10 ’60s Roadside Motels That Are Like Stepping Into a Time Machine
If you remember the 1960s, you might also remember family road trips that filled long summer days. Families packed the station wagon, someone unfolded a large paper map across the seat, and the highway stretched ahead for miles.
But when the sun went down, parents usually pulled off the road as soon as they spotted a bright motel sign. These stops offered a room, a parking spot right outside the door, and a peaceful night of sleep before the next day’s drive.
And while it has been a long time, anyone feeling nostalgic today can still find motels that have kept the ‘60s alive.
Blue Swallow Motel — Tucumcari, New Mexico
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Travelers along Route 66 usually notice the curved neon sign before they focus on the building itself. The Blue Swallow Motel opened in 1939 and gained strong popularity during the road trip boom of the 1960s. Despite how long it has been, its owners have preserved turquoise paint, individual garages, and vintage rotary phones inside the rooms.
Coral Sands Inn — Ormond Beach, Florida
Credit: Tripadvisor
Florida was no stranger to beach tourism during the early 1960s, and motels along the coast welcomed families arriving for seaside vacations. Coral Sands Inn began operating during that period and carries much of its original look. Its pink stucco walls and bright blue shutters face the Atlantic shoreline. Units include simple furniture and large windows that invite ocean breezes inside.
Big Texan Motel — Amarillo, Texas
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Designers created the Big Texan Motel with a bold Old West theme that matched the roadside spirit of Route 66. Even today, guest spaces feature swinging saloon doors, sturdy wooden furniture, and decorative animal pelts that reinforce the frontier atmosphere. Outside, you will find a swimming pool shaped like the state of Texas.
Thunderbird Inn — Savannah, Georgia
Credit: Tripadvisor
The concept of “refrigerated rooms” sounded impressive to people in that decade, and the Thunderbird Inn in Savannah banked on this very feature when it first opened. It drew the attention of visitors who wanted relief from the Southern heat. Not much about the place has changed over the years, since the bright neon Thunderbird sign continues to greet drivers, and MoonPies and bottles of RC Cola are placed in lodgings beforehand.
Orbit In — Palm Springs, California
Credit: Tripadvisor
Palm Springs is defined by mid-century architecture, and the Orbit In reflects that design heritage. The boutique motel contains only nine rooms arranged around a central pool courtyard. A careful restoration restored its turquoise doors, retro décor, and vintage barware in the sleeping areas. Outside, evenings bring guests together during a casual cocktail hour beside the pool.
Austin Motel — Austin, Texas
Credit: Tripadvisor
South Congress Avenue in Austin is home to many landmarks, and the Austin Motel stands among the most recognizable. The property dates back to the 1930s but embraces a strong retro identity linked to the 1960s. Its large neon sign attracts attention along the busy street outside. Meanwhile, you will find colorful wallpaper with modern furniture in the accommodations.
Sea View Inn — Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Credit: Tripadvisor
If you enjoy life near the coast, Sea View Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea delivers that calm seaside atmosphere. The building reflects design choices common during the early 1960s, including white clapboard siding and simple coastal décor. Areas feature light curtains and antique touches that maintain a traditional appearance.
Galaxy Motel — Brooklyn, New York
Credit: Galaxy Motel Brooklyn
Though the surrounding neighborhood has become more modern over time, the Galaxy Motel in East New York reflects an earlier highway tourism era. One example of this is its pink neon sign, which glows above a low building beside a central parking area, where the rooms sit close to the lot. This allows individuals to park directly outside their doors.
Skyview Los Alamos — Los Alamos, California
Credit: Tripadvisor
You will still find rotary telephones inside several units at Skyview Los Alamos, a small hillside property along California’s Highway 101. The motel began as a motor lodge during the 1960s and served passersby along the central coast. Despite renovations, the desert-inspired colour palette remains, while the guest areas include details such as cocktail kits and signage styled after old typewriters.
Wigwam Motel — Holbrook, Arizona
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Opened during the 1950s, the Wigwam Motel became a popular stop for road travelers during the following decade. Its concrete teepees stand beside Route 66 and form one of the most recognizable roadside scenes in Arizona. Each teepee-shaped structure serves as a guest room with a bed and a small bathroom. A narrow window looks out toward the parking area where cars pull up beside the units.