I was only in Joliet for a day as a side-trip from Chicago. This museum is the best place to learn about the history of Joliet and Route 66. It's a great museum and it has a great low price. This is a must see attraction in Joliet.
Beautiful and clean museum. Not large but some very interesting things to see. Building use to be a church. Stain glass windows are amazing! They intrigued me as much as the displayed items. Museum curator available to answer any / all questions.Admission is extremely reasonable. I bought a GROUPON for two admissions at the price of one admission. You would need to check if this offer is currently available.Admission Fees$6 Adults$5 Seniors (60+)$4 Full-time students with valid school ID$3 Youth (age 4-17)FREE-Members and children under 3HoursMonday: 10 am - 2 pm during the Summer (except for the holidays listed below)Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am - 5 pmSunday: Noon - 5 pmThe Route 66 Experience and the Museum Gift Shop are open from 10 AM until 2 PM each Monday from May through September.
Decided to make a stop here while out for a joy ride. So glad we did, they have a special display right now on the 3 prison's in the area that is VERY informative!!!! Two of them are closed down and rotting away, the 3rd is still in operation. The rest of the museum, although small is very interesting, with displays about the area. For only $6 a person it's a great way to get out and stretch your legs if you are doing the Route 66 drive!!!The museum guide was very helpful and informative when we had questions!!!They also have a small area, just inside that door that had Route 66 memorabilia.The closest parking is about a 1/4 of a block away, (before the museum) if you see the museum, you'll have to go around the block to go back to the parking area ;-)
I loved going to this museum. Great slice of history, and while the ideas are centered around Joliet, much of information stretches beyond the town. We went on Saturday afternoon at about 3:00 and we were the only people there. Free to explore at my own pace, which is something I really like at museums. The exhibits are very well-done. I was impressed by the historical photos and memorabilia. This museum is a quality one. Everything is very clean, well-kept, and almost new. You can go through it in under two hours so a visit can be part of your day (rather than a whole day), which was also very nice. And free parking is right across the street! It's a little gem of a museum for sure!
The museum was located in a church which was neat and it had a store on the first floor. Also, on the first floor there was a replica of a diner, jukebox, vintage tv set, a map of Rt 66 and what the interest points along the route to California. I had to chuckle when I saw the Blues Brothers!
The Joliet Area Historical Museum is a wonderful place to visit. The exhibits are on a par with any of the museums in Chicago. It is exciting to learn the history of our town while taking a trolley ride or walking through the I & M canal. The space exhibit featuring a local NASA hero was extremely impressive. The museum has it all including a chance to take your picture with the Blues Brothers or sit in a car at a drive-in movie. The staff is friendly and very helpful and the gift shop is delightful. Definitely a place to visit!
JMJ Purchased tickets on Groupon figuring I get to Joliet on a regular basis and was I Happy! The Groupon was about to expire so I thought I'd better take time. Was I pleasantly surprised! I only expected a small, old museum being the Chicago snob I am. The Route 66 stop and exhibit was also part of the building which would have been enough but then we were shown where the Joliet museum started. You'll be greeted by "Joliet" Jake and Elwood ( which Elwood, Il is named for) the Blues Brothers! Three floors of modern exhibits will bring you up to date on the social and economic high points of Joliet. From its discovery by Louis Joliet and Fr. Marquette to its revitalization now, you'll see interesting displays and artifacts. Did you know that most of the horseshoes used to tame the West came from Joliet? Also did you know that at one time it was the Wallpaper Capitol of the US? Young and old will enjoy this stop. There is a fee but Seniors and children can save money. A pleasant gift shop is also in the building if you are looking for unique gifts, especially Rt 66 items. Enjoy!
We stopped here as part of our Route 66 journey. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. We purchase some Route 66 memorabilia and found their prices quite comparable to other Route 66 museums.
This museum shows you the open room of the famous historic Route 66. You can view some tv recordings on small sets, have a drink and sit in some old cars restored for this museum. It doesn't take very long, but is colorful and timely. Then you can visit the much more extensive Joliet area museum, full of history and visuals. Nice gift shop and amenities. Friendly staff.
While in Joliet for a show, I found myself at the Joliet Area Historical Museum. What a cute and wonderful find. Also surprisingly large on the inside, something you would not expect from the outside and in the neighborhood that it is in. There is a lot of history of the Joliet area in this museum, plus they put on nice shows here, too. Saw a wonderful show during my visit on Wild Bill Hickok and his time in Illinois. The staff is amazing, very pleasant, and eager to help answer any questions you may have. This is a nice little find in the Joliet area. Will definitely return and urge others to stop in if you're in or around Joliet.