Cruise Down Route 66 With New Will County-Created Guide to 'Main Street of America'

WILL COUNTY, IL - Summer may be in full swing, but it's not too late to plan a road trip — especially with a little help from a locally produced guide that navigates the Illinois portions of historic Route 66.

The pocket guide, "America's Mother Road" was created thanks to a partnership among reps from Will County and the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). It offers a detailed listing of restaurants and other iconic sights along the first interstate roadway in the United States.

Also known as Main Street of America, Route 66 was established in 1926 and runs from Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, ending in Santa Monica, California. The 2,448 mile highway served as a major path for people moving to the West. The new pocket guide highlights local points of interest along this route.

“We are proud Route 66 runs right through Will County,” Will County Executive Larry Walsh said. “We are also proud of the work Bob Navarro and the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau does to promote this historic asset and Will County.”

Navarro, President and CEO of the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the guide highlights unique points of interest such as the Joliet Area Historical Museum and the Old Route 66 Family Restaurant in Dwight. He said this new pocket guide offers great suggestions for a trip along the Mother Road.

“The new Route 66 Pocket Guides provide a great resource to those traveling the route from Countryside to Pontiac – highlighting shopping, dining, and attractions along the way,” Navarro said. “Whether this is your first time or 50th time traveling the route, we know this Pocket Guide will provide new places to generate travel memories.

“The Heritage Corridor CVB is thrilled to partner with Will County and other local entities in the Pocket Guide to share this resource with visitors.”

There are three ways to get your free Route 66 Pocket Guide: visit www.jolietkicks.com and order one, stop by the County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet, or the Joliet Area Historical Museum. Start your Route 66 memories today.

Image via the National Historic Route 66 Federation