Things to do on Route 66

Welcome sign marking entry into McCook’s Route 66 corridor.

Beloved vintage shop loaded with Route 66 memorabilia.

Retro diner serving burgers, shakes, and fries.

Famous neon-lit Route 66 motel since the 1940s

Restored 1932 filling station — one of the most-photographed on Route 66.

Fully restored Sinclair gas station turned museum.

Park honoring the Eagles lyric with statue and mural.

National cemetery honoring U.S. veterans.

Iconic tilted water tower landmark on Route 66.

Classic outdoor movie theater showing double features.

Bridge over Roubidoux Creek along Route 66.

Another abandoned Route 66 motel—sun-faded signage and overgrown lots echo its former glory.

Ornate 1920s theater known for its architecture and performances.

Once a motor court for Route 66 travelers, now a crumbling relic of mid-century roadside stays.

Deserted but iconic roadside motel—now a ghostly marker of Route 66's golden era.

Boutique hotel with space-themed decor and rooftop bar.

Classic roadside donut shop serving fresh donuts and coffee since 1952.

Historic Route 66 motel with neon signage

Iconic 630-foot monument symbolizing westward expansion.

Rustic steakhouse and tavern-style dining in a historic 1920s Route 66 stop.

Historic diner known for breakfast and burgers, now closed.

Famed frozen custard stand and Route 66 institution since the 1930s.

The western terminus marker for Route 66 in downtown Chicago.

Welcome marker at western edge of Route 66 entering California.

Historic Route 66 motel.

Historic motel with distinct neon, now closed and decaying.

Classic 1950s-style drive-in with kitschy Route 66 statues.

Historic bar and grill known for its neon sign and Route 66 past.

Restored Art Deco gas station and Route 66 visitor center.

Historic Route 66 souvenir and gas stop still operating.

Fried chicken institution and Route 66 staple since 1946.

Tiny historic jail from the early 1900s — quirky and popular roadside photo stop.

Museum showcasing Missouri’s diverse history, including Route 66 and STL heritage exhibits.

Historic Route 66 motel sign in Villa Ridge.

Vintage cinema with small-town charm still in operation.

Monument marking Lincoln’s famous watermelon christening.

Notorious historic curve once considered dangerous on Route 66.

Historic hotel structure with 19th-century roots.

Preserves and showcases Illinois' rock music history.

Former penitentiary turned attraction.

City history museum with interactive Route 66 exhibits.

24-hour classic diner with hearty meals and Route 66 vibes.

Local hot dog joint serving Chicago-style dogs and casual bites.

Cozy restaurant known for homestyle meals and a local feel.

Historic depot reflecting railroad and Route 66 era.

Train-themed gift shop on the historic route.

Museum dedicated to coal mining heritage with exhibits and tools.

One of the best-preserved Texaco stations on Route 66.

Iconic skyscraper and major Chicago landmark.

Classic drive-in burger and hot dog joint operating since the 1950s.

Interactive video sculpture in Millennium Park featuring faces of Chicagoans and water features.

Historic truss bridge crossing the Des Plaines River — photo-worthy stop.

One of the largest aggregate quarries in the U.S.

Historic treatment center known for pioneering addiction methods.

One of the most iconic Muffler Men statues on Route 66.

Iconic public park home to Cloud Gate, outdoor art, and performances.

Casual roadside diner on Main Street in Barstow.

Grand fountain centerpiece of Chicago’s Grant Park.

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

A classic Route 66 diner serving breakfast since 1923.