Shamrock, Texas is a small panhandle town located on historic Route 66. The town got its name in 1893 from its first postmaster, George Nickle, whose Irish-American mother had told him to “depend on a shamrock to bring him good luck.” The town still celebrates its Irish roots with an annual St. Patrick’s Celebration.
From the The Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café to a piece of Ireland’s Blarney Stone, there are many fun Shamrock, Texas Attractions on Route 66. And, if you want to spend the night, there are plenty of Shamrock motels to choose from. Let’s check them out.
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Shamrock, Texas Attractions on Route 66
The Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café
1242 N Main St
The Cocono Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café was built in 1936. Located along historic Route 66 in Shamrock, Texas, the art deco gas station and restaurant is sometimes referred to as “the Taj Mahal of Texas.” And it is easy to see why. It was even memorialized as “Ramone’s Body Shop” in the 2006 Pixar movie, Cars.
Pioneer West Museum
204 N Madden St
The Pioneer West Museum is dedicated to preserving local history and features artifacts, a space room (called Prairie to the Moon), a war room, an old school room, and more. The museum is housed in the former 1928 Reynolds Hotel.
Blarney Stone Plaza
210 N Main St
Blarney Castle, just outside of Cork, Ireland, is home to the famous Blarney Stone. Legend says if you kiss it, you’ll be blessed with the gift of gab. A fragment of the monument was brought to Shamrock in 1959 after it was “accidentally” knocked off of the original. Find the piece in Blarney Stone Plaza, encased in a painted green pillar.
Welcome to Shamrock Sign
210 N Main St
The Welcome to Shamrock sign originally greeted visitors when they were driving into town. It can now be found in Blarney Stone Plaza on north Main Street. The green welcome sign is decorated with lucky shamrocks and a little leprechaun.
Fake Blarney Stone
308 N Main St
This fake Blarney Stone is far from that original in both location and style. A shaped stone slab in a park reads: Top O’ the mornin to ya! from Shamrock, Texas. Kiss this Blarney Stone for everlasting good luck!
Welcome to Shamrock Mural
210 N Main St
The Welcome to Shamrock mural features a map of Texas, a tribute to Bill Mack, and some of the iconic Route 66 attractions in town: the Shamrock Water Tower, the Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café, the Rock Island Train and Depot, Aubrey’s Dairy Freeze, and more. Find this giant mural in Tower Park.
Shamrock Mural
1013 N Main St
This mural features a large script font that spells out Shamrock with a shamrock itself representing the “o.” Inside the letters are painted scenes representing some of the most famous landmarks around town.
Shamrock Water Tower
210 N Main St
Built in 1915, the Shamrock Water Tower is 172-feet tall, making it the tallest water tower of its kind in Texas.
Texas-Shaped Monument
111 U.S. Rte 66
Everything is bigger in Texas, so it is only appropriate to find a big Texas monument, there.
Big Red Cowboy Boot
200 E 12th St
Located in a former CITGO station, Big Vern’s Steakhouse was once a Shamrock institution. Inside Big Vern’s, the Western decor featured Texas-themed murals and outside a giant big red cowboy boot is the centerpiece attraction.
Magnolia Station
100-198 N Texas St
The Route 66 Magnolia Gas Station in town was restored with private donations. The restoration included a new, though inauthentic sign and three vintage gravity feed gas pumps.
Route 66 Motels in Shamrock, Texas
Shamrock Country Inn Motel
711 E 12th St
The Shamrock Country Inn motel is a classic roadside motel in a classic Route 66 town.The hotel opened in September 1959 as the Shamrock Ranger Motel. The U-shaped courtyard offers plenty of free parking and rooms with little frills but comfy beds, Wi-Fi, TVs, private bathrooms, coffee machines, and a 24-hour front desk. Before heading off in the morning, stop by the breakfast room for a complimentary breakfast. Be sure to get a Texas-sized Texas-shaped waffle.
Western Motel
104 E 12th St
The Western Motel is located on Route 66, directly across from the Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café. With a convenient location, spacious rooms, and a 24-hour front desk, you can’t go wrong with this classic motel. They even have pet-friendly rooms for your furry travel companions.
Blarney Inn
402 E 12th St
Formerly the Rambler Motel from the 1950s, the Blarney Inn promises a “a wee bit of Ireland here in Shamrock.” The Shamrock motel provides air-conditioned rooms, a 24-hour front desk, free WiFi, and family rooms.
Route 66 Inn
800 E 12th St
The Route 66 Inn is a retro-themed hotel with comfortable air-conditioned rooms, high-speed WiFi, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and a 24-hour front desk. Pet-friendly rooms are also available. The U-shaped courtyard motel originally opened as the Sun ’n Sand Motel in 1953.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
A solid choice for those looking for a national chain hotel, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites features free WiFi, cable TV, free toiletries, hair dryers, and a 24-hour front desk.
Booking.comPin this list of Shamrock, Texas Attractions & Motels on Route 66:
