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Location
Parking
Parking available
Visitor tip
Plan your Route 66 road trip stop strategically: visit the museum to see Route 66 exhibits and purchase the iconic Route 66 Soda for photos, but note that all sites close April 27-May 3, 2026 for The Big House Ballgame event
Visitor tip
Engage with the friendly staff who are known for being helpful and chatty—ask them for recommendations on the best historical artifacts and exhibits, as they can enhance your understanding of Joliet's industrial and transportation history
About Joliet Area Historical Museum
Local-history gallery with a gift shop. This museum has colorful & interactive exhibits focused on regional history, plus a souvenir shop.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Historical Museum
- Location
- Joliet, Illinois
- Multiple Sites
- Old Joliet Prison, Railroad Museum, Historic Grocery Market Museum
- Hours
- Thursday-Monday 10AM-4PM (varies by location)
- Membership
- Available with exclusive perks and early event access
What visitors say
Very cute little museum with lots of history and information about space and industries and the canals! Good signage and information on Route 66 and cars. Lots of historical artifacts.
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…
There are a lot of fun photo opportunities near the entry and throughout the museum. Nice gift shop, t-shirts are ~$25. The gift shop also has sweatshirts, baseball caps, ladies handbags, and candles. The museum has several video…
From 726 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- The museum hosts The Big House Ballgame at the Old Joliet Prison on April 30, 2026, as part of the National Route 66 Kickoff Celebration, requiring the museum to close all sites from April 27-May 3
- The museum features a rooftop deck with live music entertainment that operates during summer months
- The museum operates multiple specialized sub-museums including the JAHM Old Joliet Prison, Joliet Railroad Museum, and Martin & Emma Planinsek Grocery and Meat Market Museum as part of its complex
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