Heritage Corridor Destinations Releases 2026 Route 66 Travel Guide for Centennial Year

Heritage Corridor Destinations officially unveiled its 2026 Route 66 Travel Guide at City Square in downtown Joliet. The 2026 guide provides travelers with a new resource for exploring The First Hundred Miles of Route 66 as the iconic highway celebrates its historic centennial anniversary. 

The announcement took place during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for City Square, Joliet's new downtown gathering space. Located across from the historic Rialto Square Theatre — also celebrating its centennial year in 2026 — the new public space reflects continued investment in the future of downtown and Route 66 tourism in Joliet. To commemorate the guide's release, Heritage Corridor Destinations was joined by cover model Norma Jean Hensley, who signed a jumbo replica of the travel guide, which features Hensley and her pink Betty Boop-themed 1955 Ford Thunderbird at City Square.  

The 2026 Route 66 Travel Guide highlights the attractions, restaurants, museums, lodging, roadside landmarks, and communities that define The First Hundred Miles of Route 66. Designed to inspire and inform the next generation of Route 66 explorers, the guide features both the historic destinations that have welcomed travelers for generations and the new experiences shaping the future of Route 66 in Illinois. 

"The Route 66 Centennial is more than a milestone anniversary — it's an opportunity to introduce a new generation of travelers to the communities, attractions, and experiences that shape The First Hundred Miles of the Mother Road," said Robert Navarro, President & CEO of Heritage Corridor Destinations.  

Printed copies of the new Route 66 Travel Guide are available at key travel destinations throughout the Heritage Corridor region. Visitors may also view a digital edition or request a complimentary printed guide before their trip.