Lynn & Ray wanted to drive a portion of Route 66 on their way to their daughter’s graduation in St. Louis. But rather than start in Chicago, they decided to start their adventure in Bloomington, IL.

Staying in the Fern Suite at the Carriage House, they experienced a wonderful stay with a “YUMMY!” breakfast and “fantastic” hospitality.

Whether you’re on a roadtrip looking to incorporate Route 66, or you’re ready to plan that getaway you keep talking about, don’t put it off any longer. Read what Lynn & Ray had to say, learn more about Route 66 and the Carriage House, and then book your stay at Vrooman Mansion, for a vintage + modern bed and breakfast experience.

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Guest Review from Lynn & Ray of Pittsburgh, PA

We decided to take Old Route 66 to St. Louis to pick up our daughter from Med School. Fortunately for us, we picked Bloomington to start our adventure & found you guys! The Carriage House was wonderful! Breakfast was YUMMY! Brian & Megan were fantastic!!

Lynn & Ray, Pittsburgh, PA

Where is Route 66?

Lynn & Ray mentioned wanting to drive a portion of Route 66 on their way to the daughter’s college graduation. But what is Route 66 and why start in Bloomington, Illinois?

Route 66, also known as the Main Street of America or the Mother Road, is one of the original highways in the U.S. Highway System and was established in 1926. It starts in Chicago, Illinois, and ends in Santa Monica, California, covering a distance of approximately 2,448 miles. Along the way, it passes through eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Bloomington, Illinois is located on Route 66 approximately 136 miles southwest of Chicago and about 24 miles northeast of the Illinois state capital, Springfield. Bloomington is a great place to start your journey because its away from Chicago traffic (which can be a bit stressful for some!) and it’s home to several Route 66 landmarks, including the restored historic Sprague’s Super Service gas station and the Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center.

Route 66 was an important route for people migrating westward during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and became a popular route for vacationers in the post-World War II era. While the highway was decommissioned in 1985, many sections of the road still exist and have been preserved as historic landmarks, attracting visitors from around the world.

What is the Carriage House?

The Carriage House is a two-story structure next to the main Mansion home, on the Vrooman Mansion property. It was renovated in 2012 by the current owners, Pam & Dana, and provides an intimate and romantic atmosphere with modern amenities and spa-quality bathroom fixtures. The first floor features a cozy wood-burning fireplace, heated floors, and a screened-in porch with an outdoor fireplace. The second floor has two suites that can be reserved individually or together as a private retreat, accommodating up to six overnight guests with a pullout sleeper sofa. The Carriage House offers personalized concierge service, luxurious linens, spa bathrobes, and spa-quality bath and body products. It also has a kitchen with a coffee maker, microwave, and full-size guest refrigerator, and guests have access to the Main House first floor and porches.

Guests of the Carriage House can enjoy free secure Wi-Fi throughout the estate, daily gourmet plated breakfast served in the Main House, 24-hour complimentary beverages and snacks, and on-street parking in front of the Carriage House. It is within walking distance to downtown restaurants and the closest overnight accommodations to downtown Bloomington. The Carriage House is an excellent place to lose oneself for multiple nights, whether seeking a private alternative to a noisy hotel or looking for inspiration as a writer or as a wedding couple seeking the privacy of a cozy honeymoon suite. It is also perfect for small groups of ladies seeking a weekend spa party.

Staying in the Fern Suite at Vrooman Mansion

This 2nd floor suite is named after the many ferns planted on the grounds and offers a “whisked away from it all” feeling. One of the original owners of the mansion from 1869, Julia Scott, had a hobby of importing fern plants from England to decorate the mansion.

The room features a queen-size memory foam pillow-top mattress surrounded by a hand-painted frame, a modern bathroom with a tile and glass shower, custom woodwork, and an antique mirror with a hand-painted sink.

The Fern Suite has a reading chair, marble top dresser and tables, and north and west facing shuttered windows overlooking the spacious lawn of the bed and breakfast and providing a picturesque view of the Main House. Guests can enjoy reading a book on the screened-in porch or taking a walk or bike ride on the nearby Constitution Trail.

The Fern Suite offers a private bath with a walk-in shower and amenities such as a gourmet breakfast served in the Main House, an antique reading chair, and north and west facing shuttered windows. It is an elegant and cozy lodging option for guests seeking a Central Illinois getaway.

Gourmet Bed and Breakfast in Bloomington, Illinois

Lynn and Ray used the word “YUMMY!” to describe their gourmet breakfast experience with us. Vrooman Mansion offers a full breakfast with fresh and seasonal ingredients served between 8:00-9:30 am.

Guests can choose to dine with others or at a separate table or staggered time. Breakfast service begins with a glass of juice and a hot beverage, followed by a fresh seasonal fruit dish, and a hot entrée of the day. Dietary restrictions or preferences can be accommodated so please let us know when you book your stay!

The gourmet breakfasts are built around the freshest flavors of the season, and the staff surprises guests with a new gourmet experience. Examples of past dishes include Banana split with Greek yogurt and fresh berries, Signature French toast with bananas and salted caramel, and Grilled peaches with white chocolate mousse.

Roadtrip from the East Coast

Lynn & Ray discovered an amazing bed and breakfast experience with us at Vrooman Mansion in Bloomington, Illinois off of Historic Route 66. On their way to their daughter’s Med School graduation, they created their own historic moment.

8 hours west of Pittsburgh, you’ll find a key stop on Historic Route 66 and a mansion built in 1869 with the character to fuel new memories together and the modern amenities you need to be comfortable like free WiFi, gourmet included breakfast, endlessly available free coffee and tea, and free snacks.

Book a roadtrip to create new memories together. View our suites in more detail and check availability. 

Gift Certificates are also available.