Illinois Roadside Attractions

Get ready to hit the road! Discover the best Illinois roadside attractions that you won’t want to miss—trust us, they’re more fun than a corn maze (and way easier to get out of). From larger-than-life statues to quirky museums and tasty pit stops, the Land of Lincoln is packed with gems that’ll make you say, “Well, I never saw that coming!”

Planning an Illinois road trip? You’re in the right place! Here at Silly America, we’ve rounded up the wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful roadside attractions in the state. Whether you’re after giant ketchup bottles, big things in a small town, Route 66 classics, or a bite at a diner straight out of a time warp, we’ve got ‘em all. So start browsing below to plan a road trip that’ll make your GPS jealous!

From must-see tourist spots to hidden oddities, this is your one-stop shop for all the best road trip stops in Illinois. Whether you’re hunting down famous landmarks or searching for a giant slice of roadside pie, Silly America has you covered. Buckle up and get ready to explore all the quirky, cool, and downright silly sights Illinois has to offer!

Plan Your Illinois Road Trip

Illinois Roadside Attractions & Road Trip Planning

Ready to hit the open road and explore Illinois in all its roadside glory? Whether you’re wrangling the kids for a family adventure, cruising with friends on a weekend getaway, or going solo in your car, explore more of the best Illinois attractions that are the perfect pit stops to keep the fun rolling. From wacky wonders to iconic sights, they’ll make your travel itinerary as unforgettable as that last tank of gas you didn’t think would last!

Need some road trip inspiration? Explore our articles to find even more tips, tricks, and must-see spots to help plan the ultimate Illinois adventure!

World's Largest Rocking Chair in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction

Search All Illinois Roadside Attractions

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Mahan's Filling Station in Springfield, Illinois Route 66 Roadside Attraction

Mahan’s Filling Station in Springfield, Illinois

Mahan’s Filling Station in Springfield, Illinois is a gas station on the move. While the building has seen many owners, many businesses, and many locations, over the years, it’s been a popular stop for travelers since the early 1900s. This tiny service station was built by Butler Manufacturing and opened in 1917, making it one …

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World's Largest Route 66 Sign at Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill & Museum in Springfield, Illinois

World’s Largest Route 66 Sign in Springfield, Illinois

Looking for a unique Route 66 selfie you’ll find nowhere else on The Mother Road? Stand under the World’s Largest Route 66 Sign in Springfield, Illinois. Find it outside Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill & Museum! Pull into the restaurant’s parking lot and look up, way up, to find a 32-foot-by-32-foot aluminum Route 66 …

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Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill & Museum in Springfield, Illinois

Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill & Museum in Springfield, Illinois

Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill & Museum in Springfield, Illinois is a gathering place for lovers of The Mother Road, car culture, and a good time. Stop in to grab a delicious bite to eat from their curated menu of American favorites, drink an ice-cold drink from the bar, listen to live music, or …

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Legends Neon Park at Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois

Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois

Experience the lights, sites, history, and energy of Illinois Route 66 in one convenient stroll. The Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois takes you through a Mother Road crash course with neon signs, photography exhibits, replicas, and more. The Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds takes visitors on …

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3D Route 66 Shield Sculpture in Gardner, Illinois

3D Route 66 Shield Sculpture in Gardner, Illinois

Looking for some of the best selfie spots on Route 66? Look no further than the 3D Route 66 Shield Sculptures that have been cropping along the first 100 miles of The Mother Road. Stop at one or all of them for unique selfies, and be sure to pull over for this particular photo op …

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3D Route 66 Shield Sculpture in Dwight, Illinois

3D Route 66 Shield Sculpture in Dwight, Illinois

Get your pics on Route 66 at one of the 3D Route 66 Shield Sculptures that have popped up along the first 100 miles of The Mother Road. Stop at one or all of them for unique selfies, and be sure to pull over for this particular photo op at Ambler’s Texaco Gas Station in …

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Cow in the Corn Sculpture in Lincoln, Illinois Route 66 Roadside Attraction

Cow in the Corn Sculpture in Lincoln, Illinois

If you’re traveling Route 66 be sure to MOO-ve over and stop at this roadside attraction: the Cow in the Corn Sculpture in Lincoln, Illinois. This abstract sculpture was created by local Lincoln artist Moses Pinkerton and was built at the Hoffman School of Sculpture. It was erected in 2014. The 22-foot by 25-foot piece …

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Photos of the Cow on a Restaurant Roof in Brookfield, Illinois Roadside Attraction

Cow on a Restaurant Roof in Brookfield, Illinois

Growing up in Brookfield, Illinois there was one roadside attraction that anyone around would recognize: the fiberglass cow on a restaurant roof that served as a guidepoint and landmark for everyone in town. I grew up just a short distance from this cow and it was always a big part of my life, and was …

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Cigars & Stripes Muffler Man in Berwyn, Illinois Route 66 Roadside Attraction

Cigars & Stripes Muffler Man in Berwyn, Illinois

Muffler men roadside attractions were built to hold a variety of objects: American flags, mufflers, even hot dogs. This one was built to hold a cigar. And a chicken wing. And a bottle of hot sauce. Find the over-the-top Cigars & Stripes Muffler Man in Berwyn, Illinois watching over Route 66 from the top of …

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Mini Spindle Replica in Berwyn, Illinois Roadside Attraction

Mini Spindle Replica in Berwyn, Illinois

When anyone ever asks me what sparked my love of roadside attractions, I always say this: The Spindle. The crusty cars on a spike in a Berwyn shopping complex were a huge part of my childhood and sparked my curiosity for what other big weird things are out there. So much so that I still …

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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

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

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.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.