Discover the fascinating Lincoln sites along America’s historic route!
Abraham Lincoln extensively traveled Illinois as a prairie lawyer and politician, winding his way through the landscape of Illinois. You are invited to discover the many sites that connect to this historic figure within the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.
The 100th anniversary of Route 66 is the perfect opportunity to discover the historic and scenic byway that will lead you on a drive of discovery, with attractions and sites steeped in the history of Lincoln’s journeys.A listing of Lincoln communities and sites that are along Route 66 are noted, with a full listing in the map below.
Download a brochure about Lincoln communities along Route 66 here.
JOLIET
204 N. Ottawa St, Joliet, IL
www.jolietmuseum.org
Start your Illinois adventure with a stop at the Joliet Area Historical Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center. Photo-ops, information, and local history displays make for a worthwhile visit. The museum was honored as the Museum of the Year at the Illinois Association of Museums in 2025. Nearby, don’t miss the Old Joliet Prison, as seen in movies like The Blues Brothers.
PONTIAC
115 West Howard St, Pontiac, IL
www.visitpontiac.org
A Lincoln statue downtown makes the perfect family photo, and special roadside exhibits around town bring alive the Lincoln story. The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame & Museum features memorabilia from the glory days of Route 66, with a special photo-op out back designed specifically for your car. Don’t miss the nearby Pontiac Oakland Automobile Museum and the Museum of the Gilding Arts.
BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL
200 North Main St, Bloomington, IL
www.visitbn.org
Begin your visit at the Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center and Gift Shop in the gorgeous McLean County Museum of History, with the iconic Lincoln bench out front for pics! Lincoln’s friend, David Davis, helped Lincoln to the presidency, and his legendary David Davis Mansion is open for tours. Don’t miss the Lincoln Wayside Signs highlighting Lincoln’s connections.
ATLANTA
114 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL
www.atlantamuseum.org
This small town offers a big punch along Route 66! The Atlanta Public Museum brings to life Lincoln’s connections to the community, which was home to one of the earliest Juneteenth celebrations in Illinois. The American Giants Museum tells the story of the kitschy and quirky “Muffler Man/Bunyan Giant” statues that sprang up in the 1960s as advertising gimmicks across the USA, and are now an iconic favorite all along Route 66.
LINCOLN
101 N Chicago St, Lincoln, IL
www.destinationlogancountyil.com
The World Largest Covered Wagon is in the running for the quirkiest of Lincoln attractions on 66! A highlight is The Lincoln Heritage Museum, a top Lincoln museum in the country. The city was christened by the man himself using watermelon juice, and a memorial to this iconic event can be found downtown outside the tourism office.
SPRINGFIELD
109 N. Seventh St, Springfield, IL
www.visitspringfieldillinois.com
A “don’t-miss” community! One must stop to visit the Lincoln Home, The Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Lincoln Tomb, and Old State Capitol, all on or near Route 66. Plus, see iconic 66 stops like the Cozy Dog Drive-In, Motorheads, The Illinois State Fair Route 66 Experience, and Mel-O-Cream Donuts. Frank Lloyd Wright’s stunning Dana Thomas House is one of his premier residential projects, and is ‘wright’ near 66!
LITCHFIELD
334 Historic Route 66 North, Litchfield, IL
www.litchfieldmuseum.org
Litchfield is the perfect jumping-off point to discover Lincoln in south-central Illinois. The Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center is the perfect stop, with the famous Ariston Restaurant and Jubelt’s Bakery across the street. In nearby Hillsboro, visitors can learn about Lincoln’s personal and business friends. The historic community of Alton features the Lincoln-Douglas Square debate site raising Lincoln to a national figure, and the iconic Elijah Lovejoy Monument recognizing Lovejoy’s role in early emancipation efforts leading to the U.S. Civil War.
Route 66 promotion funding is provided in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
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Besides the sites that are directly on Route 66, there are excellent half-day side trips not too far off the Mother Road. These include:
Lincoln's New Salem, Petersberg, Illinois
This historic village of cabins lies about 20 miles northwest of Springfield, and is a peek into Lincoln's early life in Illinois.
Alton, Illinois; Rivers & Routes
This historic community along the intersection of the mighty Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri rivers has long been an important location of Illinois early history, as well as the nation. Many historic and natural sites are waiting to be explored.
To learn more about Route 66 in Illinois visit the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway website.
Lincoln Sites Along Route 66 in Illinois
Route 66 Sites
"My Good Friend"
1000 Monroe Dr. Bloomington, Illinois 61701
The beautifully restored, nineteenth-century estate tells the story of Judge David Davis, whose influence on Abraham Lincoln's legal and political career was crucial to President Lincoln's success. Lincoln often visited his friend, fellow lawyer and political advisor here at his home.
Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits tell the stories of Lincoln’s life and times in Illinois. Each wayside exhibit tells a unique Lincoln story and a local story. Many of the waysides share little known stories about Lincoln and the individuals he interacted with. There are over 260 Looking for Lincoln waysides in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.
"Wide Awakes" March in Atlanta
112 SW Arch Atlanta, Illinois 61723
Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits tell the stories of Lincoln’s life and times in Illinois. Each wayside exhibit tells a unique Lincoln story and a local story. Many of the waysides share little known stories about Lincoln and the individuals he interacted with. There are over 260 Looking for Lincoln waysides in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.
Abe Lincoln Stranded Here
299 N Oak Street Pontiac, Illinois 61764
200 Block of North Oak Street - by County Market Grocery
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
112 N. 6th St. Springfield, Illinois 62701
The Presidential Library contains an overwhelming treasury of carefully preserved Lincoln documents and artifacts, including more than 12 million items from the Illinois State Historical Library.
Whether learning more about the life and times of President Lincoln or following your own family's genealogical ties to Illinois, the Presidential Library is an amazing resource of information for families, historians and scholars.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
212 N. 6th St. Springfield, Illinois 62701
This state-of-the-art facility was carefully designed with exacting historical detail. Amazingly well-preserved artifacts tell the entire life story of our nation's 16th President. Dedicated to the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, the Presidential Museum, unlike any other in the U.S., features high-tech exhibits, interactive displays, and multimedia programs, as well as a reproduction of the White House as it looked in 1861.
The holographic and special effects theaters will entertain, educate and mesmerize you with ghostly images, live actors and high action. Witness the 1860 Presidential Election as though it were happening today, complete with television news coverage and campaign commercials. Items from the institution's world-class Lincoln Collection, numbering in the tens of thousands, are exhibited on a rotating basis in the Museum's Treasures Gallery, including an original hand-written copy of the Gettysburg Address, the evening gloves in President Lincoln's pocket the night he was assassinated, and the quill pen used to sign the Emancipation Proclamation.
Abraham Lincoln Sites Narrated Tour
200 N. Main Street Bloomington, Illinois 61701
You can explore Lincoln sites throughout downtown and other sites in Bloomington-Normal using the McLean County Museum of History narrated tour. It is available on the McLean County Museum of History iOS and Android app, at the Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 website, and also as a CD in the gift shop.
Begin the tour at the McLean County Museum of History
Animal Problems
625 E. Monroe St. Springfield, Illinois 62701
View over 40 outdoor interpretive exhibits placed throughout the downtown area to experience Springfield as Abraham Lincoln knew it. Each exhibit is intended to capture a moment in time for Lincoln and how he was affected by the people, places and events he encountered in his hometown. Each story is accompanied by graphics or photographs and a medallion that is symbolic of that particular story. Visitors are encouraged to collect rubbings of each medallion.
Asahel Gridley's Bank
66 E. Front St. Bloomington, Illinois 61701
Lincoln frequented the law offices of David Davis and the bank owned by Asahel Gridley.
Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits tell the stories of Lincoln’s life and times in Illinois. Each wayside exhibit tells a unique Lincoln story and a local story. Many of the waysides share little known stories about Lincoln and the individuals he interacted with. There are over 260 Looking for Lincoln waysides in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.
Atlanta Public Library
100 Race Street Atlanta, Illinois 61723
Located across from Route 66 Park in historic downtown Atlanta, Illinois, the Atlanta Public Library is a hub of community activity and an attraction for tourists who are making the Route 66 pilgrimage.
Atlanta Public Museum & Welcome Center
114 SW Arch Street Atlanta, Illinois 61723
Located in the heart of central Illinois, this small town was often a stop for Abraham Lincoln while he traveled the court circuit before becoming the 16th President of the United States. The Atlanta Public Museum tells the stories of Lincoln's connection to Atlanta, the founding families he had close ties with, and the celebratory picnic honoring the Emancipation Proclamation. Join other travelers from around the world that make the Atlanta Public Museum and Welcome Center a stop on their cross-country traveling adventures along the Historic US Route 66. Other highlights to see while in town include the famous Paul Bunyon statue, Hawes Elevator, the old Mine and the Giant's Museum.