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The neon Route 66 shield in Route 66 Park, Joliet, Ill.
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Route 66 Downtowns · Part 1 of 7

Route 66 at 100: An Illinois Road Trip Through Six Main Street Downtowns

The Mother Road turned 100 on Nov. 11. Start the drive west with six Illinois downtowns, two roadside giants and lunch at a café founded in 1924.

By the ShopDowntown editors · · Checked against each business’s and town’s own website

Filed under Play, one of our four story sections: Shop, Dine, Play, Stay.

A Route 66 Illinois road trip starts the highway where it began, and this year the drive carries extra meaning. U.S. 66 was established on Nov. 11, 1926, when state and federal officials adopted the first national system of numbered highways, so 2026 is the old Chicago-to-the-Pacific route’s centennial year.

This is Part 1 of Route 66 Downtowns, our series that follows the highway west to Santa Monica six towns at a time. Each stop below has a walkable downtown on or beside an old alignment, with somewhere to eat, something to buy and a piece of highway history to see.

We checked every business, hour and event on the business’s, town’s or organizer’s own website on Nov. 14, 2026. Many attractions along this stretch are seasonal, roughly spring through fall, and we say which ones close for winter.

The Rialto Square Theatre marquee on Chicago Street, Joliet, Ill.
The Rialto Square Theatre marquee on Chicago Street, Joliet, Ill.

Joliet, Illinois

Stop 1 of 6 · The Rialto + Blues Brothers suits

Route 66Museums · Theater

Joliet is where Route 66 leaves the Chicago suburbs behind. The Rialto Square Theatre, a movie palace that calls itself the Jewel of Joliet, opened in 1926, the same year as the highway, and is marking its own centennial.

A few blocks away, the Joliet Area Historical Museum doubles as the city’s Route 66 Welcome Center, with a diner photo scene and the original suits from The Blues Brothers (1980).

On Main Street
Route 66 landmarks
The Old Joliet Prison (1125 Collins St.) took its first prisoners in 1858 and closed in 2002; self-guided tours run Thursday through Monday in season, and the museum says the site closes for the year on Nov. 23, weather permitting. Route 66 Park on North Broadway holds the neon highway shield in our photo at the top of this page.
Dated events
  • Light Up the Holidays: Friday, Nov. 27, noon–5:30 p.m.: tree lighting and fireworks at 5, parade at 5:30 · Source ↗
  • Sesame Street Live! Elmo’s Got the Moves: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2 p.m., Rialto Square Theatre · Source ↗
  • The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes: Saturday, April 3, 2027, 7 p.m., Rialto Square Theatre · Source ↗
  • Three Dog Night: Thursday, May 20, 2027, 7:30 p.m., Rialto Square Theatre · Source ↗
Town sites
Joliet City Center Partnership ↗ (Instagram ↗)

For familiesMuseum tickets are $5 for ages 4 to 12, and children 3 and under get in at no charge. The Rialto books family shows, too: Sesame Street Live! comes to town Saturday, Dec. 12.

Plan your stop in Joliet
Parking
Downtown curb spaces carry no charge for two hours on weekdays (7 a.m.–7 p.m.) and all day on weekends and holidays, per the city; the city deck at 110 N. Ottawa St. costs $1 an hour. Museum visitors can use its lot at Ottawa and Webster streets, but not the spaces right in front of the Welcome Center.
Best day
Thursday through Saturday, when the museum, the steakhouse and (in season) the prison are all open. Come on a Tuesday to add the Rialto tour.
Time to spend
Three to four hours.

Next stop: Wilmington, about 25 minutes (17 miles) south on Illinois 53, which follows the old road.

Illinois downtowns →
The Gemini Giant at its new home by South Island Park, Wilmington, Ill.
The Gemini Giant at its new home by South Island Park, Wilmington, Ill.

Wilmington, Illinois

Stop 2 of 6 · The Gemini Giant + Water Street antiques

Route 66Roadside giant · Antiques

Wilmington sits on the original 1926 alignment where the highway crosses the Kankakee River, and land in the middle of the stream earned it the nickname the Island City. Its star is the Gemini Giant, a fiberglass spaceman cradling a rocket.

The Giant now stands at the entrance to South Island Park, 201 Bridge St., not at the old Launching Pad drive-in, so ignore outdated directions. Water Street, lined with antique shops, is a short walk away.

On Main Street
Route 66 landmarks
The Gemini Giant photo stop has no admission and no set hours. A Sinclair dinosaur keeps watch from the roof of BTI Tires at 200 E. Baltimore St., and the 1836 Eagle Hotel building anchors the end of Water Street. The Landing Pad, a souvenir shop beside the Giant, opens seasonally; check the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway site before you count on it.
Dated events
The city had posted no visitor events for the rest of 2026 or for 2027 when we checked.
Town sites
City of Wilmington: tourism ↗

For familiesLet the kids pose under the Giant, then catch a first-run movie at the Mar Theatre, 121 S. Main St. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, a short drive north on Route 53, has more than 34 miles of trails.

Plan your stop in Wilmington
Parking
Wilmington posts no parking guidance, so look for street spaces near Water and Bridge streets.
Best day
Thursday through Saturday. The pizzeria and the florist close Sundays.
Time to spend
An hour and a half to two hours.

Next stop: Pontiac, about 50 minutes (roughly 50 miles) southwest. Illinois 53 and the old road run beside Interstate 55 through Dwight and Odell.

Illinois downtowns →
The Livingston County Courthouse on the square in Pontiac, Ill.
The Livingston County Courthouse on the square in Pontiac, Ill.

Pontiac, Illinois

Stop 3 of 6 · Four museums + 24 murals

Route 66Museums · Murals

Pontiac packs four museums, 24 outdoor murals and three swinging footbridges into a compact downtown around the Livingston County Courthouse. The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway calls it a premier tourist community, driven, literally, by the highway.

Eighteen of those murals were painted by the Walldogs sign-painting crew in the summer of 2009, and red footprints on the sidewalks lead you from one wall to the next.

On Main Street
Route 66 landmarks
The Livingston County Courthouse anchors the square. One swinging bridge crosses the Vermilion River downtown and two more are a short walk away, and nine Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits follow a trail of green footprints.
Dated events
  • Small Business Saturday: Nov. 28, all day, Courthouse Square · Source ↗
  • Downtown Christmas Market: Saturday, Dec. 12, noon–4 p.m., Courthouse Square · Source ↗
  • The Jersey Tenors: Sinatra to Frankie Valli: Sunday, Feb. 7, 2027, 7 p.m., presented by the Livingston County Concert Association (venue not yet listed) · Source ↗
Town sites
Downtown Pontiac ↗ · Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway: Pontiac ↗ (Instagram ↗)

For familiesChildren visit the Pontiac-Oakland museum at no charge, kites and games wait at Route 66 Kites, and the summer splash pad at Humiston-Riverside Park opens daily. In winter the city runs an ice rink downtown on Block 59; hours for 2026–27 weren’t posted yet.

Plan your stop in Pontiac
Parking
The Main Street program posts a downtown parking map, and the War Museum notes spaces across the street.
Best day
Wednesday through Saturday: the coffeehouse closes Tuesdays and the kite shop Sundays. From April to October, third Saturdays add a hop-on trolley, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Time to spend
Three to four hours.

Next stop: Atlanta, about 55 minutes (roughly 55 miles) southwest on Interstate 55.

Downtown Pontiac guide →
The Bunyon Giant holding his hot dog on Arch Street, Atlanta, Ill.
The Bunyon Giant holding his hot dog on Arch Street, Atlanta, Ill.

Atlanta, Illinois

Stop 4 of 6 · A hot-dog giant + a 1908 octagon library

Route 66Roadside giant · Small town

Atlanta’s Arch Street follows the 1926 alignment, and the town has turned two blocks of it into an open-air Route 66 stop. Its 19-foot Bunyon Giant, holding a hot dog, came here from Cicero in 2003.

Nearby stand an eight-sided 1908 library with a clock tower, Walldog murals and the Palms Grill building, which is now part of the Atlanta Public Museum rather than a working diner.

On Main Street
  • Atlanta Public Museum, 114 SW Arch St., three historic buildings including the Palms Grill; the 2026 season ran April 15–Oct. 31, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., with no admission charge
  • Atlanta Public Library, the eight-sided 1908 building at 100 SE Race St.; closed Sundays · Instagram ↗
  • American Giants Museum, 100 NE Arch St., devoted to the fiberglass roadside giants; closed for the season after 2026
  • Chubby’s Bar & Grill, 111 SE Vine St., open seven days
  • Sip Shack, coffee and a few gifts at 204 SW Arch St., weekdays from 6 a.m. and Saturday mornings
  • Artful Market, local handmade goods at 122 SW First St., Tuesday through Sunday
Route 66 landmarks
Besides the Bunyon Giant, look for a quarter-mile of original 1926 pavement with an old yellow stop sign at Northeast Arch and Sycamore streets, the J.H. Hawes wooden grain elevator and a smiling water tower.
Dated events
The city calendar listed no visitor events for the rest of 2026 or for 2027 when we checked.
Town sites
City of Atlanta: Route 66 ↗ (Instagram ↗)

For familiesThe Route 66 Arcade Museum (games from the 1940s to the ’90s, $5 suggested donation) and a High-Striker challenge on Arch Street open April through September, and Atlanta Memorial Park has three play areas.

Plan your stop in Atlanta
Parking
Street spaces and a city lot across from the American Giants Museum, at no charge, according to its website.
Best day
Tuesday through Saturday between mid-April and October, when both museums are open. In winter the giant, murals, library, cafés and shops still fill a pleasant hour.
Time to spend
One to two hours.

Next stop: Springfield, about 35 minutes (roughly 30 miles) southwest on Interstate 55.

Illinois downtowns →
The Old State Capitol on Adams Street, Springfield, Ill.
The Old State Capitol on Adams Street, Springfield, Ill.

Springfield, Illinois

Stop 5 of 6 · Lincoln sites + the Cozy Dog

Route 66State capital · Lincoln

Illinois’ capital belongs to Route 66 and to Lincoln at once. The Old State Capitol, where Lincoln gave his House Divided speech, stands at the center of a walkable downtown, with the Presidential Library and Museum a short stroll north.

For the highway, the visitor bureau points travelers to the Cozy Dog Drive In, open since 1949, and the Maid-Rite, which it calls America’s first drive-thru. The drive-in claims to be the home of the original hot dog on a stick.

On Main Street
Route 66 landmarks
The Illinois State Fair Route 66 Experience (801 E. Sangamon Ave., Gate 2), about 3 miles north, is open daily with a neon sign park and a drive-in replica. The visitor bureau also lists original Route 66 pavement at Carpenter Park and Shea’s Gas Station Museum, which reopened in 2024.
Dated events
  • Route 66 International Film Festival: Nov. 20–22: Friday 7–10:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–10:15 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–noon, Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.; $10 suggested donation per session · Source ↗
  • St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Saturday, March 13, 2027, noon, downtown · Source ↗
  • Old Capitol Art Fair: May 15–16, 2027: Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Old State Capitol Plaza · Source ↗
Town sites
Visit Springfield: Route 66 ↗ (Instagram ↗)

For familiesLincoln Home National Historic Site hands out same-day tour tickets at no charge at its visitor center (9 a.m.–5 p.m.), and the Presidential Museum runs youth programs such as Junior Historians and History Detective.

Plan your stop in Springfield
Parking
Meters cost nothing to use, but posted time limits are enforced, per Downtown Springfield Inc. The garage under the Old State Capitol is now monthly parking only.
Best day
Tuesday through Saturday; the downtown visitors center closes on weekends.
Time to spend
Half a day, or longer with Lincoln’s Home.

Next stop: Litchfield, about 45 minutes (roughly 45 miles) south on Interstate 55.

Downtown Springfield guide →
The Ariston Cafe on Old Route 66, Litchfield, Ill.
The Ariston Cafe on Old Route 66, Litchfield, Ill.

Litchfield, Illinois

Stop 6 of 6 · The Ariston Cafe + a 1950 drive-in

Route 66Classic café · Drive-in

Litchfield carries two Route 66 alignments, 1930–1940 and 1940–1977, and some of the road’s most loyal businesses. The Ariston Cafe, founded in 1924 and in its current building since 1935, bills itself as the oldest continuously operated restaurant on the Mother Road.

The downtown square on State Street holds local shops and the 1904 Carnegie library building, now home to the tourism office, while the classic highway stops sit a short drive away on Old Route 66.

On Main Street
Route 66 landmarks
The Sky View Drive-In (1500 N. Route 66) opened in 1950 and is the only original drive-in still operating on the Illinois stretch of the highway; its 2026 season has ended. Three wayside exhibits stand at the Ariston, Niehaus Cycle Sales and the Sky View, and the museum’s neon gas station sign lights up after dark.
Dated events
Visit Litchfield and the city calendar listed no visitor events for the rest of 2026 or for 2027 when we checked.
Town sites
Visit Litchfield: Route 66 ↗ · Sky View Drive-In ↗ (Instagram ↗)

For familiesKids Fun Zone, an indoor playground at 303 N. State St. downtown, has a bounce house and ride-on animals. From spring to mid-October, a double feature at the Sky View is the classic night out.

Plan your stop in Litchfield
Parking
Litchfield posts no parking guidance; look for street spaces around the square and near each attraction.
Best day
Tuesday through Saturday. The Ariston and Jubelt’s close Mondays, and the museum’s winter schedule skips Sunday and Monday.
Time to spend
An hour and a half to three hours.

Part 2 picks up in Missouri: Cuba is about 2 hours and 15 minutes (roughly 135 miles) southwest, past St. Louis.

Illinois downtowns →

Planning more stops? Browse Illinois downtowns, pair a gallery visit from our small town art galleries guide, or end the day at one of these downtown breweries. The whole trip lives on the Route 66 Downtowns series page.

Frequently asked questions

When did Route 66 turn 100?

U.S. 66 was officially established on Nov. 11, 1926, when state and federal highway officials adopted the first U.S. numbered highway system. Nov. 11, 2026, marked its centennial.

How long does it take to drive Route 66 in Illinois?

Our six stops, Joliet to Litchfield, cover about 200 miles. Two relaxed days lets you see the museums; one long day works if you only want the photo stops and a meal.

Which Illinois Route 66 stops are best for kids?

Wilmington’s Gemini Giant and Atlanta’s hot-dog-holding Bunyon make easy photo stops. Pontiac adds a kite and game shop plus a car museum where children get in at no charge, and Springfield’s Lincoln Home hands out same-day tour tickets without a fee.

Are Route 66 attractions in Illinois open in winter?

Many close for the season, including the Atlanta museums, the Old Joliet Prison tours and the Sky View Drive-In. Downtown museums in Joliet, Pontiac and Springfield stay open year-round, as do the roadside giants.

Where does the Route 66 Downtowns series go next?

Part 2 covers Missouri and Kansas: Cuba, Rolla, Lebanon, Carthage, Galena and Baxter Springs. The series page lists all seven parts.

Sources

  1. History.com: Route 66 established, Nov. 11, 1926
  2. Joliet Area Historical Museum
  3. Old Joliet Prison (Joliet Area Historical Museum)
  4. Rialto Square Theatre: events and tours
  5. City of Joliet: downtown parking
  6. Joliet City Center Partnership: Light Up the Holidays
  7. City of Wilmington: tourism
  8. Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway: Wilmington
  9. Downtown Pontiac: attractions
  10. Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway: Pontiac
  11. City of Pontiac: calendar
  12. City of Atlanta: Route 66 and attractions
  13. Atlanta Public Museum: plan your visit
  14. American Giants Museum
  15. Visit Springfield: Legendary Route 66
  16. Old State Capitol State Historic Site
  17. Lincoln Home National Historic Site: hours
  18. Downtown Springfield Inc.: parking
  19. Visit Litchfield: Route 66 in Litchfield
  20. Ariston Cafe
  21. Sky View Drive-In

How we chose: downtowns with a walkable Main Street on or beside a Route 66 alignment, a mix of well-known stops and small towns, listed west in driving order. Hours, prices and addresses come from each business’s own site or, where one has none, from the town’s official pages. Events appear only where the town, its Main Street program, visitor bureau or organizer posted a date, checked on Nov. 14, 2026. We link only to Instagram accounts that a business or town links from its own website. Drive times are map estimates. Photos come from Wikimedia Commons under open licenses and are credited at the bottom of the page.

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Photos from Wikimedia Commons: The neon Route 66 shield in Route 66 Park, Joliet, Ill.: Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0; The Rialto Square Theatre marquee on Chicago Street, Joliet, Ill.: Immewnity, CC BY-SA 3.0; The Gemini Giant at its new home by South Island Park, Wilmington, Ill.: David Quigley, CC BY-SA 4.0; The Livingston County Courthouse on the square in Pontiac, Ill.: IvoShandor, CC BY-SA 3.0; The Bunyon Giant holding his hot dog on Arch Street, Atlanta, Ill.: Gorup de Besanez, CC BY-SA 4.0; The Old State Capitol on Adams Street, Springfield, Ill.: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0; The Ariston Cafe on Old Route 66, Litchfield, Ill.: Teemu008, CC BY-SA 2.0.

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