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.

Mourning in McLean: The Story of Death, Grieving, and Funerary Customs in 19th & 20th Century Central Illinois as told by Candace Summers

Saturday, October 18th
2:00pm – 3:00pm

Join the Museum's Senior Director of Education, Candace Summers, for an illustrated program that will explore the many facets...

Cole Pulice presented by pt.fwd

Tuesday, October 21st
6:30pm – 8:00pm

The Museum, in partnership with pt.fwd, is excited present saxophonist, composer and improviser Cole Pulice. This free concert wil...

Lincoln's 'Lost Speech' Found: Origin of the Illinois Republican Party with Bill Kemp

Wednesday, October 22nd
6:00pm – 8:00pm

Join the Museum's Librarian, Bill Kemp, to go back in time to May 29, 1856, when Abraham Lincoln gave the keynote address at ...

Next To Normal Story Slam: Remember Me

Friday, October 24th
7:30pm – 8:30pm

Next To Normal Story Slam: Remember MeThe Next to Normal Story Slam began in 2018 as a way to bring people together through storie...

National Immigrants Day

Tuesday, October 28th
5:30pm – 7:00pm

October 28 is National Immigrants Day. The Museum is celebrating by offering FREE admission from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and hosting an o...

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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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