A: Stop by the iconic Ariston Café in Litchfield for delicious dining at a genuine Route 66 landmark. The Café is celebrating its 100th Anniversary!

B: Brooks Catsup had a home in Collinsville, but its iconic water tower has become a Route 66 landmark. Meet the World’s Tallest Catsup Bottle Water Tower on your Route 66 journey.

C: On the hunt for a classic? Country Classic Cars in Staunton has them all. Classic. Collectors. Antique. Find anything on four wheels from pre-war through the early 1980s. Plus, drive through the new Route 66 Shield for a ‘classic’ experience!

D: Step back in time and enjoy a hand-pulled soda from an authentic soda fountain at Doc’s Just Off 66 in Girard. Pair your soda with lunch or dinner at Doc’s.

E: It’s not difficult to find great entertainment along the Mother Road. Take in a night show at the Skyview Drive-In Theater for outdoor viewing fun.

F: Have you seen a flying saucer lately? If not, pull in to the Pink Elephant Antique Mall and get a look at the alien fiberglass ship that is a one-of-a-kind experience.

G: Granite City welcomed Route 66 travelers over the years with ice cream at the Mr. Twist Ice Cream Shop which is still part of the Mother Road experience. The city is near the iconic Chain of Rocks Bridge – one a toll bridge connecting Illinois to Missouri over the Mississippi River.

H: There are a lot of rascally rabbits at Henry’s Ra66it Ranch in Staunton. This quirky Route 66 attraction features bunny rabbits and VW Rabbits. Plus get a photo sitting on top of the giant fiberglass rabbit.

I: I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. And there are loads of places to choose from along the Mother Road. Check out Whirl A Whip in Girard or Route 66 Creamery in Hamel for starters.

J: For sweet treats and more stop in at Jubelt’s Bakery & Café in Litchfield.

K: East St. Louis is home to the Katherine Dunham Center for Arts & Humanities and to jazz great Miles Davis. Find out more about both artists during a visit.

L: Outdoor recreation has a home along Route 66 at Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield. Hit the nearby trails on foot or by bike and enjoy the great outdoors. In December through February, American Bald Eagles can be seen at the lake searching for food.

M: Macoupin County has a rich Route 66 history including serving as home to the Million Dollar Courthouse and the Macoupin County Cannonball Jail, both Mother Road attractions. Tour both and discover how the jail incorporated Civil War cannonballs into its walls and why the courthouse became famous for its construction price tag.

N Let the neon signs guide you to the new “It’s Electric Neon Sign Park” in Granite City. This park highlights all the neon that lit up Route 66 in the city during the Mother Road’s heyday.

O Called “The Best Fix on 66”, O’Brien Tire & Auto Care in Granite City took care of traveler’s needs. It’s still operating today.

P It’s giant. And it’s pink. And it’s an elephant. Take a gander at this fiberglass wonder that welcomes visitors to the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston.

Q There’s plenty of quirky and quaint attractions along the Mother Road including Weezy’s Restaurant – once a boarding house and now famous for its Pony Shoe sandwiches. Lots of Route 66 memorabilia line the walls of this road stop restaurant.

R Take a drive on the Roundabout that encircles the Carlinville Square on Route 66. There aren’t many left along the Mother Road!

S Get lost in a good book along Route 66 at the Sly Fox Bookstore in Virden. This independent bookstore features a wide selection of Illinois books, features local authors and is a leading retailer of children’s books.

T Sit down at the Twistee Treat Diner – a ‘50’s style restaurant popping with color and featuring a giant ice cream cone exterior -- and enjoy a meal or a sweet ice cream treat next to a juke box where full-sized figures of the Blues Brothers dance nearby.

U Recharge from a Route 66 road trip with a stay at the Urban Collective Boutique Hotel in downtown Edwardsville, just off Route 66. Eight distinct suites, each with its own ambiance, colors and themes, highlight the out-of-the-ordinary experience.

V Once upon a time, the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville hosted Vaudeville greats on its stage. Now this Route 66 theater is home to sell-out weekend concerts and local events.

W Travelers along the Mother Road would stop at the iconic West End Service Station in Edwardsville for a cold drink or oil change. It closed down in 1964 but was purchased by the city in 2022 and reopened with its original design as a local Route 66 museum and welcome center. Stop by now for a blast from the past.

X Make it an excellent Route 66 experience with a stop at the Edwardsville Children’s Museum. Let the kids take their own drive along Route 66 with the new interactive exhibit that’s perfect for the littles in the group.

Y Long before Route 66, a small log cabin was built in what is now Glen Carbon – an offshoot of another iconic roadway -- the Goshen Trail. Now the restored
Yanda Log Cabin sits just off the Mother Road and is open periodically to visitors.

Z Zip through the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in southwest Illinois with the help of the Discover the Mother Road Route 66 Passport. These free books are available at attractions along the Mother Road and are a great way to chronicle the adventure.