Experience the Crossroads of Opportunity in Your Thrifty Rental Car

The city of Barstow is located in San Bernardino County and serves as a major transportation center for the Inland Empire. While you drive your Thrifty rental car around the city, you might want to enjoy some of the nearby attractions, including Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum, the Desert Discovery Center and the Western American Railroad Museum.

Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum
Drive your Thrifty rental car to 681 N 1st Ave to experience a collection of historic photographs and artifacts related to Route 66 and the Mojave Desert Communities. Many visitors make this roadside attraction a day destination to learn more about the Mojave Desert or Route 66. The museum’s exhibits include displays showing the development of the United States Route 66 from early pioneer trails, railroads, automotive history, businesses and sites. In 2003, Hampton Inn Hotels designated the Harvey House Route 66 Mother Road Museum as a "Roadside Attraction" by officially posting a sign, one of "66" along the Route's 2,448 miles.

Desert Discovery Center
Add 831 Barstow Rd to the GPS in your Thrifty rental car and head for the Desert Discovery Center — a 7,000 square foot facility surrounded by 12 acres of public land. The center is devoted to environment-based education programs that provide focused learning of the natural world while inspiring environmental stewardship. One of the most interesting exhibits of the center is the "Old Woman Meteorite," the second largest meteorite found in the United States. Weighing in at 6,070 pounds, the meteorite was discovered in 1975 and was sent to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. It was sent back in 1980 to be put on display where it continues to amaze and inspire. Visitors can also enjoy a native plant and animal habitat, which is housed in the secret garden and pond area.

Western American Railroad Museum
Just a short drive in your Barstow rental car will bring you to the Western American Railroad Museum, located at 685 N 1st Ave. The museum is focused on collecting, preserving and sharing the rich history of Barstow’s railroading throughout the Pacific Southwest. Just a short walk to the east side of the Harvey House Raiload Depot will bring you to a variety of displays inside the depot. Along with these exhibits, the museum features displays of railroad artifacts, artwork, timetables, uniforms, tools and various other types of railroad items. Additional displays include rolling stock, locomotives and general railroad operating equipment.