Atlanta, IL Road Trips

It was founded as Xenia but changed its name when it was incorporated in 1855, Atlanta sits between Springfield, the capital of Illinois, and Bloomington-Normal, a large metropolitan area and the home of Illinois State University. Atlanta is surrounded by country roads and farmland growing mostly corn and soybeans. Route 66 runs through Atlanta, resulting in the eye-catching Paul Bunyan Statue holding a hot dog, a famous Route 66 photo opportunity.

1 Paul Bunyan Statue, 122 SW Arch St (exit I-55 and head west on E South street; take a right onto SE vine street then turn left onto SW Arch St.; the statue will be on your left). A popular Route 66 stop. The statue is 19 feet tall. (updated Mar 2022) 2 Atlanta Public Library & Museum, 100 SE Race St, ☏ +1 217 648-2112. M W F 10AM-3PM, Tu Th 10AM-6:30PM, Su 10AM-2PM. A library and museum built in 1908 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There is also a Clock Tower next to the library and must be hand-wound. (updated Mar 2022) 3 Route 66 Arcade Museum, 108 SW Arch St. F Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 1PM-8PM. An arcade and Route 66 theme museum Games operate on quarters. (updated Mar 2022) 4 Smiley Water Tower, 407 SW 2nd St (exit I-55 and head west on E South Street; turn right onto S Race street, left on SW Second St.; the water tower will be to the left). A large yellow water tower with a smiley face painted on it. (updated Mar 2022)

1 North Greens Golf Course, 901 NE First St, ☏ +1 217 648-5500. An 18-hole, family-friendly course. Starting at $11 for 9 holes. (updated Mar 2022) 2 Atlanta Park, 102 8th St. Sunrise-sunset daily. A park with a playground, pavilion, and two basketball courts (updated Mar 2022) 3 Xenia Park, 104 SW Arch St. Sunrise-sunset. A small patch of grass in downtown Atlanta with a few trees for shade and a picnic table. (updated Mar 2022) 4 Atlanta Fall Festival, Atlanta Memorial Park. This 4-day festival is typically scheduled for the second weekend in September and runs Thursday-Sunday in Atlanta Memorial Park. Each day is full of events for adults, children, and families. (updated Mar 2022)

1 Country-Aire Restaurant, 606 E South St, ☏ +1 217 648-5330. A locally owned an operated restaurant that serves diner food. Sa-Th 5:30AM-8PM, F 5:30AM-9PM. (updated Mar 2022) 2 The Palms Grill Cafe, 110 SW Arch St, ☏ +1 217 648-2233. A diner and café specializing in breakfast foods. (updated Mar 2022)

1 217 Roadhouse Bar and Grill, 800 SW Arch St, ☏ +1 217 648 2899. Su-Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 11AM-2AM. A small bar and grill that serves good food and drink. (updated Mar 2022) 2 Chubby's Bar & Grill, 111 SW Arch St, ☏ +1 217 648-2615. M-Th 10AM-midnight, F Sa 10AM-1AM, Su noon-9PM. A bar and grill with a focus on fried foods. (updated Mar 2022) 3 Korner, 100 1st St, Atlanta, ☏ +1 217 648-2745. Su-Th 9AM-midnight, F Sa 9AM-1AM. (updated Mar 2022)

1 Atlanta Inn, 103 Empire St, ☏ +1 217 648-2322, fax: +1 217 648-5071. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Mar 2022) 2 The Colaw Rooming House, 204 NW Vine St, ☏ +1 217 671-1219. A nice B&B in the center of town. (updated Mar 2022)

Atlanta sits right on I-55. It is about a 45-minute drive from Springfield and a 25-minute drive from Bloomington-Normal. Historic Route 66 also cuts through town following I-55 to Chicago in the north and Springfield to the south. Atlanta is not served directly by train. Amtrak runs through town but does not stop. The closest stations are 1 Lincoln Station in Lincoln to the south and 2 Uptown Station to the north in Bloomington-Normal. There is no airport in Atlanta. 3 Central Illinois Regional Airport BMI IATA in Bloomington-Normal has four airlines that operate flights from multiple destinations across the United States. CIRA also has 5 rental car agencies for getting around the area. 4 Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport SPI IATA in Springfield operates flights from Chicago and Fort Worth and has 6 rental car agencies.

Car is the easiest way to get around in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Walking is viable in downtown Atlanta but once downtown clears out, it becomes much more difficult to traverse the streets.