The Great Rivers & Routes region of southwest Illinois is filled with adventure
There’s only one place in America where the Mother Road of Route 66 meets the Great River Road and that’s in the Great Rivers & Routes region of southwest Illinois. It’s a land that’s full of adventure, scenic wonders and the classic Americana charm of once famous highways and byways. Visit the giants that mark The Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in Illinois. Linger along the mighty rivers – the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois – that come together in a great and scenic confluence along the Great River Road. Travel along the banks of the Mississippi River on the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway.
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Granite City Giant
Route 66 in Southwest Illinois
Greet the Granite City giants including Earl and Rusty, larger than life Muffler Men who represent the city’s industrial past. Three new giants have taken their place in the city including R.W., a railroad worker, Abraham Lincoln and a firefighter with his dog Sparky.
Stroll through the It’s Electric Neon Sign Park in downtown Granite City for a look at the ghost neons that once lined Route 66 lighting the way for weary travelers. Edwardsville is home to the newly renovated Route 66 West End Service Station, once a popular stop for travelers. The station now serves as a Route 66 Welcome Center and Museum.
In Collinsville get a photo of the World’s Tallest Catsup Bottle Water Tower and visit Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once home to a spectacular prehistoric Native American civilization.
Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway
This 33-mile stretch of road in southwest Illinois (just minutes from downtown St. Louis) is a year round scenic wonderland. Home to one of the most spectacular fall color drives in the United States, it also hosts the largest population of wintering American Bald Eagles from January through March.
Visit the historic City of Alton and tour the monuments that showcase the historical figures who helped shape our nation’s history including: Elijah P. Lovejoy, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, Miles Davis and Robert Wadlow. A mural to the magical and mythical Piasa Bird covers the river bluff just outside Alton.
Stop by the historic Village of Elsah, nestled in the bluffs along the highway which parallels the Mississippi River. Tour Principia College and meet Benny the Mastadon, discovered in an archeological dig on campus.
Travel to Grafton for shopping and dining and then visit Pere Marquette State Park – the state’s largest park with over 8,000 acres, a lodge and restaurant.
West End Service Station in Edwardsville
Where is the Great Rivers & Routes region of southwest Illinois
Just minutes from downtown St. Louis, the region curves along the banks of the Mississippi River in Illinois. The region is located 3 hours south of Chicago and includes the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in Illinois and one of the most scenic stretches of the Great River Road which travels along the Mississippi River from Minnesota to Louisiana.
Where is the Last 100 Miles of Route 66?
This stretch of highway runs from just south of Springfield, IL and starts at Virden and includes the following communities: Girard, Carlinville, Farmersville, Litchfield, Mt. Olive, Staunton, Livingston, Hamel, Edwardsville, Granite City, Collinsville and East St. Louis. Each community has a unique story to tell about its days on Route 66!
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Group Sales Contact:
- Lindsey Laird
- llaird@riversandroutes.com
- 618-465-6676
