Tonight, in St. Louis, Mo., I’m doing a phone interview with Nick Digilio, who has a talk show on Chicago’s WGN Radio. The timing is perfect because tomorrow we drive to the Windy City, where we'll spend three days. I’m hoping some of those Chicago listeners can offer up tips on what to do in their city. Please share your favorite places in the comments section. Keep in mind we’re traveling with kids and we’re on a tight budget. Also, we’re especially interested in visiting Route 66 attractions as we drove the Mother Road all the way from California. Thanks!
6:31 PM
9 comments
9 comments:
Hi Amy
Just wanted to drop you a line and give you some cool places to see with kids in Illinois!!
South to North are, The Chain of rocks Bridge , the only bridge that has a turn in it. located over the Mississippi on the state line. Hamel Ill, the neon church is a cool picture stop, its better at night at RT 66 and Rt 157 appx. Staughton Ill Henry,s Rabbit Ranch. You get to see Ill's version of the Caddy Ranch. A couple of cool Raggit cars a cool photo shoot and of course real rabbits to pet. See Montana who is currently running for president. Tell Henry Bob K from Rt 66 assoc. sent Ya. Girard Ill you havr to show the kids what a real drug store usted to be. It has a cool real soda jerk and the best ice cream you'll find anywhere. Located on the square in Girard. See one of three giants in Illinois in Jerome Ill on 66 at Southwest tire in town. Springfield, Ill stop by the state capitol and Cozy dob it,s the best dog on a stick anywhere. The New Lincoln Musuem is good too near the capitol Bld. Also Giant number two at the fair grounds. Then Bill Sjea's garage on 66 north side of Springfield anything associated with cars on old 66. In Broadwell you havre to stop by and see Earnie and Frances he always has a story to tell . The old Pig hip burned a few years ago but the stroies go on forever. Pottsville is next, the Pottsville court is a nice place to show the kids who it was done in the old days. In Atlanta se another of Ill's Giants downtown and show the kids one on the oldest still open Library's in the state. Funks Grove Ill you can still see Funks Grove Maple Sirup, maple sirup made the old way, you can even buy some to take with you. Towanda,Ill Memory Lane is a nice stroll down a piece of origional 66, with nice sign post to inform you of other sights. Pontiac, Ill is a must stop Our famous Museum is there. We have displays from all over the state. Pontiac is also famous for there swig bridges, stop and see one of these marvels. The next would have to be Odel, Ill for the Amoco Gas Station and see how cars were worked on back then. It's also the the register of historic places. Gardner ,Ill is a cool place to let the kids see an old 2 cell jail and take a few pics. The Rivera restaurant Braceville is a mile or two away. One of Al Capones old hangouts. While there stop by the washroom for a look at the Thrones. The place Is unique and so are Peg and Bob. In Braidwood,Ill stop by the Polks Dot. Cool ice cream is good for the kids. The Place has plenty of neat stuff to see on the walls and the bathrooms are unique too. Wilmington,ILl has anouther giant at the Launching Pad, and good ice cream and eats too. Comming into Joliet you go by The Chicago Land Speedway, you have to see the old train station, the Rialto theater ( a must see) it's spectatular what they did to the old place. There is also a 66 Museum in town as well. You can also see Gemini Giant at the Jackhammers Station near the train station. Wow dont forget to stop by Kicks on 66 to see the old converted Dairy Queen. Lot of thigs left to see before Chicago but when there you have to Stop at Luo Mitchels and See the last restaurant on 66. Not on 66 but a must see in Chicago is Navy Pier and the Kids Museum, Millenium Park and soo much more. I hope you had a great time and enjoyed your journey. It's so hard to hit it all in one trip ,I've done it a few times and can't even say I've seen it all. Thanks Bob Killackey Rt 66 fan.
Check out Mt Olive Ill. I believe it is exit 144 off of 55. 66 runs through town and you will see an orginal service station and a minors monument. Also as you get close to Chicago check out the Chicken Basket an orginal 66 diner. Have fun
Visit the Launching Pad for lunch in Wilmington, Illinois. The Launching Pad has a "martian man" about 30 feet tall holding a rocket. It is a Route 66 original! By the way, Wilmington is about 40 miles southwest of Chicago on Rt. 66 (currently Route 53).
Joliet has a beautiful theater call the Rialto. Built in the early 1900's by the Rubin brothers.
There are a lot of things to see along Rt. 66 before you reach Chicago, please don't just drive by!
Dave T.
Joliet, Illinois
Hey Amy
My dad just called me to let me know about Nick's interview with you on WGN. My 19 year old son and I just completed the run on Route 66 from Chicago to LA in an old 66 Corvette without A/C. It was a great vacation and a great thing to do with John. You can check out our website at www.home.comcast.net/~kixon66.
I have some recommendations in my web page. Stop at the Cozy Dog and also check out the Pig Hip in Broadwell, IL. The Pig Hip burned down a year ago but Ernie and Francis Edwards are still there in the house behind the old restaurant. You can knock on Ernie's front door and they'll welcome you and show you there collection of pictures. Ernie turns 91 this year. Both he and Francis are really welcoming and full of stories of the road. Be sure to ask Ernie to tell you his story about Cnl. Sanders. It's great.
When you get to Chicago be sure to have breakfast at Lou Mitchell's. There's a link on my web site. It's a real Route 66 original having opened before Route 66 began.
Have a great trip.
Cheers
Mike
Amy,
Four inexpensive can't miss things to do in Chicago would be Millenium Park which is a great relaxing place to enjoy the city. Be sure to check their free concert schedule. Also Lincoln Park Zoo is a great way to spend a couple of hours. A walk along the lakeshore. Either near the museum campus, North Avenue Beach or Lincoln Park is a unique experience. Last would be Buckingham Fountain just because it is beautiful and a Chicago icon.
Hope this helps. Enjoyed your interview on WGN
Kevin
Hey Amy,
I just saw the pic of your son Dante on Santa Monica pier with a corndog. You absolutely must stop at the Cozy Dog in Springfield, IL. Ed Waldemire, the inventor of the corn dog, started this restaurant on Rte 66 shortly after WWII. His son is the vagabond hippie of Route 66 that does many of the ink drawings yo've probably seen. Bob used to own the Hackberry General Store that you visited in Arizona. Be sure to do the Cozy Dog!
Cheers
Mike Andresen
Hi Amy,
Just finished listening to your interview with Nick on WGN. My wife and I were traveling on Rt 66 just north of Pontiac back to Dwight. We enjoyed your conversation with him. Like Odell, Dwight(which is about 8 miles north of Odell) has a historic Gas Station at the corner of 66 and IL RT 17. Hey, with your tight budget, if you can think of a way to get it to you, we would like to send you a Route 66 souvenir from Dwight.
Have fun on the rest of your trip!
Mike,
Very cool trip and website. I hope to do the trip with my son when he gets a little older. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it in a 1947 Willy's jeep. Currently, no hardtop and one isn't planned. I guess full rain gear. It has been done.... http://www.jeepbrokers.com/roadtrip_home.htm
Amy, I just found your site and am so bummed I could not suggest some awesome and some one-of-a-kind attractions in the Chicagoland area.
Let me know when you are in the area....
Laurie DiBerardino
www.enjoyaurora.com
laurie@enjoyaurora.com
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