Have you taken a Route 66 Centennial roadtrip and regretted not picking up some more souvenirs? Heritage Corridor Destination’s new online shop offers travelers, Route 66 enthusiasts and The First Hundred Miles locals a way to have limited edition memorabilia shipped direct to their door.
Guests can head to hcdestinations.myshopify.com and browse an extensive selection of Route 66-themed merchandise, including a collection of items offered exclusively for the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road. This capsule collection includes a travel-ready crossbody bag, baseball cap, T-shirt, water bottle and ornament with the official Route 66 Centennial logo. There is also a selection of limited edition Illinois Route 66 Centennial challenge coins, available as a full set of 13 coins celebrating attractions across the state (with or without a commemorative stand) or individual coins featuring two famed stops along The First Hundred Miles – The Old Joliet Prison and The Gemini Giant.
You’ll also find the full range of standard The First Hundred Miles merch, seen in several gift shops across the region. These items capture the spirit of the Mother Road through a variety of unique keepsakes and apparel. You’ll find socks featuring iconic Route 66 imagery, from vintage neon signs to classic diners, limited edition bobble heads, T-shirts, vinyl stickers, 3-D magnets, and pins. For kids, the site offers a range of coloring books highlighting the culture and quirky charm of The First Hundred Miles.
The site also is home to items promoting Heritage Corridor Destination’s other popular regions, Starved Rock Country and I&M Canal Towns. To place your order and have merch shipped direct to your door, head to: hcdestinations.myshopify.com
Looking for more places to find Route 66 merchandise? Consider stopping at one of these The First Hundred Miles gifts shops on your next trip along The Mother Road.
The Joliet Area Historical Museum Gift Shop (204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet) is conveniently located in the lobby of the museum in downtown Joliet. The shop serves as an official merchandise location for both the First Hundred Miles of Route 66 and the nearby Old Joliet Prison. Its eclectic collection appeals to both history buffs and casual travelers, with items ranging from “Blues Brothers”-themed clothing and coffee mugs to nostalgic Joliet themed View-Master slides and ties decorated with Route 66 imagery. Visitors also will find a large selection of official First Hundred Miles merchandise, including socks featuring iconic Route 66 landmarks, vinyl stickers, 3D magnets, T-shirts, and other souvenirs proudly displaying The First Hundred Miles logo.
The Landing Pad (110 S. Park St., Unit C, Wilmington) offers a fun and nostalgic stop for travelers exploring this historic corridor. This 1960s space age themed shop features an exclusive collection of one of a kind collectibles, souvenirs and memorabilia that celebrate the spirit of the Mother Road. The store embraces retro futurism and roadside Americana, making it a destination as much as a gift shop. Located just steps away from the new home of the famous Gemini Giant, it is an ideal stop for visitors looking to pair a memorable photo with a unique Route 66 keepsake.
The Shop on Route 66 (315 N. Center St., Gardner) welcomes travelers with a charming collection of classic roadside memorabilia. The shop is known for its vintage Coca-Cola displays and its role as a friendly information stop for both in state visitors and cross country Route 66 adventurers. Inside, guests can browse an extensive selection of Route 66 themed items, including walls of die cast vintage cars, throwback metal signage, postcards, stickers and other eclectic collectibles. It is the kind of place where every shelf holds a small piece of roadside history.
Old Route 66 Family Restaurant (105 S. Old Route 66, Dwight) combines a welcoming sit down dining experience with a small but carefully curated collection of Route 66 souvenirs. The restaurant is easy to reach from both Route 66 and Interstate 55, making it a convenient stop for travelers exploring this stretch of the highway. Outside, a colorful Route 66 mural provides a quick photo opportunity before stepping inside, where visitors will notice a real fire engine chassis cleverly repurposed as the cashier station. Beneath it you will find shot glasses, patches, stickers, mugs and maps celebrating the Mother Road, while behind the counter hangs a wide selection of Route 66 shirts and sweatshirts. With generous portions, daily specials, homemade soups and desserts, the restaurant also is an excellent place to refuel after a stretch on the road.
Ambler’s Texaco Gas Station (West Waupansie Street, Dwight) is one of the most beloved landmarks along Illinois Route 66. Built in 1933, the cottage style station served travelers until 1999, making it the longest operating gas station on the entire route. The station is named for longtime manager Basil “Tubby” Ambler, who ran the business from 1938 to 1966 and became a familiar figure to generations of motorists. Restoration of the building was completed in 2007, transforming it into a visitor center and small gift shop while preserving its historic appearance. Today, visitors can explore interpretive signage, view a vintage auto shop exhibit and browse a selection of Route 66 memorabilia and keepsakes. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains a meaningful link to the road’s golden age.
In Pontiac, travelers will find a modern take on the classic road trip stop at Wally’s (1 Holiday Road, Pontiac). Marketed as the Home of the Great American Road Trip, Wally’s is known for its massive scale and playful personality. The location features more than 70 fuel pumps and electric vehicle charging stations, along with a sprawling 30,000 square foot building filled with snacks, travel supplies and a huge assortment of souvenirs. The store’s quirky mascots appear on everything from T-shirts and koozies to beverage coolers, creating fun and self referential merchandise that celebrates the spirit of the open road. Inside you will also find a meat carving deli, a gourmet coffee and beverage bar, a beef jerky station, freshly made sweets and a popcorn bar. Outside, the towering neon Wally’s sign has quickly become one of Pontiac’s most photographed landmarks.
Just a few blocks away in historic downtown Pontiac is Home Again On Route 66 (321 N. Main St., Pontiac), a small but beloved shop located inside the Illinois Route 66 Association Museum and Hall of Fame building. The shop specializes entirely in Route 66 culture and memorabilia. Visitors can browse everything from postcards and patches to books, vintage style signs and locally made artwork celebrating the highway’s history. The carefully curated selection reflects the deep pride Pontiac has in its Route 66 heritage. Knowledgeable staff members are also happy to share tips about nearby attractions and hidden gems along the Mother Road, making this cozy shop not only a place to find souvenirs but also a valuable stop for travelers seeking to learn more about the communities that keep the Route 66 story alive.
