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
Lincoln's Landscape
2301 E. Lake Shore Dr. Springfield, Illinois 62712
Located at the entrance of Lincoln Gardens
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.
Lincoln's Landscape
2424 E. Lake Shore Dr. Springfield, Illinois 62712
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.
Lincoln's Last Law Office
109 N 5th St, Springfield, IL 62701 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.
Lincoln's Lincoln (Christening Scene)
451 Broadway St. Lincoln, Illinois 62656
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.
Lincoln's Real Estate
NE Corner of Jefferson and McLean Streets Bloomington, Illinois 61701
Lincoln not only spent a considerable amount of time in Bloomington pursuing legal and political matters, He also owned property here. Lincoln owned two lots on the Northwest corner of McLean and Jefferson streets and they remained vacant while under his name. Not long after he sold them, an upper middle class house was built on the site. That house is gone and today, Lincoln's two Bloomington lots serve as parking for State Farm insurance.
Lincoln's Springfield
1 S. Old State Capitol Plaza 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.
Lincoln-Era Fire Companies
623 E. Adams Street 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.
Logan County Courthouse
601 Broadway St. Lincoln, Illinois 62656
Built in 1905, this 3 story, stone, domed structure is the historic icon and center of the Downtown District of Lincoln. It still remains the active courthouse and Logan County Seat.
Lincoln Rallies the People Statue and Interpretative Panel- This statue and panel were erected in 2015 to commemorate the speech delivered by Abraham Lincoln on October 16, 1858 on the Courthouse lawn. This speech took place during his campaign for U.S. Senate, the day after the final Lincoln-Douglas Debate in Alton, IL
Logan County Tourism Bureau/ Historic Train Station
101 N. Chicago St. Lincoln, Illinois 62656
The Logan County Tourism Bureau/Visitor Center is uniquely positioned in Downtown Lincoln, at the Historic Train Depot. The Depot was built in 1911 by the Chicago and Alton Railroad. Back in the mid-late 19th Century the City of Lincoln was a hub for the train. This depot replaced the original one that was built in 1853. It acted as a train station until most of the building was closed to the public in 1972.
Today, when you visit the Bureau office and Visitor Center, you can learn about all that Logan County has to offer and see. Also on display in the Depot is a bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln christening the town with a watermelon in 1853, as well as replica lifecastings of his hands. Head outside on the South lawn, to the Lincoln Christening Site, where you can read more about Abraham Lincoln, his connection to the City of Lincoln, and this historic event for the City of Lincoln.
Mary Lincoln's Family
326 S. 7th 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.