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 in Gardner, Illinois.
In anticipation of the Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026, many communities along the Main Street of America are coming together to add new attractions along the route. In Illinois, these 3D Route 66 Shield Sculptures can now be found in several such communities.
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.
The metal sculptures each feature an open Route 66 shield embellished with the appropriate town’s name next to a 5-foot tall “66.” The interactive sculptures are designed so you can crawl inside or pose behind or next to the various elements for fun road trip souvenir photos.
The 3D Route 66 Shield Sculptures were erected as part of an initiative by The Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) from a $1.5 million grant under the Route 66 Grant Program administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Office of Tourism.
Other projects spearheaded under the grant include a new Route 66 Welcome Center, EV parking lots, new museum exhibits, and a state-wide marketing effort.
This selfie station can be found in front of the Old National Bank in Gardner, Illinois. But you can also find others in:
- Bolingbrook: 641 E. Boughton Rd.
- Burr Ridge: 15W400 Harvester Drive
- Crest Hill: 20600 City Center Blvd.
- Dwight: West Waupansie Street
- Joliet: 204 N. Ottawa St.
- Lockport: 1327 S. State St.
- Pontiac: 112 W. Madison St.
- Romeoville: 55 Phelps Ave.
Photos of the 3D Route 66 Shield Sculpture in Gardner, Illinois
