Vintage Route 66 Motel Photography Print: Motel Safari in Tucumcari, New Mexico on Premium Photo Paper, Canvas, Acrylic, or Metal

The stretch of Route 66 from Albuquerque to Tucumcari was a treasure trove of Americana, but it was Tucumcari that truly captured my imagination. Known for its vibrant neon lights and rich history, this New Mexico town has been a must-see stop for travelers since the heyday of Route 66. I couldn’t wait to dive into its vintage motels, retro diners, and sunlit murals. I was particularly excited to photograph the iconic Motel Safari—a classic Route 66 landmark that has been welcoming guests since 1959.

As I arrived in Tucumcari, the sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of lavender, orange, and gold. The town’s famous slogan, “Tucumcari Tonight!” rang true as neon signs flickered to life up and down the historic strip. I made my way to the Motel Safari, its distinctive camel-rider sign standing proudly against the evening sky, beckoning travelers with its mid-century charm.

The Motel Safari, built in 1959, epitomized the golden age of Route 66 tourism. Its architecture blended modernist lines with unique Southwest flair, while its retro-style rooms had hosted countless road warriors, families, and adventurers over the decades. Unlike many motels that faded into obscurity, the Motel Safari had been lovingly restored in recent years, preserving its Googie charm while adding modern amenities.

As I parked my car and set up my camera, I felt a twinge of excitement. This wasn’t just a photograph—it was a chance to capture the essence of a bygone era. The sign, aglow in red neon and white, illuminated the clean lines of the building, and the festive string lights draped along the motel’s façade added a touch of magic to the scene. Everything about it screamed nostalgia.

Tucumcari itself has a fascinating history. Settled as a railroad town in the early 20th century, it became a bustling hub when Route 66 came through in 1926. By the 1950s and 60s, Tucumcari was a go-to stop for travelers along the Mother Road, boasting dozens of motels, restaurants, and attractions. While the interstate eventually bypassed the town, Tucumcari found a way to keep its spirit alive, maintaining its Route 66 heritage and attracting road-trippers and photographers like me.

With my tripod set and my exposure dialed in, I waited for the perfect moment. The glow of the motel sign and the last light of day blended seamlessly. A gentle breeze carried the faint scent of desert sage, mingling with the occasional hum of a passing vehicle. It was as if the past and present coexisted in perfect harmony here.

After capturing a series of shots, I reviewed the images on my camera’s screen. The Motel Safari looked like it had stepped straight out of a mid-century postcard, its colors and details bursting to life. Satisfied, I packed up my gear and took a moment to simply soak it all in. Tucumcari had delivered on its promise of magic.

This photo wasn’t just an image—it was a time capsule, a love letter to a place that thrived in an era of wanderlust and continues to inspire it today.

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Production and Shipping Time: 5-7 business days

Premium Photo Paper: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.

Ready-to-Hang Canvas: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.

There are 5 ways to print these images.

1) Premium Photo Paper are high quality, professional paper-prints.
Sharp, Vivid and rich Color sets this apart from a casual photo print.
You'll feel like you're there.
Premium Photo Paper will last a long time.
This option is available in 8x10 inches, 11x14 inches, 16x20 inches or 24x36.
They are designed to be placed in a glass frame, which can be purchased separately (starting at a few dollars at your local Target or online.)

2) Ready to Hang Canvas are ready to hang right out of the box with zero assembly required. Ultimate convenience.
Gorgeous finished look. It comes out of the shipping box finished and ready to hang with a simple nail in the wall.
Canvas Prints are a well-known, high-end way of displaying photographs.
0.75 or 1.5 inch thick (depending on which size that you order) wooden stretcher-bars that give it shape, in the same way an oil painting is traditionally assembled. There are no staples or ugly lines visible on the sides (very important.)
Estimated delivery time for printing, assembling, packing and shipping is around 10 days.

3) Ready to Hang Canvas (split into 3 panels)
This is for larger pieces, and the photograph is split into 3 even panels, 3 separate canvas panels which together make a single large image.
This gives a modern look, and allows spectacularly large sizes on your wall!

4) Aluminum Metal Prints
Create elegant wall decor that shines with high-end, exclusive and unique aluminum metal prints.
Create a polished addition to any home or office. 3/64" thick aluminum panel. Features a glossy coating and rounded edges.
UV resistant ink prevents fading. All metal sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box.

5) Acrylic Prints
Create eye-catching home decor with modern acrylic prints. Light refracts through the museum-quality acrylic bringing vibrancy and depth to your photos. The 1/8" thick, clear acrylic produces superb image quality from edge to edge and absolutely stunning, brilliant color!
UV resistant ink prevents fading. All acrylic sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box