Day 6 takes you through Illinois and into Iowa, blending classic Lincoln Highway landmarks with pop culture stops, windmills, and even a tribute to Route 66. This stretch is packed with small-town charm, historic architecture, and quirky roadside attractions.
Morning
Jitters Coffee House
📍 178 N Chicago St, Joliet, IL 60432
Start the day with a coffee in this cozy local café before heading west.
Route 66 Crossing the Lincoln Highway
📍 Joliet, IL
A unique stop where two of America’s most famous highways intersect.
Route 66 & Lincoln Highway Alignment in Plainfield
📍 Plainfield, IL
A rare location where the Lincoln Highway and Route 66 briefly followed the same path.
Aurora Lincoln Highway Shelter (Restored Camping Shelter)
📍 Aurora, IL
A restored example of the original Lincoln Highway camping shelters that once dotted the route.
Wayne’s World Car – Hollywood Casino
📍 1 W New York St Bridge, Aurora, IL 60506
A fun stop for movie buffs—the famous car from Wayne’s World is on display here. Party on, Wayne!
Midday
Batavia Riverwalk & Windmills
📍 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia, IL
Batavia was once home to six windmill factories, and today you can see many historic windmills along the scenic riverwalk.
Geneva Lincoln Highway Headquarters Museum
📍 Geneva, IL
A small museum dedicated to the Lincoln Highway’s history in Illinois.
Geneva Dutch Windmill
📍 Crissey Ave., Geneva, IL
A well-preserved Dutch windmill that highlights the area’s European heritage.
DeKalb Egyptian Theatre
📍 135 N 2nd St, DeKalb, IL
A stunning historic theater built in an Egyptian Revival style, a unique architectural gem.
Malta – First Seedling Mile
📍 21193 Malta Road, Malta, IL 60150
A historic section of the Lincoln Highway, part of the first paved mile that set the standard for future road construction.
Old School Pizza
📍 Malta, IL
A pizza place packed with nostalgic pop culture decor, including Mighty Mouse memorabilia.
Malta Mural
📍 127 North 3rd Street, Malta, IL
A colorful tribute to the Lincoln Highway and local history.
Afternoon
Rochelle Railroad Park
📍 124 N 9th St, Rochelle, IL 61068
A must-stop for train enthusiasts—this park is a prime location to watch freight trains pass through.
Franklin Grove Lincoln Highway Headquarters
📍 136 N Elm St, Franklin Grove, IL 61031
The national headquarters for the Lincoln Highway Association, packed with history and memorabilia.
Dixon Arch Spanning Lincoln Highway
📍 Dixon, IL
A classic overhead arch welcoming travelers to Dixon along the Lincoln Highway.
Lincoln in Uniform Statue
📍 Lincoln Statue Dr., Dixon, IL
A unique statue depicting Abraham Lincoln in his early military uniform.
Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home
📍 816 S. Hennepin Ave., Dixon, IL
Visit the childhood home of President Ronald Reagan, which has been preserved as a historical site.
Wings of Peace and Freedom Park
📍 Dixon, IL
A replica of the Berlin Wall, located in a park dedicated to Reagan’s famous “Tear down this wall!” speech.
Ronald Reagan Statue on Horse
📍 Dixon, IL
A tribute to Reagan’s love for horseback riding situated right on the river.
Evening
Lincoln Hotel
📍 Loudon, IA
A historic hotel with ties to the Lincoln Highway, a great stop to appreciate early 20th-century road culture.
American Gothic Barn
📍 1278 US Hwy 30, Mt. Vernon, IA
A roadside barn painted with a massive rendition of American Gothic, one of the most iconic artworks in American history.
Last Slabs of the Seedling Mile
📍 Lincoln Heights Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
A remaining section of the original Seedling Mile, one of the first paved sections of the Lincoln Highway.
Cornhenge
📍 35th St., Marion, IA
A quirky roadside art installation featuring massive sculptures of corn cobs arranged in a circle.
Day 6 of the Lincoln Highway adventure blends history, architecture, pop culture, and quirky roadside attractions. From movie memorabilia to windmills and historic brick roads, this stretch through Illinois and Iowa is packed with variety.
