Get your kicks here in Illinois

New Route 66 itineraries make it easy to plan a trip

Take your own Route 66 road trip through Illinois, where 436 miles of America's Main Street stretch from Chicago's lakefront to St. Louis.

"Most of the road is still driveable in Illinois," said Patty Ambrose, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway in Springfield.

Much of Route 66 is a frontage road running parallel to Interstate 55. Historic Route 66 signs are peppered along the former U.S. highway as it slices through nearly 70 Illinois towns, including the state capital.

Ambrose's nonprofit group has put together a slew of Illinois Route 66 itineraries based on major areas of interest, including car culture, food, architecture, family travel and nature.

"We hope to do one in the next year on the Prohibition Era and gangsters," she said.

Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway recently overhauled its Web site -- illinoisroute66.org -- which is full of resources, such as maps, historical information and points of interest. You can order a free 2009 visitors guide by calling (866) 378-7866.

Here are just a few Route 66 highlights:

•   Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower: This 170-foot water tower doubles as the World's Largest Catsup Bottle. It's even on the National Register of Historic Places. At 800 Morrison Ave., Collinsville.

•   Cozy Dog Drive-In: The Waldmire family has been cranking out its famous "hot dog on a stick" (a k a corn dog) since 1946. Fill up on the diner's Route 66 memorabilia, too. At 2935 S. Sixth St., Springfield, (217) 525-1992.

•   Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum: This onetime firehouse is devoted to the people and places that made up the fabric of Illinois Route 66. At 110 W. Howard St., Pontiac, (815) 844-4566.