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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

Veteran WJOL Morning Host Scott Slocum Releases Book Inspired by His Route 66 Travels

05/29/2026 by  
Heritage Corridor Destinations and The First Hundred Miles are inviting travelers, history buffs, and Route 66 enthusiasts to celebrate the launch of The Great American Road Trip: Route 66 Adventures, a new book from celebrated 1340 AM WJOL radi...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Destinations Celebrates the Impact of Tourism During 42nd Annual National Travel and Tourism Week

05/04/2026 by  
Heritage Corridor Destinations (HCD) proudly joins U.S. Travel Association’s nationwide celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) May 3-9, 2026, recognizing the profound impact travel has on our economy, workforce, and communities....READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Destinations Launches New Website Showcasing the Historic Lincoln Highway

04/17/2026 by  
JOLIET, IL — Heritage Corridor Destinations has announced the launch of a new website dedicated to the Lincoln Highway, one of America’s most historic roadways and a key feature of the Heritage Corridor region.  Established as the nation’s...READ MORE

Annual Red Carpet Corridor Festival Celebrates Route 66 Centennial with Two Days of Free Festivities in 15 Route 66 Communities

03/12/2026 by  
Joliet, IL — The 19th annual Red Carpet Corridor Festival returns to Route 66 bigger and better than ever as 15 host communities prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the iconic Mother Road with live entertainment, automobile shows, craft and antique markets, a...READ MORE

Celebrating Destination Professionals Day in the Heritage Corridor

 02/18/2026 by  
On February 19, 1896, a small group of civic leaders met at Detroit’s Cadillac Hotel with a bold idea: if they could work together to attract conventions and visitors, they could bring new life and opportunity to their growing city. That simple but powerful vision spar...READ MORE

New Historic Highway Hustle Race Series Celebrates the Mother Road During Its Centennial Year

01/09/2026 by  
Heritage Corridor Destinations is a proud partner of the Historic Highway Hustle, a new racing series on The First Hundred Miles of Route 66.  Hosted by the Wilmington Park District, the Historic Highway Hustle features th...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Festivals Celebrates Key Partners with Hospitality Happy Hour Celebrations

11/26/2025 by  
Heritage Corridor Festivals proudly celebrated three key partners during its November Hospitality Happy Hour events. Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm, The Landing Pad souvenir shop, and the Joliet Area Historical Museum (JAHM) were recognized for their vital contributions to t...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Festivals Recognizes October Hospitality Happy Hour Partners

11/10/2025 by  
Heritage Corridor Festivals proudly celebrated three exceptional organizations during its October Hospitality Happy Hour events — Star Union Spirits, the LaSalle County Historical Society, and Pontiac Tourism — recognizing their vital contributions to tourism, co...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Destinations Marketing Manager Awarded Scholarship to Illinois Valley Community Leadership Academy

 11/06/2025 by  
Heritage Corridor Destinations is proud to announce that Marketing Manager Nikki Roberts has been awarded one of only two scholarships to participate in the Illinois Valley Community Leadership Academy, an eight-month program designed to cultivate leadership, foster communit...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Destinations Promotes Illinois Tourism at Brand USA Travel Week in London

11/05/2025 by  
Heritage Corridor Destinations President & CEO Robert Navarro represented Illinois on the international stage at Brand USA Travel Week U.K. & Europe, held Oct. 20–23, 2025 in London, England. Navarro joined Catie Sheehan, Deputy Director of the Illinois Offi...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Destinations Showcases the Region to Visiting Tour Groups

10/21/2025 by  
Joliet, IL — Heritage Corridor Destinations (HCD) recently welcomed multiple tour groups to explore the many attractions and historic treasures of The First Hundred Miles — from world-class museums to iconic Route 66 landmarks.  One group of approximately...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Destinations Celebrates Four Partners During September Hospitality Happy Hours

 10/08/2025 by  
Heritage Corridor Destinations recognized four outstanding partners through Hospitality Happy Hours in September. The program is designed to honor the local businesses and individuals who welcome, inspire, and elevate the visitor experience across the region. The Septembe...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Destinations Receives Bureau Innovation Award for The Landing Pad on Route 66

09/16/2025 by  
Joliet, IL – Heritage Corridor Destinations is proud to announce it has been honored with the Bureau Innovation Award from the Upper Midwest Conference and Visitors Bureau (UMCVB). The award was voted on by leading tourism professionals and presented at the UMCVB Fall ...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Destinations Announces Strong 2024 Tourism Impact Across the Region

09/12/2025 by  
Joliet, IL – Heritage Corridor Destinations has released its 2024 tourism impact report, which showcases the vital role that visitors play in driving the economy, creating jobs, and supporting communities and businesses across the region.  According to the repo...READ MORE

Hospitality Happy Hours Shine Spotlight on Local Businesses Driving Tourism in the Heritage Corridor

09/11/2025 by  
Joliet, IL – Heritage Corridor Festivals (501c3) proudly hosted four Hospitality Happy Hours throughout August, honoring local businesses whose work continues to drive tourism and create memorable experiences for visitors in the Heritage Corridor region.  Hospi...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Destinations Partners with NCIARTworks to Highlight Local Artists at Starved Rock Country Welcome Center

 08/19/2025 by  
UTICA, IL – Heritage Corridor Destinations is proud to announce a new partnership with NCIARTworks to showcase the work of local and regional artists at the Starved Rock Country Welcome Center (SRCWC), located at 248 W. Canal Street in Utica. “The partnership ...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Festivals Celebrates Local Tourism Champions with Two Hospitality Happy Hours in July

07/30/2025 by  
Heritage Corridor Festivals 501(c)(3) proudly hosted two Hospitality Happy Hours throughout July, recognizing exceptional local businesses that play a vital role in driving tourism and creating memorable experiences for visitors in the Heritage Corridor region. Hospitalit...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Destinations Welcomes Jeanette Smith to Board of Directors 

 07/25/2025 by  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  JOLIET, IL — Heritage Corridor Destinations is proud to announce the appointment of Jeanette Smith to its Board of Directors. Smith brings a wealth of experience in marketing and sales and currently serves as the General Manager and Adver...READ MORE

Robert Navarro Re-Elected to Illinois Destinations Association Board, Named Treasurer

 07/08/2025 by  
Heritage Corridor Destinations is proud to announce that Robert Navarro, President and CEO, has been re-elected to the Illinois Destinations Association (IDA) Board of Directors. Navarro will serve as treasurer for the upcoming fiscal year. “I’m honored to be ...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Festivals Celebrates Outstanding Tourism Partners Across the Region

 07/01/2025 by  
Joliet, IL - Heritage Corridor Festivals recently honored key partners throughout the region for their continued success in promoting tourism and driving economic impact within the Heritage Corridor with their Hospitality Happy Hour program. Visits were made to several st...READ MORE

Five Communities Have Been Designated Official Satellite City Status for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off

 06/30/2025 by  
From the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership:  Five communities have been designated Official Satellite City status for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off on April 30, 2026.  The five satellite cities will join the live, online media event combined with Route ...READ MORE

Heritage Corridor Destinations Showcases Route 66 to International Travel Agents and Media

06/24/2025 by  
Joliet, IL — June 23, 2025 — As the world’s top travel professionals gathered in Chicago for IPW, the premier international travel trade show held June 14–18, 2025, Heritage Corridor Destinations seized the opportunity to shine a spotlight on one of I...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