Overview
Atlanta is a small city in Logan County, Illinois along historic Route 66. It had a population of 1,669 as of the 2020 U.S. Census. Atlanta was incorporated in 1853.
4 sights · 4 things to do · 2 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Atlanta
Paul Bunyan Statue
A popular Route 66 stop. The statue is 19 feet tall.
Atlanta Public Library & Museum
A library and museum built in 1908 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There is also a Clock Tower next to the library and must be hand-wound.
Route 66 Arcade Museum
An arcade and Route 66 theme museum
Smiley Water Tower
A large yellow water tower with a smiley face painted on it.
North Greens Golf Course
An 18-hole, family-friendly course.
Atlanta Park
A park with a playground, pavilion, and two basketball courts
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Peoria)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BMI Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal, Bloomington/Normal — 22 mi away. Directions
- DEC Decatur Airport, Decatur — 35 mi away. Directions
- STL St. Louis Lambert International Airport, St Louis — 121 mi away (major hub). Directions
Atlanta sits right on I-55. It is about a 45-minute drive from Springfield and a 25-minute drive from Bloomington-Normal. Historic Route 66 also cuts through town following I-55 to Chicago in the north and Springfield to the south.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Paul Bunyan Statue, Route 66 Arcade Museum, Xenia Park
- Lunch The Palms Grill Cafe
- Afternoon Atlanta Fall Festival, Atlanta Public Library & Museum
- Dinner Country-Aire Restaurant
- Evening Chubby's Bar & Grill
Day 2
- Morning North Greens Golf Course
- Evening 217 Roadhouse Bar and Grill
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
It was founded as Xenia but changed its name when it was incorporated in 1855, Atlanta sits between Springfield, the capital of Illinois, and Bloomington-Normal, a large metropolitan area and the home of Illinois State University. Atlanta is surrounded by country roads and farmland growing mostly corn and soybeans. Route 66 runs through Atlanta, resulting in the eye-catching Paul Bunyan Statue holding a hot dog, a famous Route 66 photo opportunity.
Get in
By car
Atlanta sits right on I-55. It is about a 45-minute drive from Springfield and a 25-minute drive from Bloomington-Normal. Historic Route 66 also cuts through town following I-55 to Chicago in the north and Springfield to the south.
By train
Atlanta is not served directly by train. Amtrak runs through town but does not stop. The closest stations are Lincoln Station in Lincoln to the south and Uptown Station to the north in Bloomington-Normal.
By plane
There is no airport in Atlanta. Central Illinois Regional Airport BMI in Bloomington-Normal has four airlines that operate flights from multiple destinations across the United States. CIRA also has 5 rental car agencies for getting around the area. Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport SPI in Springfield operates flights from Chicago and Fort Worth and has 6 rental car agencies.
Get around
Car is the easiest way to get around in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Walking is viable in downtown Atlanta but once downtown clears out, it becomes much more difficult to traverse the streets.
See
Do
Do Xenia Park
A small patch of grass in downtown Atlanta with a few trees for shade and a picnic table.
Do Atlanta Fall Festival
This 4-day festival is typically scheduled for the second weekend in September and runs Thursday-Sunday in Atlanta Memorial Park. Each day is full of events for adults, children, and families.
Buy
Shop Arch Street Artisans
Eat
Eat Country-Aire Restaurant
A locally owned an operated restaurant that serves diner food.
Eat The Palms Grill Cafe
A diner and café specializing in breakfast foods.
Drink
Drink 217 Roadhouse Bar and Grill
A small bar and grill that serves good food and drink.
Drink Chubby's Bar & Grill
A bar and grill with a focus on fried foods.
Sleep
Stay Atlanta Inn
Go next
Nearby
McLean
City / town · 5 mi away
Lincoln
City / town · 18 listings · 11 mi away
Bloomington-Normal
City / town · 35 listings · 20 mi away
Williamsville
City / town · 5 listings · 27 mi away
Washington
City / town · 7 listings · 32 mi away
Sherman
City / town · 6 listings · 32 mi away
Decatur
City / town · 11 listings · 32 mi away
East Peoria
City / town · 33 mi away
My experience
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