Welcome to
Wilmington
Wilmington is famous for the Gemini Giant — a 28-foot fiberglass Muffler Man astronaut holding a rocket, originally installed in 1965 at the Launching Pad Drive-In. After the Drive-In closed, the giant was relocated to South Island Park in 2024 and is more accessible than ever.
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, a 20,000-acre restored prairie on the former Joliet Arsenal site, sits just outside town and is one of the largest tallgrass preserves in the country.
exploreThings to See & Do
Gemini Giant
Wilmington's 28-foot fiberglass spaceman — Route 66's most photographed muffler man
Gemini Giant at South Island Park
The 28-foot fiberglass astronaut, Wilmington's beloved Muffler Man, now stands at the entrance to South Island Park after a 2024 relocation.
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
The first national tallgrass prairie in America, restored on the former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, with 30 miles of free trails minutes from Route 66.
Historic Downtown Wilmington
The walkable nineteenth-century Island City core along the Kankakee River, packed with twenty antique shops, a 1937 movie palace and original Route 66 storefronts.
The Mar Theatre
A 1937 Art Deco movie house on Main Street, the only privately owned operating theater in Will County and an enduring Route 66 landmark.
Tips for Visiting Wilmington
Gemini Giant moved to South Island Park (Bridge St) in late 2024 — easier to find than the old Launching Pad location.
Midewin Prairie has 30 miles of trails open dawn to 10pm — bring water and sun protection.
Nelly's Restaurant on Bridge St is the local Route 66 breakfast spot.