Page 40 - DreamScapes Magazine | Spring/Summer 2026

TAKE A SPIN
Along Illinois’ Route 66
BY MICHELE SPONAGLE
popularized by John Steinbeck in The
Often called “The Mother Road”—a phrase
Grapes of Wrath—Route 66 begins in
Chicago and runs to the Pacific Ocean,
ending at the Santa Monica Pier. Few places cap-
ture its spirit as well as Illinois. Long sections of
original roadway remain, offering one of the most
authentic drives along the historic route.
Begin your road trip in the Windy City, a
fabulous destination for food, culture and archi-
tecture. A slice of deep-dish at Lou Malnati’s
Pizzeria, or a hearty breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s,
an institution since 1923, sets the tone. Dining
here is like a rite of passage before heading
southwest.
As the skyline fades in the rear-view mirror,
you may find yourself near the brooding Old Joliet
Prison. Stark and cinematic with a nod to The
Blues Brothers movie, the tourist attraction hints
at Route 66’s grittier chapters.
Soon after, nostalgia flexes its muscle. The
photogenic Gemini Giant, a fibreglass tribute to
the Space Age, is a selfie-worthy local landmark,
now anchored in Wilmington’s South Island Park.
In Pontiac, famous for its colourful public
murals, stop at the Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum
where you’ll walk through decades of road cul-
ture—each exhibit a breadcrumb of Americana.
In Atlanta, keep an eye out for giants—literal
ones—at the American Giants Museum. Its super-
sized collection includes a towering Paul Bunyon
statue. Then in Lincoln, there are more big sights,
including the world’s largest covered wagon, the
Railsplitter Covered Wagon.
When you reach Springfield, the journey shifts
tone with kitsch giving way to history focused on
Abraham Lincoln. The town is home to the U.S.
president’s former home and the law office where
Lincoln began his path to the presidency, and of
course, his final resting place, the Lincoln Tomb.
When hunger hits, a stop at Cozy Dog Drive In
for a corn dog is a must, a tradition for travellers
since 1946. Or check out the playful Route 66
Motorheads Bar & Grill, where engines and mem-
orabilia collide.
In Livingston, more roadside oddities await
with the delightfully retro Twistee Treat Diner,
serving burgers, fries and ice cream in a 1950s
setting. Keep the nostalgic feelings and browse
through Pink Elephant Antique Mall for vintage
finds. Or visit Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower,
the world’s largest ketchup bottle (21 metres high)
in Collinsville—one of Route 66’s most popular
photo stops.
Before leaving the state, take a stroll along the
picturesque Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the
Mississippi River. With an unusual bend mid-span,
it’s a fitting end to the Illinois stretch of Route 66.
DS
TRAVEL PLANNER
For more details about Illinois’ Route 66
Centennial celebrations, visit enjoyillinois.com/
things-to-do/route-66-in-illinois
40
DREAMSCAPES SPRING/SUMMER 2026
DID YOU KNOW?
Route 66 helped shape
roadside America, from the
rise of fast-food chains like
McDonald’s to classic tunes
like “Get Your Kicks On
Route 66,” first recorded by
Nat King Cole, and later on,
the Rolling Stones.
PHOTOS: ILLINOIS OFFICE OF TOURISM/ADAM ALEXANDER PHOTOGRAPHY | ILLINOIS OFFICE OF TOURISM | ILLINOIS OFFICE OF TOURISM/STARBOARD AND PORT LLC