Route 66

American Giants Museum

Experience the largest collection of Muffler Men in one place on Route 66! The new American Giants Museum presents the story of International Fiberglass which produced hundreds of animals and human advertising figures in the 1960s. See for yourself how they were made and check out the dozens of original advertising figures on display. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

 

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Hours: Tuesday- Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (April-October)

Address: corner of Vine and Arch Streets

Phone: (217) 648-5077

Website: https://www.americangiantsmuseum.com/

American Giants Museum

Arch Street Artisans

Your place for Route 66 memorabilia on the 1926 alignment! Local artists, craftsmen, and collectors offer their wares to adventurous traveler. Choose from hand-sewn items, hand-crafted jewelry, vintage items, sports memorabilia, and more!

 

Facebook: Click Here

Hours: Tuesday- Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (April-September)

Address: 103 SW Arch Street

Phone: (217) 871-0836

Arch Street Artisans

Atlanta Coal Mining Company Historical Mine 

Step inside and discover the ironic story of Atlanta’s failed attempts to mine coal which ultimately led to a water source for the City’s residents. Peer down into the lighted mineshaft, touch a large chunk of coal, and view a video of the descent down the mineshaft to recover artifacts.
 

Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (April-September)

Address: SW First Street

 

 

Atlanta Museum

 

Also on the 1926 Route 66 alignment, You’ll find the Atlanta Library Museum. Walk in and explore the story of Atlanta’s growth and development since the city’s founding in 1853. Local artifacts tell the story of life in Atlanta, its businesses, schools, and social life. The museum is housed in the Downey Building, one of Atlanta’s 3 buildings on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Be sure to take a photo inside the bank vault on the ground floor of the museum!

 

Itching for a preview? Check out Looking for Lincoln's video on the Lincoln Collection here. 

 

Website: Atlanta Public Library and Museum

Hours: Seasonal (April-September), hours vary

Address: 114 SE Arch Street

Phone: (217) 648-2112

museum exhibit

Atlanta Public Library and Clock Tower

Marvel at Illinois’ only public 8-sided library on the 1926 alignment of Route 66! This beautiful limestone building was constructed in 1908 and is restored to its original condition. Rest awhile on the benches of the Memorial to Atlanta’s veterans on the front lawn.

 

Don’t forget to check out the Clock Tower, built to house the 1907 Seth Thomas Clock from the former Atlanta High School. The clock is hand-wound up to three times a week by residents, known as the “Keepers of the Clock.” When you look at each side, do you notice anything slightly different?

 

Website: Atlanta Public Library and Museum

Facebook: Click Here

Address: 100 SE Race Street

Phone: (217) 648-2112

outside library

Atlanta Truck Stop with Pizza Hut Express

Love the smell of a clean truck stop? We do too! Grab your road trip snacks at the Truck Stop or enjoy a 9” pizza, pasta, and/or bites at the Pizza Hut inside. The Truck Stop is located right off of I-55 and Route 66, the 1940 alignment.

 

Truck Stop Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m.

Pizza Hut Express Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Address: 102 Empire Street

Phone (order ahead): (217) 308-1088

Atlanta Truck Stop

The Bunyon Giant

Be on the lookout for the 19-foot Bunyon giant as you head down the 1926 Route 66 alignment, holding his famous hotdog. He’s been welcoming visitors to Atlanta since he arrived in in 2003, thanks to Atlanta's “spirit of Route 66.” These giants were created by International Fiberglass of Venice, CA in the 1960s, and were originally designed to hold an ax, but were eventually used to hold other "attention-getters" such as mufflers. The Atlanta giant is one of 3 that can be seen along Route 66 in Illinois but is the only one that holds a hotdog. A trip to Atlanta isn’t complete without a picture with this impressive resident! Look for him across the street from the Palms Grill Café.

Group in front of Bunyon Giant

Casey’s

Enjoy breakfast, pizza, and sandwiches inside Casey’s, just off I-55 and Route 66, the 1940 alignment! Fill up your tank while you’re grabbing your meal and other convenience purchases.

 

Menu: Click Here

Hours: Sunday- Saturday, 4 a.m.-11 p.m.

Address: 700 E South Street

Phone (order ahead): (217) 648-2141

Casey's

Chubby’s Bar & Grill

Craving a burger? The locals say Chubby’s serves the best burger in town! Located just a block from the Bunyon Giant and right on the 1926 alignment! Check out their Facebook page for daily food and drink specials.

 

Facebook: Click Here

Order online and menu: Toast Tab

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m-12 a.m.; Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Address: 111 SE Vine Street

Phone: (217) 648-2615

chubby's

Country-Aire Restaurant

Searching for a home-cooked meal along I-55 or Route 66? Follow the 1940 alignment to the Country-Aire, where they will fix you up. Don’t forget to ask about the daily special and their dessert spread for the day!

 

Address: 606 E South Street

Phone: (217) 648-5330

Facebook: Click Here

Menu: Click Here

Hours: Monday- Sunday: 5:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

fried chicken

Dairy Queen Bar & Grill

The Dairy Queen is part of the Atlanta Truck Stop complex on the 1940 Route 66 alignment. You can dine-in or drive-thru. Enjoy a $6 meal deal or cool off with a Dairy Queen Blizzard!

 

Website: Dairy Queen Bar & Grill

Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Address: 102 Empire Street

Phone: (217) 650-2027

Atlanta Truck Stop

Downey Building, Missy's Sweet Shoppe

Walk into one of Atlanta’s oldest standing buildings (since 1867), home to Missy's Sweet Shoppe in The Palms Grill Café and the Atlanta Museum. Located on the 1926 alignment of Route 66, this Italianate building is one of three Atlanta locations on the National Register of Historic Places. The Palms Grill Café was a popular diner and stop for the Greyhound Bus in the 1930s. In 2009, the Palms Grill Café was restored and reopened by the Atlanta Public Library and Museum district as a living museum. Now, the Downey Building is home to Missy's Sweet Shoppe, Atlanta's newest bakery. 

 

Hours: Vary by the week, check here

Address: 110 & 112 SE Arch Street

Facebook: Here

Website: Atlanta Public Library and Museum, Missy's Sweet Shoppe

Phone: (217) 648-2112

missy's sweet shoppe

High-Striker Challenge

How hard can you hit? Take the challenge and see where you land on Route 66. Can you make it all the way to California? Located on the 1926 alignment, next to the Atlanta Bunyon giant.

 

If the mallet is not out to take your chance hitting the bell, please pop into Arch Street Artisans and let them know. 

 

Hours: Tuesday- Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (April-September) 

Address: 107 SW Arch St.

High-Striker Challenge

Historic U.S Route 66, Illinois Route 4 Driving Exhibit

Cruise down this ¼ mile stretch of original 1926 Route 66 pavement! The stretch deadends at a gravel lot to turn around and head back down! Be on the lookout for the yellow STOP sign, it is an original and predates the standardized red STOP sign used today.

 

Address: corner of NE Arch St and Sycamore St in Google Maps (across from Holland Trucking Company)

il rt 66/4 sign

J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator

Visible from, and just 1 block from the 1926 Route 66 alignment, you can see and learn about the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator. Built in 1904, the elevator was used to store grain for transport across major Midwestern cities. Restored to its original condition, this museum is one of a handful of restored wooden grain elevators on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Hours: Outdoor walking tour is always open, inside is seasonal (May-September)

Address: 199-293 SW 2nd Street

Phone: Please call 217-648-2056 for a guided tour.

JH Hawes Grain Elevator

J.P. Hieronymus Carriage House

Next door to the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator, you can catch another glimpse into the past at the J.P. Hieronymus Carriage House. This carriage house is the last one still standing in Atlanta. Stop by the 1907 building and see the interior and short film on the carriage house. Visible across the railroad tracks from the 1926 Route 66 alignment (Arch St.).

 

Hours: Seasonal (April-September)

Address: 199-293 SW 2nd Street

J.P. Hieronymus Carriage House

Logan County Welcome Center

Enjoy seeing what there is to do in and around Atlanta? Make sure to check out the beautiful mural on the wall right on the inside! Traveling from out of town? Grab a pushpin to pin your home. Want to take a self-guided walking tour? Pick up a book from inside or click here to use our online guide.

 

Hours: Seasonal (April-September), hours vary

Address: 114 SE Arch Street

Logan County Visitors Center

Mattingly Automotive

If you run into car, bus, or RV issues, give Mattingly a call and he’ll do what he can to fix you up! Located conveniently on the 1926 alignment.

 

Hours: Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Address: 200 SW Arch Street

Phone: (217) 648-2522

Mattingly's storefront

Memories: Route 66 Museum

Step back into time when you enter this eclectic private collection. Relive your childhood wandering around. The owner even has his mother’s wedding dress on display! A great indoor stop on the 1926 alignment.

 

Hours: Seasonal (April-September), hours vary

Address: 112 SW Arch Street

 

 

 Route 66 Museum

Route 66 Arcade Museum

Kick back and play a game or 10 on original 1940s-1990s arcade machines. It is located right inside the Visitors Center on Arch Street, We recommend a $5 donation to play and to help maintain these vintage games. Children must have an adult present to play. Enjoy free, indoor family fun!

 

Hours: Seasonal (April-September), hours vary

Address: 114 SE Arch Street

Route 66 Arcade Museum

Route 66 Park

A great spot to stop for a picnic lunch! This park features mementos of Atlanta’s past; Atlanta Fair, Atlanta High Schools, and the Knights of Pythias. Feeling adventurous? Grab a sip of water from the bubbling water fountain, one of four that once stood on the four corners of the downtown square in the 1930s!

 

Address: 105 SE Race Street

park

Smiley Water Tower

Visible from the 1926 and post-1940 alignments, this widely recognized yellow water tower was painted with a smile in 2003, at the recommendation of Atlanta’s first alderwoman, Billie Cheek. Residents, visitors, and passers-by have been cheered by the water tower’s welcome ever since.

 

Address: Best viewing point, Nutrien Ag Solutions parking lot, 303 SW Arch Street

smiley water tower

Sip Shack

Grab a coffee, tea, or Lotus energy drink from Sip Shack to keep you alert and refreshed. Located right across from the Atlanta Public Library building and on the 1926 alignment! You can find their daily drink specials on Facebook (see below) Grab a pup cup for your doggo! Traveling tip: buy a sticker as it makes a great Route 66 collectible.

 

Facebook: Click Here

Hours: Monday- Friday, 6 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-12 p.m.

Address: 204 SW Arch Street

Sip Shack Latte

Walldog Murals

In 2003, the Walldogs came to Atlanta on their “Letter Rip on 66” Festival. During their 3-day stay in Atlanta, they worked shoulder-to-shoulder with local residents to paint 7 “murals” around the city as a way to practice and share the tips & tricks of the trade—and to have a good time. The Walldogs used ads from the Atlanta Argus newspaper archives as inspiration for their designs. Take a stroll and admire their work at the fire station, and along Arch Street. You’ll want to stop and see them all!

 

Atlanta’s Walldog Murals Guide: Click Here

Letter Rip on Rt 66 (logo)

Xenia Park

This beautiful open green space with benches to relax on is named in memory of Atlanta’s first name, Xenia. You’ll find the park on the 1926-1970 alignment of Route 66, next door to the Route 66 Memories Museum. While you’re there, be sure to locate the “Looking for Lincoln” interpretive panel with information about Atlanta’s role in the 1890s Wide-Awake movement. Fun fact: When Richard T. Gill and his family settled in what is now known as Atlanta, Gill allowed his eldest sister’s mother-in-law to choose the new town’s name. She named the town Xenia after her hometown Xenia, Ohio. However, there already was a Xenia, Illinois, so the name did not last long.

 

Website: Xenia Park

Address: Corner of Arch and Vine Street

Email: info@atlantapark.org

Xenia Park at Night