Ok people, especially you Illinois/Chicago people-I have a trip planned mid-June traveling Route 66 from St. Louis to close to Chicago (tour termination point not yet set). This is my 3rd trip to St. Louis and second trip on Illinois Route 66 in 3 years. I’m thinking about taking a couple extra days to explore around Chicagoland, or maybe in Springfield.
I’m looking for can’t miss eats (especially Lithuanian or Polish restaurants) or sites in any of the three locations. Or any other suggestions. Just remember I’m a woman alone so no skanky locales!
I’m from Chi Town. You staying downtown?
I would definitely take the Architectural tour on the Chicago River. Dress warmly.
There is an entire Polish Neighborhood. They might have a tour for Pulaski DAy.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zuXOLFNG2Za8.kIUHmusFZIM4&hl=en
Biking along the waterfront in chicago is wonderful. I like to city bike on Sundays.. much less traffic.
I have done the Rt 66 from OKC to home in NE Ohio.. of course it often is very hard to keep up with often merging to Interstate..and then ends when I divert.. I then take the other back roads (also historic.. but no TV show!) . LOVE back roads and the history you find there.
Hi Spirit of Liberty. Good morning everybody!
I’m from Lincoln, Illinois... named for Abraham Lincoln, in 1853- by Abraham Lincoln, in 1853. Think about that for a minute. It’s the only town named for Lincoln, while Lincoln was alive.
Lincoln rode trails on horseback in the day, around a circuit of courthouses of about 200 miles in length, connecting the surrounding counties to each other.
One of those courthouses existed in a village named Postville. The railroad laid a line across central Illinois, missing Postville by almost a mile. Typically, settlements withered up and died when this happened. Local businessmen bought lots along the track and intended to start a town. They needed a name. They asked Lincoln, a friend and well liked and respected local politician, if he minded if they named the town after him. He agreed with some reservation.
As was the custom, in naming a town, a christening took place. Lincoln took a watermelon from a wagon that sat close by, cut it open and scooped out a cup of flesh and juice, proceeding ceremonially... pouring out the content onto the ground and saying a few words of note. “I don’t know why you would name something Lincoln, because nothing ever amounted to much named Lincoln.” Seven years later, he was President of the United States.
Site of Christening by Lincoln, Lincoln, IL
Postville Courthouse, Lincoln, IL (Lincoln practiced law here- now a replica: original structure purchased by Henry Ford, and moved to Greenfield Village, Dearborn, MI)
Lincoln College and Heritage Museum, Lincoln, IL (named for Lincoln, while Lincoln was President- and has an acclaimed museum with an extensive Lincoln collection)
Mt. Pulaski Courthouse, Mt. Pulaski, IL (original courthouse where Lincoln practiced law, and the village is named for Casmir Pulaski, a Polish General considered a hero of the Revolutionary War)
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL
Lincoln’s Home, Springfield, IL
Lincoln’s Tomb, Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, IL
Rt. 66 Cozey Dog Drive In, Springfield, IL (part of the diner / dive / drive-in genre)
New Salem Village, Petersburg, IL (recreated pioneer village and living history- Lincoln was a store merchant here)
The Arch and Museum of Westward Expansion, St. Louis, MO (Lewis and Clark Exploration began here)
Mississippi River Paddleboat Tour, St. Louis, MO
St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Busch Gardens, St. Louis, MO
Annheuser Busch Brewery, St. Louis, MO
Six Flags Over Mid America, St. Louis, MO
St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO
RT 66 Association Hall of Fame and Museum, Pontiac, IL
Dixie Truck Stop, McLean, IL (RT 66 Memorabilia)
Atlanta, IL (stretch of original RT 66 / typical small town USA)
I’m sure nikos has recommendations for Chicago, especially with regards to local ethnic restaurants, so I’ll just throw out the biggies that I’m familiar with.
Museum of Science and Industry
Museum of Natural History
Adler Planetarium
Shedd Aquarium
Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field
Willis Towers (formerly the Sears Tower)
Brookfield Zoo
Lake Michigan / Lake Shore Drive / Magnificent Mile / Grant Park