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Here is a detailed, no-image, in-depth guide to the best attractions in Barstow, California, including history, what you’ll actually experience on-site, and why each place matters.

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Top Attractions in Barstow, CA (with lots of detail)

Barstow sits at the intersection of Interstate 15, Interstate 40, and historic Route 66, making it one of the most historically important travel hubs in the Mojave Desert. Its attractions reflect a blend of railroad history, desert geology, military influence, and classic American road culture.

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1. Route 66 Mother Road Museum

Location: Inside the historic Casa del Desierto (Harvey House)

What You’ll See

• Extensive Route 66 memorabilia

• Restored photographs from the highway’s mid-20th-century golden age

• Displays explaining the evolution of cross-country travel

• Exhibits about the Harvey House railroad hospitality system

• Vintage gas pumps, maps, highway signage, and personal stories from Route 66 travelers

Why It’s Interesting

This museum captures the spirit of America’s car-travel boom. You’ll understand how Barstow became a crucial stop for motorists driving from the Midwest to Los Angeles during the Dust Bowl and post-war eras.

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2. Western America Railroad Museum

Location: Adjacent to the Route 66 Museum in the Harvey House complex

What You’ll See

• Outdoor display yard of historic locomotives, cabooses, signal towers, and maintenance equipment

• Indoor exhibits on railroad communication systems, telegraph machines, tools, lanterns, uniforms, and model trains

• Interpretive panels explaining the Santa Fe Railway’s role in shaping Barstow

Why It’s Interesting

Barstow was one of the most important rail hubs in the western United States. This museum shows exactly how the railroads powered settlement and commerce across the Mojave Desert.

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3. Barstow Station

Location: Off I-15 at the center of town

What You’ll Experience

• A quirky, historic rest stop built using retired railroad passenger cars

• Fast food, snacks, gift shops, and Route 66 souvenirs

• A constant stream of travelers from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, giving it a lively, transient energy

• A unique “highway culture” vibe—half truck stop, half tourist attraction

Why It’s Interesting

You’re not just stopping for food—you’re experiencing the modern equivalent of a 1950s roadside pit stop, a symbol of Barstow’s continuing role as a travel gateway.

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4. Mojave River Valley Museum

Location: Close to downtown Barstow

What’s Inside

• Native American artifacts from tribes like the Mojave, Chemehuevi, and Paiute

• Geological specimens including fossils from prehistoric lake systems

• Mining tools and equipment from the silver-, borax-, and gold-mining booms

• Military exhibits covering local Marine and Army installations

• Archival photographs of early settlers and desert homesteaders

Why It’s Interesting

The museum gives a sweeping, chronological overview of Mojave Desert history—from prehistoric animals to mining rushes to World War II military logistics.

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5. Calico Ghost Town

Location: About 10–15 minutes from Barstow

What You’ll Do

• Walk through restored mining-era buildings (saloons, shops, jail, schoolhouse)

• Tour the Silver King Mine or explore cut-away mining tunnels

• Visit the old cemetery with headstones from the 1880s

• Explore hiking trails in the nearby hills filled with colorful mineral deposits

• Ride the Calico Odessa Railroad, a short but historically themed train loop

Why It’s Interesting

Calico was the largest silver mining town in California during the 1880s. It’s part museum, part ghost town, part tourist attraction, giving you a close look at frontier desert life.

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6. Rainbow Basin Natural Area

Location: North of Barstow, off Fossil Bed Road

What You’ll See

• Dramatic, multi-colored geological formations caused by millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion

• The renowned “syncline” rock fold, a rare geological structure

• Fossil finds (you can’t take them, but the area is rich in preserved prehistoric animals)

• Quiet desert trails where you can often see birds of prey, lizards, and bighorn sheep

Why It’s Interesting

The layers of sediment are twisted and tilted in ways that make the landscape look almost alien. It’s one of the best places to experience the surreal beauty of the Mojave Desert.

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7. Skyline Drive-In Theatre

Location: Southwest of Barstow, near Old Highway 58

What You’ll Experience

• A classic, two-screen drive-in showing double features most nights

• A retro, desert-night movie atmosphere—stars overhead, distant city lights, and a warm desert breeze

• A snack bar with old-school offerings like popcorn, nachos, and fountain drinks

Why It’s Interesting

Drive-in theaters are rare, especially ones that still feel authentically vintage. Watching a movie here feels like stepping back to the 1950s.

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8. Mojave National Preserve (Nearby Attraction)

Location: About 1 hour from Barstow

What You Can Explore

• Kelso Dunes: giant singing sand dunes you can hike

• Joshua tree forests (larger and denser than Joshua Tree National Park in some areas)

• Lava fields and extinct volcanoes (Cima Dome, Hole-in-the-Wall)

• Remote, quiet trails with vast desert panoramas

Why It’s Interesting

If you’re based in Barstow, the preserve is one of the most spectacular natural areas in the entire Mojave. It’s much quieter than national parks but equally dramatic.

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9. Desert Discovery Center

Location: Barstow Road near the Mojave River

What’s Inside

• Educational exhibits about local wildlife, geology, and desert ecology

• A large fossil mammoth skeleton discovered near Barstow

• Outdoor sculptures and desert gardens showcasing native plants

• Hands-on learning programs for children and families

Why It’s Interesting

It explains the Mojave Desert environment in a way that connects science with local history, making it especially good for families.

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10. Barstow Main Street Murals

Location: Historic downtown Barstow

What You’ll See

• Dozens of colorful outdoor murals celebrating:

  • Route 66 themes

  • Railroad history

  • Indigenous cultures

  • Mining and frontier life

  • Military heritage

• A walkable route through downtown showcasing public art

Why It’s Interesting

These murals turn Barstow’s historic district into an open-air museum, providing both cultural history and local pride.

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Bonus Attractions Near Barstow

• Afton Canyon (“Grand Canyon of the Mojave”)

A narrow canyon carved by the Mojave River with dramatic walls and a sometimes-flowing river.

• Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow (not open for casual tourism)

Visible from Hwy 58; historically important for military supply chains.

• Outlet at Barstow (Barstow Outlets)

Shopping, especially for travelers heading to or from Las Vegas.

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Summary

Barstow’s attractions combine desert geology, railroad legacy, Route 66 culture, Wild West history, and outdoor adventure. Whether you're exploring ghost towns, museums, murals, or dramatic desert landscapes, the town offers far more depth than travelers expect from a small Mojave crossroads.

If you'd like, I can also create:

• a 1-day Barstow itinerary

• a local food guide

• a Barstow history overview

• or kid-friendly attractions