Famous Roadside Attractions, Museums, Museums, Attractions, Roadside Famous with Byway

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7 6 5 4 3 2 1 illinoisroute66.org McLean County Museum, Bloomington Museum, County McLean Auburn Road, Brick Historic Litchfield Cafe, Ariston Atlanta Statue, Bunyon’s Pontiac Mural, Shield 66 Rt. Springfield Donuts, Sonrise Dwight Station, Texaco Ambler/Becker

stops, and more. and stops,

popular restaurants, events, historic historic events, restaurants, popular

see along the way! Explore hotels, hotels, Explore way! the along see

app outlines all of the stops you must must you stops the of all outlines app

interactive map and the new mobile mobile new the and map interactive

Byway website features an an features website Byway

The new Illinois Route 66 Scenic Scenic 66 Route Illinois new The

66 just got easier! got just 66

along historic Illinois Route Route Illinois historic along

the App Store or on Google Play. Google on or Store App the Planning the perfect trip trip perfect the Planning

Search ‘Explore Illinois Route 66’ in in 66’ Route Illinois ‘Explore Search

along the way? the along

moment. Will it be driving down the open road or meeting all those new faces faces new those all meeting or road open the down driving be it Will moment.

restaurants, and other cool places, you will find it hard to decide on your favorite favorite your on decide to hard it find will you places, cool other and restaurants, people look to bring the vibrant history of Route 66 into present day. day. present into 66 Route of history vibrant the bring to look people

all along this extraordinary Byway. With famous roadside attractions, museums, museums, attractions, roadside famous With Byway. extraordinary this along all attractions. Experience a renaissance of true, pedal-to-the-metal travel as as travel pedal-to-the-metal true, of renaissance a Experience attractions.

Route 66 becomes alive as you hop in the car to visit the iconic places located located places iconic the visit to car the in hop you as alive becomes 66 Route route markers, visitor guides, museums, and interpretive exhibits to highlight highlight to exhibits interpretive and museums, guides, visitor markers, route

Illinois Route 66 Route Illinois is the destination. destination. the is many, for and there, get to takes it journey Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Scenic 66 Route Illinois have dedicated time to developing historic historic developing to time dedicated have

final destinations. The ride to your destination can be just as memorable as the the as memorable as just be can destination your to ride The destinations. final National Scenic Byway Scenic National . Since its establishment, organizations, like the the like organizations, establishment, its Since . a

will soon know that vacations are made in the hours between pit stops and and stops pit between hours the in made are vacations that know soon will Illinois Historic Route 66 Route Historic Illinois was designated designated was 2005, 22, September On experience.

The Mother Road Mother The , you you , drive you When road. open the before—on generations Many tangible relics of the old road have been preserved for the visitor visitor the for preserved been have road old the of relics tangible Many

after turn, you are experiencing the longevity of history in the same way as as way same the in history of longevity the experiencing are you turn, after

66 Scenic Byway Scenic 66 represents the best of our diverse American culture. Turn Turn culture. American diverse our of best the represents inspiration, and embodies freedom. embodies and inspiration,

Route Route Illinois The road. open of miles present—enjoying the in adventurously microbuses. For many, now Route 66 represents one of dreams and newfound newfound and dreams of one represents 66 Route now many, For microbuses.

new would not exist without Route 66. Today, we celebrate the past by living living by past the celebrate we Today, 66. Route without exist not would new disenfranchised youth west on Route 66 as they hitchhiked and packed into into packed and hitchhiked they as 66 Route on west youth disenfranchised

Our beloved National Highway System and our love for road trips to somewhere somewhere to trips road for love our and System Highway National beloved Our country. In the ‘60s, the “Hippie” counterculture lured thousands of the nation’s nation’s the of thousands lured counterculture “Hippie” the ‘60s, the In country. some famous eateries while you are exploring all the southern Route 66 sites. sites. 66 Route southern the all exploring are you while eateries famous some

travel bags into the car and slowly close the trunk. You are about to hit the road. road. the hit to about are You trunk. the close slowly and car the into bags travel and down The Mother Road to see the wonders of the western half of the the of half western the of wonders the see to Road Mother The down and Million Dollar Courthouse Dollar Million Mounds, in Carlinville. Plan to dine in in dine to Plan Carlinville. in the and

Small bands of light break the horizon; the air is crisp. You pack the last of your your of last the pack You crisp. is air the horizon; the break light of bands Small booming job market. Travelers took two-week vacations and ventured up up ventured and vacations two-week took Travelers market. job booming Soulsby’s Service Station, Cahokia Cahokia Station, Service Soulsby’s like attractions historical of variety a in

families escaping the Dust Bowl. Post-World War II people flocked to California’s California’s to flocked people II War Post-World Bowl. Dust the escaping families Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center Welcome 66 Route and Museum Litchfield to take take to the to up way

IN THE WORLD! THE IN the nation. During the Great Depression, it became the Road of Flight for farm farm for Flight of Road the became it Depression, Great the During nation. the Giant Pink Elephant Pink Giant ? Then, keep working your your working keep Then, ? say you Can memorabilia.

transportation evolution. During its heyday, Route 66 mirrored the mood of of mood the mirrored 66 Route heyday, its During evolution. transportation

and bountiful shopping. Grab your camera to spot some iconic Mother Road Road Mother iconic some spot to camera your Grab shopping. bountiful and

the monolithic American Interstate Highway System, Route 66 witnessed a a witnessed 66 Route System, Highway Interstate American monolithic the Starting south? The southern portion of Illinois Route 66 offers beautiful scenery scenery beautiful offers 66 Route Illinois of portion southern The south? Starting

Beginning with Ford Model T’s plodding through rutted dirt, to the rise of of rise the to dirt, rutted through plodding T’s Model Ford with Beginning road

and is the state capital. state the is and Tomb Lincoln’s ,

American Southwest. American Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Lincoln’s Home, Home, Lincoln’s Museum, Presidential Lincoln Abraham which hosts the the hosts which

accessible on four wheels, this road passed through the fabled landscape of the the of landscape fabled the through passed road this wheels, four on accessible Lincoln (the only city named in person by Abraham Lincoln), and Springfield, Springfield, and Lincoln), Abraham by person in named city only (the Lincoln 6

western frontier into an economically vital region of the country. Now easily easily Now country. the of region vital economically an into frontier western famous time visiting the various Abraham Lincoln attractions in Bloomington-Normal, Bloomington-Normal, in attractions Lincoln Abraham various the visiting time

Coast. A national transformation took place as Route 66 turned an isolated isolated an turned 66 Route as place took transformation national A Coast. National Heritage Area Heritage National , located in the central portion of the state. Spend Spend state. the of portion central the in located ,

notoriety as the shortest, year-round route between the Midwest and the West West the and Midwest the between route year-round shortest, the as notoriety Abraham Lincoln Lincoln Abraham Illinois is the only Route 66 state that travels through the the through travels that state 66 Route only the is Illinois

may not be as old as Yellowstone or the Lincoln Highway, but it quickly gained gained quickly it but Highway, Lincoln the or Yellowstone as old as be not may

Created in 1926, Route 66 became the preferred road in traveling westward. It It westward. traveling in road preferred the became 66 Route 1926, in Created Pontiac, Lexington, and many other communities in the northern part of the state. state. the of part northern the in communities other many and Lexington, Pontiac,

Carpet Corridor Carpet , visiting the amazing attractions in Joliet, Wilmington, Dwight, Dwight, Wilmington, Joliet, in attractions amazing the visiting , TRAVEL THE MOST THE TRAVEL

centered it at the helm of America’s highway culture. culture. highway America’s of helm the at it centered Red Red 66 Route Illinois the down way your Work there! stop not does It eateries.

amplified by the unprecedented volume of books, music, and film that artistically artistically that film and music, books, of volume unprecedented the by amplified

eginning in Chicago, you will discover incredible museums and classic classic and museums incredible discover will you Chicago, in eginning B

IT IS YOUR TIME TO TO TIME YOUR IS IT

oute 66 is the most famous road in the world! the in road famous most the is 66 oute R The road’s iconic status was was status iconic road’s The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway? Byway? Scenic 66 Route Illinois

Behind the Wheel: Route 66 in Illinois in 66 Route Wheel: the Behind the explore to plan you do How

ILLINOIS ROUTE 66 SCENIC BYWAY

NOSTALGIA MEETS NEWFOUND Now, hop in the car! It is time for you to drive your name into Illinois Route 66 notoriety. 1940-1977 Alignment 1940-1977 Roosevelt President WWII in Europe, as for raged 1940, asked June In meet to defense needs. highways of nation’s use the on the a study Defense Report. National for the Highways the This was result The report identified two types of for defense defense required roads: roads network of strategic the improve to required and roads operations defense Route roads. in the 66 role a significant played strategic wartime efforts,transportation including of personnel, equipment, and munitions. Highway Act of began Interstate the construction 1956 the The Highway Route ultimately replaced which transportation System 66 main the as west. sectionsroute of Many Route 55 66 by became end the Interstate deemed obsolete Road as was Mother in Illinois The of 1956. By 1977, removed on sign was ofmuch it been last by had replaced The I-55. 1985. decommissioned 27, was on June road entire The 1977. January 17, ADVENTURE 1045 South Fifth Street Springfield, IL 62703 (217) 414-9331

Alignment

Technically, “First Alignment” by a road characterized is pavement Technically, ofwidth only speed 20 18 to topped feet. 25 average when Back then, vehicles and tractors. horse-drawn with road the mph, cars shared relatively with new frequent transportation were problems Mechanical small passes alignment so many this through why is Which technology. exists, still first this from era and you’ll Pavement get drive towns. to along it on your travels! 1930-1940 in full continued swing. running repealed, rum prohibition was Until 60-80Cars could mph, and speed top now limits set by and were states municipalities. “Bloody moniker The widely describe to used 66” the was unsafety Road Mother relative The of along Route driving 66. Eventually, congested more communities, as bypass such re-routed to was larger, setSpringfield 70 speed and Joliet. at a maximum limit was By 1940, became and rest areas recognized Picnic mph. a necessary as part of planning. highway PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE at the all new illinoisroute66.org! . Illinois has attempted to to attempted has . Illinois The Mother Road The Mother

DAVID SCHWARTZ PHOTOGRAPHY - PICS ON ROUTE 66 ILLINOISROUTE66.ORG A Story in 3 Parts: Three Alignments to Route 66 History A Story in 3 Parts: of ribbon beenRoute highway an ever-adapting 66 always has As been by history. shaped has and American transportation that vehicles so did changed, story preservation this the maintain through of active three alignments. Each segment preserves evolution the story the of surrounding the era. the from automobile story and the of travelers Alignment 1926-1930 two years 1924, of beforeIn Route construction the 66, Bond State an make to and paved existing from roads created 4 (SBI was Issue 4) Chicago St. from passageway to Louis. all-weather alignment 1926 The of Route 66 SBI become followed to Illinois 4 and enabled first the state prohibition of years, In Route pavement tail. finish the 66 to to top from Road transport illegal bars alcohol to Mother to Al Capone The used and clubs access meant statewide, road since a paved all portions to of ease, For example, relative with all year long. state the production stills could Illinois products and southern easily ship located in central to in Chicagospeakeasies and St. Route Louis using 66. Eat & Drink From north to south, you will find so many eclectic choices to get your grub on and learn a bit more about the eateries and watering holes located on the road. 90 Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant & Bakery, Chicago 1 Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, Willowbrook 2 Polk-A-Dot Drive-In, Braidwood Let’s Hit The 3 DESTIHL, Bloomington-Normal 90 Fat Jack’s Bar, Bloomington 39 Maldaner’s, Springfield CHICAGO Fulgenzi’s/Mahan’s Filling Station, Springfield Obed and Isaac’s Microbrewery, Springfield Cozy Dog, Springfield Mother CHICKEN 88 BASKET Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum, Springfield Sangamo Brewing and Breweriana Museum, Springfield 88 1 Doc’s Soda Fountain, Girard BERWYN Ariston Cafe, Litchfield Road! Jubelt’s Bakery & Restaurant, Litchfield Weezy’s Bar & Grill, Hamel JOLIET 2 Explore The open road is an adventure in itself, but you will want to explore 80 the countless destinations along the way. Joliet Historical Museum, Joliet 4 Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum, Pontiac 39 7 McLean County Museum, Bloomington DWIGHT The Mill on 66 Museum, Lincoln 4 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, Springfield Ace Sign Museum, Springfield 5 Litchfield Museum, Litchfield Illinois Coal Museum, Gillespie

74 Shop 57 Bring some goodies home with you, courtesy of the unique PONTIAC boutiques all along The Mother Road. 3 Historic Downtown District, Plainfield Historic Water Street Shopping District, Wilmington BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL Uptown Normal & Downtown, Bloomington Abe’s Carmelcorn Shoppe, Lincoln Abraham Lincoln 155 Rusty Star Marketplace, Auburn/Divernon Cherry Tree Treasures & Gifts, Carlinville National Heritage Area 6 Pink Elephant Antique Mall, Livingston Entertainment ATLANTA What is a road trip without a few stretching breaks? Plan to play 74 your way through some of the amazing places below. 72 Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet 7 Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Wilmington Miller Park & Zoo, Bloomington Knight’s Action Park & Route 66 Drive-In, Springfield SPRINGFIELD 8 Skyview Drive-In, Litchfield Lake Lou Yaeger Recreation Area, Litchfield

72 57 Photo Op! Grab your camera, you’re not going to want to miss these photo op spots!

70 CARLINVILLE 8

LITCHFIELD

70 6 5 57

ST. LOUIS

64 Traversing the Alignments of Illinois Route 66 1926-1930 1930-1940 1940-1977 64 29 55 54

29 55 LITCHFIELD

55 29 16 4 23

55 97 57 72

97 16 GILLESPIE

55 4

PONTIAC

138 138 SPRINGFIELD 72 24 MT. OLIVE 116 55 72 57 55

55 55

116 STAUNTON 55