Smiley Face Water Tower in Atlanta, Illinois

Smiley Face Water Tower in Atlanta, Illinois

Here’s a quick photo that will surely make you smile: this is the smiley face water tower in Atlanta, Illinois! This water tower must be really happy to live in this midwestern town! But, I mean, with its prominent place on Route 66, who wouldn’t be! This smiley water tower is located on Route 66 …

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Sapp Bros. Coffee Pot Sign in Peru, Illinois

Sapp Bros Big Coffee Pot Sign in Peru, Illinois

I had read online that this Sapp Bros big coffee pot sign in Peru, Illinois was the world’s largest coffee pot… I seriously doubt that claim. But while it may not be the biggest coffee pot of the world…or even really a coffee pot at all…this Illinois roadside attraction was still a pretty awesome road …

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Giant Rooster in a top hat roadside attraction is a ten-foot tall statue that stands outside of Carl's Bakery in East Peoria, Illinois.

Giant Rooster in a Top Hat in East Peoria, Illinois (Carl’s Bakery)

Cock-a-doodle-doo! This Giant Rooster in a top hat roadside attraction is a ten-foot tall statue that stands outside of Carl’s Bakery & Restaurant in East Peoria, Illinois. Carl’s Bakery is a local mainstay with a barn-style theme that draws crowds for it’s fresh donuts and pastries (though they are open minimal hours). While the top …

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Abraham Lincoln's Lucky Nose in Springfield, Illinois

Abraham Lincoln’s Lucky Nose in Springfield, Illinois

Happy President’s Day Silly Americans! In honor of President’s Day I bring you one of the more somber of our roadside attractions: Abraham Lincoln’s Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. Now, I know you may be thinking, “what’s so silly about a tomb?” Well…in front of the beautifully designed granite grave is a …

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Abraham Lincoln The Railsplitter Statue in Springfield, Illinois

Abraham Lincoln The Railsplitter Statue in Springfield, Illinois

Continuing on our tour of Abraham Lincoln-inspired roadside attractions, I now bring you a roadside attraction that portrays Honest Abe if he had been a hippie. OK, not really, but I at least think he looks kind of like a hippie here with the Abraham Lincoln The Railsplitter Statue in Springfield, Illinois. Don’t you agree? …

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World's Tallest Abraham Lincoln Statue in Ashmore, Illinois

World’s Tallest Abraham Lincoln Statue in Ashmore, Illinois

Happy February Silly Americans! As you all know, the month of February gives us all an opportunity to take a moment to honor a certain someone special in the form of a holiday. Yes, I am of course talking about President’s Day. Each year the third Monday in February is set aside for you to …

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The Spindle - Car Kabob - in Berwyn, Illinois

Chicago Road Trip: Roadside Attractions in Chicago

This summer I took a road trip around “Illinois” (believe me, you’ll hear all about it in the coming months). If you are from around here you know that “Illinois” and “Chicago” are two very different things so last weekend my friend Emily and I decided to take a Chicago road trip to find all …

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Welcome to my America.

I never called the circular road in my home town of Brookfield, Illinois a roundabout until well after the internet was popularized and MapQuest defined it as such. The roundabout was always called “eight-corners” or “the circle” (although, technically “Veteran’s Memorial Circle“). As a child I always thought that it was unique and different, and …

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The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.