Nebraska I80 Rest Area: Ogallala Eastbound

 Ogallala Eastbound rest area has a very unique building.  It is along the Blue Star Memorial Highway.  It has recurring wheat fields in the facade.  It also provides information on why there are so many lakes that seem to follow the highway.  

Kingman Hotel Reviews

Ramada Inn is distinctive with its multiple murals of the movie and Highway 66 scenes.

Clarion is on Route 66 just south of the I-40.  We have stayed there a couple times as a family family--both during COVID.  Because of COVID they were not doing their regular breakfast but were sticking stuff in a lunch back for everyone.  They never could figure out how to get what you wanted, and some of the food suck as the breakfast burrito tasted like card board.  I would like to check them out when they provide their regular breakfast.  The nice thing about Clarion is the indoor swimming pool.  It is very nice.  However the general atmosphere is a bit cheap.  Sheri says it is budget friendly and clean.

Motel 6 is also on route 66 just north of the I-40.  Their swimming pool is outside, and was closed during COVID.  They let me in early, but the door stuck and the mechanic had to let me into the room.  It worked after that.  Again budget friendly but also clean.  They did not do a breakfast.  Motel 6 is a National Chain and some of the hotels around the world leave something to be desired.  Sheri says we are not going to use them after our last experience in Laramie, WY.

La Quinta Inn and Suites is quite impressive.  I only entered a convention room and the lower floor by the lobby.  I also spent some time in the lobby as we awaiting our turn.  I have bad memories as we purchased what they called nutraceutical drinks, $5000.  In the end they were not suitable for drinking.  They are very nasty and just take up space.  

Home to Suites by Hilton is a nce lookin hotel you can see from the freeway.

Wingate by Wyndham is also just off the freeway.  We watched this one being built.

Ramblin Rose is an economic Hotel on Route 66.

Arcadia Lodge is a traditional Route 66 hotel.  It is currently closed by the city and is being remodeled by new honors.

Hotel Beale is an old traditional hotel but is not currently open.  There is talk of restoration.

Hotel Brunswick is next to Hotel Beale.  It has been reopened but not as a hotel.  It houses and art studio, restaurant and bar.

Hilltop Hotel advertises the best view in Kingman.  I checked it out and the view is nice in the front of the Hualapai Mountains and in the back of Radar Hill.  However in the back is partially obstructed due to a shed behind the hotel.  The hotel is at the corner of Stockton Hill and Andy Devine.

Hotel Trovatore boasts the biggest Route 66 map.  It is acfross the street from Hilltop Hotel.  It has many murals.  There is an East Indian restaurant.

Economy Hotel is on route 93 headed out of town.

On Route 66 on the east of town are several hotels in addition to Clarion and Hotel 6.  There is Econo Lodge, Days Inn by Wyndham, Super 8, Baymont by Wyndham and Silver Queen which caters to truckers with a large parking area behind.

On the south side of the freeway, again on Route 66 are many more hotels, including Clarion, Ramada, Springhill Suites by Marion, Holiday Inn, Days Inn by Wyndham, Best Western Plus King's Inn and Best Western Plus a Wayfarer's Inn.  The old Route 66 Hotel is changed into homeless housing called Joshua Tree.

Platte River Rest Area, Ashland, NE

 Platte River Rest Area is close to where the I80 crosses over the Platte between Lincoln and Omaha in Ashland, NE.  It has a sculpture honoring the Big Band era from the bicentennial of the United States.  This is one of eight sculptures created for that celebration.  Informational plaques talk about the process of creating the sculpture.  There is another talking of the Native Americans who lived in Nebraska before the coming of the Omaha and the Ponca.  

Laramie Depot Park

 Depot Park is by the train tracks and the railway station is divides the park.  There is a large snow removal train, playground and parking for down town excursions.  There is a train museum in the old rail depot.  There is a pedestrian bridge that goes over all the rail road tracks.

Nebraska Rest Areas

 York Rest Area Eastbound: Nebraska Native Americans

York Rest Area Westbound: Nebraska pioneer transportation, sculpture, Nebraska City-Fort Kearney Cut-off

Platte River Rest Area:  Sculpture to big band as part of bicentennial.