Illinois Route 66

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

Core Route 66 Experiences

So, what’s a “Core Route 66 Experience?” Simply put, these are can’t-miss, historically significant attractions that will provide you unique, memorable glimpses into the glory days of The Mother Road. Some are quick stops. Others will tempt you to linger for hours. But they’re all fun, they’re all interesting, and they’re all one-of-a-kind. You’ll drive away from each of them wanting more. It’s easy to jump on and off the interstate to check out any of these attractions, but once you’ve joined us on Where The Mother Road Begins and travelled Illinois Route 66, you’ll find there’s no going back.

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.

Chicagoland Attractions

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

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

Joliet Region Attractions

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.

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.

Pontiac Region Attractions

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

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

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.

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

Bloomington Region Attractions

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.

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

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.

Lincoln Region Attractions

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

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.

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

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.

Springfield Region Attractions

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.

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

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

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

Litchfield Region Attractions

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.

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.

East St. Louis Region Attractions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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