{"id":161963,"date":"2019-08-18T15:40:14","date_gmt":"2019-08-18T13:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/route-66-illinois-roadtrip-usa\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T21:16:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T20:16:19","slug":"route-66-illinois-road-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/route-66-illinois-road-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Amazing Stops for a Road Trip on the Route 66 through Illinois"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Route 66<\/strong> is one of those roads whose myth leaves no one cold. Freedom, vastness, pure America: that was the first thing that came to my mind when we set off on our <strong>road trip on Route 66<\/strong> through Illinois from <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/chicago\/\">Chicago<\/a>. Route 66 and Illinois? That&#8217;s right, the most famous and oldest east-to-west connection in the U.S. doesn&#8217;t start on the East Coast, as I always mistakenly thought, but in <strong>Chicago<\/strong>, Illinois!<\/p>\n\n<p>In this article I take you on our USA road trip on Route 66 in Illinois &#8211; and I can reveal in advance: After so many <strong>wonderful encounters<\/strong> on our way through Illinois, I would have loved to just drive on endlessly like Bob Waldmire, my secret hero of Route 66!<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1537\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/chicago-route-66-illinois-2.jpeg\" alt=\"chicago route illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/chicago-route-66-illinois-2.jpeg 1537w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/chicago-route-66-illinois-2-1200x1599.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/chicago-route-66-illinois-2-1153x1536.jpeg 1153w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/chicago-route-66-illinois-2-800x1066.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/chicago-route-66-illinois-2-770x1026.jpeg 770w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1537px) 100vw, 1537px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1366\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/chicago-route-66-illinois-3.jpeg\" alt=\"chicago route illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/chicago-route-66-illinois-3.jpeg 1366w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/chicago-route-66-illinois-3-1200x1799.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/chicago-route-66-illinois-3-1025x1536.jpeg 1025w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/chicago-route-66-illinois-3-800x1199.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/chicago-route-66-illinois-3-770x1154.jpeg 770w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1366px) 100vw, 1366px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#1 Chicago: The beginning of Route 66 in Illinois<\/h2>\n\n<p>Route 66 actually begins <strong>in the middle of Chicago<\/strong> opposite the Art Institute Chicago, not far from the famous sculpture The Bean. On East Adams Street between Wabash Avenue and Michigan Avenue is the <strong>beginning of Route 66<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n<p>If you don&#8217;t know, you&#8217;ll walk right past the small street sign, in the skyscraper canyons of Chicago! Nearby, by the way, is already the first mandatory stop on Route 66: <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1366\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/lou-mitchells-chicago-route-66-illinois.jpeg\" alt=\"lou mitchells chicago route 66 illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19232\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/lou-mitchells-chicago-route-66-illinois.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/lou-mitchells-chicago-route-66-illinois-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/lou-mitchells-chicago-route-66-illinois-800x534.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/lou-mitchells-chicago-route-66-illinois-770x514.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/lou-mitchells-chicago-route-66-illinois-1600x1067.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>At the legendary <strong>Lou Mitchell&#8217;s Restaurant<\/strong>, the oldest diner in town, you can get in the mood for your road trip in an original vintage diner atmosphere. The food is typical American diner food. It didn&#8217;t knock my socks off taste-wise, but the rustic atmosphere made up for it all.  <\/p>\n\n<p>Chicago, by the way, is one of the few American cities that have taken my heart by storm!  <\/p>\n\n<p><strong>For more on Chicago, check out the following posts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/chicago-food-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chicago: Restaurant tips for foodies<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/chicago-architecture-cruise\/\">On a boat trip: architecture in Chicago<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/chicago-in-summer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chicago: Tips for a USA city trip in summer<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/chicago-city-pass-review\/\">Chicago attractions for small budget<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#2 Joliet: Blues Brothers &amp; Old State Prison on Route 66 in Illinois<\/h2>\n\n<p>Real road trip feeling already a few minutes later when leaving the city: the vastness of the Midwest already comes to light a little. Route 66 in Illinois is so packed with interesting sights that the first stop is just 77km from Chicago. <strong>Joliet, Illinois<\/strong>, is the prelude to a journey full of surprises and warm encounters: <strong>Route 66 lives on its stories!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>Like many stories the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jolietprison.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Old State Prison in Joliet<\/a>\n<\/span> could tell? You can&#8217;t miss the state prison, which is over 150 years old and was still in operation until 2002. For a long time, access was prohibited, and the huge complex fell into disrepair.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/old_joliet_prison-20.jpg\" alt=\"Prison Joliet Lost Place USA Illinois\" class=\"wp-image-12219\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/old_joliet_prison-20.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/old_joliet_prison-20-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/old_joliet_prison-20-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/old_joliet_prison-20-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/old_joliet_prison-20-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/old_joliet_prison-20-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f7f5f1\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Facts about Route 66<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>opened in <strong>1926<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Length: just under <strong>4000km<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Start: <strong>Chicago<\/strong>, Illinois &#8211; End: <strong>Santa Monica<\/strong>, California<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>runs through <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/label\/illinois-en\/\">Illinois<\/a><strong>, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>today completely replaced by <strong>interstate highways<\/strong> that run parallel to the old Route 66<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>many parts are <strong>abandoned<\/strong> today<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>in <strong>Illinois<\/strong> a lot of <strong>restoration<\/strong> has been done around Route 66<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/altes-gef&#xE4;ngnis-joliet-illinois-usa-1600x1067.jpg\" alt=\"Prison Lost Place Joliet Illinois USA\" class=\"wp-image-12189\"\/><\/figure>\n\n<p>Today, events and guided tours take place there. Fun Fact: The prison has served as a backdrop in many series (e.g. Prison Break) and movies (Blues Brothers). The cell from the movie Blues Brothers can even be visited.  <\/p>\n\n<p>More about our visit to <strong>Joliet Prison<\/strong> shortly before it was opened to the public:<br\/><a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/old-joliet-prison-illinois\/\">Lost Place on Route 66<\/a><\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Other places of interest in Joliet: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>At <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jolietmuseum.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joliet Area Historical Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center<\/a><\/span> with a lot of information about Route 66 you can get in the perfect mood for your trip.<\/p>\n\n<p>The <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/rialtosquare.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rialto Square Theatre<\/a>\n<\/span> built in 1926, is a magnificent theater that can also be visited during the day.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Food &amp; Drink in Joliet<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>For a midday snack we stopped at the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mygrainbrewing.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MyGrain Brewery<\/a><\/span> (note the pun!), located in the recently restored old Joliet train station. Non-drivers and beer lovers will be pleased with the beer brewed in house! By the way, the small brewing plant can be viewed more closely on request, personal tour included: Like everywhere in Illinois, the people are incredibly nice and open-minded!<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-palette-color-6-background-color has-background\">Are you planning a trip to the USA? <br\/>In my <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/destinations\/united-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">USA Blog<\/a> you will find many tips &amp; inspirations!<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#3 Wilmington: Gemini Giant &amp; The Launching Pad<\/h2>\n\n<p>Just past Joliet, in <strong>Wilmington<\/strong>, is the famous <strong>Gemini Giant<\/strong>! The Gemini Giant is one of the so-called <strong>&#8220;Muffler Men&#8221;<\/strong>, giant statues that were used as advertising figures for stores, gas stations and eateries along Route 66. Next door is the <strong>Launching Pad<\/strong>, a former Route 66 eatery.<\/p>\n\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-161963 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-large'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/route-66-illinois-road-trip\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-1-2\/'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1800\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-1-1600x2400.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"gemini giant launching pad route\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-1.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-1-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-1-800x1200.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-1-770x1155.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/route-66-illinois-road-trip\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-2-2\/'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1800\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-2-1600x2400.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"gemini giant launching pad route\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-2.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-2-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-2-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-2-800x1200.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/gemini-giant-launching-pad-route-66-2-770x1155.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>After standing empty for a long time, the new owners have set up a very charming <strong>Route 66 Welcome Center<\/strong> there, where you can reminisce about good old Route 66 with the help of many original photos and exhibits. Like everywhere else, the people here are proud and love to talk about their life on Route 66, including launching pad owner Tully. For a real tourist photo, even the local sheriff showed up at the end, who immediately and cheerfully let us take a picture with him &#8211; the American cordiality is unique.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#4 Pontiac: Route 66 sights, street art &amp; my hero Bob Waldmire<\/h2>\n\n<p>Although <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/pontiac-illinois\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"19497\">Pontiac<\/a> has a lot to do with Route 66 and cars, the name is not derived from the car brand, but from an Indian chief. At first glance a somewhat sleepy little town, yet there was so much to see that we spent almost a full day here! What to look for in Pontiac:<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading tripadvisor-attractions__title\">Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum<\/h3>\n\n<p>At <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\n  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.il66assoc.org\/destination\/route-66-association-hall-of-fame-museum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum<\/a>\n<\/span> I got acquainted with the story of Bob Waldmire &#8211; who in Instagram times could probably best be described with the hashtag #vanlife.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-19208 size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-3.jpg\" alt=\"bob waldmire van pontiac illinois route\" class=\"wp-image-19208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-3.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-3-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-3-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The van of Bob Waldmire: an absolute unique piece!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-19210 size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-1.jpg\" alt=\"bob waldmire van pontiac illinois route\" class=\"wp-image-19210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-1.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-1-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-1-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Also inside still in original condition: creative chaos full of Route 66 souvenirs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full alignnone wp-image-19212 size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-4.jpg\" alt=\"bob waldmire van pontiac illinois route\" class=\"wp-image-19212\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-4.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-4-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-4-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bob-waldmire-van-pontiac-illinois-route-66-4-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bob Waldmire&#8217;s older VW Bulli, which can also be seen in the museum, even made it into a Pixar movie.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p>In his <strong>van<\/strong>, which can be viewed in the museum&#8217;s courtyard, he drove up and down the entire Route 66 from Illinois to California throughout his life. He lived simply and in harmony with nature and earned money with his art. He painstakingly scribbled Route 66 travel guides, among other things, until he died of cancer at an advanced age. His motto:<\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I didn&#8217;t want to learn anything, so I became a traveling artist.<\/p>\n<cite>Bob Waldmire<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading hero-heading\">International Walldog Mural &amp; Sign Art Exhibit<\/h3>\n\n<p>Murals by the <strong>Walldogs<\/strong>, a group of street art artists, can be seen throughout Pontiac. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.enjoyillinois.com\/explore\/listing\/international-walldog-mural-and-sign-art-exhibit-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">An interesting exhibition<\/a>\n<\/span> is integrated in the Route 66 Museum. The most famous mural is located at the back of the Route 66 Museum: don&#8217;t miss it!<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2400\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pontiac-illinois-route-66-3.jpg\" alt=\"pontiac illinois route\" class=\"wp-image-19214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pontiac-illinois-route-66-3.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pontiac-illinois-route-66-3-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pontiac-illinois-route-66-3-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pontiac-illinois-route-66-3-800x1200.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pontiac-illinois-route-66-3-770x1155.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading tripadvisor-attractions__title\">Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum<\/h3>\n\n<p>Mainly beautiful classic cars from the golden age of Route 66, but also lots of vintage flair. If you still have some time, you should also take a look at the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pontiacoaklandmuseum.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pontiac Automobile Museum<\/a>\n<\/span> take a look!<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading headline\" id=\"versionHeadLine\">Dongbai International Airbrush Art School<\/h3>\n\n<p>A few years ago, <strong>Dong Bai<\/strong>, a Chinese artist, came to Pontiac from Beijing &#8211; and stayed because he liked it so much. Today he gives <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/dongbai.art\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">in his studio<\/a>\n<\/span> Airbrush courses, sells his paintings, but also paints portraits, such as that of the mayor, who proudly presented Dong&#8217;s studio to us after closing time because of so much internationality &#8211; he also has the key, the two are friends. Quite easy. American small-town idyll at its purest &#8211; it makes your heart swell.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Food &amp; Drink in Pontiac<\/h3>\n\n<p>At <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bernardirestaurants.com\/locations\/bernardis-ii\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bernardi&#8217;s<\/a><\/span>, diagonally from the Livingston County Courthouse, serves Italian cuisine &#8211; American style: The aisles are wide, not without reason, because for the main course for several people, a huge folding table is brought in, on which the huge plates are draped and parked in between. The portions are gigantic.<\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thecupandthescone.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Cup and the Scone<\/a><\/span> offers coffee with twist: the owners are incredibly cordial, and anyone who likes is always welcome to join the regular game nights.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#5 Springfield, Illinois: Abraham Lincoln &amp; the original Route 66<\/h2>\n\n<p>For Americans, Springfield is something like a place of pilgrimage of modernity: <strong>Abraham Lincoln<\/strong>, one of the most popular US presidents ever and father of modern America, worked here. Slavery was abolished under him! <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/springfield-illinois\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"11300\">Springfield<\/a> is not only home to Abraham Lincoln landmarks, but the capital of Illinois (no, it&#8217;s not Chicago!) also has plenty of Route 66 and Midwest flair to offer!<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lincoln attractions in Springfield<\/h3>\n\n<p>Not to be missed <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/liho\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Abraham Lincoln&#8217;s house<\/a>\n<\/span> and the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\n  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lincolntomb.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mausoleum<\/a>\n<\/span> (rubbing the nose of the Lincoln statue in front of it is supposed to bring good luck!) At <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.illinois.gov\/alplm\/pages\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum<\/a>\n<\/span> you get a very good historical overview (visit the movie theater &#8211; very fascinating!).<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Springfield-Illinois-State-Capitol.jpg\" alt=\"Springfield Illinois State Capitol\" class=\"wp-image-18673\"\/><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Original Route 66: Historic Brick Road near Springfield<\/h3>\n\n<p>Just outside Springfield (Snell Road and Curran Road, Auburn, IL) there is still <strong>an original section of Route 66<\/strong> between cornfields <strong>!<\/strong> It&#8217;s unbelievable that Route 66 was originally only paved with thick bricks. By the way, the piece is passable! Definitely watch it for a <strong>real Route 66 feeling!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Food &amp; Drink in Springfield<\/h3>\n\n<p>Also important: Leave room in your stomach for Springfield&#8217;s famous specialties: <strong>Cozy Dogs<\/strong> and <strong>Horseshoe Sandwiches <\/strong>are typical Route 66 food!<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Springfield-Illinois-Horseshoe-Sandwich.jpg\" alt=\"Springfield Illinois Horseshoe Sandwich\" class=\"wp-image-18623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Springfield-Illinois-Horseshoe-Sandwich.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Springfield-Illinois-Horseshoe-Sandwich-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Springfield-Illinois-Horseshoe-Sandwich-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Springfield-Illinois-Horseshoe-Sandwich-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Springfield-Illinois-Horseshoe-Sandwich-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Springfield-Illinois-Horseshoe-Sandwich-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>I have put together a comprehensive guide to Springfield for you here:<br\/><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/springfield-illinois\/\">Springfield: Between Abraham Lincoln, Route 66 and Illinois Makers<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#6 Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston, IL: Vintage Shopping on Route 66<\/h2>\n\n<p>At the latest now you are really in <strong>Route 66 fever<\/strong> &#8211; and a <strong>shopping paradise<\/strong> like the <strong>Pink Elephant Antique Mall<\/strong> comes just in time! Here you&#8217;ll find all the vintage stuff and Route 66 memorabilia you could ever dream of. Old advertising signs, long-playing records, furniture&#8230; the list is endless. I bought a functional, pastel-colored typewriter there for a bargain price (the astonished looks of the security staff at the airport when I put my typewriter on the treadmill next to my Macbook were worth their weight in gold!).<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois1.jpg\" alt=\"pink elephant antiques mall livingston illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19216\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois1.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois1-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois1-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois1-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois2.jpg\" alt=\"pink elephant antiques mall livingston illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois2.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois2-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois2-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois2-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois3.jpg\" alt=\"pink elephant antiques mall livingston illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois3.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois3-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois3-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/pink-elephant-antiques-mall-livingston-illinois3-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#7 Cahokia Mounds: A Pre-Columbian Mystery<\/h2>\n\n<p>For a long time, the <strong>Cahokia Mounds<\/strong> remained undiscovered. One simply did not wonder about the <strong>even, high hills<\/strong> in the otherwise flat landscape! After all, they have always been there. Until archaeologists found <strong>one of the largest pre-Columbian cities north of Mexico<\/strong> here in the 1960s: Thousands of people lived in Cahokia at that time! The significance of the mounds, the Cahokia Mounds, has not yet been fully clarified. The flat mounds were used in part as a building site for manorial dwellings, but also as burial grounds.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1799\" height=\"2400\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois1.jpg\" alt=\"cahokia mounds historic site illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19222\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois1.jpg 1799w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois1-1151x1536.jpg 1151w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois1-1535x2048.jpg 1535w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois1-800x1067.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois1-770x1027.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois1-1600x2135.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1799px) 100vw, 1799px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois2.jpg\" alt=\"cahokia mounds historic site illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois2.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois2-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois2-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois2-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois3.jpg\" alt=\"cahokia mounds historic site illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois3.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois3-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois3-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cahokia-mounds-historic-site-illinois3-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#8 Alton: Famous men &amp; the world&#8217;s biggest ketchup bottle<\/h2>\n\n<p>Last stop on Route 66 in Illinois! For its size, little <strong>Alton<\/strong> on the <strong>Mississippi<\/strong> (yes, it really does feel like the southern states and Mississippi river cruises on paddle steamers here!) already has plenty of famous sons: one, <strong>Miles Davis<\/strong>, was quite small but one of the world&#8217;s greatest jazz trumpeters and the other, <strong>Robert Wadlow<\/strong>, was actually the tallest person ever to live in the world at 2.72m. Even bigger, however, is the <strong>largest ketchup bottle<\/strong> (or as they say here: catsup) in the world! Water towers are typical of the Midwestern U.S. and a ketchup factory in Collinsville at the time simply built theirs in the shape of a ketchup bottle!<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Alton-Illinois-Route-66_20.jpg\" alt=\"Alton Illinois Route\" class=\"wp-image-19186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Alton-Illinois-Route-66_20.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Alton-Illinois-Route-66_20-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Alton-Illinois-Route-66_20-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Alton-Illinois-Route-66_20-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Alton-Illinois-Route-66_20-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Alton-Illinois-Route-66_20-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>By the way, Alton is considered by many to be a spritual place. Mark Twain once referred to Alton as a gritty little town on the Mississippi! High crime rates and the turmoil of the Civil War (the border between the northern and southern states ran through the region) did the rest.<\/p>\n\n<p>Today there is nothing to see of gloomy &#8211; but you can today <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.altonhauntings.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">by means of a guided tour<\/a>\n<\/span> on the traces of the <strong>&#8220;Haunted Alton&#8221;<\/strong>. In the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mcpikemansion.com\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">McPike Mansion<\/a><\/span> they offer guided tours and ghost conjurings &#8211; sounds bizarre, but at the latest in the atmospheric vaulted cellar I found that you can&#8217;t deny the special energy of the house.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Food &amp; Drink in Alton<\/h3>\n\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fasteddiesbonair.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fast Eddie&#8217;s Bon Air<\/a>\n<\/span> Whether for steamy bachelor parties or a lazy afternoon beer, Fast Eddie&#8217;s Bon Air is an institution! The food is good value and the beer selection is huge.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fast-Eddies-Bon-Air-Alton-Illinois-3.jpg\" alt=\"Fast Eddies Bon Air Alton Illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fast-Eddies-Bon-Air-Alton-Illinois-3.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fast-Eddies-Bon-Air-Alton-Illinois-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fast-Eddies-Bon-Air-Alton-Illinois-3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fast-Eddies-Bon-Air-Alton-Illinois-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fast-Eddies-Bon-Air-Alton-Illinois-3-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fast-Eddies-Bon-Air-Alton-Illinois-3-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\n  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gentelinsonbroadway.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gentelin&#8217;s on Broadway<\/a>\n<\/span> The contrasting program for the evening: Gentelin&#8217;s on Broadway offers fine cuisine and the best cocktails served at the table in a mini-shaker.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/route-66-illinois-road-trip\/gentelins-broadway-alton-illinois-1-2\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1801\" height=\"2400\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-1.jpg\" alt=\"Gentelins Broadway Alton Illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-1.jpg 1801w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-1-1153x1536.jpg 1153w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-1-1537x2048.jpg 1537w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-1-800x1066.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-1-770x1026.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-1-1600x2132.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1801px) 100vw, 1801px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/route-66-illinois-road-trip\/gentelins-broadway-alton-illinois-2-2\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"2400\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-2.jpg\" alt=\"Gentelins Broadway Alton Illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-2.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-2-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-2-800x1067.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-2-770x1027.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gentelins-Broadway-Alton-Illinois-2-1600x2133.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to stay in Alton<\/h3>\n\n<p>For Alton, I have a very special tip: In the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/us\/beall-mansion.de.html?aid=1651935&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=1&amp;label=route-66-illinois\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Beall Mansion<\/a><\/span>*, you&#8217;ll stay in an elegant city villa, lovingly furnished and with the best food. An individual spa program with massage can also be booked. Absolute recommendation for the ending<strong> of an exciting road trip!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>\u279c <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/us\/beall-mansion.de.html?aid=1651935&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=1&amp;label=route-66-illinois\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Book a room at Beall Mansion here<\/a>*<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-11.jpg\" alt=\"Beall Mansion Alton Illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-11.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-11-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-11-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-11-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-11-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1800\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-2.jpg\" alt=\"Beall Mansion Alton Illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19194\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-2.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-2-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-2-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-2-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-2-1600x1200.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-10.jpg\" alt=\"Beall Mansion Alton Illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-10.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-10-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-10-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-10-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-10-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-10-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-8.jpg\" alt=\"Beall Mansion Alton Illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19202\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-8.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-8-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-8-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-8-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-8-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-7.jpg\" alt=\"Beall Mansion Alton Illinois\" class=\"wp-image-19200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-7.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-7-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-7-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-7-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Beall-Mansion-Alton-Illinois-7-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><em>Disclaimer: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.enjoyillinois.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Enjoy Illinois<\/a> invited me on this road trip. Thank you very much!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It lives from its stories: Route 66 in Illinois is perfect for an exciting road trip from Chicago.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19241,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"Route 66 in Illinois: 8 stops for a brilliant road trip","_seopress_titles_desc":"Complete itinerary for a road trip along Route 66 in Illinois. From Chicago to Alton! Stops on Route 66: Tips, Experiences & Reports.","_seopress_robots_index":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2423,488],"tags":[2185,2211,2249],"class_list":["post-161963","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-road-trips","category-united-states","tag-chicago-en","tag-illinois-en","tag-route-66-usa"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2423,"label":"Road Trips"},{"value":488,"label":"USA"}],"post_tag":[{"value":2185,"label":"Chicago"},{"value":2211,"label":"Illinois"},{"value":2249,"label":"Route 66"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/route-66-historic-brick-road-illinois.jpeg",1200,800,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"Tatiana","author_link":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/author\/tatit\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":2423,"name":"Road Trips","slug":"road-trips","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2425,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Road trips are the perfect way to truly get to know a country and its people! Here you'll find inspiration for your next travels and exciting route suggestions.   ","parent":2420,"count":11,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2423,"category_count":11,"category_description":"Road trips are the perfect way to truly get to know a country and its people! Here you'll find inspiration for your next travels and exciting route suggestions.   ","cat_name":"Road Trips","category_nicename":"road-trips","category_parent":2420},{"term_id":488,"name":"USA","slug":"united-states","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":490,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Road trips, megacities, or endless expanses: The USA is truly the land of unlimited possibilities. A trip to the USA leaves no one unimpressed! You can get some tips for your vacation here, especially regarding city trips in the USA. New York is one of my favorite cities!   \n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/tag\/new-york\">New York<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/chicago\/\">Chicago<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/tag\/miami\">Miami<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/boston-freedom-trail\/\">Boston<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/tag\/route-66\/\">Route 66<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\">Washington DC<\/a>","parent":1144,"count":21,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":488,"category_count":21,"category_description":"Road trips, megacities, or endless expanses: The USA is truly the land of unlimited possibilities. A trip to the USA leaves no one unimpressed! You can get some tips for your vacation here, especially regarding city trips in the USA. New York is one of my favorite cities!   \n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/tag\/new-york\">New York<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/chicago\/\">Chicago<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/tag\/miami\">Miami<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/boston-freedom-trail\/\">Boston<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/tag\/route-66\/\">Route 66<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\">Washington DC<\/a>","cat_name":"USA","category_nicename":"united-states","category_parent":1144}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":2185,"name":"Chicago","slug":"chicago-en","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2187,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":6,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":2211,"name":"Illinois","slug":"illinois-en","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2213,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"Illinois and its capital <a href=\"\/chicago\/\">Chicago<\/a> are a destination that may not immediately come to everyone's mind when traveling to the USA. Nevertheless, the Windy City and its surroundings are worth the trip! Discover the metropolis of Chicago and then start a road trip along the famous Route 66!","parent":0,"count":11,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":2249,"name":"Route 66","slug":"route-66-usa","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2251,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":8,"filter":"raw"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161963","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=161963"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161963\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":184935,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161963\/revisions\/184935"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=161963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=161963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=161963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}