Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Joliet (24) museum (22) history (13) staff (10) visit (8) Route (7) good (7) shop (7) time (7) Blues (7)
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  • 5/5 TravelLin (. 2 months ago on Google • 25 reviews New
    Staffs were friendly and chatty which is so impressive, and I appreciate their help. The museum has two floors. There are so many excellent displays, and you can learn everything about Joliet from here. If you are on a road trip on Route 66 and want to take a good picture, don’t forget to buy the Route 66 Soda, check out the picture below.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Hillbilly Kitchen W. 5 years ago on Google • 1692 reviews
    Loved the RT 66 memorabilia, Restrooms, gift shop, 3 stories of historical significance. We went for Haunted Museum. Total Dud! * Geared toward under 5 years old for games and "crafts" Had LATEX crafts so my CHILD who IS ALLERGIC TO LATEX could NOT participate. The balloons were everywhere.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Samantha B. 1 year ago on Google
    Cool museum that takes you an hour or so to walk around and look at everything. Lots of Joilet history.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lou D. 2 years ago on Google
    A world-class museum in every way! Joliet and Chicagoland are lucky to have this as a nearby resource. I traveled from Indiana and included a prison-tour and a visit to the Old Joliet Iron Works. All 3 were very well curated and enjoyable. Visit all three if you can.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 coolrider1919 1 year ago on Google • 155 reviews
    I decided to do a review about the Joliet Muesuem. A lot of people are unaware of this place and all it has. There are several floors of interesting history of Joliet. A gift shop. In the basement. There is a beautiful hall you can rent for parties. On rare occasions it is free to go inside and explore. I have a membership that comes with perks. They even have roof top concerts. Come here to explore, learn and have a fun time with family. Especially during Star Wars day…
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 James G. 5 years ago on Google • 910 reviews
    Awesome! So much history here in Joliet and alot of it is on display here! Free to get in and definitely worth the stop! Plenty of photo ops! Spend an hour or so looking at all the displays. Go into the gift/souvenir shop and maybe throw a few bucks in the donation box. So glad we stopped in!

  • 5/5 Melissa 2 years ago on Google
    There's so much more here than one would ever imagine. You'll find all kinds of things here you never knew you never knew! And bonus: staff is friendly and kind and happy to help or answer questions.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marcela P. 2 years ago on Google
    Two best reasons to visit museum are Brian & Zak! A wealth of information. They are eager to share their knowledge of the area as well as the history! Very friendly & helpful & have no problem in assisting with a tour 9f this beautiful facility! I thought I knew it all but my eyes were opened to all that Joliet has to offer...its a must do !
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Doc i. 4 months ago on Google • 206 reviews
    What a pleasant experience go here and experience this place for yourself. I especially like the prison display the moon man. And of course, the Cadillac couch. I was there for a wedding so the place was rented out I don't know if they normally charge for entry. But whatever it is, I'm sure it's worth it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hailey 8 months ago on Google • 96 reviews
    This is an interesting museum in a cool area with lots to do. The workers there were so kind! I just happened to come on a free admission day too, which was a good surprise.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rob H. 2 years ago on Google
    A little confused on parking, but they have free parking!!!! The museum was very cool on how they traveled thur the different years !!! Must go and see it, make the time !!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Brendan P. 7 months ago on Google
    Nice place, horribly run. The head guy, Greg or something, is incredibly rude and completely unhinged. Most of the staff is equally awful now. I've been here before and it was great. Don't know what happened. Heard they fired a lot of people recently, all the good ones I guess. Sounds like bad management. Also, apparently now they're charging extra for a table at their rooftop events. What a rip. Won't be back unless they get new management. Real shame, I used to love this place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mary S. 4 months ago on Google • 107 reviews
    Excellent museum displays. Different events held here such as music concerts and craft beer tastings. Rooftop open air venue is perfect for concerts!

  • 5/5 Michael S. 1 month ago on Google • 102 reviews New
    Very neat place to visit. We have been a few times to watch concerts here. Great time listening to classical blast and great moments in vinyl.

  • 5/5 Jose R. 8 months ago on Google • 97 reviews
    Small, but tons of info from space to Joliet history. There's even an outdoor terrace where you can rent for occasions.

  • 4/5 Ashley B. 11 months ago on Google
    Enjoyed our trip and the staff was awesome! Glad we got a coupon 2 for 1 so it was absolutely worth it. Self guided tour, but staff is available for questions. Did not buy tickets in advance and wasn't too busy.

  • 4/5 M 2 years ago on Google
    Exhibits by local artists were exciting and refreshing to see. I only wish that there was more paintings and drawings on display. Hopefully the museum will showcase more local artist in the future.

  • 4/5 Daryl W. 2 years ago on Google
    I went for a Blues show and started walking around during a break. I enjoyed looking at all the history of Joliet in such a short period. One of the hosts assisted me with all my questions. I just needed more time but I will return.

  • 5/5 Rose H. 2 years ago on Google
    A good place to learn about the history of Joliet and its famous citizens.

  • 4/5 Nate D. 5 months ago on Google
    Pretty cool museum, it's not big and nothing spectacular. Not worth the price unless you're big into history. We missed our train to Chicago so we came here to kill an hour and it did the trick. We basically looked around and talked, so we didn't pay too much attention. I'm not sure if the museum mentions anything about this, but Joliet is also home to the first Community College. This museum is probably the most "tourist" thing we have other than the prison. Joliet is really rich in history!! Visited December 2022

  • 5/5 Richard M. 5 months ago on Google
    I was pleasantly surprised by all the displays! My brother and I started our Route 66 road trip there. I could have spent a couple of hours there easily. The staff was very helpful and appreciated our small donation of Route 66 books.

  • 5/5 Melissa D. 2 years ago on Google
    Very interesting place to visit!

  • 5/5 Heide S. 4 months ago on Google • 18 reviews
    We had my son's wedding at this venue and it was perfect! The staff are so friendly and helpful. I can't rave enough about them.

  • 5/5 Deborah M. 4 years ago on Google
    I had a great time at the Joliet Area Historical Museum. Saving Power Church hosted a function there. Appetizers and drinks were served on the roof top, and with the summer breeze and sun setting it was heavenly. Later, dinner was served in the lower level and it was beautifully decorated. The staff was professional and very helpful while being present, but not intrusive. I highly recommend having your next company, church or family get together here.

  • 5/5 Yvonne Valenti C. 7 months ago on Google
    So much fun. Nice films with historical photos of Joliet. And their exhibition are well displayed. They even have the real blues brothers costumes! Just fun to go to. Especially when you driving the old route 66. But even when you're are just visiting the Chicago area it is fun. Combine this with the prison museum of Joliet.

  • 4/5 Keith C. 8 months ago on Google
    Great welcome and visitor center along Route 66. Not real sure I would classify as a museum, but did have some pretty cool stuff inside. I got my pic with the Blues Brothers and a couple good pics outside. All the employees were very helpful in heading us out in the right direction and telling us what to look for.

  • 5/5 Dr. Greg G. 2 years ago on Google
    Went there early to purchase ticket for old Joliet prison tour but no luck. Tours suspended until better weather in spring. The museum appeared well organized with helpful employees.

  • 5/5 Kenda R. P. 1 year ago on Google
    My cousin and his wife were having a Birthday Celebration here and it was absolutely 💯 AMAZING. Everyone and Everything was Great. I enjoyed my family and friends too

  • 5/5 Carol H. 1 year ago on Google
    On Father's day they had free admission. It is a nice place to visit it tells the history of Joliet area and the building of the canals. Has a trolley where you watch a movie about how it was used around town. It depicts men and women who came from the area and tells there story. The Blues Brothers outfits were there that was nice to see. In the gift shop they have they Blues Brothers that you can take a picture with. Had a nice time.

  • 5/5 Edward P. 1 year ago on Google
    I truly enjoy Star Wars Day in Joliet! Great times!

  • 5/5 Joe B. 1 year ago on Google
    These lovely folks hosted our band Sugar Lime Blue at the museum for their rooftop concert series. They are all so wonderful and accomodating. The museum is a wonderful place to see, full of historical vignettes as well as whimsical ones. I urge you to visit this place. You'll not be disappointed.

  • 5/5 Rachel K. 1 year ago on Google
    We stopped in Joliet on our way up to our flight the day we left Illinois after Christmas. My son had found out about this museum and the intersection of Route 66 and Lincoln highway from a travel YouTuber he watches so this was on his Illinois bucket list. The museum employees were so welcoming, full of knowledge and kind. I could tell how much he loves his city by the way he talked about it with such pride. The museum is small but full of information, stories and items from Joliet's history and just perfect for a quick little side trip. We learned things we never even knew even though my parents and I lived in Illinois for much of our lives. My boys loved the Blues Brothers displays and we had a bit of fun in the gift shop. Our next visit to Illinois we will do the Old Joliet prison tour as one of the employees is also a tour guide there and was telling my boys all about it. Highly recommend this museum on your next road trip.

  • 5/5 jackie h. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice visitors center, good information on Joliet history and of the canal, and the Blues Brothers displays are so fun! Helpful staff!! Nice gift shop too.

  • 3/5 Douglas O. 1 year ago on Google
    Even though a few exhibits were closed for changes there was still lots of interesting points to see. The two employees we encountered were knowledgeable. Gift shop had some good books. Cool to see Paul McCartney note he left on his visit.

  • 2/5 Latesha M. 1 year ago on Google
    This was my first and last time here. The ad for Halloween made it seem like they would have kid friendly attractions as myself and other parents spoke about there. The guy checking in didn't even give the kids candy. One of the moms said she had to ask but that's sad they were in full costume and thats a stranger. Make it fun and welcoming if you are going to advertise this in the future. Very cold atmosphere andvwe got outta there quick!

  • 5/5 Treasa C. 1 year ago on Google
    We had our wedding reception here and from inquiry to the reception our experience was awesome. Jennifer, who is the museum’s the event planner was patient, accommodating and always helped me with a smile. The day of our reception she was there with the staff and the bartenders, helping in every capacity. The bartenders were awesome and my guests loved engaging with them and said the drinks were some of the best they have had. The museum it self was a big hit and my guest really enjoyed the exhibits and of course meeting Jake and Elwood 😂. Thank you so much for making our day great.

  • 4/5 KE A. 1 year ago on Google
    I went there in August 2018 and it talks about the history of Joliet and about the Blues Brothers and it was very informational.

  • 5/5 Tony C. 1 year ago on Google
    What can I say about the Joliet historical society? One of the best historical venues to go to. Been to a lot of museums around Chicago land in this one is definitely a must for the family. And please please make your way to the old Joliet prison on Collins Street a landmark historical site

  • 3/5 Jeff I. 1 year ago on Google
    Really went for the Route 66 exhibit which is under construction. But the staff was very friendly.


Call (815) 723-5201 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair rental
    • ✗ Assistive hearing loop
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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