Route 66

The Sears Tower, which opened in 1973 is still one of the main attractions in the Chicago land area, is located just before the Chicago River between Adams St. and Jackson Blvd at Wacker Dr. and Franklin St. The Skydeck can be visited for a fabulous view of the city and an amazing outlook on downtown Chicago. The Sears tower has since been renamed “The Willis Tower” and standing at 1,450 feet and 110 stories high, Willis Tower is the tallest building in the western hemisphere.

Buckingham Fountain is one of the most amazing fountains found in this country and is considered to be the front door to Chicago as it is in Grants Park right in Chicago’s front yard. If you are going to visit this amazing water feature on your trip down route 66 make sure you make this a night trip.  The city skyline and the fountain are simply breathtaking when it is lit up at night.

Gemini Giant is located in Wilmington, Illinois and is the biggest muffler man we have ever seen!  The Gemini Giant was constructed in the 1960’s and still is one of the town’s main attractions.  When this huge astronaut “Muffler Man” was built, there where a growing amount of these oversized statues popping up across the country and many on route 66, but only a few still stand today.  Wilmington is a small town with around 5,000 residents, but there was some other history made right here, on this dot on the map.  The Eagle hotel is the oldest standing hotel on route 66 and is located near 100 Water St in Wilmington. The Eagle hotel was built in 1836 and has been serving travelers since they came on horse and buggy.The city was started because it used to be a hitching yard for horses to be sold and then the city became a railroad hub in 1854.  This is what really made the city a viable place for growth and sustainability and has been ever since.

Big Al’s Hotdogs is one of the first buildings you will run across as you come into the town of Dwight Illinois on your route 66 tour across the Midwest. This old time favorite first opened for business in 1933 and has served many a weary traveler until 1998.  Currently Big Al’s is currently being renovated by the community and will keep its original look, but will be turned into a visitor center very soon.  There are many other historical buildings in the Dwight downtown, including the First National Bank designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905 and the old stone railroad depot built in 1891. So make sure to cruise on through and see the other sites.

Steak and Shake, yes we know you have most likely visited a Steak and Shake before, as they have now become a rather popular chain across the country.  However, if you make your way through Bloomington-Normal Illinois on your Route 66 cruse, you will have a unique opportunity to visit the first Steak and Shake! Steak and Shake opened their doors for the first time in 1934 in Normal Illinois.  You will also a find a wonderful old time theater in Normal. The big billboard front with all the moving lights that you used to love have been showcased in The Normal Theater since 1937.  Illinois first state college was also resurrected in Normal Illinois in 1861.  This is a history rich town and a must see on the Route 66 drive.

Originally posted 2010-01-03 23:02:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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