GET YOUR KICKS (AND YOUR KITSCH!) ON THE MOST FAMOUS HIGHWAY IN THE U.S.
Historic Route 66 goes through the heart of Springfield. For a complete listing of Route 66 stops in the area visit IllinoisRoute66.org.
People from around the
world are drawn to the aura of Route 66. Many dream to harness the 2,448
miles of open road from Chicago to Santa Monica in their classic car,
on a Harley Davidson, or in an RV. Coming through the heart of the city,
the road is alive in Springfield. We embrace the 66 attractions that
have existed for generations and welcome new attractions opened by
visionaries with a passion for the road.
Join
us as we celebrate Route 66 at one of our iconic diners like Cozy Dog
Drive In, see the neon signs that made history at Ace Sign Museum, catch
a movie at the Route 66 Drive-In, and visit our newest legends: Dew
Chilli Parlor, Gate 2 and Giant Slide at the historic Illinois State
Fairgrounds, The Chili Parlor, and Mel-o-Cream. Top it all with your
Instagrammable photo on the stretch of Historic Route 66 Brick Road just
outside the city. This and so much more is waiting for you on your
Route 66 journey through Springfield.
ACE SIGN COMPANY SIGN MUSEUM
2540 S. 1st St.
217-522-8417
acesignco.com
Ace
Sign Company is a 75+ year old family company. The museum has a large
collection of signs, featuring neon signs and local Route 66 historic
signage.
HISTORIC ROUTE 66 BRICK ROAD
Snell and Curran Roads Auburn, Illinois
217-525-9308
illinoisroute66.org
Listed
on the National Register of Historic Places, this beautiful
1.4-mile-long piece of restored hand-laid brick road is a segment of 66
done in 1931 and placed over a concrete roadbed. Don’t miss this
excellent photo stop during your journey on Route 66.
CHILI PARLOR
820 S. 9th St.
217-523-4989
thechiliparloronline.com
Located on Historic US Route 66, the Chili Parlor is a Mother Road icon - serving up some of the best chili anywhere.
COZY DOG DRIVE IN
2935 S. 6th St.
217-525-1992
cozydogdrivein.com
The
restaurant is a shrine to Route 66 and to itself, packed with mementos,
clippings, and old signs, as well as with Mother Road souvenirs for
sale.
DEW CHILLI PARLOR
2690 S. Dirksen Pkwy.
217-679-1910
dewchilliparlor.com
Over 110 years of serving American’s finest chilli to Springfield Illinois residents and Route 66 travelers.
GATE 2 EXPERIENCE & GIANT SLIDE AT THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIRGROUNDS
801 E. Sangamon
Experience
the Gate 2 Route 66 attraction. Like never before, you will journey
down the road through IL in one location! Check out the iconic, yellow
Giant Slide just around the corner while you are there! Don’t miss the
30-foot tall, Abe the Rail Splitter on your way out of the historic IL
State Fairgrounds.
INTERNATIONAL ROUTE 66 MOTHER ROAD FESTIVAL
Celebrating
22 years, the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival brings street
machine, muscle car, and hot rod enthusiasts to historic downtown
Springfield for an incredible weekend of family entertainment.
Be
amazed at the Friday night cruise as over 2,000 cars parade through the
city into downtown to kick off the event. Enjoy live entertainment, a
burn-out contest, multiple aftermarket and food vendors, and so much
more at this CASI certified national judging competition with over 40
classes of car awards.
Add in a farmers market and selfie opportunities galore and it is a weekend not to be missed!
Mark your calendars now for September 22-24, 2023 route66fest.com
HALL’S HARLEY DAVIDSON
2301 N. Dirksen Pkwy.
217-528-8356
hallsh-d.com
In
Springfield since 1962, stop in and check out the magnificent two-story
43,000 square foot complex, including the Harley Davidson showroom with
a huge selection of motorcycles, apparel and customized collectibles
for all ages. Hall’s is located on the 1940-1977 Route 66 alignment in
Springfield.
LAUTERBACH GIANT
1569 Wabash Ave.
217-546-2600
lauterbachtire.com
Lauterbach
Tire and Auto Service has a fiberglass “muffler man” giant standing in
the parking lot. He was recently upgraded to be more patriotic with a
U.S. flag.
MAHAN’S FILLING STATION
1168 Sangamon Ave.
217-544-8520
fulgenzis.com
A
unique example of the earliest of gas stations is now on display at
Fulgenzi’s Pizza & Pasta located across from the historic Illinois
State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The roadside attraction is accessible
as a great photo and souvenir opportunity for Route 66 visitors.
MAID RITE
118 N. Pasfield
217-523-0723
This
friendly, quaint, original old-school diner was built in 1921, one of
only a few remaining Maid Rite franchises. You can still get a steamed
“Loose Meat Sandwich” on super soft bread and a tasty root beer float.
The Springfield location on the old Route 66 is also credited with being
the first fast food drive-thru in America.
MALDANER’S RESTAURANT
222 S. 6th St.
217-522-4313
maldaners.com
Enjoy a relaxed, semiformal atmosphere in a historical downtown
building two blocks from hotels and Lincoln sites. Known as the oldest
continuously operating restaurant in Springfield (since 1884),
Maldaner’s specializes in creative American cuisine using available
local products.
MEL-O-CREAM
217 E. Laurel St.
217-544-4644
melocreamspringfield.com
Doing
donuts right since 1932! Stop by one of five locations around town and
experience the RICH history and tradition of a Mel-o-Cream donuts. Over
24 donut types, freshly made daily and packed in their distinctive,
yellow boxes that you’ll want to take on the road with you!
ROUTE HISTORY
737 E. Cook St.
217-503-4129
Facebook: visitroutehistory
Route
History is where visitors can experience and learn about the tragedy,
resilience, and journey of Black people, Black-owned businesses and
related events and places located along historic Route 66. Learn about
pioneers that made significant contributions to Illinois, the city of
Springfield, and the greater society. Of note are Springfield’s role as a
haven along the Underground Railroad, the Race Riot of 1908 which led
to the formation of the NAACP, and the lifesaving commodities and
guidance provided by Black-owned businesses during the Jim Crow era. New
in 2023, experience the Route History Metaverse Virtual Reality
Experience.
ROUTE 66 MOTORHEADS, BAR, GRILL, MUSEUM, & ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX
600 Toronto Rd.
217-679-7323
66motorheads.com
Home
to a uniquely cool restaurant, bar, Route 66 museum, and live music
venue inside the Motordome, Motorheads is a place for lovers of all
things Mother Road, classic cars or vintage signs.
ROUTE 66 TWIN DRIVE-IN THEATRE
1700 Recreation Dr.
217-546-8881
route66-drivein.com
The
remodeled twin drive-in, located on Route 66 in Springfield, is next to
Knights Action Park. Enjoy affordable family fun with concessions and
double features on both screens. Open April through September — show
starts at dusk.
THE CURVE INN
3219 S. 6th St. Rd.
217-529-5806
thecurveinn.com
The
Curve Inn opened on Route 66 south of Springfield in 1945. The original
owner, Guido Manci, served the public in the main tavern area, while
“special” customers could ring a buzzer at the bottom of the back stairs
to gain entrance to the gambling parlor on the upper floor. It was
inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in 2007.
Attraction included in the Route 66 Legends and Landmarks Passport.
