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Canal Towns

Canal Towns

A mid-1800’s architectural wonder helped make Chicago the city it is today.  The 96-mile Illinois & Michigan Canal (I&M Canal) connected the Great Lakes in Bridgeport, Chicago to the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru, and amazingly unique towns sprung up that maintain their authentic charm to this date. 

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Attractions Shop Food & Drink Events Read the Blog Stay Lodging Packages
Canal Towns News Plan Your Season of Road Trips by Getting the Free Travel I&M Canal Towns Guide
Route 66

Route 66

Freedom. The Open Road. The American Dream. All are still alive on The Mother Road. The nostalgia of diners, museums, tourist stops and neon lights are there for you to visit as you make the drive from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA. You can still get your Kicks on Route 66!

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Attractions Shop Food & Drink Events Read the Blog Stay Lodging Packages
Route 66 News Meet Jennifer Bronk from Bronkberry Farms in Plainfield, IL
Starved Rock

Starved Rock

A visit to Starved Rock State Park consists of many sights to behold, including breathtaking views of its many canyons and awe-inspiring scenes of eagles flying during the winter month.

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Attractions Shop Food & Drink Events Read the Blog Stay Lodging Packages
Starved Rock News Starved Rock Country Welcome Center & Illinois Made Gift Shoppe
Events

Events

The Heritage Corridor is filled with events that are waiting just for you.  Live music, fun festivals, learning programs, and active adventures await.

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All Events Submit Your Event Lodging Packages Music / Performing Arts Festivals
Events News Fireworks at the Joliet Slammers Stadium
I Want To...

I Want To ...

Are you looking for a specific type of place to visit in the I&M Canal Heritage Corridor?  If you're a craft beer fan, you will love the Heritage Corridor Ale Trail?  Seeing a thrilling journey or just an escape, check out Adventure Outside Chicago.  We've got all the info to unlock your next trip right here.

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Read the Blog Flock to the Rock Grab a Beer Shop Small Find Adventure Sip Some Wine Plan My Wedding Plan a Meeting
I Want To... News 10 Picturesque Winter Images from Around the Heritage Corridor
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Press Releases

Heritage Corridor Destinations Celebrates New Route 66 Travel Guide at Duly Health and Care Field

 06/03/2025 by  
Joliet, IL — On Monday, June 2, 2025, community leaders and tourism stakeholders gathered at Duly Health and Care Field to celebrate the release of Heritage Corridor Destinations’ latest Route 66 Travel Guide. The event marked an exciting milestone in promoting T...READ MORE

The Landing Pad Officially Opens in Wilmington with Ribbon Cutting Celebration

 05/23/2025 by  
The Landing Pad, Wilmington’s newest Route 66 attraction, officially opened its doors yesterday with a festive ribbon cutting ceremony. Located at the base of the iconic Gemini Giant, the event welcomed visitors with vibrant entertainment, including a caricature artist...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Destinations Unveils 2025 Travel Guide for Starved Rock Country and I&M Canal Towns

05/08/2025 by  
Heritage Corridor Destinations celebrated the launch of its 2025 Travel Guide for Starved Rock Country and the Illinois & Michigan (I&M) Canal Towns with a special event held at Heritage Harbor in Ottawa — featured on the cover of the I&M Canal Towns guide....READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Destinations Celebrates the Power of Travel During National Travel and Tourism Week

 05/05/2025 by  
Heritage Corridor Destinations proudly joins the nationwide celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) May 4-10, recognizing the profound impact travel has on our economy, workforce, and communities. As the U.S. Travel Association highlights, the travel indust...READ MORE

route 66 shield at white fence farm

20th Route 66 Shield Monument Unveiled at White Fence Farm in Romeoville

 04/30/2025 by  
ROMEOVILLE, IL - The 20th official Route 66 Shield Monument has been installed at the legendary White Fence Farm in Romeoville, marking a major milestone in the growing network of must-see photo ops along the historic Mother Road.   These vibrant 3D Route 66 shiel...READ MORE

Will County Hosts Successful Route 66 Centennial Summit in Joliet

 04/30/2025 by  
JOLIET, IL - April 10, 2025 Will County’s Route 66 Centennial Summit took place on Thursday, April 10 at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, drawing nearly 100 attendees passionate about the legacy and future of America’s most iconic highway. The event brought ...READ MORE

the landing pad gemini giant

New Route 66 Destination "The Landing Pad" Set to Open in Wilmington, IL

04/30/2025 by  
Wilmington, IL - Heritage Corridor Destinations, Joliet Area Historical Museum, City of Wilmington, and Wilmington Park District are excited to announce the grand opening of The Landing Pad, a Route 66-themed souvenir shop located just steps away from the new home of the Wor...READ MORE
March 2025: Route 66 Centennial Summit Coming to Joliet
March 2025:  Utica to host Art Fair
February 2025:  Kate Gillmann Named Joliet Young Professional of the Year
January 2025:  Heritage Corridor Festivals Hosts Its Inaugural Hospitality Happy Hour 
January 2025:  Heritage Corridor Destinations Unveils New headquarters with Open House Celebrations
December 2024:    Soar into Winter Adventure with Flock to the Rock 2025 in Starved Rock Country
November 2024:  Heritage Corridor Destinations Receives $150,000 International Tourism Grant
October 2024: Joliet Unveils New Mural Celebrating 100th Anniversaries of The Rialto Square Theater and Route 66
September 2024: Pesciolino Osteria Celebrates Seventh Anniversary with New Menu, Restaurant Renovations, and Website Redesign
September 2024: 31st Annual 'A River Thru History' Rendezvous Returns to Willow Springs to Celebrate Early Frontier Life
September 2024: Heritage Corridor Destinations Reports $1.6 Billion Economic Impact from Tourism in 2023, Supporting Over 12,000 Jobs in Illinois
July 2024: Illinois Chiefs of Police and NHTSA Launch 'Speeding Slows You Down' Campaign to Promote Safe Driving on Route 66
   
July 2024: Heritage Corridor Destinations Picks Up Two Excellence in Tourism Awards At Illinois Governor's Conference
April 2024: WJOL’s Scott Slocum Hits the Road Again for 'The Great American Road Trip 2.0': A Journey Along Route 66
   
February 2024: Emmy Nominee Darley Newman Hosts Special 'Travels with Darley: Route 66 Illinois' Screening and Q&A at Joliet Historical Museum
February 2024: Heritage Corridor Destinations Awarded $1.2 Million DCEO FY24 Route 66 Grant
November 2023: HSMAI to honor Heritage Corridor Destinations with two Adrian Awards for outstanding travel marketing
May 2023: Ottawa, IL to be Featured on WGN's Destination Illinois with Julian Crews
May 2023: Heritage Corridor Destinations Awarded $1.6 Million Route 66 Grant
April 2023: WJOL's Scott Slocum to cruise Route 66 on the Great American Road Trip
March 2023: Four new members appointed to Heritage Corridor Destinations Board
May 2022: Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau awarded $1.5 million grant for Route 66 Revitalization
February 2022: Starved Rock Country Welcome Center Ribbon Cutting
December 2021: Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau wins Excellence in Tourism Award from the Illinois Office of Tourism