Location: Joliet
Top Things to do in Joliet
The 10 Best Things to Do in Joliet, United States
Joliet (/ˈdʒoʊli.ɛt/ or /dʒoʊliˈɛt/) is a city in Will and Kendall counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County and a major part of the southwest Chicago metropolitan area. At the 2010 census, the city was the fourth largest in Illinois, with a population of 147,433. A population estimate in 2016 put Joliet's population at 149,395, which would make it the 3rd largest city in Illinois if accurate.
Restaurants in Joliet
1. Rialto Square Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 208 reviews
Reviewed By Lor018 - Morris, Illinois
Went to a couple of concerts in Feb. The Rialto remains a great place to attend a concert or probably anything. Beautiful setting, the performers express their high regards to the venue every time. It is good to see the recent good shows being scheduled here lately. We had a long drought there for awhile. Keep the good shows coming and people will attend. Everybody working there is friendly and helpful. Never a bad experience here.
2. Harrah's Joliet Casino
Overall Ratings
4 based on 749 reviews
In the heart of historic downtown Joliet, Harrah's Casino offers food and fun in the Chicagoland area! We have all your favorite Slot Machines and Table Games in an exciting yet relaxing atmosphere!
Reviewed By imnotthere1121 - Chicago, Illinois
Use to come here very frequently (twice a week) but have since stopped going when they are giving $5 comps and Hollywood is giving me $20. This really use to be my go to place, and I used to have really high regard for Harrahs....MoreThanks for the review. We have been adding new machines to the floor over the last few months and continue to plan to add more. We hope you find our selection better!
3. Joliet Area Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By NannyKate29 - Temora, Australia
Love this little museum. Very friendly volunteers who are keen to tell you whatever you want to know. Easy to get around. Price is great value
4. Chicagoland Speedway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By Edward H - Chicago, Illinois
Another enjoyable Nascar race at Chicagoland Speedway(Rt. 66 Raceway) The weather was beautiful for the First chase race in 2017. Had the best seat in the house. Sat on the pit wall right next to the pace car. See pic of Skittles car(Kyle Busch) #18
In the end pit.
Too much fun!
5. Rusty Wallace Racing Experience, Chicago Speedway
Overall Ratings
5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By seafoodjunkiestan - El Dorado Springs, MO
I had always wanted to drive a race car but never thought I would ever get the chance. This made a dream come true and scratched a bucket list item. My son and I did the 14 lap for his birthday. We both had a great time and the girls really enjoyed the day too. They were able to get up close while in the pits and take pictures.
The team was great and precautions were taken for the safety of their patrons. The class was great and seemed overwhelming until you actually got on the track and it all fit into place. I retired from 3M so I wanted to drive the 3M car and got to get in it. The fit was too tight so they moved me to another car which felt more comfortable. If you are caustrophobic, I do not recommend as the fit is very tight for safety reasons. They get you buckled in which is an ordeal in itself and a team member checks everything. It is hot and cramped until you start that engine and it comes to life. Pulling up to the starting line and the real excitement starts. The spotter was outstanding in giving directions and even though you could not look around and did not have mirrors, you quickly learn to listen to him for instructions. It is an amazing experience and would love to do it again to try and improve.
6. Route 66 Raceway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By CherokeeN9444W - Seville, Ohio
We flew from Ohio to Joliet to take in the NHRA races at Route 66 Raceway, we go to the NHRA races all across the U.S. This was our first time at Chicago...Great stadium style seating, lots of food vendors with a wide variety of choices, ( more than any other race ), super clean track & grounds, also very clean restrooms & lots of them! We spent two days and enjoyed this very fan friendly facility! If you have never been, GO you will be hooked, If you've been to other track and didn't like it, try Route 66 and be impressed with a great setup to see dragracing!
7. Hollywood Casino Joliet
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By imnotthere1121 - Chicago, Illinois
The grounds here are much larger than Harrahs, with a huge sports bar that actually has decent food (I LOVE the grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch), a buffet (not very good, but fine for a quick bite) , and steakhouse - there are several options and they are spread out and away from the casino to give yourself a little break from gaming.
I like that the casino separates itself onto two floors so it doesn’t feel so jammed and actually larger (even though it isn’t lol).
My main problem with these smaller casinos is their lack of new games! All around are these 80 year old TV box style games, maybe they are just catering to the older generation, but I would REALLY enjoy more themed games.
Why do I have to travel an hour away just to play the new Wizard of Oz, The Simpson, and Willy Wonka games(this is just to name a few) It’s a little frustrating that they have these very old style games around the outer walls especially. They could easily replace some of these with cool new games. I’m not interested in playing on a small 10’’ screen, sorry.
I do love the buffalo games with the large screens and walking dead , but there should be more like this!
8. Silver Cross Field
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Silver Cross Field is home to the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League. The Slammers are a professional baseball team that replaced the Joliet Jackhammers in 2011. Silver Cross Field is available year-round for events and tours. 2011 is it's 10th anniversary.
Reviewed By cubsrays90 - Chicago, Illinois
It's unfortunate that the Slammers are not more popular. I used to work for the team and Silver Cross Field is probably the best stadium in their league. The facility is still somewhat new and in great condition. There's seating along both baselines as well as grass seating. Nice scoreboard, great deals on food. It's independent baseball but kids will enjoy it. The only negative is the parking. The area around the stadium isn't the greatest and there's a lot adjacent to the stadium.
9. Joliet Prison
Overall Ratings
4 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By Hinckmeister - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Right on the old Route 66 out of Chicago, this place is well worth stopping off at, but it could be so much more...
Came here because of the Blues Brothers, the exterior of this historical prison is impressive. Unfortunately it is falling into decay. Although there are plenty of fences and "No Trespassing" signs, it's easy enough for anyone to get inside. Unfortunately not everyone wants to preserve this place.
I hope that the State of Illinois can find enough money in the near future to restore at least a part of this monument, and open it up to the public. I'm sure there would be enough interest to pay for the costs. Maybe a donation from the movie/TV profits?
10. Joliet Iron Works Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4 based on 25 reviews
The Forest Preserve District of Will County's Joliet Iron Works Historic Site provides a parking area, shelter, latrine, water fountain, and access to the 10.81-mile, paved/limestone I&M Canal Trail/Centennial Trail. The site protects foundations of blast furnaces and other structures from a dismantled iron manufacturing facility that operated from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. A 0.59-mile trail offers self-guided interpretive tours of the site's historical significance. Open 8 a.m.-sunset.
Reviewed By Taylor B - Chicago, Illinois
When you see the decline of the steel industry in South Chicago and the Gary, Indiana, area, it is easy to overlook the fact that the second largest steel mill in the United States once thrived in Joliet, Illinois. The Joliet Iron Works operated from 1869 to 1936, eventually became unprofitable and closed in the early 1980s. The works had a dam on the Des Plaines River for power and four blast furnaces capable of producing up to 2,000 tons of pig iron daily. There also was a stock house, a casting house, hot blast stoves, a skull house a gas washing plant, a blowing engine house and a gas engine house on the property. In 1926, the works employed approximately 4,000 workers. Today, the 52-acre site is a National Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The land was acquired between 1991 and 1997 as part of the Des Plaines River preservation system which conserves more than 2,400 acres of land. A 1.5-mile paved trail provides visitors with a view of the remains of the Joliet Iron Works, including foundations of the blast furnaces and other structures from the dismantled factory. The trail also features a self-guided interpretative tour that explains the site's historical significance, the process of making iron and steel and the specific skills of the workers. The site also provides access to the 10.81-mile, crushed limestone/paved Centennial Trail/I&M Canal Trail, which is ideal for biking, hiking, running, in-line skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In addition, there is a picnic shelter for rental, the Joliet Iron Works Shelter, with a permit capacity of 100 people. It is hard to imagine that such a large iron manufacturing factory, larger than the huge Carnegie iron works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, once existed in this area.
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