Are you ready for a Route 66 Weekend Getaway to Litchfield, IL? Litchfield owes it’s initial success to the railroad Then oil and gas were discovered, and coal mines opened. Suffice it to say that Litchfield had significant opportunity to remain a prosperous town. Let’s be happy it did, because it’s a great little getaway for us Midwesterners.
Trip Introduction
With it’s Route 66 attractions and drive-in theater, Litchfield offers some great old-fashioned fun. Outdoor lovers will appreciate the hiking, camping and swimming opportunities.
Recommended Trip Length: 2-3 days
Distance from Chicago: 4 Hours
Travel “Flavors”: Route 66, Family Fun, and the Outdoors
Itinerary Suggestions for A Route 66 Weekend Getaway
Stops on Route 66
Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center – check out exhibits on Litchfield and the town’s role in Route 66. And it’s FREE (donations are requested)!
Henry’s Rabbit Ranch, Staunton- Henry took a trip on Rt 66 in 1993 and came back with a desire to create a new attraction on “the mother road.” You’ll find historic vehicles, Rt 66 memorabilia, and…you guessed it, rabbits.
Shrine of Our Lady of the Highways, Raymond – See the beautiful marble statue that watches over the highways.
The Artison Cafe – This historic restaurant has been serving Route 66 travelers since 1924. They offer a range of options including soups, salads, and sandwhiches.
Jubelt’s Bakery – Another historic (since 1922) Route 66 establishment, make sure you stop by this bakery and cafe.
Soulsby Service Station – Stop by the restored Soulsby Service Station to see an example of a Route 66 service station from the 1920s.
Antiques and Flea Markets
Pink Elephant Antique Mall, Livingston- They have over 50 booths in an old high school, so you can be assured that you’ll find an eclectic mix of antiques and vintage items.
Litchfield Pickers Market – Specializing in all items prior to 1980, this market is held on the second Sunday of the month, from May to October. They have food booths and often have live music.
Museum
Mother Jones Museum, Mt Olive – Visit this museum to learn more about the labor activist, Mother Jones.
Historic Site
Mother Jones Monument / Union Miners Cemetery – Union Miners Cemetery is the final resting place of the famous female labor activist, Mother Jones. To get a full perspective of Mother Jones’ contributions to the area, take a self-guided tour available through the Mother Jones museum.
Nature and the Outdoors
Shoal Creek Conservation Area – Located on the shores of Lake Lou Yager, this 266 nature conservation area offers hiking trails and plentiful wildlife watching opportunities.
Country Bend Campground – With over 100 campsites and 13 cabins, Country Bend Campground can be your base for exploring the area. After a fun day, relax in their pool, go fishing, and a lot of planned activities.
Arches Rail Trail – this 3 mile trail is named after the double arch bridges that were created for the railroad.
Swimming
Milnot Beach – Lake Lou Yager offers opportunities for water based recreation, including swimming. Milnot Beach has a large sand area, several inflatable play structures, a toddler slide and rope swing.
Winery
The Winery at Shale Lake, Staunton – Stop in and enjoy a full-selection of wine made in their winery. You can also purchase food and eat in their heated wine garden. If you don’t want to leave, they have cabins and cottages to rent. Some of the cabins and cottages are even pet-friendly!
Movies
Skyview Drive-In – Have some classic, old-fashioned fun at the local drive-in!
Westside Cinema – if you prefer to see movies indoors, you also have the option of Westside Cinema.
Coffee
Coffee Xpresso – When you need your morning caffeine kick, stop by this local independent coffee shop.
Travel Accessory
I’m a huge fan of the product and gift lists you see floating around the internet because I usually find some new-to-me product for myself, a friend or family member. I’d like to offer you the same inspiration by highlighting a travel accessory in each post.
This section contains an affiliate link. If you use this link to buy something I may earn a commission.
Since this could easily be made a dog-friendly destination, I thought it fitting to highlight a pet product. I was recently looking for an all natural tick repellent for my dog and found this one. So far, I’ve only used it a few times, but it has greatly reduced the amount of ticks she picks up.
Final Thoughts
Those are just the highlights that stood out to me. For more information, check out the Visit Litchfield site. If you use my trip suggestions or if you’ve visited any of these locations in the past, please provide your reviews in the comments. Did I miss something? Please add other itinerary suggestions in the comments, especially if they are off the beaten path. Happy vacationing!