Springfield Region
Route 66 Attractions in the Springfield Region
1. Williamsville Historical Museum - Housed in a historic depot and two authentic railway boxcars, the museum offers photos and stories of the time Route 66 passed through town.
2. Route 66 Memorial Rest Area - Stretch your legs at this original preserved rest area along Route 66.
3. Carpenter Park Old Pavement - Walk on original Route 66 pavement past bluffs to the Sangamon River.
4. Illinois State Police Museum - View vintage cars, uniforms, and other artifacts in honor of those who patrolled the original "Hard Road" since 1922.
5. Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site
6. Shea's Gas Station Museum - A favorite stop along Route 66, this private museum is an incredible collection of gas station memorabilia. Be sure the talk with Bill Shea, who has worked along Route 66 for over fifty years.
7. Maid Rite Sandwich Shop - Grab a tasty sandwich at one of the country's oldest drive-ins dating to 1924. Order a the first drive-up window in America.
8. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
9. Lincoln Home National Historic Site
10. Lauterbach Giant - Snap a photo with this patriotic "muffler man" in the parking lot of Lauterbach Tire and Auto Service.
11. Knights Action Park - Started as a golf driving range along Route 66 in 1930, this has grown into a popular family amusement park. A Route 66 Twin Drive-in theater shows movies in season.
12. Cozy Dog Drive In - Enjoy the original "hot dog on a stick" created by Ed Waldmire, Jr. in 1946. This classic Drive in is a shrine to all things Route 66.
13. Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center - Originally a classic Holiday Inn along the old highway, the hotel today features a Route 66 theme, "mini museum" and the Filling Station Bar and Grill.
14. The Curve Inn - Opened in 1945, the public was served in the main tavern area, while "special" customers could ring a buzzer for the gambling and prostitution parlor on the upper floor.
15. Road Under Lake Springfield - When Lake Springfield filled in 1933, a portion of Route 66 was flooded. High on original pavement to see where it dips below the water.
16. Chatham Railroad Museum - Built in 1902 the depot museum features displays that interpret the railroad history of the region.
17. Sugar Creek Covered Bridge - Take a short detour off of Route 66 and have a picnic next to this restored 1880 bridge.
1. Williamsville Historical Museum - Housed in a historic depot and two authentic railway boxcars, the museum offers photos and stories of the time Route 66 passed through town.
2. Route 66 Memorial Rest Area - Stretch your legs at this original preserved rest area along Route 66.
3. Carpenter Park Old Pavement - Walk on original Route 66 pavement past bluffs to the Sangamon River.
4. Illinois State Police Museum - View vintage cars, uniforms, and other artifacts in honor of those who patrolled the original "Hard Road" since 1922.
5. Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site
6. Shea's Gas Station Museum - A favorite stop along Route 66, this private museum is an incredible collection of gas station memorabilia. Be sure the talk with Bill Shea, who has worked along Route 66 for over fifty years.
7. Maid Rite Sandwich Shop - Grab a tasty sandwich at one of the country's oldest drive-ins dating to 1924. Order a the first drive-up window in America.
8. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
9. Lincoln Home National Historic Site
10. Lauterbach Giant - Snap a photo with this patriotic "muffler man" in the parking lot of Lauterbach Tire and Auto Service.
11. Knights Action Park - Started as a golf driving range along Route 66 in 1930, this has grown into a popular family amusement park. A Route 66 Twin Drive-in theater shows movies in season.
12. Cozy Dog Drive In - Enjoy the original "hot dog on a stick" created by Ed Waldmire, Jr. in 1946. This classic Drive in is a shrine to all things Route 66.
13. Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center - Originally a classic Holiday Inn along the old highway, the hotel today features a Route 66 theme, "mini museum" and the Filling Station Bar and Grill.
14. The Curve Inn - Opened in 1945, the public was served in the main tavern area, while "special" customers could ring a buzzer for the gambling and prostitution parlor on the upper floor.
15. Road Under Lake Springfield - When Lake Springfield filled in 1933, a portion of Route 66 was flooded. High on original pavement to see where it dips below the water.
16. Chatham Railroad Museum - Built in 1902 the depot museum features displays that interpret the railroad history of the region.
17. Sugar Creek Covered Bridge - Take a short detour off of Route 66 and have a picnic next to this restored 1880 bridge.
Route 66 in Springfield
Metropolis on the Prairie
Springfield, the hub of Illinois and the heart of Lincoln Land, has long been a tourist destination on Route 66. Motorists were met with a galaxy of neon signs promoting local temptations like Cozy Dogs, Mel-O-Cream Donuts, and Horseshoe Sandwiches. Motels thrived along the dazzling thoroughfare leading into the capital city. Just like today, people flocked to experience the legacy of Abraham Lincoln.
Modern Motor Motels
It was an adventure to stay in a 1950s motor court. In Springfield, some motels were fashioned like adobe and promised a southwestern destination. Others lured visitors with space age symbols of Sputnik. Motels competed with increasingly luxurious amenities such playgrounds, swimming pools, and color television.
Eating Out on the Town
Hungry Route 66 travelers have always savored famous food innovations that originated here in Springfield. Tackle a horseshoe sandwich, nibble a genuine Cozy Dog, and savor a Mel-O-Cream donut.
Most restaurants along Route 66 offer their own signature Horseshoe Sandwiches. They are made of several layer: Bread on the bottom, ham steak or hamburger patties in the middle, fries on top, and everything smothered with cheese sauce.
Mel- o - Cream Donuts was founded as a retail shop in Springfield in 1932. They primarily sell to restaurants and grocery stores. But in Springfield, you can stop by a donut shop and get them fresh from the oven.
Cozy Dogs are the original "hot dog on a stick" deep fried in batter. They were first served in 1946 at the Lake Springfield Beach House. They're still served up hot at the Cozy Dog Drive In along Route 66.
Metropolis on the Prairie
Springfield, the hub of Illinois and the heart of Lincoln Land, has long been a tourist destination on Route 66. Motorists were met with a galaxy of neon signs promoting local temptations like Cozy Dogs, Mel-O-Cream Donuts, and Horseshoe Sandwiches. Motels thrived along the dazzling thoroughfare leading into the capital city. Just like today, people flocked to experience the legacy of Abraham Lincoln.
Modern Motor Motels
It was an adventure to stay in a 1950s motor court. In Springfield, some motels were fashioned like adobe and promised a southwestern destination. Others lured visitors with space age symbols of Sputnik. Motels competed with increasingly luxurious amenities such playgrounds, swimming pools, and color television.
Eating Out on the Town
Hungry Route 66 travelers have always savored famous food innovations that originated here in Springfield. Tackle a horseshoe sandwich, nibble a genuine Cozy Dog, and savor a Mel-O-Cream donut.
Most restaurants along Route 66 offer their own signature Horseshoe Sandwiches. They are made of several layer: Bread on the bottom, ham steak or hamburger patties in the middle, fries on top, and everything smothered with cheese sauce.
Mel- o - Cream Donuts was founded as a retail shop in Springfield in 1932. They primarily sell to restaurants and grocery stores. But in Springfield, you can stop by a donut shop and get them fresh from the oven.
Cozy Dogs are the original "hot dog on a stick" deep fried in batter. They were first served in 1946 at the Lake Springfield Beach House. They're still served up hot at the Cozy Dog Drive In along Route 66.
