preserved Route 66 garage from the 1940s that looks like it’s straight out of a postcard. It’s even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
You’ll also find museums celebrating Route 66, local aviation history, and the town’s role in early air mail routes. And when you’re ready to explore beyond Main Street, Grants is the gateway to El Malpais National Monument, Bluewater Lake State Park, and the famous Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano.
So whether you're chasing neon nostalgia, mining history, or lava tubes, Grants is a highlight of your Route 66 adventure.
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