The Blue Whale of Catoosa, OK, is one of Route 66’s more iconic landmarks. Zoologist Hugh Davis built the 20-foot-tall, 80-foot-long marine mammal in the early 1970s as an anniversary gift for his whale-loving wife, Zelta. Located 20 miles east of Tulsa, it was perched over a spring-fed swimming hole with slides poking out of its sides, a jumping-off platform at its tail, and a ridiculously small baseball cap on its head. These attributes, along with an alligator ranch, snake pit, prairie dog village, and sandboxes, made the gentle beast a popular hang spot in Oklahoma’s muggy summer months. Locals and road trippers alike swam, fished, and picnicked here. Alas, Hugh’s arthritis got the better of him and he had to shutter the park in 1988; he passed away two years later and his wife Zelta in 2001. The park fell into disrepair, but not for long—the couple’s daughter, Dee Dee, rallied the good folks of Catoosa to help restore the whale to its original kitschy glory. These days, the alligator ranch and snake pit are gone, but you can still walk the length of the whale and stop by for a picnic. Swimming is not permitted, but there is no limit on selfies.

2600 OK-66, Catoosa, OK; 918-694-7390.