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Museums in Illinois

Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66

Preserves and showcases Illinois' rock music history.

Museums Specialty/Niche
Joliet Area Historical Museum

2. Joliet Area Historical Museum

204 N Ottawa St, Joliet, IL

City history museum with interactive Route 66 exhibits.

Museums Local History
Illinois Mining Museum

3. Illinois Mining Museum

150 Kankakee Rd, Godley, IL

Museum dedicated to coal mining heritage with exhibits and tools.

Museums Specialty/Niche
Boxcar Museum

4. Boxcar Museum

104 Elm St, Williamsville, IL

Museum housed in an old rail boxcar with unique displays.

Museums Specialty/Niche
Williamsville Historical Museum

5. Williamsville Historical Museum

217 S Elm St, Williamsville, IL

Historic depot reflecting railroad and Route 66 era.

Museums Local History
Illinois Route 66 Experience

6. Illinois Route 66 Experience

801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, IL

Interactive Route 66 exhibit at the state fairgrounds.

Museums Route 66 Museums
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Immersive museum chronicling the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

Museums Local History
Museum of Ice Cream

8. Museum of Ice Cream

435 N Michigan Ave Suite G, Chicago, IL

A playful, immersive museum centered on ice cream and childhood nostalgia.

Museums Specialty/Niche
Isle a la Cache Museum

9. Isle a la Cache Museum

501 E Romeo Rd, Romeoville, IL

Forest preserve museum focusing on fur trade and Native American heritage.

Museums Local History
American Giants Museum

10. American Giants Museum

100 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL

Dedicated to giant statues of American roadside culture.

Museums Specialty/Niche
J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator

11. J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator

105-211 1st St, Atlanta, IL

Historic grain elevator museum in Atlanta.

Museums Specialty/Niche
Postville Courthouse

12. Postville Courthouse

914 5th St, Lincoln, IL

Restored courthouse from Lincoln’s circuit days.

Museums Historic Sites
The Art Institute of Chicago

13. The Art Institute of Chicago

111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

World-renowned art museum with an extensive collection including "American Gothic" and more.

Museums Art Museums
Rte 66 Hall of Fame Museum

14. Rte 66 Hall of Fame Museum

110 W Howard St, Pontiac, IL

Museum honoring individuals and locations tied to Route 66 history.

Museums Route 66 Museums
Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum

15. Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum

205 N Mill St, Pontiac, IL

Museum featuring classic Pontiacs and memorabilia.

Museums Transportation/Auto
Illinois State Museum

16. Illinois State Museum

502 S Spring St, Springfield, IL

Museum of Illinois heritage, natural history, and culture.

Museums Local History
Chatham Railroad Museum

17. Chatham Railroad Museum

100 N State St, Chatham, IL

Small museum showcasing local railroad history.

Museums Transportation/Auto
Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center

18. Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center

334 Old Rte 66 N, Litchfield, IL

Small museum showcasing Litchfield history and Route 66 heritage.

Museums Route 66 Museums
Adler Planetarium

19. Adler Planetarium

1200 S Lake Shor Drive, Chicago, IL

Historic lakefront planetarium offering astronomy exhibits and some of Chicago’s best skyline views.

Museums Specialty/Niche
Field Museum

20. Field Museum

1000 S Leavitt St, Chicago, IL

Colorful Route 66-themed mural beside beloved hot dog stand.

Museums Local History
Arcadia Museum

21. Arcadia Museum

107 S Hamilton St, McLean, IL

Local museum celebrating McLean’s history and culture.

Museums Local History
Atlanta Museum

22. Atlanta Museum

100 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL

Local museum showcasing town and Route 66 heritage.

Museums Local History
Memories 66 Museum

23. Memories 66 Museum

112 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL

Displays and artifacts of Route 66 past.

Museums Route 66 Museums
Route 66 Arcade Museum

24. Route 66 Arcade Museum

203 S E Race St, Atlanta, IL

Vintage arcade machines in a museum setting.

Museums Specialty/Niche
The Mill Museum on Route 66

25. The Mill Museum on Route 66

738 S Washington St, Lincoln, IL

Former restaurant turned Route 66 museum.

Museums Route 66 Museums