Located in the heart of Illinois, Springfield is your overnight stop on Historic Route 66.
People from around the world are drawn to the aura of Route 66, dreaming to harness the 2,448 miles of open road from Chicago to Santa Monica. The road is alive in Springfield with iconic Route 66 attractions, popular for generations, with new attractions opened by visionaries with a passion for the road.
Check out the Route 66 Twin Drive-In and experience the resurgence of this great American classic. See Springfield’s own Muffler Man, the Lauterbach Giant, and take your selfie on the short stretch of Historic Route 66 Brick Road just minutes outside the city.
Seasonally, you can “Slide Down 66!” Soar down the 40-foot-high, iconic Giant Slide on the historic Illinois Fairgrounds. Walk the entire Illinois Route 66 Corridor, adjacent to the Giant Slide, in microform at the Rt. 66 Experience. Marvel at the Neon Sign Park with new and restored signs; a paved brick road; a 25-foot-tall, fiberglass Route 66 muffler man; and a drive-in theater replica. Learn more about the Green Book Experience at the Route History Museum, and so much more.
Experience nostalgia at Shea’s Gas Station Museum. The station was a Texaco and later a Marathon gas station from 1946 to 1982. Owners Bill and Helen Shea transformed the property into a world-renowned museum from 1995 until 2013. After being shuttered for over a decade, the property was renovated and reopened in 2024. A stop at Mahan’s Filling Station around the corner is a must-see as well! Enjoy two new features along this legendary part of Route 66 as you visit the Route 66 Mural Trail and the Route 66 Wayside Exhibits. The Route 66 Mural Trail tells tales of the Mother Road, one vibrant painting at a time. The murals make for some memorable selfies and family pictures! The Route 66 Wayside Exhibits allow visitors to get a closer look at the history, legends, and stories of the Mother Road.
You won’t want to miss Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum, a great place for lovers of Route 66, custom cars, motorcycles, and vintage signs. Did we mention the largest outdoor Route 66 Shield in the country and the newly installed “Big Ron” giant are found here? Oh yeah!
Route History Museum shares the story of how Route 66 impacted African American history in Springfield and beyond. Ace Sign Museum is a great stop to see all the neon and other signs that made Route 66 famous, including the recently restored Sonrise Donut sign.
Route 66 is all about the food, and do we have some options to make your mouth water! Cozy Dog Drive In, home of the “original” hot dog on a stick—dipped in batter and deep fried—has been serving roadies on Route 66 since 1949. Try one of Sam’s loose meat sandwiches at Maid Rite, America’s first drive-through. There’s also the Firebrand chili at The Chili Parlor or chilli with two l’s at Dew Chilli Parlor. Start your day in a sweet way and stop in Mel-o-Cream Donuts at one of their five locations around town. Enjoy the great vibe at Weeble’s Bar and Grill or The Curve Inn; these businesses anchor each end of Route 66.
Try our local Signature Horseshoe Sandwich. We even have a Horseshoe Trail Pass to help you find the perfect place to experience this Springfield legendary culinary adventure.
Pick up the Explorer Passport! Take the driver’s seat to experience the legends and landmarks of Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. We’ve made it easy to experience Route 66 through Springfield’s most legendary local entrepreneurs and landmarks on this unique self-guided tour. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of iconic Mother Road history at each location.
Whether you are interested in food, historic Route 66 sites, or newly installed giants, your Route 66 journey is sure to be legendary here in Springfield, Illinois.
Contact: Megan Claspell
megan.claspell@springfield.il.us
+1.217.789.2360 ext. 5528
visitspringfieldillinois.com
Top photo: Giant Slide
Photos provided by Visit Springfield, IL
