A mid-1800’s architectural wonder helped make Chicago the city it is today. The 96-mile Illinois & Michigan Canal (I&M Canal) connected the Great Lakes in Bridgeport, Chicago to the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru, and amazingly unique towns sprung up that maintain their authentic charm to this date.
Freedom. The Open Road. The American Dream. All are still alive on The Mother Road. The nostalgia of diners, museums, tourist stops and neon lights are there for you to visit as you make the drive from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA. You can still get your Kicks on Route 66!
A visit to Starved Rock State Park consists of many sights to behold, including breathtaking views of its many canyons and awe-inspiring scenes of eagles flying during the winter month.
Are you looking for a specific type of place to visit in the I&M Canal Heritage Corridor? If you're a craft beer fan, you will love the Heritage Corridor Ale Trail? Seeing a thrilling journey or just an escape, check out Adventure Outside Chicago. We've got all the info to unlock your next trip right here.
Axe Factor Throwing is the Midwest’s premier indoor urban axe throwing destination. The experienced “Axeperts” will show you how to throw axes as well as make sure that you have an axe-ellent time doing it. At Axe Factor Throwing you can walk-in at any time. Their lanes can fit up to 12 people and they will do their best to keep your group together. You can go to axefactorthrowing.com to book a lane, but walk-ins are also welcome.
The age limit is 13 years of age or older and ...
Clow International Airport is Bolingbrook’s general aviation airport and is home to the A&M Aviation FBO, the Illinois Aviation Museum, and Charlie’s Restaurant. Every June the Clow International Airport hosts their Cavalcade of Planes, which attracts aviation enthusiasts to a display of historic aircrafts, museum exhibits, flyovers, and rides in an experimental aircraft. The Illinois Aviation Museum is open on Saturdays throughout the year for tours. Bolingbrook’s Clow International ...
Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve protects a diversity of habitats, including prairie, savanna and wetland. A unique feature of the site is its crescent-shaped sand dunes, which formed when the area was the shoreline of the ancient glacial Lake Wauponsee.
Wildlife found at the preserve includes more than 30 bird species, in addition to amphibians and reptiles such as the tiger salamander and the six-lined racerunner. The preserve is also home to a variety of plant ...
The Bronk Farm has been in the family for 5 generations growing corn and soy beans. In 2012 Jennifer Bronk and husband Kevin Veen established Bronkberry Farms. We wanted our farm to be a “destination” for our neighbors and surrounding communities! We started with a roadside stand with a small greenhouse, a ¼ acre vegetable garden and a pumpkin patch. We have since “grown” into a 70×30’ barn & “state of the art” greenhouse. We are now growing vegetables and fruit including ...
The Cathedral Area Preservation Association of Joliet was formed in 1981 by concerned neighbors looking to preserve, protect and promote their historic neighborhood. The organization puts on several events throughout the year, including a Beer Walk. In September, they hold a Housewalk that allows the community to explore the interior of 5 historical homes and the LaVerne & Dorothy Brown Science Hall at the University of St. Francis. At each home, you’ll learn about the location’s ...
The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn has a mission of positively impacting a child's potential in life through play-based education. Children’s museums create playful, interactive learning experiences, and providing a place where all kids can learn through play. It's a place for children to be creative, role play and build. The Children’s Museum is home to numerous exhibits that help children explore their curiosity while discovering something unique about themselves and learning ...
Dollinger Family Farm is the best place to celebrate fall, it is the family’s favorite season after all. In the early years, the farm served as a place to rest the mules pulling barges down the I&M Canal. Today, the farm comes alive in the fall with pumpkins, hayrides, a corn maze, train rides, farm animals and fall fun for the entire family. Grandma Dollinger's homemade fudge has officially been claimed as one of Chicago's Best Fudge. This little part of the world is full of ...
The Forest Preserve District of Will County owns or manages land in 70 forest preserves, including 10 designated as Illinois Nature Preserves for their rare natural features. Many preserves offer amenities such as picnic shelters, campsites, canoe/kayak/boat launches, fishing access, ice skating ponds, playgrounds, and sled hills. The Forest Preserve District offers more than 116 miles of trails for biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, in-line skating, running, ...
Each year, campers make Fossil Rock RV Park and Campground their family vacation destination. Conveniently located 55 miles from Downtown Chicago and 50 miles from Starved Rock State Park, Fossil Rock RV Park and Campground is the perfect retreat after exploring nearby attractions Route 66 Raceway, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet Prison and the City of Joliet. Campground activities and close proximity to area attractions is what makes the Fossil Rock RV Park and Campground the premier ...
Four Rivers Environmental Education Center is a model of green architecture, featuring a repurposed building site and interior fireplace, geothermal heating and cooling system, recycled and sustainable building materials, and energy saving technology. Four Rivers' name comes from its location, positioned near where the Des Plaines, DuPage and Kankakee Rivers meet to form the Illinois River. No matter which room you are in at the center, you will have a magnificent view of the ...
A 20th century Kankakee streetcar was moved to Gardner in 1932 to serve as a diner.
In 1937, the streetcar became a cottage and playhouse. It was moved behind the Riviera in 1955 and is still there today. It was restored ty the Route 66 Association of Illinois and inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame in 2001.
The Greater Livingston County Arts Council is a non-profit organization that was formed in 2016 to provide opportunities for education, growth and appreciation of the visual fine arts in the Livingston County Area and to support the Pontiac Community Art Center.
The Pontiac Community Art Center nurtures the creativity found within the collection of artists and art groups located in the City of Pontiac and surrounding area. The Art Center is a studio, teaching space, gallery ...
Harrah’s Casino & Hotel is your epicenter for fun. Harrah’s is located along the Des Plaines River in picturesque downtown Joliet. Play over 1,000 of the hottest Chicagoland slots where fun, friendly action is always the “reel” deal. Or hit the tables and try your luck on favorites such as blackjack, craps, roulette, three card poker and Mississippi stud poker. Harrah’s Joliet also offers the chance to play Texas Hold’em poker and Omaha in the WSOP Poker Room.
Hungry ...
The Haunted Trails of Joliet is a unique, year-round “Halloween-themed” family entertainment center. Haunted Trails specializes in family fun, birthday parties, group celebrations, company picnics and events for all ages. Fun amenities include two award winning 18-hole mini-golf courses, two go-kart tracks, plus a junior go-kart track for the little ones, laser tag, batting cages and amusement rides. The Monster’s Tomb Game Room is the place for game lovers to congregate, as ...
Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm is the place to visit in the fall. Located 8 miles west of I-55 in Minooka, Illinois, Heap’s Farm is the place to challenge yourself in the corn maze or bean maze, catch a hay ride out to the 25 acre pumpkin patch to pick your perfect pumpkin off the vine, or play in Milo’s Castle Playground. Complete your fall décor with a mum, straw bales, corn stalks, pumpkins, gourds and squash. Don’t forget to grab a tasty caramel apple and pumpkin cookie, or try ...
The Hollywood Casino Joliet offers some of the best promotions in all of Chicagoland. Experience exciting action on over 1,100 of the most popular slot and video poker machines, and tables. There is non-stop action on the 50,000 square foot gaming floor; that includes a fantastic selection of table games, including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette. Several dining options are available from the fine dining of a steak house, the plethora of flavors on the buffet, to the casual beer and ...
Coming in 2023, the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 is an organization created to honor and celebrate the musical contributions of Illinois to the world. Based in Downtown Joliet, Illinois the museum will feature artifacts from musicians and bands as a way to honor all genres of music connected with Illinois. The mission of the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 is to preserve the history of musicians and bands with Illinois ties while educating visitors about the ...
Route 66 defined a remarkable era in our nation’s history and it lives on today in Illinois’ Route 66’s many roadside attractions, museums, restaurants, and the shiny blacktop referred to as the ‘Mother Road’. Route 66 is the most famous road in America. . Illinois’ stretch of this mythic road boasts the highest density of kitschy, interesting things to do you’ll find from here to California. Throughout the year there are many events happening along Route 66 for the entire family ...
The Joliet Area Historical Museum, in downtown Joliet, offers history buffs with a chance to relive history through special exhibits, educational programs and a summer concert series. The museum's main exhibition gallery serves as an introduction to the many stories of the Joliet area and its people. At the Joliet Area Historical Museum you can take a walk through a replica of the I&M Canal, window shop on turn-of-the-century street, live the legend of the ‘Mother Road’ Route ...
The Joliet Slammers are a professional baseball team in the independent Frontier League, who play their home games at Joliet Route 66 Stadium. The "Slammers" name refers to the famous prisons of Joliet and Will County, as well as a common baseball term. The Slammers won the Frontier League Championship in 2011. A Joliet Slammers baseball game is the perfect way to enjoy family time throughout the summer. Not only are you watching baseball but they have plenty of fun activities ...
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is located north of Wilmington, IL and is just one hour from Chicago. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is 19,000 acres of beautiful picturesque nature and is adjacent to the 4,200 acre Des Plaines Conservation Area. Midewin remains the only federal tallgrass prairie preserve east of the Mississippi River. With the adjacent Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area and a number of other state and county protected areas in the immediate area, Midewin ...
The Old Joliet Prison was built in the 1850's, housing infamous criminals like Leopold, Loeb and Gacy. The prison also housed some famous characters, including "Joliet" Jake Blues (The Blues Brothers) and Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrons (Prison Break).
The castle-like Prison was built with Joliet limestone, with over 20 buildings inside its four walls. Take the hour-long tour on specific days of the week, and learn more about Joliet Correctional Center ... which is ...
Built in 1927, the Rialto Square Theatre is considered one of the 10 most beautiful theaters in the nation. Located in Joliet, the Rialto ensures you can always find the entertainment you're looking for: concerts, comedy, Broadway, dance, and musicals. The theatre also is an iconic place to host a wedding, reception or other event.
The newly renovated Eagle Performing Arts and Conference Center first opened in December of 1939 as a movie house. Its first movie was The Wizard of Oz.
After many successful years as a movie theater it was home to an indoor paintball range as well as an indoor skateboard park.
When the City of Pontiac purchased the building they took proposals for what to do with it. A local theatre troupe proposed the idea of a dinner theatre and the Eagle Performing Arts and Conference ...
The Jacob Henry Mansion, a National Historic Landmark, is well known for its beauty and exceptional culinary offerings, which make the Jacob Henry Mansion the perfect setting for any special occasion. In 1873, the home was the most expensive in the county. The elaborate 40 room mansion is located on Joliet’s prominent Eastern Avenue. Located in Joliet, The Jacob Henry Estate transforms an ordinary celebration into an extraordinary one.
FREE VISITORS GUIDE
FREE VISITORS GUIDE
