Few things are more American than a road trip, and the country’s 250th birthday is a great excuse to take one. But after a long day in the convertible, you’ll probably want lodgings that aren’t generic. Enter the humble motel. Motels — named for a portmanteau of the words “motor” and “hotel” — came into their own as Americans embraced the automobile. Though they had their heyday in the 1950s, many are keeping the midcentury spirit alive. Here are seven motels that promise to take you back to those glory years.

Atomic Motel – Astoria, Oregon

With cardboard cutouts of Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, and Batman star Adam West — not to mention a turquoise-and-pink exterior and a sparkling midcentury lobby — Astoria’s Atomic Motel has embraced a retro space-age spirit with open arms.

Grab some popcorn from the vintage machine by the reception desk and chill some Coca-Colas in your room’s red refrigerator, then explore Astoria’s iconic Riverwalk, which is only a block away. Fans of The Goonies will find this a great base camp for exploring sites where the iconic 1985 movie was filmed, including Cannon Beach. In the morning, even those as hungry as Chunk will fill up at the beloved Pig ‘N Pancake, located right next door.

Orbit In – Palm Springs, California

A little Rat Pack and a lot retro: This adults-only Palm Springs boutique hotel is a midcentury gem, with nine rooms nestled around a saltwater pool in a setting that defines desert modernism. Each room boasts gloriously intact pink-tiled bathrooms and comes stocked with a record player and a stack of vintage LPs. (Elvis, anyone?)

Explore the historic neighborhood on one of the hotel’s complimentary bikes, but be sure to make it back for Orbitini Hour at the Boomerang Bar, where Dean Martin croons over the loudspeaker, and cranberry and cold sake combine to form the refreshing house cocktail.

Western Riviera Lakeside Lodging – Grand Lake, Colorado

Set right on the water on Colorado’s largest natural lake, the Western Riviera recently reopened after a renovation that spiffed up the historic motel and restored its 1960s mountain lodge charm. All 16 rooms face the lake, and there’s not a bad view to be had. Stroll downtown on Grand Lake’s historic boardwalk, tuck into some grub at Sagebrush BBQ, and get in touch with your wild side at Rocky Mountain National Park, which is only 15 minutes away.

Ohio House Motel – Chicago, Illinois

Get your kicks — or at least your 40 winks — at the Ohio House, downtown Chicago’s last remaining Route 66 motel. Set amid the high rises of River North, this low-slung holdout dates to 1960, and its architecture offers a glimpse into that more glamorous, Googie-filled era. The timing is right: Route 66 celebrates its centennial in 2026, and the storied highway’s official starting point is at Navy Pier, just a few blocks away. 

Hotel Lucine – Galveston, Texas

The lucine is a modest pearly white seashell. But Galveston’s Hotel Lucine is nothing if not colorful, with pink-tiled baths, green pool loungers, yellow umbrellas, and the blue, blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico right across the street.

The property opened in 1963 as the Treasure Isle Motel, but it was fully renovated and renamed in 2023. The U-shaped courtyard wraps around a pool that’s heated all year, and the rooftop boasts the largest beachfront bar in Galveston, with live music and spectacular Gulf views. 

El Vado Motel – Albuquerque, New Mexico

With curvilinear adobe walls, carports built right next to the rooms, and a glorious neon sign, El Vado Motel is a prime example of the Spanish Pueblo revival style. Built in 1937 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, the beautifully restored property sits along Central Avenue, part of historic Route 66 and close to the Rio Grande, Old Town, and the ABQ BioPark. In addition to the sleek rooms, the property has a taproom, a rotating selection of local eateries, and an enviable pool.

Thunderbird Inn – Savannah, Georgia

Most people equate Savannah with Southern elegance, but the Thunderbird Inn, opened in 1964, changes things up with full-on midcentury swagger, glowing neon, and a soundtrack that’s pure swinging ’60s sock hop.

Guests are welcomed with a MoonPie and an RC Cola in each room, while the all-Americana lobby is stocked with popcorn, lemonade, and Baker’s Pride doughnuts, a local favorite. There are modern touches, too: The inn is pet-friendly and runs on rooftop solar. Plus, Savannah’s vibrant City Market is just a 10-minute stroll down the street.