Illinois Route 66 Experience

About

We created the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience to celebrate the history, culture, and communities that make Illinois Route 66 unforgettable. Designed as a free, self-guided attraction, the Experience takes visitors on a journey from Chicago to the Chain of Rocks Bridge through immersive exhibits, vintage billboards, authentic neon signs, a drive-in theater, Muffler Men, and iconic roadside attractions that capture the spirit of the Mother Road.

Open 365 days a year, our mission is to inspire a new generation of Route 66 travelers while honoring the businesses, people, and places that have shaped the road's legacy for nearly a century. Whether you're beginning your Route 66 adventure or simply stopping by while visiting Springfield, we invite you to explore, learn, and experience one of America's most legendary highways—all at no cost.

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