Rt. 66 100 Years

Route 66 documentary rolling into Springfield in September

Updated Aug 17, 2026

Plenty of events on the docket to celebrate 100 years of Route 66 in Springfield

Updated Aug 17, 2026

Route 66 interest remains high as iconic road hits 100 years and counting

Updated Jul 31, 2026

US Route 66 is no longer recognized as an official numbered highway, but the iconic road and its history are alive and well in places like Joliet and Pontiac. Read moreRoute 66 interest remains high as iconic road hits 100 years and counting

Atlanta, IL home to giants towering over the community

Updated Jul 31, 2026

Celebrating Route 66 at the Illinois State Fair

Updated Jul 31, 2026

WAND News is celebrating 100 years of Route 66 just weeks before the Illinois State Fair, but people can explore a huge walkthrough exhibit on the fairgrounds anytime … Read moreCelebrating Route 66 at the Illinois State Fair

WAND's Ben and Caryn take summer road trips down Route 66

Updated Jul 31, 2026

Drivers from across the country kicked off the Great Race in Springfield

Updated Jul 31, 2026

American giants stand tall in Atlanta

Updated Jul 31, 2026

Local events along Route 66 to check out this summer

Updated Jul 31, 2026

Shea's Gas Station, Ace Sign Company keeping Route 66 memories alive in Springfield

Updated Jul 31, 2026

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Atlanta, IL home to giants towering over the community

Springfield sees visitors from 75 different countries in summer 2026

WAND's Ben and Caryn take summer road trips down Route 66

Springfield expecting plenty of visitors for Mother Road Festival

Atlanta Public Museum is where the town's stories come to life

Updated Jul 31, 2026

American Giants Museum drawing visitors from around the world to Route 66

Updated Jul 29, 2026

The American Giants Museum is home to a collection of restored fiberglass figures dating to the early 1960s, drawing visitors from across the globe to a stretch of his… Read moreAmerican Giants Museum drawing visitors from around the world to Route 66

Atlanta Public Museum keeps town's history alive as Route 66 travelers flock to community

Updated Jul 21, 2026

Long before travelers stopped to snap a photo with Atlanta's towering Route 66 attractions, many were discovering another local treasure tucked into the heart of downtown. Read moreAtlanta Public Museum keeps town's history alive as Route 66 travelers flock to community

Route 66 centennial draws international visitors to Illinois

Updated Jul 15, 2026

As Illinois marks the Route 66 centennial, visitors from around the world are stopping in Illinois to experience original stretches of the historic highway and local a… Read moreRoute 66 centennial draws international visitors to Illinois

Illinois invites travelers to explore Route 66 as centennial celebration continues

Updated Jul 14, 2026

As Illinois celebrates the 100th anniversary of the historic Route 66, state tourism leaders are encouraging travelers to experience the Mother Road one stop at a time… Read moreIllinois invites travelers to explore Route 66 as centennial celebration continues

Lincoln Museum of Route 66 set to open and celebrate a century of the Mother Road

Updated Jul 9, 2026

As communities across Illinois prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, Lincoln is unveiling a new attraction designed to tell the story behind America'… Read moreLincoln Museum of Route 66 set to open and celebrate a century of the Mother Road

Memories of the Mother Road at Ace Sign Co. Rt. 66 Museum

Updated Jul 7, 2026

Springfield’s Ace Sign Company is turning old Route 66 signs into a museum of memories—where businesses long gone still live on, and visitors often spot a piece of the… Read moreMemories of the Mother Road at Ace Sign Co. Rt. 66 Museum

Girls Trip: A Sweet Stop at the Pink Elephant on Route 66

Updated Jul 1, 2026

LIVINGSTON, Ill. (WAND) - This month's Girls Trip segment brought Caroline Reese and Alivia Colon to one of Route 66's most iconic roadside stops—the Pink Elephant Ant… Read moreGirls Trip: A Sweet Stop at the Pink Elephant on Route 66

Auburn's iconic Route 66 brick road offers a drive through history

Updated Jun 30, 2026

Long before Interstate 55 carried travelers through central Illinois, Route 66 connected communities, businesses, and families along what would become America's most f… Read moreAuburn's iconic Route 66 brick road offers a drive through history

Illinois launches America 250 website, events celebrating state history

Updated Jun 30, 2026

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is inviting Illinoisans to celebrate America's 250th anniversary with the launch of a new website, Illinois State Archive… Read moreIllinois launches America 250 website, events celebrating state history

Around the 217: The Mill in Lincoln provides unique stop for Route 66 travelers

Updated Jun 30, 2026

A legendary stop for decades in Lincoln, not just for its unique look but for its famous fried pork schnitzel sandwich. Read moreAround the 217: The Mill in Lincoln provides unique stop for Route 66 travelers

Route 66 Road Trip Caravan brings high-steaks challenge to Springfield

Updated Jun 30, 2026

Three men in Springfield were challenged to eat 4.5 pounds of steak, shrimp, a baked potato, salad and a roll — all in one hour. Each competitor admitted this was a hi… Read moreRoute 66 Road Trip Caravan brings high-steaks challenge to Springfield

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Ben Machi and Jim Kosek hit the road on Route 66

Updated Jun 30, 2026

Ben Machi and Jim Kosek took a quick road trip down to Doc's Just Off 66 to try out the old-fashioned sodas, bar food and ice cream. Read moreBen Machi and Jim Kosek hit the road on Route 66

6,000 cars anticipated at HOT ROD Power Tour in Rantoul

Updated Jun 30, 2026

The HOT ROD Power Tour comes back to Champaign County for the fifth time at the Rantoul National Aviation Center on Tuesday, June 9. Read more6,000 cars anticipated at HOT ROD Power Tour in Rantoul

Atlanta Museum invites bakers to celebrate Route 66 with gingerbread contest

Updated Jun 30, 2026

The Atlanta Museum is putting a festive twist on the upcoming 100th anniversary of Route 66 by hosting a Christmas in July gingerbread decorating contest. Read moreAtlanta Museum invites bakers to celebrate Route 66 with gingerbread contest

Residents asked for input to shape future of Logan County tourism

Updated Jun 30, 2026

During an event Thursday at the Brickyard in Mount Pulaski, Bureau Board President Molly Pickering said this is part of a months-long effort to hear what people wanted… Read moreResidents asked for input to shape future of Logan County tourism

Submerged Route 66 experience offers unique look at hidden history

Updated Jun 30, 2026

Just off the dock at Lake Springfield, past the lighthouse and beneath several bridges, sits a hidden piece of Route 66 history — underwater. Read moreSubmerged Route 66 experience offers unique look at hidden history

4 generations later, Bill Shea's legacy lives on at Shea's Gas Station Museum

Updated Jun 30, 2026

The late Bill Shea was an unofficial ambassador of Route 66 for decades, turning a Texaco and then a Marathon station into a destination on what is now Peoria Road nea… Read more4 generations later, Bill Shea's legacy lives on at Shea's Gas Station Museum

Governor Pritzker Announces $5 Million Available for Tourism Grant Programs

Updated Jun 30, 2026

On Tuesday, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $5 million is available in tourism funding through three gr… Read moreGovernor Pritzker Announces $5 Million Available for Tourism Grant Programs

Route 66 exhibit opens this weekend at Illinois State Museum

Updated Jun 30, 2026

The Illinois State Museum is inviting visitors to take a trip down the "Mother Road" with a new exhibit celebrating the history and culture of U.S. Route 66 Centennial. Read moreRoute 66 exhibit opens this weekend at Illinois State Museum

Sullivan's Little Theatre on the Square gears up for summer season

Updated Jun 30, 2026

The Little Theatre on the Square is ready for the summer months after nearly 70 years of putting on productions for the community. Read moreSullivan's Little Theatre on the Square gears up for summer season

Splash Kingdom announces opening day, new promotion

Updated Jun 30, 2026

Knight's Action Park in Springfield announced that Splash Kingdom water park will open for the season with a new, community-driven promotion. Read moreSplash Kingdom announces opening day, new promotion

Illinois State Fair is only 100 days away! What's new in 2026

Updated Jun 30, 2026

Longtime fair concessions like Vose's Korndogs and Taft's Mr. Ribeye joined with newer groups like Scoop Du Jour to share their selections of fair favorites. Read moreIllinois State Fair is only 100 days away! What's new in 2026