Route 66

This weekend's offerings include two ways to beat the heat and a 10k run on the Mother Road.

Atlanta, Illinois is ramping up tourism efforts, anticipating an influx of travelers for the Route 66 centennial. Visitors to the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator can now view a decommissioned mine shaft on the grounds. The Atlanta Coal Mining Company Museum tells the story of Atlanta's 40 years of failed attempts at sourcing its own black gold. A nearby American Giants Museum is scheduled to open in July.

The Normal Town Council on Monday approved final plans for a giant Route 66 sign, spelling out the town’s name at One Normal Plaza.

The grant is part of 58 awards totaling $6.6 million through the Route 66 ($3.7 million) and Tourism Marketing Grant Programs ($2.9 million) to boost local tourism efforts and attract visitors to drive along the historic highway.

The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program will grant McLean County $2.7 million to extend the Route 66 hiking-and-biking trail from near Funks Grove to the village of McLean. The state also is giving Heyworth $1.2 million to build a trail along U.S. Route 136 from Centennial Park to east of U.S. 51.

Bloomington-Normal has joined the lineup of destinations for the annual Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor.

Projects along Illinois’ portion of historic Route 66 are receiving a collective $4 million in state money to spur tourism and bolster electric vehicle infrastructure.

Over the years, conservative members of the Normal Town Council and McLean County Board often have resisted bicycle trail extensions presented for…

Route 66 advocates from across the Midwest will gather in Normal this weekend looking for ways to help the historic highway bring more tourism to their…

Cultural historian Candacy Taylor traveled Route 66 to document her findings on businesses and history for her second book. But once she got deeper into…