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Joliet is a city of about 150,000 people on the Des Plaines River, about 35 miles southwest of Chicago, and the county seat of Will County. Built on limestone quarries, steel mills and canals in the 1800s, it is also a classic stop on historic Route 66, and its old prison became famous worldwide as the opening scene of The Blues Brothers.
The Old Joliet Prison, closed in 2002, now offers guided tours of its imposing limestone walls and cell houses. Downtown, the Rialto Square Theatre, opened in 1926 and nicknamed the Jewel of Joliet, hosts concerts and touring shows beneath a grand chandelier, while the Joliet Area Historical Museum has a hands-on Route 66 Welcome Center. Just south of downtown, the Rich and Creamy ice cream stand is a beloved Route 66 photo stop with the Blues Brothers on its roof.
Joliet Union Station still serves Metra and Amtrak trains, and the Des Plaines River and the old Illinois and Michigan Canal frame the city's industrial heritage. Pilcher Park offers woodland trails and a nature center, and Hollywood Casino Joliet sits on the river just north of downtown.
A massive limestone prison opened in 1858 and closed in 2002, seen in the opening of The Blues Brothers and the series Prison Break. Guided and self-guided tours take visitors through cell blocks, the yard and the castle-like walls. Book tours online; some areas are rough underfoot.
The ruins of a large 19th-century steel mill along the Des Plaines River, now a free Forest Preserve site with a trail past old foundations, furnace remains and signs about Joliet's industrial past. It links to the I&M Canal Trail. Walk it in daylight and wear sturdy shoes.
A residential district on the bluff west of downtown Joliet with grand Victorian and early 20th-century homes built of local limestone and brick by the city's wealthy families. A self-guided walk shows many architectural styles. These are private homes, so view them from the sidewalk.
A downtown museum in a former church with exhibits on Joliet's industrial and immigrant history, the Joliet Prison, and astronaut Jack Lousma's space program items, plus the Route 66 Welcome Center. Admission is low. It is a good first stop for Route 66 travelers.
A restored 1912 Beaux-Arts railroad station with a grand waiting room, still used by Amtrak and Metra trains on lines toward Chicago and St. Louis. The station building is now also used as an event space. Step in to see the interior if it is open, then walk to the Rialto nearby.
A lavish 1926 movie palace downtown, sometimes called the Jewel of Joliet, with a vaulted rotunda, a huge chandelier and a restored Barton organ. It hosts concerts, comedy and touring shows. Guided tours are offered on some days, and the lobby alone is worth seeing.
A classic Route 66 ice cream stand on Broadway Street with statues of the Blues Brothers on its roof, serving soft serve cones, sundaes, shakes and simple snacks. It is open seasonally and is a favorite photo stop for road trippers. Expect lines on hot summer evenings.
A wooded park and nature center on Joliet's east side with trails through old-growth forest, a creek, an artesian well and live animal displays inside the nature center. It is free and great for a quiet walk or birdwatching. Trails can be muddy in spring, so wear proper shoes.
A historic Joliet Park District greenhouse and conservatory beside Pilcher Park, with tropical plants, cacti, seasonal flower shows and outdoor gardens. Admission is free. The holiday poinsettia display and spring shows are highlights, and it is a warm escape in winter.
A riverside casino and hotel on the Des Plaines River with slot machines, table games, restaurants and an events venue. Guests must be 21 or older with ID. It is a short drive from downtown Joliet; parking is free and live music is offered on some weekends.
A downtown casino and hotel on the Des Plaines River with slot machines, table games, a buffet and restaurants. Visitors must be 21 or older with photo ID. Its location makes it easy to combine with the Rialto Square Theatre or a downtown meal on the same evening.
A drag racing facility next to the former Chicagoland Speedway site in Joliet, hosting NHRA events and local racing nights, as well as other motorsport and special events. Check the event calendar, and bring ear protection, sunscreen and a seat cushion for long race days.
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