Route 66 Must-Visit: Tee Pee Curios

A must stop for 66 souvenirs! Located on Route 66 in Tucumcari, NM this shop has a long heritage. Originally a Gulf gas station in the 1940’s, it has transformed over the years into a grocery, and then a trading post. The iconic teepee was added to the front of the store in 1960 when Route 66 was widened. The trading post became famous for its neon sign (1960s) which was restored in 2003 as part of the New Mexico Route 66 Neon Sign Restoration Project.

In classic 66 fashion, the letters above the store read “Tee Pee Curios” while its neon sign spells out “Tepee Curios.” The trading post is still active today and online reviews are extremely positive, mentioning the attentive staff and wide array of Route 66 memorabilia. A must see if you’re interested in historic neon signs; plus the teepee in front makes for a classic photo op! The kids in back or the social media influencer in your passenger seat will be screaming “pull over!” as you hit this iconic destination.