Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari
The Blue Swallow is one of the most well-known and easily recognisable motels along Route 66, largely due to its wonderful neon sign. Built in 1939, the Blue Swallow perfectly encapsulates the classic route 66 feel. A particularly charming feature is that every room has its own adjoining garage.
The rooms themselves are retro but cosy, clean and well kept, and the showers are very powerful. The owners are clearly proud of their motel and, upon arrival, showed us to our room to check that everything was to our satisfaction.
The neon sign itself is in excellent condition and really is beautiful and eye-catching at night - it must be one of the most photographed signs along the whole route. The motel is very photogenic - even if you're not lucky enough to be able to get a room it's certainly worth a stop in Tucumcari to stretch your legs and take a few pics.
The town itself - Tucumcari - is very peaceful and a typical historic Route 66 town. The Motel is a short walking distance from the gloriously neon-lit Tee Pee Curios souvenir shop (a route 66 icon in it's own right), Mesalands Dinosaur Museum and several places to eat/drink.
Stay in the Blue Swallow if you want an authentic taste of old route 66 on your vacation, but be warned that if you're travelling during the summer months you'd be best to book this one in advance as it's a particularly popular stop.
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We loved our stay at the Blue Swallow. Appreciated meeting the owners. Very nice and well kept motel. A classic!
We stayed there in April as well and it was probably the best motel we stayed in. The owners were great, welcoming and friendly. Loved the little touches like a blue swallow on the bed spread and neon swallows on the walls above the units. Fabulous!!
The motel is now owned by Kevin, and Nancy Mueller.They have worked very hard to renew the motel to it's former glory, and have succeeded. They are two of the nicest folks you will meet on Route 66. If your plans include a stay in the Blue Swallow, I suggest you book as early as possible. They are that good.
We were there in Sept22. It was everything that we could have hoped for. The owners were so wonderful, and the atmosphere was iconic. Sitting outside in the evening on our porch, seeing the neon, talking to other travelers and the 50s music playing from the motel, was spectacular. Very clean and the rooms really took you back to that era. A true motor court motel. If you have the option, try to stay when the weather is warmer so you can enjoy the evenings on the porch.