Several eateries along Route 66 will receive $50,000 each from the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program. The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced the 50 recipients on Monday. Among the Route 66 restaurants are: Rock Cafe, Stroud, Oklahoma (since 1939) Ike's Chili, Tulsa (since 1908) The Barn - Route 66, Newberry Springs, California (since … Continue reading Rock Cafe, Ike’s Chili among recipients of Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants
Tag: Chicago
Popular social influencer tries iconic restaurants along Route 66
Dylan Huynh, who has amassed quite a following on several social media accounts, recently traveled Route 66 with his pal Jim to try several iconic restaurants along Route 66. Huynh boasts well over 700,000 subscribers on YouTube, 91,000 on Instagram and 135,000 on X. So it's safe to say his travels expose a lot of … Continue reading Popular social influencer tries iconic restaurants along Route 66
Union Station in Chicago marking its 100th year
The landmark Union Station in downtown Chicago is marking its 100th birthday this month. According to a veteran reporter at the Chicago Tribune, the massive train station opened to the public in May 1925. Union Station is sandwiched between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard, which are eastbound and westbound Route 66, respectively. The newspaper explained … Continue reading Union Station in Chicago marking its 100th year
The Drive Home VII will travel all of Route 66 in January
A cross-country trip sponsored by America's Automotive Trust, Detroit Auto Show and National Route 66 Centennial Commission apparently will be the first significant event of the highway's centennial in 2026. The three entities recently announced "The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure," which they dubbed as "a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country drive celebrating … Continue reading The Drive Home VII will travel all of Route 66 in January
Nine new grants announced through Route 66 Black Experiences Program
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced nine projects through the Route 66 Black Experiences Grants program that were awarded $5,000 each. The 2024 recipients and the cities where they are based are: Choctaw Freedman Citizenship Footprints Inc. in Oklahoma City Black Business Alliance in Bloomington, Illinois Threatt Filling Station Foundation in Luther, Oklahoma Jack … Continue reading Nine new grants announced through Route 66 Black Experiences Program
New markers erected on Route 66 in Chicago
Choose Chicago, the city's tourism department, recently placed new Route 66 signs to celebrate the highway's upcoming centennial. According to WGN-TV in Chicago, the signs were placed near the Art Institute of Chicago, plus at 1969 W. Ogden Ave., 3100 W. Ogden Ave. and 3801 W. Ogden Ave. Ogden is a main alignment of Route … Continue reading New markers erected on Route 66 in Chicago
Cloud Gate, aka The Bean, in Chicago reopens to the public after months of construction
The "Cloud Gate" sculpture, better known as "The Bean," reopened to the public Sunday after being off-limits due to construction at Grainger Plaza in Chicago. The ABC-TV affiliate in Chicago reported the construction barricades were removed that day after the artwork was closed in August. Upgrades include new stairs, accessible ramps, paver replacement, a waterproofing … Continue reading Cloud Gate, aka The Bean, in Chicago reopens to the public after months of construction
Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity this week announced seven awards, totaling $3.3 million, through the Route 66 Grant Program. This funding is intended to boost local tourism and attract visitors to Route 66, leading up to the 100th anniversary of the highway in 2026, according to a … Continue reading Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66
Four of the 16 “Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America” are found on Route 66
Recently, Eat This, Not That! compiled a list of the "16 Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America." In what shouldn't be a surprise, four of them are on old Route 66. Without further ado, here are the website's four diners with extensive ties to the Mother Road: Lou Mitchell's, Chicago Clanton's Cafe, Vinita, Oklahoma Mr. … Continue reading Four of the 16 “Most Iconic Old-Fashioned Diners in America” are found on Route 66
Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants
The governor of Illinois and the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced last week it would give 58 awards totaling $6.6 million through the Route 66 and Tourism Marketing Grant Programs to boost Route 66 tourism. The Route 66 grant program is awarding $3.7 million to seven recipients for the development of tourism, … Continue reading Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants