Illinois

The iconic "Begin Route 66" sign at Adams Street and Michigan Avenue, marking the official start of the Mother Road.

Iconic bronze lions guarding the Art Institute of Chicago, a perfect photo spot near the start of Route 66.

1923 diner famous with Route 66 travelers, serving complimentary donuts and milk duds to start your journey.

Historic German eatery on original Route 66, serving traditional cuisine since 1898.

View from the top of Chicago at one of the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere.

Giant hot dog with mustard statue on top, a quirky roadside attraction that has delighted travelers for decades.

1946 fried chicken restaurant, a Route 66 icon serving travelers in Willowbrook for over 75 years.

Great starting point with exhibits, maps, and information about Route 66 history and attractions.

1920s opulent movie palace known as the "Jewel of Joliet," featuring stunning architecture and live performances.

Retro ice cream stand with Blues Brothers statues on the roof, celebrating Joliet's movie fame.

Historic prison featured in The Blues Brothers and other films, offering guided tours of this imposing limestone fortress.

Fiberglass "Muffler Man" astronaut at the Launching Pad, one of the most photographed Route 66 attractions.

Native prairie restoration with bison herd, showcasing Illinois' natural heritage along Route 66.

1950s-themed diner with Elvis & Betty Boop statues, serving classic American fare with vintage flair.

Crazy 80's is a hidden gem that transports visitors back to the late 1970s and 1980s, showcasing everyday cars from the Malaise Era, no muscle cars, just the vehicles people actually drove.

Restored 1930s gas station, now a visitor center showcasing the golden age of automobile travel.

Pedestrian tunnel under Route 66, a unique piece of highway infrastructure from the early days.

1932 station, restored with original pumps and serving as a museum of early automotive travel.

Historic cars and GM history, celebrating the automotive heritage of the Pontiac brand.

Military memorabilia and exhibits housed inside a historic building, showcasing local military history.

Perfect photo-op with a massive Route 66 shield painted on a downtown building wall.

Over 20 murals across town depicting local history, Route 66 heritage, and community pride.

Restored 1950s service station showcasing mid-century automotive service architecture.

Preserved brick road from early Route 66, offering a connection to the highway's original surface.

Route 66 history signs along the old alignment, telling the story of the highway's impact on small-town America.

Located in the McLean County Museum of History, featuring exhibits on Lincoln and Route 66 connections.

Tudor Revival gas station & café from 1931, representing the architectural evolution of roadside services.

Classic Route 66 truck stop since 1928, serving travelers with fuel, food, and hospitality for nearly a century.

Another fiberglass Muffler Man holding a hot dog, standing guard over this small Illinois town.

1930s diner experience serving classic American comfort food in an authentic vintage setting.

The American Giants Museum is a museum dedicated to preserving the history of Muffler Men, those towering fiberglass giants that became iconic fixtures along American highways.

Abraham Lincoln statue driving it, commemorating the town named after Lincoln before his presidency.

Named after Abraham Lincoln before presidency, featuring historic buildings and Lincoln-related sites.

Historic sign and marker where the famous restaurant once stood (burned down in 2007), preserving its memory.

Gift shop with Route 66 items, antiques, and local crafts celebrating rural Illinois heritage.

Small town nostalgia with preserved Route 66 signage and vintage storefronts.

Towering dome and legislative center, showcasing Illinois government and architecture.

Award-winning interactive exhibits exploring Lincoln's life, presidency, and legacy.

Preserved neighborhood and home where Abraham Lincoln lived before becoming president.

Home of the original corn dog on a stick, invented here in 1946 and a true Route 66 culinary landmark.

Full of memorabilia and classic cars, offering dining and Route 66 history under one roof.

A surviving stretch of 1920s brick Route 66, offering a tactile connection to the highway's early construction.

Vintage locomotives and artifacts showcasing the railroad heritage that preceded the automobile age.

Charming town square and Sears Home district featuring well-preserved 19th and early 20th-century architecture.

Civil War-era jail building with unique architecture and local historical significance.

Jubelt's is a Route 66 favorite, popular with travelers seeking a nostalgic, mom-and-pop food experience.

Well-curated local museum with Route 66 exhibits, maps, and visitor information.

One of the oldest Route 66 restaurants (since 1924), serving traditional American fare to four generations of travelers.

1926 station, beautifully restored as one of the oldest surviving gas stations on Route 66.

Includes grave of labor martyr Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, honoring the area's coal mining heritage.

Homage to Route 66 and Volkswagen Rabbits, with real rabbits and quirky automotive memorabilia.

The Pink Elephant Antique Mall is a quirky and beloved Route 66 roadside attraction with 50 antique vendors inside a former high school.

Former service station turned eatery, maintaining its automotive heritage while serving great food.

1909 restored vaudeville house presenting live performances in a beautifully preserved historic venue.

Outdoor public art celebrating the highway's impact on the community and American culture.

Ancient Native American city, UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing pre-Columbian civilization.

170-ft tall water tower shaped like a ketchup bottle, an iconic roadside landmark since 1949.

Old Route 66 bridge over the Mississippi with 22-degree bend, now a pedestrian walkway with stunning river views.