A Route 66 Adventure Through Central Illinois
Last weekend I decided to do something simple that turned into a really fun little adventure—exploring pieces of historic Route 66 through Central Illinois with my golden retriever Murphy on Friday night and then with my road bike on Saturday - and my Nikon camera.
Sometimes the best trips aren’t far away. They’re right in your backyard.
Friday Night: Exploring Dwight and Pontiac
Friday evening Murphy and I headed toward Dwight and Pontiac, Illinois, two towns that hold some really fun pieces of Route 66 history.
Dwight has a charm that instantly transports you back in time. One of my favorite stops was the restored vintage gas station along Route 66. The old red pumps and historic signage make it feel like you’ve stepped into another era of road trips and cross-country travel. I had read about the restaurant Old 66 Family Restaurant and wanted to check it out. I was so impressed with the outside of the building and the inside. I just bought an order of French Fries so I could share it with Murphy. He loved that. I think I will head back another time and actually sit down and eat because I loved the atmosphere inside and I like splurging on a good hamburger and fries every now and then!
Murals, Classic Americana, and Route 66 History
From there we made our way to Pontiac, which is known for its incredible murals and Route 66 nostalgia scattered throughout town. Pontiac has become something of a hidden gem for people who enjoy roadside history, classic Americana, and vibrant public art.
Murphy of course came along for the ride and the photos.
Unfortunately, Pontiac was a little less picturesque than usual because parts of the downtown area were under construction and surrounded by fencing. It made photographing some of the murals a bit more challenging, but even with the construction it was still fun to wander around and hunt for the iconic pieces of Route 66 artwork.
Sometimes the imperfect moments end up being part of the story.
One thing Pontiac does exceptionally well is celebrating Route 66 through art.
Colorful murals cover building walls telling stories of the historic highway, vintage cars, and the communities that grew along the route. Walking around town almost feels like exploring an open-air museum dedicated to the road that once connected Chicago to Los Angeles.
Even with construction fencing in places, there were still plenty of moments worth capturing.
And Murphy seemed pretty happy being part of the adventure.
Biking Historic Route 66: A 33-Mile Ride from Normal to Lexington, Illinois
Saturday morning I switched gears—literally.
I took a 33-mile round-trip bike ride from Normal to Lexington, following stretches of historic Route 66.
There’s something really special about experiencing this old highway by bike. When you’re riding instead of driving, you notice details you might normally pass right by.
Old signs.
Historic buildings.
Little roadside landmarks that quietly hold pieces of history.
Burma Shave signs - I had never heard of that before but they are so funny!
Along the ride I stopped several times to photograph some of the Route 66 tourist attractions and murals I had never really taken the time to notice before.
It’s funny how many interesting things exist right near home that we don’t always appreciate until we slow down enough to look.
Appreciating Central Illinois
Living in Central Illinois, it’s easy to take places like this for granted. But weekends like this remind me that there’s a lot of character, history, and beauty tucked into these small towns.
From vintage gas stations and historic murals to quiet country roads perfect for cycling, Route 66 still carries a sense of adventure—even nearly a century after it was first established.
And sometimes the best way to experience it is simply to grab your camera, bring your dog along, and go explore.
I started in Normal and rode to Lexington Illinois along route 66.
