Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Population 2,711

Located along the post-1937 incarnation of Route 66, Santa Rosa is a must-stop for car buffs on any Interstate 40 road trip. The big draw is the Route 66 Auto Museum (www.facebook.com/Route-66-Auto-Museum-584173181695140). This brainchild of Bozo and Anna Cordova — who also own Bozo’s Garage & Wrecker Service — is the result of Bozo’s lifelong love affair with automobiles. He built his first car when he was just 12, and subsequently Bozo and his crew have custom built over 150 different vehicles. These restorations, many of which required some “out of the box thinking” have been subsequently displayed in the museum. There’s accessible parking in front, with level access to the museum, and plenty of room for even the largest wheelchair to navigate around the displays. The cars range from 1920 to 2005, and there’s also a good collection of old signs, Route 66 memorabilia, photos and vintage vending machines on display. It’s a great blast from the past.