Modern-day Route 66 proudly honors its retro roots. Along the Mother Road, you’ll encounter countless original roadside attractions, vintage motels, and classic service stations. But there’s also a new wave of stops that blend nostalgia with a fresh, modern flair, and Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66 in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a perfect example.
Opened in 2018 by Mary Beth Babcock, this quirky gift shop is housed in a repurposed 1950s PEMCO gas station. Inside, you’ll find all kinds of fun souvenirs, home décor, apparel, and collectibles celebrating Route 66, Tulsa, and even a certain elusive Sasquatch.
The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book
Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.
But the fun doesn’t stop at the front door. Outside, you’ll be greeted by a towering space cowboy muffler man, a cowgirl Uniroyal Gal, a glowing neon sign, a Route 66 robot, Piggy Stardust the fiberglass chef pig, and colorful Route 66-themed murals.
Here’s everything you can look forward to when visiting Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66 in Tulsa!
What to Find at Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66
Tulsa Route 66 Souvenir Shop
Stop by the Route 66 souvenir shop to pick up the perfect keepsake from your Mother Road adventure. Browse a fun selection of t-shirts, mugs, magnets, original artwork, and even plushies and bobbleheads inspired by the shop’s iconic space cowboy muffler man.
Buck Atom Space Cowboy Muffler Man
One of the star attractions sights at Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios is the towering 21-foot-tall space cowboy muffler man. Muffler men roadside attractions are iconic roadside figures—fiberglass giants ranging from 14 to 25 feet tall—originally produced between 1963 and 1972 by International Fiberglass in Venice, California. With their signature stance and imposing size, these figures once stood outside businesses like muffler shops to grab the attention of passing motorists. But Buck Atom isn’t a vintage original. He’s a brand-new creation that blends classic roadside charm with a modern, out-of-this-world twist.
Nicknamed “Buck Atom,” this custom muffler man was crafted by fiberglass artist Mark Cline using a mold based on a 1960s cowboy figure once displayed in Calgary, Alberta. Dressed in red, blue, and silver with a bright yellow cowboy hat, Buck holds a gleaming silver rocketship designed by local artist Chris Wollard right in his hands. Unveiled on May 11, 2019, Buck has quickly rocketed into the ranks of must-see Route 66 roadside attractions.
Stella Atom Uniroyal Gal
Standing tall and proud beside Buck Atom at Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66, Stella Atom brings a bold new energy, and some much-needed girl power, to Route 66. Installed on June 28, 2024, Stella is a 19-foot-tall custom-made Uniroyal Gal space cowgirl, the first of her kind on the Mother Road. Designed by artist Mark Cline (the same creator behind Buck), Stella was lovingly crafted to celebrate Route 66, Tulsa, and shop owner Mary Beth Babcock’s personal story. Her red Western dress, Route 66 belt buckle, and Tulsa flag detail all nod to local pride, while Oklahoma wildflowers and Swallowtail butterflies on her boots honor Babcock’s late mother. She’s also accessorized by local artists, including a one-of-a-kind cuff bracelet and a ray gun shooting a sparkling star. With Buck on one side of the shop and Stella on the other, this dynamic duo now watches over travelers with retro flair, cosmic charm, and a whole lot of heart.
Neon Sign
Neon signs and Route 66 go hand in hand, so it was only natural for Buck Atom’s to light up the road with one of its own. Installed shortly after the shop opened, this glowing beacon features a 6-foot Route 66 shield at the top. It was built by Encinos Signs, designed by Todd Sanders of Roadhouse Relics, and officially dedicated on April 29, 2020.
Piggy Stardust Fiberglass Chef Pig
Meet Piggy Stardust, the larger-than-life, pink fiberglass pig in a chef’s hat who landed at Buck Atom’s in 2021. Before calling Tulsa home, this whimsical pig was part of the Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park. Now, Piggy greets travelers with a smile and a nod to roadside kitsch, adding even more character to this colorful stop on Route 66.
Lilliput Robots on 66
Lilliput is part of Robots on 66, a fun and futuristic initiative bringing whimsical robot statues to Route 66 attractions across Oklahoma in the lead-up to the highway’s 2026 centennial. The very first of these friendly bots, Lilliput was fabricated by Sawyer Manufacturing & Fabrication and features a vibrant yellow and orange design. You can also spot another robot down the road in Oklahoma City.
Route 66 Murals
Keep your eyes peeled for colorful Route 66 murals painted on the surrounding fences and buildings at Buck Atom’s. These vibrant works of art, created by Clean Hands Army add an extra splash of personality and photo ops to this already unforgettable roadside stop.
Take a time machine and blast between the past and present here at Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66. And be sure to say hello to Buck while you’re here.
While visiting this top Oklahoma Route 66 attraction, be sure to cross the street to find the Meadow Gold Sign and another muffler man, Meadow Gold Mack. Hungry?Drive down the road for a meal at the Mother Road Market.
Photos of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66 in Tulsa, Oklahoma
