Illinois Route 66

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Historic & Modern Services

As travelers on Route 66, our appetites for glimpses of history are partly satisfied by our ability to experience the evolution of service station, cafe and motel architectural design – not to mention the hospitality that glowed from all such businesses in days gone by. Illinois Route 66 is quite literally dotted with beautifully restored old buildings, restaurants operating as though tail-finned convertibles still ruled the road, along with newer establishments interpreting the style and charm of The Mother Road’s heyday. Get off the the interstate into a different state of mind and experience travel the way it used to be – on Illinois Route 66.

Becky’s Barn
On the site of an old hosiery factory, this modern emporium offers antiques, collectibles, food and more.

Jubelt’s Restaurant & Bakery
This fantastic bakery & restaurant has been in business since 1922. Make sure you stop in and have a taste of some of the best homemade goodies in Central Illinois.

Pontiac Region Attractions

Metro East Region Attractions

Litchfield Region Attractions

Carlinville Region Attractions

Lincoln Region Attractions

Bloomington Region Attractions

Springfield Region Attractions

Joliet Region Attractions

Chicagoland Attractions

Chicago Attractions

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Double H Bar
Serving Route 66 travelers continuously since 1946.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Ernie Edwards – Pig Hip Restaurantad spacead space
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