Route 66 Road Trip Leads to Massive M&M Museum in Illinois

Beals M&M Museum in Waggoner houses over 5,000 M&M collectibles in a custom-built shed.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:19am

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A bold, geometric illustration in the Art Deco style, featuring a towering, streamlined building with sweeping gradients of warm colors, conceptually representing the grand scale and romance of the Beals M&M Museum's expansive collection.The Beals M&M Museum's impressive collection of over 5,000 candy-themed items has become a must-see roadside attraction for travelers along historic Route 66.Waggoner Today

A bag of candy led a couple on a Route 66 road trip to the Beals M&M Museum in Waggoner, Illinois, which houses a collection of over 5,000 M&M-related items displayed from wall to wall and floor to ceiling in a custom-built 20-by-30-foot shed.

Why it matters

The Beals' M&M museum has become a popular roadside attraction and stop along the historic Route 66, drawing visitors from around the world who are eager to see the couple's impressive collection and receive a free fun-size bag of their favorite candy.

The details

Steve and Patricia Beale started collecting California Raisins, but when Steve could no longer find them, he switched to collecting M&Ms instead. The collection grew so large that they could no longer open the bedroom door, so they decided to build a dedicated space to display it all.

  • The Beales started their M&M collection with California Raisins.
  • When Steve could no longer find the California Raisins, he switched to collecting M&Ms instead.
  • The couple built a 20-by-30-foot shed to house their growing M&M collection.

The players

Steve Beale

The co-founder of the Beals M&M Museum who started the collection with California Raisins before switching to M&Ms.

Patricia Beale

The co-founder of the Beals M&M Museum and Steve's wife.

Beals M&M Museum

A museum in Waggoner, Illinois that houses a collection of over 5,000 M&M-related items.

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What they’re saying

“I like to share what I have and what I know.”

— Steve Beale, Co-founder, Beals M&M Museum

“My favorite kind of M&Ms is peanut butter.”

— Patricia Beale, Co-founder, Beals M&M Museum

The takeaway

The Beals' M&M museum has become a beloved roadside attraction that celebrates the joy of collecting and sharing one's passions, while also providing a unique and memorable experience for travelers along the historic Route 66.