DESTINATIONS ILLINOIS | THE US


3 FOLLOW THE HISTORIC BRICK ROAD


For a real step back in time, get your Route 66 kicks on a drive over an original stretch of the iconic highway. A 1.4-mile section of the historic hand-laid brick road, completed in 1931 and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been restored and placed over a concrete roadbed near Auburn, a town about three hours’ drive from Chicago. Winding through corn fields and with plenty of places to stop, it’s a great spot for a photo opportunity and to reflect on what it must have been like to bump along the road in the cars of the time.


BIG SIGHTS


You’ll need to crane your neck to take in some of the most unusual and interesting sights in Illinois. The recently reopened Launching Pad Restaurant on Route 66 at Wilmington is famous for its Gemini Giant, a 28ft spaceman (pictured) standing outside. At Collinsville, the 170ft Brooks Catsup Bottle is the world’s largest water tower, built to supply the namesake ketchup manufacturer. This architectural novelty was built in 1949 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. And in Alton, you can stand beside a life-sized statue of Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest-ever man, who was born in the town in 1918 and grew to be 8ft 11in tall.


4


marvel at MURALS


Stop off in Pontiac where 23 huge outdoor murals depict the town’s history. The majority were created by the Walldogs, a group of painters who visited the town in 2009. Most of them can be seen from your car, although you’ll get a better close-up view by following the red footprint walking trail. On Saturdays in summer, the Pontiac Jolly Trolley provides hop-on hop-off tours of the murals on Main Street. The largest depicts the classic Route 66 sign and is great for a photo. On a smaller scale, look out for 15 cute miniature ’57 Chevys and pick-up trucks dotted around the downtown area, which have been decorated by local artists. visitpontiac.org


² travelweekly.co.uk 1 OCTOBER 2020 35


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