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Few days late - but #December was an odd month for lots of reasons - but saw travel to #lasvegas for a big international trade show and then a short hop to #athens for the last visit of the year. Then a few parties for Xmas before stopping for a couple of weeks. Now back to the day job tomorrow! 
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#travel #usa #usatravel #business #businesstravel #businesstrip #work #xmas #socialtime #greece #athens_city #lasvegasblvd #nevada #life #travelblogger #travelblog #travelling #travelphotography #reels #businessreels
Few days late - but #December was an odd month for lots of reasons - but saw travel to #lasvegas for a big international trade show and then a short hop to #athens for the last visit of the year. Then a few parties for Xmas before stopping for a couple of weeks. Now back to the day job tomorrow! . #travel #usa #usatravel #business #businesstravel #businesstrip #work #xmas #socialtime #greece #athens_city #lasvegasblvd #nevada #life #travelblogger #travelblog #travelling #travelphotography #reels #businessreels
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
Well that’s the last #hotelstay of 2023 done and the rest of the year will be spent in my own bed. I’ve not counted how many nights I’ve been in hotels this year (I don’t think I want to!) but at least with one chain I have had 70 nights as the app told me this morning!  It’s all part and parcel of the job but also it’s not easy at times either. 
My last stay this year was with #hotelindigo I do love an @hotelindigo hotel. On my blog and on here you can find many stays reviewed at #indigohotels across the world.
Last night was hotel indigo on #leicestersquare. I loved the theming and very apt for my last stay of the year to have all the #theatrical elements around. 
Now a bit of time to rest and recharge ready for 2024! 
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#travel #travellingsalesman #businesstravel #uktravel #hoteluk #hotellondon #ihghotels #favouritehotel #hotelstays #hotelstay #businesshotel #londontravel #work #christmas2023 #life #lifestyle #travelgram #travelblogger
Well that’s the last #hotelstay of 2023 done and the rest of the year will be spent in my own bed. I’ve not counted how many nights I’ve been in hotels this year (I don’t think I want to!) but at least with one chain I have had 70 nights as the app told me this morning!  It’s all part and parcel of the job but also it’s not easy at times either. 
My last stay this year was with #hotelindigo I do love an @hotelindigo hotel. On my blog and on here you can find many stays reviewed at #indigohotels across the world.
Last night was hotel indigo on #leicestersquare. I loved the theming and very apt for my last stay of the year to have all the #theatrical elements around. 
Now a bit of time to rest and recharge ready for 2024! 
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#travel #travellingsalesman #businesstravel #uktravel #hoteluk #hotellondon #ihghotels #favouritehotel #hotelstays #hotelstay #businesshotel #londontravel #work #christmas2023 #life #lifestyle #travelgram #travelblogger
Well that’s the last #hotelstay of 2023 done and the rest of the year will be spent in my own bed. I’ve not counted how many nights I’ve been in hotels this year (I don’t think I want to!) but at least with one chain I have had 70 nights as the app told me this morning!  It’s all part and parcel of the job but also it’s not easy at times either. 
My last stay this year was with #hotelindigo I do love an @hotelindigo hotel. On my blog and on here you can find many stays reviewed at #indigohotels across the world.
Last night was hotel indigo on #leicestersquare. I loved the theming and very apt for my last stay of the year to have all the #theatrical elements around. 
Now a bit of time to rest and recharge ready for 2024! 
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#travel #travellingsalesman #businesstravel #uktravel #hoteluk #hotellondon #ihghotels #favouritehotel #hotelstays #hotelstay #businesshotel #londontravel #work #christmas2023 #life #lifestyle #travelgram #travelblogger
Well that’s the last #hotelstay of 2023 done and the rest of the year will be spent in my own bed. I’ve not counted how many nights I’ve been in hotels this year (I don’t think I want to!) but at least with one chain I have had 70 nights as the app told me this morning!  It’s all part and parcel of the job but also it’s not easy at times either. 
My last stay this year was with #hotelindigo I do love an @hotelindigo hotel. On my blog and on here you can find many stays reviewed at #indigohotels across the world.
Last night was hotel indigo on #leicestersquare. I loved the theming and very apt for my last stay of the year to have all the #theatrical elements around. 
Now a bit of time to rest and recharge ready for 2024! 
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#travel #travellingsalesman #businesstravel #uktravel #hoteluk #hotellondon #ihghotels #favouritehotel #hotelstays #hotelstay #businesshotel #londontravel #work #christmas2023 #life #lifestyle #travelgram #travelblogger
Well that’s the last #hotelstay of 2023 done and the rest of the year will be spent in my own bed. I’ve not counted how many nights I’ve been in hotels this year (I don’t think I want to!) but at least with one chain I have had 70 nights as the app told me this morning!  It’s all part and parcel of the job but also it’s not easy at times either. 
My last stay this year was with #hotelindigo I do love an @hotelindigo hotel. On my blog and on here you can find many stays reviewed at #indigohotels across the world.
Last night was hotel indigo on #leicestersquare. I loved the theming and very apt for my last stay of the year to have all the #theatrical elements around. 
Now a bit of time to rest and recharge ready for 2024! 
.
#travel #travellingsalesman #businesstravel #uktravel #hoteluk #hotellondon #ihghotels #favouritehotel #hotelstays #hotelstay #businesshotel #londontravel #work #christmas2023 #life #lifestyle #travelgram #travelblogger
Well that’s the last #hotelstay of 2023 done and the rest of the year will be spent in my own bed. I’ve not counted how many nights I’ve been in hotels this year (I don’t think I want to!) but at least with one chain I have had 70 nights as the app told me this morning!  It’s all part and parcel of the job but also it’s not easy at times either. 
My last stay this year was with #hotelindigo I do love an @hotelindigo hotel. On my blog and on here you can find many stays reviewed at #indigohotels across the world.
Last night was hotel indigo on #leicestersquare. I loved the theming and very apt for my last stay of the year to have all the #theatrical elements around. 
Now a bit of time to rest and recharge ready for 2024! 
.
#travel #travellingsalesman #businesstravel #uktravel #hoteluk #hotellondon #ihghotels #favouritehotel #hotelstays #hotelstay #businesshotel #londontravel #work #christmas2023 #life #lifestyle #travelgram #travelblogger
Well that’s the last #hotelstay of 2023 done and the rest of the year will be spent in my own bed. I’ve not counted how many nights I’ve been in hotels this year (I don’t think I want to!) but at least with one chain I have had 70 nights as the app told me this morning!  It’s all part and parcel of the job but also it’s not easy at times either. 
My last stay this year was with #hotelindigo I do love an @hotelindigo hotel. On my blog and on here you can find many stays reviewed at #indigohotels across the world.
Last night was hotel indigo on #leicestersquare. I loved the theming and very apt for my last stay of the year to have all the #theatrical elements around. 
Now a bit of time to rest and recharge ready for 2024! 
.
#travel #travellingsalesman #businesstravel #uktravel #hoteluk #hotellondon #ihghotels #favouritehotel #hotelstays #hotelstay #businesshotel #londontravel #work #christmas2023 #life #lifestyle #travelgram #travelblogger
Well that’s the last #hotelstay of 2023 done and the rest of the year will be spent in my own bed. I’ve not counted how many nights I’ve been in hotels this year (I don’t think I want to!) but at least with one chain I have had 70 nights as the app told me this morning!  It’s all part and parcel of the job but also it’s not easy at times either. 
My last stay this year was with #hotelindigo I do love an @hotelindigo hotel. On my blog and on here you can find many stays reviewed at #indigohotels across the world.
Last night was hotel indigo on #leicestersquare. I loved the theming and very apt for my last stay of the year to have all the #theatrical elements around. 
Now a bit of time to rest and recharge ready for 2024! 
.
#travel #travellingsalesman #businesstravel #uktravel #hoteluk #hotellondon #ihghotels #favouritehotel #hotelstays #hotelstay #businesshotel #londontravel #work #christmas2023 #life #lifestyle #travelgram #travelblogger
Well that’s the last #hotelstay of 2023 done and the rest of the year will be spent in my own bed. I’ve not counted how many nights I’ve been in hotels this year (I don’t think I want to!) but at least with one chain I have had 70 nights as the app told me this morning! It’s all part and parcel of the job but also it’s not easy at times either. My last stay this year was with #hotelindigo I do love an @hotelindigo hotel. On my blog and on here you can find many stays reviewed at #indigohotels across the world. Last night was hotel indigo on #leicestersquare. I loved the theming and very apt for my last stay of the year to have all the #theatrical elements around. Now a bit of time to rest and recharge ready for 2024! . #travel #travellingsalesman #businesstravel #uktravel #hoteluk #hotellondon #ihghotels #favouritehotel #hotelstays #hotelstay #businesshotel #londontravel #work #christmas2023 #life #lifestyle #travelgram #travelblogger
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
A busy few days in #lasvegas with work! The city really is like nowhere else on the planet with the wide range of #casinos #shows and #hotels to see. It’s such a mad place. Was a really good show for work with my companies product winning an award as well. A very lovely stay @virginhotelslv 
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#usa #usatravel #lasvegasstrip #lasvegasblvd #usatrip #usa🇺🇸 #businessman #businesstravel #virginhotelslv #virginhotel #lasvegasfood #usatoday #work #worktravel #worktrip #businesspassion
A busy few days in #lasvegas with work! The city really is like nowhere else on the planet with the wide range of #casinos #shows and #hotels to see. It’s such a mad place. Was a really good show for work with my companies product winning an award as well. A very lovely stay @virginhotelslv . . #usa #usatravel #lasvegasstrip #lasvegasblvd #usatrip #usa🇺🇸 #businessman #businesstravel #virginhotelslv #virginhotel #lasvegasfood #usatoday #work #worktravel #worktrip #businesspassion
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
Been quite a manic and busy #November! Trips to #lasvegas and #Germaany. Lit a show for @guildfordschoolofacting and had a busy time at work. @johannaspayne also fell in a tree. @max_theminiweenie just looked cute and we headed towards #xmas.
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#travel #business #workandplay #travelphotography #traveling #travelblogger #travelling #traveler #worktrip #worktravel #jetplane #germany🇩🇪 #usatravel #lasvegasstrip
Been quite a manic and busy #November! Trips to #lasvegas and #Germaany. Lit a show for @guildfordschoolofacting and had a busy time at work. @johannaspayne also fell in a tree. @max_theminiweenie just looked cute and we headed towards #xmas. . . #travel #business #workandplay #travelphotography #traveling #travelblogger #travelling #traveler #worktrip #worktravel #jetplane #germany🇩🇪 #usatravel #lasvegasstrip
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
As we ended our #Route1 journey up the west coast of #usa we arrived in #seattle. It was defiantly one of our more favourite stops of the whole trip even if it was very cold! We spent a load of time up the @spaceneedle with a wonderful dinner on our last night. We also visited Seattle where there was a whole new level of the city created. On our way back to the airport we visited the @boeing museum which was very geeky! 
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#SeattleWA #SeattleLife #SeattleLove #seattlePhotography
#SeattleViews #SeattleSkyline #SeattleArt #SeattleFoodie #SeattleCoffee #SeattleFashion #SeattleNature #SeattleExploring #SeattleAdventures #SeattleCityscape #SeattleVibes #SeattleParks #SeattleWaterfront #SeattleArchitecture #SeattleMusic #spaceneedle #boeingmuseumofflight #SeattleTravel
As we ended our #Route1 journey up the west coast of #usa we arrived in #seattle. It was defiantly one of our more favourite stops of the whole trip even if it was very cold! We spent a load of time up the @spaceneedle with a wonderful dinner on our last night. We also visited Seattle where there was a whole new level of the city created. On our way back to the airport we visited the @boeing museum which was very geeky! 
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#SeattleWA #SeattleLife #SeattleLove #seattlePhotography
#SeattleViews #SeattleSkyline #SeattleArt #SeattleFoodie #SeattleCoffee #SeattleFashion #SeattleNature #SeattleExploring #SeattleAdventures #SeattleCityscape #SeattleVibes #SeattleParks #SeattleWaterfront #SeattleArchitecture #SeattleMusic #spaceneedle #boeingmuseumofflight #SeattleTravel
As we ended our #Route1 journey up the west coast of #usa we arrived in #seattle. It was defiantly one of our more favourite stops of the whole trip even if it was very cold! We spent a load of time up the @spaceneedle with a wonderful dinner on our last night. We also visited Seattle where there was a whole new level of the city created. On our way back to the airport we visited the @boeing museum which was very geeky! 
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#SeattleWA #SeattleLife #SeattleLove #seattlePhotography
#SeattleViews #SeattleSkyline #SeattleArt #SeattleFoodie #SeattleCoffee #SeattleFashion #SeattleNature #SeattleExploring #SeattleAdventures #SeattleCityscape #SeattleVibes #SeattleParks #SeattleWaterfront #SeattleArchitecture #SeattleMusic #spaceneedle #boeingmuseumofflight #SeattleTravel
As we ended our #Route1 journey up the west coast of #usa we arrived in #seattle. It was defiantly one of our more favourite stops of the whole trip even if it was very cold! We spent a load of time up the @spaceneedle with a wonderful dinner on our last night. We also visited Seattle where there was a whole new level of the city created. On our way back to the airport we visited the @boeing museum which was very geeky! 
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#SeattleWA #SeattleLife #SeattleLove #seattlePhotography
#SeattleViews #SeattleSkyline #SeattleArt #SeattleFoodie #SeattleCoffee #SeattleFashion #SeattleNature #SeattleExploring #SeattleAdventures #SeattleCityscape #SeattleVibes #SeattleParks #SeattleWaterfront #SeattleArchitecture #SeattleMusic #spaceneedle #boeingmuseumofflight #SeattleTravel
As we ended our #Route1 journey up the west coast of #usa we arrived in #seattle. It was defiantly one of our more favourite stops of the whole trip even if it was very cold! We spent a load of time up the @spaceneedle with a wonderful dinner on our last night. We also visited Seattle where there was a whole new level of the city created. On our way back to the airport we visited the @boeing museum which was very geeky! 
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#SeattleWA #SeattleLife #SeattleLove #seattlePhotography
#SeattleViews #SeattleSkyline #SeattleArt #SeattleFoodie #SeattleCoffee #SeattleFashion #SeattleNature #SeattleExploring #SeattleAdventures #SeattleCityscape #SeattleVibes #SeattleParks #SeattleWaterfront #SeattleArchitecture #SeattleMusic #spaceneedle #boeingmuseumofflight #SeattleTravel
As we ended our #Route1 journey up the west coast of #usa we arrived in #seattle. It was defiantly one of our more favourite stops of the whole trip even if it was very cold! We spent a load of time up the @spaceneedle with a wonderful dinner on our last night. We also visited Seattle where there was a whole new level of the city created. On our way back to the airport we visited the @boeing museum which was very geeky! 
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#SeattleWA #SeattleLife #SeattleLove #seattlePhotography
#SeattleViews #SeattleSkyline #SeattleArt #SeattleFoodie #SeattleCoffee #SeattleFashion #SeattleNature #SeattleExploring #SeattleAdventures #SeattleCityscape #SeattleVibes #SeattleParks #SeattleWaterfront #SeattleArchitecture #SeattleMusic #spaceneedle #boeingmuseumofflight #SeattleTravel
As we ended our #Route1 journey up the west coast of #usa we arrived in #seattle. It was defiantly one of our more favourite stops of the whole trip even if it was very cold! We spent a load of time up the @spaceneedle with a wonderful dinner on our last night. We also visited Seattle where there was a whole new level of the city created. On our way back to the airport we visited the @boeing museum which was very geeky! 
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#SeattleWA #SeattleLife #SeattleLove #seattlePhotography
#SeattleViews #SeattleSkyline #SeattleArt #SeattleFoodie #SeattleCoffee #SeattleFashion #SeattleNature #SeattleExploring #SeattleAdventures #SeattleCityscape #SeattleVibes #SeattleParks #SeattleWaterfront #SeattleArchitecture #SeattleMusic #spaceneedle #boeingmuseumofflight #SeattleTravel
As we ended our #Route1 journey up the west coast of #usa we arrived in #seattle. It was defiantly one of our more favourite stops of the whole trip even if it was very cold! We spent a load of time up the @spaceneedle with a wonderful dinner on our last night. We also visited Seattle where there was a whole new level of the city created. On our way back to the airport we visited the @boeing museum which was very geeky! 
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#SeattleWA #SeattleLife #SeattleLove #seattlePhotography
#SeattleViews #SeattleSkyline #SeattleArt #SeattleFoodie #SeattleCoffee #SeattleFashion #SeattleNature #SeattleExploring #SeattleAdventures #SeattleCityscape #SeattleVibes #SeattleParks #SeattleWaterfront #SeattleArchitecture #SeattleMusic #spaceneedle #boeingmuseumofflight #SeattleTravel
As we ended our #Route1 journey up the west coast of #usa we arrived in #seattle. It was defiantly one of our more favourite stops of the whole trip even if it was very cold! We spent a load of time up the @spaceneedle with a wonderful dinner on our last night. We also visited Seattle where there was a whole new level of the city created. On our way back to the airport we visited the @boeing museum which was very geeky! 
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#SeattleWA #SeattleLife #SeattleLove #seattlePhotography
#SeattleViews #SeattleSkyline #SeattleArt #SeattleFoodie #SeattleCoffee #SeattleFashion #SeattleNature #SeattleExploring #SeattleAdventures #SeattleCityscape #SeattleVibes #SeattleParks #SeattleWaterfront #SeattleArchitecture #SeattleMusic #spaceneedle #boeingmuseumofflight #SeattleTravel
As we ended our #Route1 journey up the west coast of #usa we arrived in #seattle. It was defiantly one of our more favourite stops of the whole trip even if it was very cold! We spent a load of time up the @spaceneedle with a wonderful dinner on our last night. We also visited Seattle where there was a whole new level of the city created. On our way back to the airport we visited the @boeing museum which was very geeky! 
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#SeattleWA #SeattleLife #SeattleLove #seattlePhotography
#SeattleViews #SeattleSkyline #SeattleArt #SeattleFoodie #SeattleCoffee #SeattleFashion #SeattleNature #SeattleExploring #SeattleAdventures #SeattleCityscape #SeattleVibes #SeattleParks #SeattleWaterfront #SeattleArchitecture #SeattleMusic #spaceneedle #boeingmuseumofflight #SeattleTravel
As we ended our #Route1 journey up the west coast of #usa we arrived in #seattle. It was defiantly one of our more favourite stops of the whole trip even if it was very cold! We spent a load of time up the @spaceneedle with a wonderful dinner on our last night. We also visited Seattle where there was a whole new level of the city created. On our way back to the airport we visited the @boeing museum which was very geeky! . . #SeattleWA #SeattleLife #SeattleLove #seattlePhotography #SeattleViews #SeattleSkyline #SeattleArt #SeattleFoodie #SeattleCoffee #SeattleFashion #SeattleNature #SeattleExploring #SeattleAdventures #SeattleCityscape #SeattleVibes #SeattleParks #SeattleWaterfront #SeattleArchitecture #SeattleMusic #spaceneedle #boeingmuseumofflight #SeattleTravel
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
It’s not been the busiest month for October with only a couple of days in Stockholm and then a stag do in London for a weekend, rest of the time has mostly been around home - which makes for a very nice change…. November and December will be very different! 
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#travel #travelling #businesstravel #businesstraveller #businesstravellife #october #octoberphotochallenge #blogger #bloggerlife #bloggers #maleblogger #blog #travelblogger #traveblog
It’s not been the busiest month for October with only a couple of days in Stockholm and then a stag do in London for a weekend, rest of the time has mostly been around home - which makes for a very nice change…. November and December will be very different! . . #travel #travelling #businesstravel #businesstraveller #businesstravellife #october #octoberphotochallenge #blogger #bloggerlife #bloggers #maleblogger #blog #travelblogger #traveblog
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/6

Route 66 Illinois (Part 2)

Old Capitol Building Springfield Illinois

Route 66 Illinois (Part 2)

If you haven't read part 1 of this journey you should go and do this before part 2! Also if you haven't read my Route 66 Tips and Tricks you should do that here! I started and intended that Illinois should be one post but there was just so much of Route 66 Illinois to cover off that I had to split it into 2 parts! So far we've seen lots of garages, a few statues, a prison as well as lots of cars and murals. Part 2 is going to have a LOT of cars, the state capitol and the border to the next state. Sit back and enjoy the read of the next stage of Route 66 Illinois.

Springfield Illinois

Springfield is the capital of Illinois. Present-day Springfield was settled by European Americans in the late 1810s, around the time Illinois became a state. The most famous historic resident was Abraham Lincoln, who lived in Springfield from 1837 until 1861. He left the city when he went to the White House as President. Major tourist attractions include multiple sites connected with Lincoln including his presidential library and museum, his home, and his tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

The State capitol building was our first stop. Living in Cambridge I'm used to seeing beautiful buildings but the state capitol building is definitely one to visit. Ground was broken for the new capitol building on March 11, 1868. The building was completed twenty years later for a total cost of $4.5 million. A lot of money in those times!

The building contains the chambers for the Illinois General Assembly, which is made up of the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate. An office for the Governor of Illinois, additional offices, and committee rooms are also in the building. The interior of the dome features a plaster frieze painted to resemble bronze, which illustrates scenes from Illinois history, and stained glass windows, including a stained glass replica of the state seal in the oculus of the dome.

With a total height of 110 meters, the Illinois capitol is the tallest non-skyscraper capitol, even exceeding the height of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The dome itself is 28.2 meters wide. A city statute does not allow buildings taller than the capitol.

Capitol Building Springfield Route 66 Illinois
Illinois State Capitol Building Route 66 Illinois
Illinois State Capitol Building Route 66 Illinois
Illinois State Capitol Building Route 66 Illinois
Illinois State Capitol Building Route 66 Illinois

Springfield Illinois

We got to the capitol building and although were met with the usual security checks were allowed to wonder around it quite freely. We then made our way to the information desk where a very lovely lady took us on a guided tour of the building. She also explained how the USA political system worked and what part the building played in the Illinois history. I highly recommend this informative and factual tour. It not only helps you understand more about parts of the building but also lots about the USA in general.

A number of meetings were in session which meant we were able to go into the chambers and listen to the politics being discussed as part of the tour. The tour is free and lasts about 45 mins to an hour depending on how many questions you want to ask.

Other Springfield Things to do:

You are also able to visit a reconstruction of the 5th capitol building (the present is the 6th) this is almost as grand as the present building but is a lot smaller. It is here in the original building that Lincoln practiced law, served as a legislator and gave his famed House Divided speech on slavery in 1858. The building served as the seat of state government and a centre of Illinois political life from 1839-1876.

Although we didn't go (due to time and having such a good grounding on Lincoln from the capitol building) you can also visit Lincoln Home National Historic Site which preserves the Springfield, Illinois home and a historic district where Abraham Lincoln lived from 1844 to 1861, before becoming the 16th President of the United States.

If you are an Architecture fan you can also visit the Dana Thomas House which was designed by famous USA architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Although not his most famous work - it's still worth a visit!

Dana Thomas House

Leaving Springfield

Once you've ticked off the things you want to do in Springfield you head back out onto Route 66 to continue your journey through Illinois. You'll come to Litchfield Route 66 Museum. The museum is set in a nice Art Deco style building. Now here's my take. After a while we started to find that the Route 66 museums started to get a bit "samey". This isn't any kind of criticism of the individual museums and there are were some excellent ones which I will talk about later but some like Litchfield can be very similar once you hid mid point!

We were trying to do Route 66 in 2 and a bit weeks. If you stop at everything and stop at every museum you'll be going for weeks and weeks. If you are keen to learn about the very local history then stop. A lot of the museums carry very similar stories which at least for the first half covers the main route history. The Litchfield museum does have a good amount of local history and is certainly worth the visit if you have time (and of course you should sign the guest book!)

Heading towards Mount Olive you'll come into Soulsby Service Station. Covered in the Shell branding this service station is one of the most original service stations that haven't been rebuilt along the route. Still with the original Shell logos its well worth a couple of pictures here.

Litchfield Route 66 Museum
Route 66 Illinois Road Sign
Soulsby’s Route 66 Shell Service Station
Soulsby’s Route 66 Shell Service Station

Country Classic Cars

Now this might be a slight generalisation but there is probably a good chance if you are doing Route 66 that you'll be a car fan. It doesn't matter if your not you'll still want to stop at Country Classic Cars. If you're a petrol head you'll happily lose a day here!

We had been warned (if this is the correct word) about Country Classic Cars. They have every sort of car you can imagine. From a Ford Model T right through to some more modern from the 80's and 90's. Most are at a reasonable cost as well. Be warned they will also ship globally for you as well! The have all standards of cars as well. Want one to drive on well you'll find one. Want one that's basically rusting in the corner you'll find that as well. There were some REALLY rare cars here that I am sure probably some you'll never find parts for anywhere to repair them!

The guys here are friendly and happy to chat. Obviously there is only so much tyre kicking you can do with them but they are happy to let you wander around the 4 or 5 barns (which are VAST) and have a look around all the cars. The pictures just don't do justice to the scale and numbers of cars here.

For us as total petrol heads this was probably one of the best stops on the whole of the Route.

Ford Model T Country Classic Cars
Dodge Challenger
Ford Mustang Country Classic Cars
 Country Classic Cars

Heading to St Louis Route 66

If you've managed to walk away from Country Classic Cars with your wallet intact you'll be on the way to St Louis! Now to get to St Louis you'll need to cross the Mississippi river. When we were on Route 66 the Mississippi was really high and there was regional flooding. It also scuppered plans to go down the river on one of the tour boats.

There is the main route which takes you into St Louis and the completion of Illinois but before that you'll want to visit the chain of rocks bridge (the old one!) This was the original Route 66 road across the river. Opened in 1929 and closed to motor traffic in 1970 it's over 1600 meters in length. Now here is a word of warning. On the St Louis side it's often reported on many forums about there being a lot of car crime in the car park area where you leave the car and walk the bridge.

There is a car park on the Illinois side where you can park up and it's apparently a lot safer. We didn't take the risk as at the time there were a number of groups of people hanging around which worried us. This isn't to deter you but the Chain of Rocks is off the beaten track. It's down a one track road in not a great area to get to that road. I am sure we would have been fine to leave the car, but we didn't chance it. We just took it in turns to walk along the bridge. I just suggest you check up on this before you leave the car.

Crossing the river

Once you've crossed the river you'll be in Missouri having ticked off your first state. You'll then be on to your second state and will have left Route 66 Illinois!

Chain of Rocks Bridge Route 66
Country Classic Cars
Springfield Illinois
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