Springfield, Illinois

Springfield, Illinois. . , Route 66, the Mother Road, is an American icon that symbolizes romance and freedom of the open road. Born in 1926, Route 66 was one of the first numbered U.S. highways, journeying 2,500 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. Today, you can still "get your kicks on Route 66" by exploring the Illinois Historic Route 66 National Scenic Byway. , The Mother Road, Route 66 was the road of flight for people escaping the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. It was the route of adventure for families seeking the wonders of the Southwest and California in the 1950s and '60s., Roadside Oddities, Quirky attractions lured travelers off the road with the promise of fun and adventure. Explore giants, museums, and other attractions that still exist today., Fill 'er Up?, Service stations along Route 66 did more than just pump gas. Friendly attendants assisted travelers with a smile. Today, you can rediscover several historic service stations., On to Missouri, The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is the scenic endpoint of Route 66 in Illinois. It served as a crossing over the Mississippi River for traffic from 1936 to 1955. It is now open for walking and biking., The Beginning, Historic Route 66 starts in downtown Chicago, the business and cultural capital of the Midwest. It travels through bustling Chicago suburbs before reaching the rural countryside., Main Street of America, Grain elevators and fields greet modern travelers, much as they did in earlier eras. Journey through prairie farmland and friendly Midwestern towns., Good Eatin', Diners and cafes sprang up along the road catering to people on the move. You can still enjoy home style cooking from a time before fast food., Route 66 Lives On, Unable to compete with fast-moving freeways, U.S. Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985. Nostalgia for hometowns and America's landscape, fueled by movies, TV shows, and music, keeps the Mother Road alive., (reverse, top:), 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 - Stop for a picnic at one of the few remaining Route 66 wayside parks and discover the story of rest areas., 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. Illinois State Capitol and Illinois State Museum, 7. Maid Rite Sandwich Shop - Grab a tasty sandwich at one of the country's oldest drive-ins dating to 1924. Order at 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 "hotdog 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. Hike on original pavement to see where it dips below the waves., 16. Chatham Railroad Museum - Built in a 1902 depot, the 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., (reverse, bottom:), Metropolis on the Prairie - Route 66 in Springfield, Springfield, the hub of Illinois and the heart of the Land of Lincoln, has long been a tourist destination on Route 66. Motorists were met with a galaxy of neon signs promoting local temptations like Cozy Dogs and Horseshoe Sandwiches. Motels lined the dazzling thoroughfare leading into the capital city. Just like today, people flocked here 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 as 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. , (photo captions:), Many Springfield restaurants along Route 66 offer their own signature Horseshoe Sandwiches. They are made of several layers: 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 "hotdog 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.