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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.00mi
Map Pin
15405 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87121, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
Canoncito Indian Reservation & Laguna Pueblo: Echoes of the Ancestors
Welcome to the lands of the Canoncito Navajo Chapter and the Laguna Pueblo, two distinct yet deeply rooted Indigenous communities along historic Route 66.

As you drive through this stretch, you're passing through land that holds generations of history, tradition, and resilience. To your east lies the Canoncito Navajo Reservation — a non-contiguous portion of the Navajo Nation often called To’Hajiilee, meaning “Dipping Water.” It's one of the few parts of the Navajo Nation located outside of the main reservation.

The community here continues to preserve its language, customs, and spiritual connection to the land.

A little farther along, you’ll arrive at Laguna Pueblo, a vibrant Native American village nestled among sandstone bluffs. The Pueblo was founded in the 1600s, but its people have lived in this region far longer.

Laguna is one of the 19 pueblos of New Mexico, and it stands as a symbol of cultural endurance, known for its striking mission church, hand-built from local stone, and its celebrated tradition of pottery and storytelling.

While much of Route 66 is about quirky Americana, this stop reminds us that the Mother Road also crosses sacred and sovereign lands — places with living cultures far older than the highway itself. As you drive, take a moment to reflect on the enduring presence of the First Peoples of this region.

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  https://tohajiilee.navajochapters.org/
Place #2
Distance: 65.35mi
Map Pin
523 W Santa Fe Ave, Grants, NM 87020, USA
POI 2 Tour Image
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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Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Canoncito Indian Reservation & Laguna Pueblo: Echoes of the Ancestors
Map Pin Place 2 Grants, New Mexico – Neon, Mining, and the Mother Road
Map Pin Place 3 New Mexico Mining Museum (aka New Mexico Mining & Uranium Museum)
Map Pin Place 4 Bluewater Lake State Park: A Cool Desert Escape
Map Pin Place 5 Gallup: The Heart of Indian Country
Map Pin Place 6 El Rancho Hotel – Gallup, New Mexico
Map Pin Place 7 Kachina Point
Map Pin Place 8 Petrified Forest National Park
Map Pin Place 9 Jack Rabbit Trading Post Exit
Map Pin Place 10 Jack Rabbit Trading Post: Route 66 Icon
Map Pin Place 11 Standin' on the Corner Park
Map Pin Place 12 Walnut Canyon Rd
Map Pin Place 13 Walnut Canyon Cliff Dwellings
Map Pin Place 14 Historic Downtown Flagstaff



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UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
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  • Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
  • Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
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What's included?
  • A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
  • Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
  • Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
  • Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
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  • Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
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  • Food and drinks
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Related travel ideas and destinations for you to explore

Best Self-Guided USA Scenic Drives: Audio Tours & 1-Day Itineraries

Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural

+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 5.5 to 7.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 14 stops, covering top attractions such as Canoncito Indian Reservation & Laguna Pueblo: Echoes of the Ancestors, Grants, New Mexico – Neon, Mining, and the Mother Road, New Mexico Mining Museum (aka New Mexico Mining & Uranium Museum), Bluewater Lake State Park: A Cool Desert Escape, Gallup: The Heart of Indian Country.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Canoncito Indian Reservation & Laguna Pueblo: Echoes of the Ancestors (Address: 15405 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87121, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - <b>1.</b> A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). <b>2.</b> A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!