Cruise through the Land of Lincoln on IL's Route 66

The 28-foot-tall Gemini Giant is one of the first Muffler Men you'll encounter on the Route, and while it's one of many, it's the only astronaut-themed giant (that we know of, anyway). He stands guard over The Launching Pad, a diner and gift shop recently renovated and reopened. The love and dedication put into bringing the Launching Pad back to life is a perfect example of what makes Route 66 so special. Plus, the food is fresh, delicious, and homemade. Or, if you aren't hungry, cool off with a drink or some ice cream. The gift shop sells super unique merch. Is there a better souvenir for the Illinois leg than a Gemini Giant bobblehead? We think not.

There are more than a few Route 66 museums along the way, including the Illinois Rt. 66 Museum in Pontiac. It boasts thousands of artifacts and tons of information on the towns and iconic businesses along the Land of Lincoln's portion of the Mother Road. There are photographs, vintage cars and license plates, a re-created service station, maps, and plenty more items to see. Pro tip: The first floor has most of the Route 66 memorabilia, and the upper floors feature objects related to local and military history. Leave yourself plenty of time to explore if you're the type to get caught up in interesting exhibits and displays.

The next Muffler Man you'll encounter is the famed Bunyon With A Hot Dog in Atlanta, IL. Almost all of these Muffler Men figures, which came from International Fiberglass in Venice, CA, have a body formed from the same mold (arms out, right hand up, left hand down), and subtle tweaks have been made; heads and the object in their hands could be swapped in or out, and different clothes could be painted on. The original mold was for a Paul Bunyan figure holding an axe, meant for a Route 66 cafe in Flagstaff, but the statues came to be known as "Muffler Men" from the many versions used to advertise mechanics. In the case of Hot Dog Bunyon, a Paul Bunyan figure was purchased for a Route 66 restaurant in Cicero called "Bunyons" (purposefully misspelled for trademark reasons). Bunyon's also put a ginormous hot dog in his hands instead of the axe, which was totally original. Eventually, the statue was moved to its current location in Atlanta, but the name "Bunyon" stuck.

The next Lincoln-themed stop is the Railsplitter Covered Wagon, recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest covered wagon in the world. It stands a whopping 25 feet tall, and atop it sits a 12-foot-tall Honest Abe reading a law book. It was started by Illinois resident David Bentley in 2001 to kill time while he recovered from surgery, and was completed in time to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Route 66. It was moved to Lincoln in 2007, and though it has weathered storms, the locals in Lincoln take excellent care of their Railsplitter Covered Wagon statue.

On your way out of Springfield, a stop at the Cozy Dog Drive-In is required. This is where, allegedly, the corn dog on a stick was invented. Ed Waldmire originally started selling what he called "crusty curs" at the USO club and base PX, where he served in the military, and when he returned to Springfield in 1946, he wanted to continue selling them. His wife Virginia convinced him that civilians might not find the name "crusty cur" appealing, so the Cozy Dog was born. Ed sold hem for 15 cents apiece at the Illinois State Fair, and they were an instant hit. He soon opened two stands, and eventually Cozy Dog moved to its current drive-in and sit down counter location just north of the original. It remains a Route 66 icon and local favorite to this day.

Nothing brings back those fuzzy, nostalgic feelings quite like a drive-in movie theater. While they're fast becoming a dying breed, there are a few that have managed to survive along Route 66, likely saved by travelers along the Mother Road. The Sky View Drive-In in Litchfield is the last operating drive-in on Illinois's leg of Route 66. It's been operating since 1950, which is no small feat for a seasonal drive-in theater. On Friday and Saturday nights, the owners play double features of new releases, and on Sundays, they screen classic movies like "Smokey and the Bandit" or "The Sound of Music." And save room for popcorn and a soda from the concession stand; buying snacks from the theater is the best way to help support local drive-ins.

Henry's Rabbit Ranch is a newer Route 66 attraction, opened by Rich Henry after a trip down the Mother Road in the 1990s. Despite the fact that it's a more recent opening, it has quickly become an icon and was even inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame. The ranch itself is a quirky mish-mash of incredibly useful info, souvenirs, Route 66 and trucking memorabilia, old cars, adorable rabbits, and rabbit-themed kitsch. The rabbits came from Henry's daughter, who adopted two rabbits that quickly multiplied. Henry fell in love and decided to incorporate them into the Route 66 tourist information center he planned to open. Make sure to leave some time to explore the grounds, meet the rabbits, and pose for pictures with the Cadillac Ranch-style VW Rabbits and the giant fiberglass jackrabbit on the property.

If the world's largest covered wagon didn't impress you, the World's Largest Catsup Bottle might. It stands 170 feet tall... and is actually a water tower. It was built in 1949 as an ad for the G.S. Suppiger catsup bottling plant, who packaged Brooks old original rich & tangy catsup. In the 1990s, the Catsup Bottle's fate was thrown into peril, until it was saved through the hard work and dedication of the Catsup Bottle Preservation Group. It was even restored, and in 2002, was named to the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring that it would be protected and preserved for generations.