Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop

Where Route 66 meets Lincoln's legacy

We have something fun for everyone: road trippers, train buffs, architecture experts, foodies, Lincoln enthusiasts, museum-goers, and more!

Plan Your Visit

Check out what's happening on the Museum Square.

From local history programming, to concerts, and the weekly Farmers' Market, there's always something to do.

The Henney Kilowatt: Bloomington's "Car of Tomorrow" with Bill Kemp at Bloomington Public Library
Thursday, June 26th | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
6:00pm – 7:00pm

Long before Rivian became one of the hottest electric automakers on the planet, the Twin Cities were center stage for another batt...

Back 2 School Supply Drive
Tuesday, July 1st – Friday, August 1st | 9:00am – 5:00pm
9:00am – 5:00pm

Back 2 School Supply Drive – We Need your Help!From July 1 through August 1, 2025, the Museum will participate in the Back 2 Schoo...

Closed for the Fourth of July
Friday, July 4th | 9:00pm – 5:00pm
9:00pm – 5:00pm

The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed in observance of the July 4th holiday. We will ...

Route 66 First Friday Festivities
Friday, July 11th | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
5:00pm – 8:00pm

Get your kicks on Route 66 this July during the Downtown Bloomington First Friday festivities on July 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Muse...

Futures in History Mini Camp: Discovering Downtown
Monday, July 14th | 8:30am – 12:30pm
8:30am – 12:30pm
July 15th at 8:30am – 12:30pm
July 16th at 8:30am – 12:30pm

How much do you really know about historic Downtown Bloomington? Come with us as we explore the culture, history, and humans that ...

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500+ reviews on Google Maps and TripAdvisor.

A must-see site

"Wonderful museum about historic McLean County - especially Lincoln's connection with it and Route 66. Staff are exceptionally knowledgeable, friendly and professional. The Court House itself is a beautiful treasure. It is a wonderful place to spend a few hours or an afternoon."

Unbelievable

"By far the best county museum in the country. We spent over 2 hours there and wasn't able to take it all in. There was a tremendous amount of information on Lincoln and much, much more. Definitely worth the stop."

Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 is a visitors center with something fun for everyone.

People from all over the world visit downtown Bloomington every day

Located on the ground floor of the McLean County Museum of History in downtown Bloomington, Illinois.

Centrally located with nearby parking, great restaurants, coffee shops, and things to do.

Get Directions

Open today from 9am to 5pm.

Admission to the visitors center is always FREE.

Get travel information and local recommendations

Whether you need a restaurant recommendation, a great cup of coffee, time in nature, or a place to stay, our staff and volunteers are here to help.

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Buy something special in the gift shop

We have locally-produced snacks like Beer Nuts and artisan-made crafts. There's Route 66 themed shirts and souvenirs, Lincoln-related gifts, and seasonally-available Funks Grove Maple Sirup.

Browse Items

Embark on a self-guided walking tour

Look for where Lincoln left his mark on Bloomington-Normal with our Looking for Lincoln audio tour that explores the area through Lincoln's eyes.

More into downtown Bloomington's architecture? We have a tour for that, too.

Take a Tour

Grab an ice cold route 66 soda from our vintage Pepsi machine

Yes, it still works!

Take a picture with Abraham Lincoln on our iconic bench

Tag us in your pictures on Instagram with #LincolnBench

Appreciate the art and the architecture

Murals, sculptures, and our building's remarkable architecture are worth a visit alone.

Check Out Our Murals

Learn local history

Informational panels in the visitors center explore how traveling, lodging, dining, and Abraham Lincoln have helped to shape the region and communities of McLean County.

Want to know more? Head upstairs to explore one of the best regional history museums in the country.

this image shows the interior of our Making a Home exhibit, with a covered wagon on the right. Visit the Museum
this image shows the interior of our Making a Home exhibit, with a covered wagon on the right.
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