The Ariston Cafe was founded by Pete Adam, a Greek immigrant, in Carlinville, Illinois in 1924. The original cafe was located on Route 4, the predecessor of Historic Route 66. In 1929, the Cafe was relocated to Litchfield, Illinois and moved into its present location on Route 66 in 1935.

We believe the Ariston Cafe to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest restaurant on Route 66. In 1992, The Ariston Cafe and the Adam family were inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame. Since 1966, Pete’s son Nick and Nick’s wife, Demi, have continued to offer the traditional service expected of a family-owned and operated restaurant. Paul, eldest son of Demi and Nick, and his wife, Joy, joined the family business in 2004. All involved in bringing great food and service to your table welcome you to Litchfield and invite you to share our history with us.

A statue in front of the convent of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ honors the five sisters martyred in Liberia, West Africa in 1992. The martyrs are buried in the convent cemetery.

The monument is a tribute to Swiss poet Heinrich Bosshard, who wrote Semparcherlied here in the 1850’s.

Peruse Breese’s history in photographs, memorials and on the granite pyramid in this neighborhood park. Benches and seasonal plants make this a quiet spot for rest and reflection.

The legendary entertainer, Burl Ives, is buried in Mound Cemetery in Newton, near where he was born. A beautifully carved granite monument is erected to mark his grave. Ives will always be remembered for voicing Sam the Snowman.

The 65 bell instrument rings out three times a week and for special events. The park also features a museum and tours of the 165 ft. tower.

Visit an exact replica of a Civil War Fort complete with a jail, one room home, livery and log cabins. Be sure to see the display of area churches and other buildings all done in miniature. The churches have as many as 10,000 bricks and tiny stained glass windows. By appointment.

This honors generations of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country.

Joseph Koch, who along with eight other local miners died in a mine explosion in 1947, is depicted here.

The Historic National Road follows Old Hwy. 40 across the state. As it goes through Greenup, the road crosses the Embarras River. In 2000, the one-lane bridge was rebuilt to look old, but don’t be fooled – it has no weight restrictions and can handle a fully loaded semi!

Tours are offered of the Ski and Craft Beer bottling plant. Never heard of Ski? You have a treat in store. This is a great opportunity to see how these favorite drinks are actually made.

The mural is located in the Post Office lobby, and was painted by American Artist Dorothea Mierisch. It commemorates the first official airmail flight that took place in McLeansboro September 26, 1912.

This cemetery was created when graves were moved from Kaskaskia Island to Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site in the 1890s after a flood. According to one account 3,000 boxes were moved, some containing entire families.

The world’s second tallest fountain is across from the Gateway Arch on the Mississippi riverfront. The 40 foot high Mississippi River Overlook platform provides a scenic view of the Geyser, the Mississippi River, and the Gateway Arch and skyline.

Built in 1859, the bridge is named in honor of William F. Dean, a Korean War hero.

Notably, this is the burial site of the first Governor of Illinois and of U.S. Senator Elias Kent Kane, Illinois’ first Secretary of State and architect of the state constitution.

Harmony Park is a series of outdoor musical instruments, such as chimes and drums, that are each designed to make notes in harmony with each other when played. Harmony Park can be used by boys and girls, children and adults, and is accessible to those who may have disabilities. Harmony Park gives people of all ages the opportunity to work together to create something

Serving bakery items and a full menu including sandwiches, soups, burgers and more.

Legend has it this is the site of the ‘headless horseman”, a haunting from the late 1820s when Joel Leaky was decapitated by an evil son-in-law.

Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas both spoke here during their historic U.S. Senate race in 1858. The site, once a grove of trees, is marked with a stone plaque.

On a large natural stone in the Park, you can see the trail reported to have been used by Abraham Lincoln and others as they traveled between Vandalia and Springfield, IL in the early 1800s. The Lincoln Trail is on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Locks 26 and 27 are the largest locks in the inland waterway system. Lock 26 in Alton has a visitor’s center with river displays. Lock 27 located in Granite City is the only lock on the 8.4 mile, man made canal and is the most southerly located.

Ten storyboards depicting Abraham Lincoln’s early years as a legislator are installed around Vandalia. Find out about his early romance with Mary Owens, his first protest against slavery and many other little-known historical facts.

Built in 1854 as part of a planked toll road between Bremen and Chester, the covered bridge has been restored.

There are 200 beautifully landscaped acres of gardens, devotional areas, an Outdoor Amphitheatre, the Shrine Church, the Lourdes Grotto, Stations of the Cross, the Millennium Spire, Visitors Center with a restaurant & gift shop and the Shrine Hotel.

Niehaus Cycle Sales has been a family run business for over 46 years. Our friendly, knowledgeable sales and service staff and convenient location have helped us maintain a reputation as one of the area’s premier power sports dealers. Our extensive selection of clothing and accessories from top quality manufacturers, ensures that you’ll look as good as you feel when you ride.

Visit the beautiful 15 pillar star-shaped monument. Lovely during the day and especially moving when illuminated at night.

This bridge is one of the world’s longest pedestrian/bicycle bridges and offers commanding views of the Mississippi River and a great perch for American Eagle watching. Years ago the bridge became very popular as the Route 66 bridge with a 45 degree right curve in the middle. The Bridge is the site of Eagle Days in January and other events.

Take a self-guided tour anytime through the unusual artwork made from “found” objects. Don’t miss the giant ladybug, crashed airplane, bumper crop of bumpers and much more!

This covered bridge holds a festival every year that draws thousands of visitors.

This tiny treasure stands on stilts and offers respite for weary travelers.

See the workhorse of the Air Mobility Command, the C-141 Starlifter, and the KC-135 Stratotanker. Additionally, the C-9 Nightingale, C-130 Hercules, C-140 Jetstar and a C-21 Lear Jet are on display. Scott AFB is one of the oldest, continuous-service Air Force installations in the country.

An actual 35.25 ft. long steel column, weighing 7,100 lbs. from one of the fallen World Trade Center towers is a signature feature of the memorial. A timeline tells of the events of 9/11 including the Twin Towers, Pentagon and Flight 93.

In an area once known as Calvert Hallow, this bridge was built by Army engineers over a century ago as part of the National Road. Each stone was shaped by hand and no mortar or concrete was used. The stones were clamped together with keys to prevent slipping.

This impressive, black granite piece located on the grounds of Vandalia’s Tourist Information Center is a tribute to prairie farmers.

Built in 1906 for the Big Four Railroad, the bridge is now a one lane toll bridge ($1). Turn on your headlights to alert oncoming traffic that you’re headed across. Don’t worry if the wooden planks clatter a little, because the view of the Wabash River through the steel framework is totally worth the drive.

The discovery of white squirrels in the Olney area more than 100 years ago spawned local legends and continuing interest. The albino population has flourished with the aid of vigilant individuals and organizations. Search for them in area parks. Be careful, though, they are nurtured and protected by the residents, businesses and city fathers.

‘Strategically placed’ at the Casey Country Club, this wooden golf tee measures more than 30 feet from the ground to the top, with a head diameter of 6.26 feet and a shaft diameter of 2.1 feet. Constructed of yellow pine boards, it is held together by 60 gallons of glue and 120 pounds of screws. The total structure weighs 6,659 pounds.

This horseshoe is 1,144.2 lbs. of solid cast iron. It measures 5’1 1/4″ high by 5′ 8″ wide by 4′ 5/8″ thick. It was featured in a Fruit of the Loom “Lucky Looms” online advertising campaign. It held the Guinness Book of World Records title from June 21, 2013 until September 8, 2015.

The Yarn Studio showcases these big crafting tools made of solid white pine. The knitting needles weigh 50 pounds together and are more than 13 feet high. The crochet hook weights 9 pounds and is 6 feet, 1 1/2 inches tall.

Mail Call! This giant mailbox stands more than 32 feet tall and could hold more than 5,000 cubic feet of mail. Visitors can climb the steps into it and deposit actual mail causing the large red flag to raise.

An impressive 32 ft., 6 in. long, this pencil is built from recycled material and is one of the several “World’s Largest” creations that line the streets of downtown Casey.

Standing 56′ 6″ tall, and 38′ from rocker end to end, is a 46,200 pound rocking chair made from Western Red Cedar, with 20″ and 7″ pipes forming a steel skeleton on the wood base. It is located directly across the street from the World’s Largest Wind Chime.

The beautifully landscaped steel wind chime, in downtown Casey, IL., measures 55 feet in height. The four steel pipe chimes vary in length, each creating its own unique sound. Visitors are welcome to chime the chimes, except on days of inclement weather.

In the 2017 Guinness Book, the World’s Largest Wooden Clogs have been added. They began as a chain saw carving by artist Jim Bolin, and evolved into this pair of shiny, wooden shoes after several people helped finish them. They are on display at Casey’s Candy Depot in Casey, IL.

The World’s Largest Golf Tee was constructed out of various widths of yellow pine wood, 60 gallons of glue and 120 lb of screws. The 6659 lb project took six months to complete. Future plans for the Golf Tee are to add an 18 foot diameter golf ball to the top of the Golf Tee and allow golfers to tee off from the inside.

‘Strategically placed’ at the Casey Country Club, this wooden golf tee measures more than 30 feet from the ground to the top, with a head diameter of 6.26 feet and a shaft diameter of 2.1 feet. Constructed of yellow pine boards, it is held together by 60 gallons of glue and 120 pounds of screws. The total structure weighs 6,659 pounds.

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Standing 56′ 6″ tall, and 38′ from rocker end to end, is a 46,200 pound rocking chair made from Western Red Cedar, with 20″ and 7″ pipes forming a steel skeleton on the wood base. It is located directly across the street from the World’s Largest Wind Chime.

The beautifully landscaped steel wind chime, in downtown Casey, IL., measures 55 feet in height. The four steel pipe chimes vary in length, each creating its own unique sound. Visitors are welcome to chime the chimes, except on days of inclement weather.

The Yarn Studio showcases these big crafting tools made of solid white pine. The knitting needles weigh 50 pounds together and are more than 13 feet high. The crochet hook weights 9 pounds and is 6 feet, 1 1/2 inches tall.

Eighteen-Ninety Sleepover is a locally owned boutique hotel located in downtown Casey, Illinois.

While the spacious rooms show many characteristics of the 1890s, they are also equipped with several modern amenities.

An impressive 32 ft., 6 in. long, this pencil is built from recycled material and is one of the several “World’s Largest” creations that line the streets of downtown Casey.

Mail Call! This giant mailbox stands more than 32 feet tall and could hold more than 5,000 cubic feet of mail. Visitors can climb the steps into it and deposit actual mail causing the large red flag to raise.

Casey’s Candy Depot will offer bulk candy, gourmet chocolates, Jelly Belly, taffy, fudge, and popcorn. It is also Home of the World’s Largest Wooden Shoes.

In the 2017 Guinness Book, the World’s Largest Wooden Clogs have been added. They began as a chain saw carving by artist Jim Bolin, and evolved into this pair of shiny, wooden shoes after several people helped finish them. They are on display at Casey’s Candy Depot in Casey, IL.

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In 2010, the IASA selected Casey as the permanent home for its Hall of Fame. The museum became a part of the current Casey Softball Hall of Honor. It is home to years of local, state, and Casey-Westfield Lady Warrior’s softball and baseball memorabilia. Open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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This open-air venue hosts a variety of musical performances and family-friendly events throughout the year.

Representative of the brick construction of one-room schools in the 1880s, this restored building is typical of the era and the education available at that time. It is located on a spur of the National Road. Open limited Days and Appointment Only.

This horseshoe is 1,144.2 lbs. of solid cast iron. It measures 5’1 1/4″ high by 5′ 8″ wide by 4′ 5/8″ thick. It was featured in a Fruit of the Loom “Lucky Looms” online advertising campaign. It held the Guinness Book of World Records title from June 21, 2013 until September 8, 2015.

Seasonal specialties include apples (fall) and peaches (summer), but there’s a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and other goodies available. Bring the family for the fall corn maze, pumpkins, mums and even a petting zoo.

220 acres of riding are open daily with an MX track, Thompson Motorsports Practice track, 592 Pee Wee Track, GP track and plenty of trails.

We are a shop of unique home décor, vintage, gourmet & more.

The Historic National Road follows Old Hwy. 40 across the state. As it goes through Greenup, the road crosses the Embarras River. In 2000, the one-lane bridge was rebuilt to look old, but don’t be fooled – it has no weight restrictions and can handle a fully loaded semi!

One of the oldest homes in St. Francisville was restored in 1983.

The Carnegie Library has cleverly converted bookshelves into displays of medals, photos, weapons and other memorabilia. Mannequins are outfitted in soldiers’ uniforms from as far back as the Civil War. Open by appointment.

Find exhibits related to the National Road, Abraham Lincoln, county founders and favorite sons, Jerry & Dick VanDyke. There’s also a tribute to veterans in the War Room. Wed. – Sat. 11am – 3:30pm.

Who doesn’t love trains? Static displays, trains running through model layouts and even a train circling the room inches from the ceiling will grab your attention. Thurs. – Sun. 11:30am – 4pm

Located just off the National Road near the Covered Bridge, the winery is surrounded by 4,000 French-American hybrid grapevines. The comfortable tasting room welcomes guests to settle in for a while.

On the Lincoln Heritage Trail Road, the 2,600 acres of land, with 811 acres of water, provides camping, cabins, trails, boating, fishing and biking.

Guided tours for white tail deer, quail, pheasant and chucker (in season) are available or hunt or fish on your own. Cabins sleep 4 – 6 people and the banquet hall can accommodate up to 160. The facility is open year round; reservations are required.

Enjoy recreational activities such as boating, camping, fishing, hiking and winter sports at this 1,023-acre park.