This Illinois Itinerary at at Glance
There’s only one place in America where the Mother Road of Route 66 meets the Great River Road and that’s in southwest Illinois. Find your next adventure along the rivers and highways of the region and create new memories.
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Enjoy These Attractions and More:
- Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center
- Pink Elephant Antique Mall
- Cahokia Mounds
- It’s Electric Neon Sign Park
Great Rivers & Routes Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 of Things To Do in Great Rivers & Routes
Kick off your adventure to southwest Illinois with a journey along the Last 100 Miles of Route 66. Make your first stop the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center in the historic city of Litchfield. Located along the original highway, the museum is a great place to explore the history of the Mother Road and the city itself.
Take a seat for lunch at the famous Ariston Café–the oldest continuously operating diner on the entire highway. A staple of classic Americana dining, the Ariston serves up a wide array of entrees and specializes in Southern, Italian and Green menu items. Choose from brunch or lunch options. And don’t forget dessert! Continue your journey to the Pink Elephant Antique Mall where you can shop ‘til you drop at the large antique mall, adjacent candy shop or just get some selfies with the larger-than-life fiberglass giants that dot the outdoor landscape.
Make an afternoon treat stop at the Route 66 Creamery in Hamel for a refreshing ice cream cone or sundae. Continue your journey to Edwardsville and explore the newly remodeled West End Service Station, once a major pitstop along the Mother Road. Travelers would stop here before continuing their journey west to refuel, have an oil change or enjoy a cold soda. The refurbished museum and welcome center is a great place to explore the Mother Road. End your day with appetizers and a famous pepperloin steak at Porter’s Steakhouse in Collinsville
Day 2 of Great River Road Attractions
History comes to life at Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Collinsville. Climb to the top of Monks Mound and get a panoramic view of the region, including downtown St. Louis on a clear day. This site was once home to an expansive prehistoric Native American civilization and is one of the mound civilizations found north of Mexico. After leaving the mounds, stop by the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Water Tower for photos.
Lunch is calling from Ravenelli’s Italian Steakhouse and Wine Bar. Enjoy their signature King Pasta Pie or dine on an Italian Beef sandwich, burger and more.
Then, meet the Route 66 giants of southwest Illinois and visit a neon sign park–all in Granite City as the adventure along the Mother Road continues. Larger-than-life muffler men greet Mother Road travelers in this historic city. Stop by the It’s Electric Neon Sign Park and see ghost neons that once guided travelers along the highway. A giant teapot, a tribute to the city’s famed Graniteware and an oversized tinker toy are also part of the park fun.
Day 3 of Great Rivers Activities
Ease into your last day with brunch at Twisted Biscuit in Edwardsville, where fresh southern-style biscuits dominate the extensive menu, including Nothing But Cheddar Biscuits, omelets, pancakes, avocado toast and more.
Get ready to meet the Great River Road with a journey along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway–a 33-mile stretch of highway that parallels the Mississippi River. Soaring limestone bluffs line one side of the highway which is flanked by the iconic river on the other. Stroll through the historic Village of Elsah, visiting the Elsah Museum and local shops. Take a tour of scenic Principia College.
Wrap up your visit in Grafton with a meal at Pere Marquette State Park Restaurant located at Pere Marquette State Park. The park is the largest of the state’s parks with over 8,000 acres. The lodge at the park is a massive wood and limestone structure built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. A 3-ton stone fireplace is the centerpiece of the historic building, which also is home to a restaurant and overnight accommodations. Enjoy a family-style dinner at the restaurant featuring fried chicken and plenty of sides.
For more great travel stories, Read the Full Leisure Group Travel Magazine and Subscribe to the Newsletter for FREE
Group Tour Itinerary
Group Tour Contact
Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois
Lindsey Laird
618-465-6676
llaird@riversandroutes.com
riversandroutes.com
