If you’re looking for a fun stop on a road trip, then add Route 66: Pontiac Illinois to your list. Pontiac is one of the best places to experience Route 66 history in Illinois. They offer murals, museums, vintage cars, outdoor activities, and unique local events.
I visited Pontiac Illinois during Labor Day weekend, and there was so much happening that we easily filled our time exploring the town and attending the annual Threshermen’s Reunion.
Whether you’re planning an Illinois Route 66 road trip or looking for a fun day trip from Chicago, Pontiac Illinois on Route 66 has plenty to see and do.
Make sure to check out my Chicago recommendations!
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Explore Route 66: Pontiac Illinois With a Downtown Mural Walk
One of the first things we did when we arrived in Pontiac was take a mural walk through downtown.
This was such a fun and unique way to explore the area. Pontiac has several murals throughout downtown, including a massive Route 66 mural that makes for a great photo stop.
The murals add so much personality to the downtown area, and walking around gave us a chance to see some of Pontiac’s historic buildings and other Route 66 attractions along the way.
If you enjoy street art, photography, or just exploring small towns, definitely add the mural walk to your Route 66: Pontiac Illinois itinerary.
Eat Barbecue at Bob & Ringo’s
After exploring downtown, we grabbed some delicious barbecue at Bob & Ringo’s.
They serve classic barbecue favorites, but they also have something you’ll want to try while you’re in Illinois: horseshoe sandwiches.
If you’ve never had a horseshoe sandwich before, it’s a Central Illinois specialty that typically features meat and fries covered in cheese sauce.
Route 66 Museum
One of the best things about Pontiac, Illinois is that the museums are free to visit. We started with the Route 66 Museum which offered a look into the historic highway with a variety of artifacts and a beautiful gallery of photography.
The museum is one of the highlights of Route 66: Pontiac Illinois, especially if you want to learn more about the people, places, and history connected to the famous highway.
Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum
Whether you’re a car lover or not, you’ll definitely enjoy seeing the vintage cars at the Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum.
The museum showcases the history of the Pontiac automobile and features a variety of vintage vehicles.
Walk Across Pontiac’s Swinging Bridges
After spending time inside the museums, we headed outside for a nature walk along some of Pontiac’s swinging bridges.
These bridges are a fun way to get outside and see a different side of the town.
They’re also a great option if you want to break up your Route 66 sightseeing with some fresh air and a little bit of walking.
Experience Route 66 History in Pontiac Illinois
During our visit, we were also lucky enough to attend a special screening of the new documentary Route 66: The Main Street of America. After the showing, there was a special Q&A with the director.
Getting to see a documentary about Route 66 while actually traveling along the historic highway made the experience even more memorable.
You can check The Eagle Theater for special showings and performances that might be happening during your visit.
Attend Threshermen’s Reunion
We went to the Threshermen’s Reunion, which was a special event during Labor Day weekend.
Even though I don’t know much about farming, this was really interesting. We saw a variety of tractors from throughout the years and farming demonstrations that I had never seen before.
There was also a blacksmith area and sawmill. The flea market offered some unique finds, and overall there was just a lot to see at this event.
While the Threshermen’s Reunion isn’t specifically a Route 66 attraction, it was one of the highlights of our trip to Route 66: Pontiac Illinois.
Watch the Labor Day Parade in Pontiac Illinois
Of course, we made sure to catch the fun-filled Labor Day parade with a variety of floats and entertainment.
If you’re visiting Route 66: Pontiac Illinois during Labor Day weekend, the parade is a fun way to experience the local community.
Wally's: The Best Gas Station on Route 66 Pontiac Illinois
I never thought I’d become obsessed with a gas station, but I did after visiting Wally’s.
We made multiple stops here for a variety of food from hot sandwiches to beef jerky and cinnamon rolls the size of your face.
Wally’s is the perfect addition to your Route 66: Pontiac Illinois road trip.
Where to Stay in Pontiac Illinois
- Quality Inn – recently remodeled and affordable
- Hampton Inn –offers an indoor pool
- The Hideaway – 2 bedroom rental in Downtown Pontiac
Final Thoughts on Route 66: Pontiac Illinois
Pontiac ended up being such a fun stop on our weekend getaway from Chicago.
From the murals and museums to barbecue, vintage cars, swinging bridges, and the Threshermen’s Reunion, there was so much more to see than I expected.
If you’re planning a road trip or weekend getaway, make sure Route 66: Pontiac Illinois is on your itinerary. It’s a fun, affordable, and unique stop that gives you a chance to experience both the history of Route 66 and a little bit of small-town Illinois.