Tee Pee Curios
This iconic Route 66 souvenir shop welcomes travelers with a whimsical concrete teepee entryway. Originally built as a gas station in the 1940s, it evolved into a beloved curio shop famous for its brilliant neon sign. It stands today as one of the last original operating shops on New Mexico's Mother Road.
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Monday - Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Sunday: Closed
- Duration
- 15-30 minutes
- Parking
- Free customer parking lot in front of the shop and street parking
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance, though aisles inside can be narrow
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Standing as one of the most iconic landmarks along historic Route 66, Tee Pee Curios began in the 1940s as a service station and grocery store. It eventually evolved into a dedicated souvenir shop, welcoming weary desert travelers with its unique concrete teepee entrance. Today, it stands as a preserved monument to mid-century roadside americana.
Visitors are greeted by a vibrant neon sign featuring a glowing teepee and a Kokopelli figure, which famously lights up the Tucumcari night. Inside, the shelves are packed with classic Mother Road memorabilia, Native American crafts, and quirky southwestern gifts. The shop successfully preserves the nostalgic, hands-on shopping experience of the classic American family road trip.
This beloved stop remains one of the very last operating curio shops on New Mexico's stretch of Route 66. Its enduring presence offers a tangible connection to the golden age of automobile travel.
Ratings
roadside attractionVisitor Tips
- ◆ Be sure to visit after dusk to see the spectacular neon sign fully lit up.
- ◆ Take a classic souvenir photo standing right inside the concrete teepee doorway.
- ◆ Chat with the shop owners, who are often happy to share local history and travel recommendations.
Heads Up
- ◆ Operating hours can occasionally be irregular, so consider calling ahead if you are planning your itinerary around a visit.
- ◆ Watch for traffic when pulling in or out of the parking area, as it sits directly on a main thoroughfare.
Common questions
Does the neon sign at Tee Pee Curios still light up at night?
Yes, the historic neon sign is fully functional and typically lit up every evening, making it a popular spot for nighttime photography along Route 66.
Is the entire Tee Pee Curios building shaped like a teepee?
No, only the front entrance is a concrete teepee structure that visitors walk through. The main store behind the entrance is a standard rectangular building.
Is Tee Pee Curios still an active shop or just a photo stop?
It is an active, operating souvenir shop selling Route 66 memorabilia, t-shirts, jewelry, and local crafts.
More in Tucumcari
- Blue Swallow Motel · Tucumcari, New Mexico
More Route 66 Stops
- Wigwam Motel · Holbrook, Arizona
- Gemini Giant · Wilmington, Illinois
- Tee Pee Junction Concrete Teepee · Lawrence, Kansas
- Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store · St. Robert, MO
- The Blue Whale of Catoosa · Catoosa, Oklahoma