Illinois Route 66

Pontiac Region Attractions East St. Louis Region Attractions Litchfield Region Attractions Carlinville Region Attractions Lincoln Region Attractions Bloomington Region Attractions Springfield Region Attractions Joliet Region Attractions Chicagoland Attractions Chicago Attractions

Buckingham Fountain
Constructed one year after Route 66, it is the nostalgic and symbolic starting point of the road.

Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant
Built in 1923, Lou Mitchell's has served Route 66 travelers since its beginning.

Berghoff Restaurant
Opened in 1898, this restaurant has served Route 66 travelers since the beginning.

1910 Railroad Viaduct
This viaduct between Western Avenue and Rockwell Street dictated that Route 66 follow this corridor through Chicago.

Castle Car Wash
This unique building started as a classic style filling station in 1925.

Henry’s Drive-In
A regional mom and pop diner with a fun old 66 personality serving Chicago-style hot dogs.

Rainbow Route 66 Welcome Sign and Street Banners
Berwyn celebrates its Route 66 heritage with banners and a unique glass block welcome sign.

Snuffy’s 24 Hour Grill
A classic Route 66 eatery, open since 1964.

The Wishing Well Motel
Commemorated with an exhibit at the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum.

Wolf’s Head Inn
A modern restaurant that honors the idiosyncratic tradition of Route 66.

Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket
A Route 66 icon that serves up down home charm and a tasty menu.

Route 66 and Lincoln Highway Shared Route
Banners commemorate the shared route.

White Fence Farm
This restaurant dates to the 1920s and serves the "World's Greatest Chicken" family style.

“Joliet Kicks on 66″ Tours
Driving and walking tours of Joliet sites.

“Route 66 Experience:” Joliet Area Historical Museum
A "must stop" for Route 66 tourists featuring Joliet history and Route 66 themes.

Route 66 Park, Joliet
Historic Joliet park with Route 66 connections.

Rich & Creamy on Broadway
An ice cream shop from the heyday of Route 66.

First Dairy Queen
The first Dairy Queen in the country was located here.

Joliet Jackhammer Giant statue
This giant muffler man sports the Joliet Jackhammers baseball team colors and holds a jack hammer.

Original two-lane segment
This segment of the road dates from 1926-30.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve and Welcome Center
Welcome Center for the prairie preserve is two miles north of Wilmington along Historic Route 66.

Launching Pad Drive-In and Gemini Giant statue
Founded in 1960, this friendly establishment has a full service menu and is home to a giant "muffler man" statue.

Mar Theater
Built in 1937,this first-run theatre is one of the oldest and the only privately-owned operating movie theatre in the Will County Area.

G&D Tire Company and Sinclair Dinosaur
A Sinclair Dinosaur statue sits atop the G&D Tire Company, housed in an old filling station.

Polk-a-Dot Drive In
A popular restaurant stop along Route 66, since 1956, with plenty of quirky charm and fun.

Braidwood Historic Service Station
Formerly Lucenta Tire, this 1939 Art Deco service station veneered in white ceramic tile is now an automotive repair shop.

Burma Shave Signs
A series of classic Burma Shave advertising signs with catchy phrases.

Riviera Restaurant
Dating back to 1928, this Route 66 icon features many prohibition-era stories. Not currently in operation.

Historic Streetcar Diner
This monument to Route 66 diners was restored by the Illinois Route 66 Association and inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame in 2001.

Oughton House/Country Mansion Restaurant
Originally a part of the Keeley Institute, then a private residence, it was converted into a restaurant in 1965. The handcrafted oak and maple woodwork and original fireplaces in the lounge area can be seen while eating lunch or dinner.

Ambler-Becker Texaco Gas Station
This historic 1933 filling station is identified as the longest operating gas station along Route 66.

Route 66 Java Stop
A unique modern drive-through coffee shop with a Route 66 theme.

Old Route 66 Family Restaurant
A modern restaurant with a Route 66 theme.

Lions Lake
This former "borrow pit" was excavated for the expansion of Route 66 into a four- lane highway. In the early 1990s, it was transformed into a small park.

Odell “Subway” Tunnel
A 1937 pedestrian tunnel under Route 66, known locally as the "subway." A reminder of the importance of Route 66 as a national travel corridor.

Standard-Sinclair/Odell Gas Station
On the National Register of Historic Places, this gas station was built in 1932 and served travelers until 1975.

Meramec Caverns Barn Advertisement (Cayuga)
A restored example of early highway advertising.

Old Log Cabin Restaurant
Built in 1926, the restaurant still serves good food to travelers, and is a classic example of the economic significance that Route 66 had on roadside businesses.

North Creek/Route 4 Bridge
Bridge abutments, the only ones with the original Illinois Route 4 logo on them, are located on either side of North Creek.

Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum
The story of the people and places, and significant artifacts from Illinois Route 66.

Three Roses Bed and Breakfast
This charming B&B operates in the Jamison House, a Victorian home from the 1890s.

Memory Lane
A one-mile stretch of original Route 66 that has been restored back to the 1940s era with vintage billboard and Burma Shave signs.

Lexington Neon Arrow Sign
Originally erected in the late 1940s on Route 66, the sign has recently been restored.

Lexington Route 66 Park
A small wayside park along Route 66 that provides information about historic Lexington.

Filling Station Restaurant
The Mesa Cafe was built in the 1940s and was originally a Skelly filling station.

“A Geographical Journey” Parkway
A 1.6 mile stretch of Route 66 with educational kiosks that interpret each state along the road.

Towanda Dead Man’s Curve
A dangerous curve on old Route 4, the original Route 66 before the 1940s.

Sprague Super Service Station
The largest gas station/restaurant on Historic Route 66.

First Steak’n Shake
Original restaurant location.

Cotton’s Village Inn
Historic downtown restaurant inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame.

Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup
A major stopping point on Route 66, Debby and Mike Funk continue the family tradition of making pure maple sirup.

Funks Grove I-55 Rest Area
This modern rest area along I-55 features interior historical exhibits about Abraham Lincoln and Route 66.

Dixie Truck Stop
The oldest truck stop in Illinois, serving travelers on Route 66 since 1928.

Route 66 Park & Tourism Center, Atlanta
114 SW Arch St. Atlanta, IL 61723 This modern roadside park was built by Atlanta for Route 66 travelers to relax. An information booth is staffed seasonally to provide information about sites in Atlanta (once was a Ticket Office for the Atlanta Fair). It also includes the cornerstone of Atlanta High School (1909) and a memorial [...]

“Atlanta: Midway on Illinois’ Mother Road” Mural
The mural celebrates Atlanta's location approximately 150 miles from both Chicago and St. Louis.

Palms Grill Cafe
Originally operated from 1934 to the late 1960s, the cafe has been refurbished as a working restaurant, and once again serves its traditional blue-plate specials to Route 66 travelers.

Bunyon’s Statue Giant
A Route 66 landmark, this muffler man statue stands in downtown Atlanta, IL to welcome visitors.

Abandoned Route 66 Pavement, Lincoln
A small stretch of original Route 66 alignment pavement.

Hallie’s Restaurant
The original Schnitzel from The Mill Restaurant is now served here in downtown Lincoln.

Route 66 Chapel
This small log cabin chapel next to Route 66 is open for travelers.

The Mill Restaurant
Opened in 1929, the Dutch themed building with blue trim featured a revolving windmill and waitresses dressed in blue with white aprons who served the famous fried schnitzel.

Tropics Restaurant
The original neon sign with palm tree still stands from the restaurant named for the owner's time in Hawaii.

Railsplitter Covered Wagon
Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the "World's Largest Covered Wagon."

Redwood Motel
Previously the site of a Standard Oil station built in 1934, the current motel owners are maintaining the motel in its 1950s-60s era.

Lincoln Ghost Bridge
Ruins of a bridge over Salt Creek south of Lincoln—part of the 1926 alignment.

Pig Hip Restaurant
An icon of Route 66, owned by Ernie Edwards, creator of the Pig Hip sandwich.

Pioneer’s Rest Motel
Was an expansion of the successful Pig Hip restaurant business.

Old Gillett Farm
An historic seventh generation farm on Elkhart Hill that offers tours of the family homestead and accomodations in the guest house.

Elkhart Gas Station
Formerly a 1940s era landmark of Route 66.

Bluestem Bake Shop
Locally-owned cafe serving fresh, made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch.

Die Cast Auto Sales
A 1930s service station with vintage gas pumps and signs.

Carpenter Park Route 66 pavement
An abandoned stretch of early Route 66 (1926-1936) now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Flagg Farmstead B&B
This attractive Italianate home is on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a Bed and Breakfast.

Double H Bar
Serving Route 66 travelers continuously since 1946.

Route 66 Memorial Rest Area
An original preserved rest area along Route 66.

Ray’s Route 66 Diner
A modern diner with true Route 66 kitsch, including a statue of Mary on an outdoor patio.

Pioneer Motel
The classic style and motel sign tower still greet guests.

Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation and Museum
Honors the men and women who have served on Illinois' highways since their establishment in 1922, including Route 66, or "Bloody 66" as it was called.

Lazy A Motel (Prairie Village Apartments)
A 1949 motel built with a Southwest Vernacular style—unusual for this part of the country.

Illinois State Fairgrounds/The Railsplitter Giant
"The Railsplitter" Abraham Lincoln giant statue was created in commemoration of the State of Illinois' 150th Anniversary of its statehood.

Shea’s Gas Station Museum
An internationally renowned, must-see Route 66 landmark filled with gas station and oil company collectibles.

Jungle Jim’s Cafe
This cafe serves up racing nostalgia and Springfield's famed "Horseshoe Sandwich."

Capitol City Motel
A classic motel that was active during the heyday of Route 66.

Mel-O-Cream Donuts
Mel-O-Cream became a household word in the Springfield area after its founding during the height of The Great Depression. The North Grand location still features the classic signage and building.

Ace Sign Company
Tours by appointment to view the collection of classic neon signs.

Maid Rite Sandwich Shop
On the National Register of Historic Places, this is one of America's oldest drive-ins.

Coney Island Restaurant
Opened in 1919, patrons have enjoyed chili dogs (the "best in town") and hamburgers here for nearly 90 years.

Widow at Windsor Antique Shop
Offering fine European antiques and architecturals.

Joe Roger’s Original Recipe Chili Parlor
Serves chili "just the way you like it!"

Route 66 Kicks Family Entertainment Center
Features a pizza buffet, bowling, go-karts, video games, laser tag, and bumper cars.

Cozy Dog Drive-In
A shrine to Route 66, the "corn dog on a stick" was invented here.

Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center
Includes a "mini museum" with a unique array of vehicles, signs and articles from the Route 66 era.

Curve Inn
A restaurant and bar with a storied Route 66 past, it was inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in 2007.

Knights Action Park/Route 66 Drive-In
A diverse family fun park with water slides, bumper boats and batting cages, and a double feature drive-in movie next door.

Abandoned Brick Road Curve
An abandoned curve of the 1930-1933 Route 66 alignment that is still paved in bricks.

Abandoned Pavement under Lake Springfield
Original pavement still leads through the woods to where the road disappears under the lake.

Abandoned Snake Bridge/”Schuster” Bridge over Lick Creek
The 1926-1930 alignment of Route 66 (old Route 4) traveled over this bridge.

Lauterbach Giant
A patriotic fiberglass "muffler man" giant at the Lauterbach Tire and Auto Service center.

Historic Brick Road
This original 1.4 mile hand-lain brick road was completed in 1931, and curves through corn fields near Auburn.

Maggie’s In Thayer
A restaurant that celebrates the region's past with historic photographs on the walls and lots of local flavor and customers.

Whirl-A-Whip
This classic 1950s-drive in restaurant still offers travelers food and 50 flavors of ice cream in the summer.

Doc’s Soda Fountain/Deck’s Drug Store
After operating under three generations of the Deck family, the store reopened offering soda fountain ice cream and a free drug store museum.

Turkey Tracks in Pavement
An original piece of the narrow 1926-30 Route 66 alignment still features turkey tracks that were imprinted when the original concrete was poured.

Deerfield Drive Historic Bridge
A concrete bridge built in 1920 saved from destruction remains on IL-4.

Zion Church Neon Cross
This church features a neon cross that is lit up at night.

Coliseum Ball Room
The dance hall has featured musicians from Tommy Dorsey, Fats Domino, Duke Ellington to the Everly Brothers. The building now serves as an antique mall.

Art’s Motel and Restaurant
The motel and restaurant, opened in 1937, still serve travelers today. The original classic neon sign has been restored by the Route 66 Association.

Our Lady of the Highways Memorial
This shrine harks to an era when "Bloody 66" was a dangerous drive.

Ariston Cafe
Said to be the oldest cafe on Route 66, this popular restaurant has served excellent food and unbelievable desserts to travelers for more than 80 years.

Sky View Drive-In Theatre
This theater has operated seasonally since opening in 1951.

Belevidere Cafe and Motel
817 Old Route 66 (Sherman St.), Litchfield IL. The Belevidere Cafe and Motel was built by Lester and Edith Kranich in the mid-1930s. The motel was a plain clapboard building with a series of attached units, unusual in an era of roadside cabins. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in March, 2007. [...]

Soulsby’s Service Station
One of the oldest filling stations still standing on Route 66. Now maintained as a historical and educational attraction.

Decamp Junction Roadhouse
An historic tavern with a storied past tied to the gangsters of Al Capone's era. Still serves a variety of beers and a popular homemade cider.

Henry’s Ra66it Ranch
This amusing and quirky attraction celebrates Route 66 and the people along the highway and offers all things about rabbits: Volkswagons or the furry kind.

Pink Elephant Antique Mall
Featuring quirky and amusing statues and sculpture from the early days of Route 66.

Church of the Neon Cross
The large cross has historically signified safe travels for those driving Route 66.

Meramec Caverns Barn Advertisement (Hamel)
A restored example of early highway advertising.

Scotty’s Route 66 Bar & Grill
This roadhouse at the intersection of old 66 and Ill. 140 has been serving travelers since the late 1930s.

Homestead Rest Area
A rest area off of I-55 themed for Route 66.

Springers Creek Winery
Serving locally-produced wine, this charming winery is housed in an historic 1910 storefront grocery and an adjacent historic house.

Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower
The world's largest catsup bottle and a landmark roadside attraction. Restored to its original appearance and named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Bert’s Chuck Wagon Bar-B-Q
Classic 1950s-60s small diner that serves barbeque sandwiches and is known for its enchiladas and tacos.

Luna Cafe
The cafe, built in 1924, is rumored to have been frequented by gangsters like Al Capone. The Luna is now a working man's bar frequented by locals and travelers on Route 66.

Debby’s Route 66 Frozen Custard/Sun Motel
A small frozen custard stand with a 1958 pink Cadillac parked out front.

Chain of Rocks Bridge
This site marks the end of the Illinois portion of Route 66. Originally a motor route, it now carries walking and biking trails over the river.

McKinley Bridge
The first Route 66 alignment crossed the Mississippi River here from 1926-1929. After closing to vehicles, the bridge was reopened for pedestrians and bicyclists in 2007.

McKinley Bridge Roadside Park
Located on the east side of McKinley Bridge, this small roadside park includes an interpretive kiosk which describes the region's cities, transportation, geography, and industry.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge
Formerly called the Veterans Memorial Bridge when built in 1951, the bridge is still open to traffic.

Poplar Street Bridge
The fifth and final Route 66 alignment crossed the Mississippi River here from 1968-1977, and is also the bridge featured in "National Lampoon's Vacation." The bridge is still open to traffic.

Pontiac Region Attractions

East St. Louis Region Attractions

Litchfield Region Attractions

Carlinville Region Attractions

Lincoln Region Attractions

Bloomington Region Attractions

Springfield Region Attractions

Joliet Region Attractions

Chicagoland Attractions

Chicago Attractions

DELICIOUS STORY: PALMS GRILL REOPENS!ad spacead space
GrahamSpencer - Inspired Strategic CommunicationsAmerica's BywaysEnjoy Illinois