Homepage

The Launching Pad

Welcome to the official website for the Launching Pad Restaurant, home to the Gemini Giant on historicRoute 66 in Wilmington, Illinois! After a two-year restoration* we are now open as a restaurant, gift and travel shop, Mini Americana Museum and host for Grief Anonymous support group meetings. Come see us!

Pizza
Hotdogs
Sandwiches
Salads
Milkshakes

Daily Menu Grief Anonymous meetings Visitors Wall

Launching Pad E-shop

Bobble Head $ 23.66

Steel Magnet $ 9.66

Route 66 Passport $ 9.99

Magnet- Red & Silver Gemini Giant $ 5.66

We are very excited to have Gemini Giant merchandise available online! We ship worldwide! Thank you for your support!

Our Story

Hello and Welcome to the Official Website for the Launching Pad Drive-in, Home to the Iconic Gemini Giant on Route 66 in Wilmington, Illinois!

Our business partners

illinoisroute66.org Where the Mother Road begins

www.HeritageCorridorCVB.com CVB and Illinois Office of Tourism

www.route66magazine.com Subscribe to Route 66 Magazine Today!

www.enjoyillinois.com The Official Website of the Illinois Office of Tourism

www.365on66.com We are dedicated to promote and showcase the businesses that are along the world famous Route 66

griefresourcenetwork.com

griefanonymous.com

www.RoadtoRock.org

www.route66navigation.com Find and stay on historic Route 66

The temperature may be 0° today but it’s warm o

The temperature may be 0° today but it’s warm on the inside of The Launching Pad! The Gemini Giant says its very cold. Just look at the icicles coming off his helmet and arms. Hot Broccoli and cheddar soup. Hot delicious sandwiches and more. Come warm up with us.... Tully & Holly 🚀🚀🚀

Just got this email from Google. Put a smile on o

Just got this email from Google. Put a smile on our face. 😊 Tully & Holly 🚀🚀🚀

What a cool little piece of eye candy from the 60s

What a cool little piece of eye candy from the 60s and 70s. This is an original A&W drive up order board. Maybe now our mannequin ... We mean our quietest employee MAGGIE MAE looks like she is doing something. Very retro! Tully & Holly 🚀🚀🚀

The Launching Pad is excited to receive the very

The Launching Pad is excited to receive the very coveted CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE from Trip Advisor. About the certificate. The TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence honours select accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence. TripAdvisor uses a proprietary algorithm to determine the Certificate of Excellence honourees. Thank You so much. Tully & Holly 🚀🚀🚀

Celebrating our One year anniversary! Below is a

Celebrating our One year anniversary! Below is a post from last year and pictures of the first day that we opened - test kitchen days. We are so proud of how far we have come and thank you for your continued support! Today you get a free ice cream cone with your meal. Chocolate, vanilla or Dole Whip to help celebrate our anniversary. Tully & Holly 🚀🚀🚀 ——————————————————————-
February 9, 2019
All right folks we are N O T -officially open but we are doing a small test kitchen sample today so we can start ironing out any kinks. Very limited menu... Chicago style hot dogs and Carolina style hot dogs with classic jays potato chips. Nachos and cheese sauce and Brunswick stew. A complete line of Route 66 Soda. Coke or Pepsi we have them both. Come try our Dole Whip the beautiful tasty pineapple Dole whip Along with top grade vanilla and chocolate ice cream In a cup or a cone. Please be patient and please understand this is just a test kitchen day and we’re just getting our wings. This is while supplies last we have a small batch. Special pricing for these kitchen test days. We will be having some of the small kitchen test days and keeping you updated our first one is right now! We just now serviced our first customer! Go to our Facebook for the restaurant. Reviews are off the hook. Tully & Holly 🚀🚀🚀
———————————————————————

A special on Route 66 tonight at 9:30 PM Central T

A special on Route 66 tonight at 9:30 PM Central Time. The episode is HIGHWAY TO HISTORY. Small Town Big Idea is the show and from what we know now the initial airing tonight will be on: Dish Network # 231 Direct TV # 345 It will be Syndicated shortly on over 170 stations across America. Hope you tune in as we are excited to be part of this episode which brings positive attention to Route 66! Tully & Holly 🚀🚀🚀

A BIG Happy Birthday to our friend Richie McDonald

A BIG Happy Birthday to our friend Richie McDonald - Lead Singer Of Lone Star! He is a huge fan of The Pad & Gemini Giant! Shhhhh- hope to see you soon for a special event. Everyone give a shout out to Richie and wish him a Happy Birthday.
Tully & Holly 🚀🚀🚀

This Thursday night The Launching Pad & Gemini Gia

This Thursday night The Launching Pad & Gemini Giant will be televised on the TV show Small Town Big Deal! The episode and station reach goes out to 170 stations across the country. It will also be in syndication to ABC & CBS, The Learning Channel, and other major networks.
We will update everyone on this page with information in the next day or two. So excited to bring eyes and ears to Route 66 and the Re- Launch Of The Launching Pad, home to the Gemini Giant!
Tully & Holly 🚀🚀🚀

It’s a good feeling when you visit a Barnes & No

It’s a good feeling when you visit a Barnes & Nobel and find The Gemini Giant in many travel related books. Long Live Americana and The Mother Road - Route 66! Tully & Holly 🚀🚀🚀

Sam you were and always be loved. You fought hard

Sam you were and always be loved. You fought hard and long and we will forever miss you. The Good Lord above has his warm arms wrapped around you. We have made our final Chocolate Shake for you and we will never forget you. Hell yea- you would shout out when you drank your shake. 😃 Prayers to your wife of 40 years and family. Always went above and beyond for The Launching Pad. We love you ❤️ Tully & Holly / Launching Pad Crew 🙏🙏🙏

Shhhh- we won’t tell anyone. Sneak in for our h

Shhhh- we won’t tell anyone. Sneak in for our hand made Milkshakes. Real milk, great ice cream and whip cream.
Our large Milkshakes weigh in at a full one pound. Don’t worry we won’t tell anyone we saw you... 😉 Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Pineapple and Mint everyday! Real Milkshakes- it’s what we do. Tully & Holly 🚀🚀🚀

Load More... Follow on Instagram