Wilmington Region
Route 66 Attractions in the Wilmington Region
1. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie - Visit the Welcome Center just 3 miles north of here to discover the largest tallgrass prairie restoration in North America.
2. Launching Pad Drive-in and Gemini Giant - This classic Route 66 drive-in opened in 1960 to serve hot dogs and ice cream. Get your photo taken with the Gemini Giant, a fiberglass "Muffler Man" holding a rocket.
3. Sinclair Dinosaur - Look on the roof of G&D Tires for this dinosaur statue, the symbol of Sinclair Oil since 1933.
4. Mar Theater - This classic movie theater has been featuring first-run films since 1937.
5. Eagle Hotel - Built as a stage stop in 1836, this hotel was already 90 years old when Route 66 was designated.
6. Polk-a-Dot Drive In - In 1962, hot dogs were served out of a bus covered in colored polk-a-dots. Don't miss the good food and memorabilia at this 1950s style drive in.
7. Art Deco Service Station - This historic station began serving Route 66 travelers in 1939.
8. Illinois Route 66 Mining Museum - Experience the "Mother Lode" of Illinois mining history along the Mother Road.
9. Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area - This reclaimed strip mine is a great place to watch wildlife and to hunt for fossils (permit required).
10. Two-Cell Jail - Take a picture behind bars and listen to an audio message at this historic jail built in 1906.
11. Historic Streetcar Diner - This Kankakee horse drawn street car came to Gardner in 1932 to serve as a diner for Route 66 travelers.
1. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie - Visit the Welcome Center just 3 miles north of here to discover the largest tallgrass prairie restoration in North America.
2. Launching Pad Drive-in and Gemini Giant - This classic Route 66 drive-in opened in 1960 to serve hot dogs and ice cream. Get your photo taken with the Gemini Giant, a fiberglass "Muffler Man" holding a rocket.
3. Sinclair Dinosaur - Look on the roof of G&D Tires for this dinosaur statue, the symbol of Sinclair Oil since 1933.
4. Mar Theater - This classic movie theater has been featuring first-run films since 1937.
5. Eagle Hotel - Built as a stage stop in 1836, this hotel was already 90 years old when Route 66 was designated.
6. Polk-a-Dot Drive In - In 1962, hot dogs were served out of a bus covered in colored polk-a-dots. Don't miss the good food and memorabilia at this 1950s style drive in.
7. Art Deco Service Station - This historic station began serving Route 66 travelers in 1939.
8. Illinois Route 66 Mining Museum - Experience the "Mother Lode" of Illinois mining history along the Mother Road.
9. Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area - This reclaimed strip mine is a great place to watch wildlife and to hunt for fossils (permit required).
10. Two-Cell Jail - Take a picture behind bars and listen to an audio message at this historic jail built in 1906.
11. Historic Streetcar Diner - This Kankakee horse drawn street car came to Gardner in 1932 to serve as a diner for Route 66 travelers.
Route 66 in Wilmington
"The Island City"
You are standing on an island surrounded by the scenic Kankakee River, the source of Wilmington's nickname, "The Island City." People have crossed the river here for hundreds of years. It was a winter camp of the Potawatomi Tribe. In 1834, Thomas Cox Harnessed the water for a saw mill and soon after platted the town. Route 66 passed through her from 1926 to 1939.
Eagle Hotel
Cox's Mill drew settlers from a wide area to grind their wheat and corn into flour. The Eagle Hotel was built in 1836 to accommodate these farmers and as a stage stop between Chicago and Pontiac.
The Gemini Giant
The most photographed citizen of Wilmington is not a person. He is The Gemini Giant, a 1960's "muffler man" at the Launching Pad Drive-in. These enormous advertising characters towered over roads across America, clutching mufflers, hot dogs, axes, and, in Wilmington, a rocket ship.
"The Island City"
You are standing on an island surrounded by the scenic Kankakee River, the source of Wilmington's nickname, "The Island City." People have crossed the river here for hundreds of years. It was a winter camp of the Potawatomi Tribe. In 1834, Thomas Cox Harnessed the water for a saw mill and soon after platted the town. Route 66 passed through her from 1926 to 1939.
Eagle Hotel
Cox's Mill drew settlers from a wide area to grind their wheat and corn into flour. The Eagle Hotel was built in 1836 to accommodate these farmers and as a stage stop between Chicago and Pontiac.
The Gemini Giant
The most photographed citizen of Wilmington is not a person. He is The Gemini Giant, a 1960's "muffler man" at the Launching Pad Drive-in. These enormous advertising characters towered over roads across America, clutching mufflers, hot dogs, axes, and, in Wilmington, a rocket ship.
