Location: Pontiac
Top Things to do in Pontiac
- 1. Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum
- 2. IL Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum
- 3. Livingston County War Museum
- 4. International Wall Dog Mural and Sign Art Museum
- 5. Museum of the Gilding Arts
- 6. Livingston County Courthouse
- 7. Humiston Woods Nature Center
- 8. Pub 13
- 9. Jones House Museum
- 10. The Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center
The 10 Best Things to Do in Pontiac, United States
Pontiac is a city in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,931 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Livingston County. The town is also the setting of the 1984 movie, Grandview, U.S.A.
Restaurants in Pontiac
1. Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 180 reviews
The museum, centrally located on Route 66, offers rotating exhibits to ensure a new and exciting experience each time you stop in. As the only Pontiac-Oakland museum in the world, we display hundreds of pieces of memorabilia alongside the selection of cars. For car enthusiasts, we offer a behind the scenes tour led by museum staff (by appointment only). Be sure to visit our gift shop that offers books, clothing, and other unique items focused on Pontiac and Route 66. The Pontiac Oakland Automobile Museum was one of TripAdvisor's 2014 Certificate of Excellence winners. Pontiac, Illinois offers other exciting museums and attractions, so please put Pontiac on your list of places to visit!
Reviewed By Vegas_Fisherman - New York City, New York
Quite the collection of cars and associated artifacts from back in the day, right up to more recently. Make sure it's on your list of top three things to do in Pontiac, even if you're only passing through.
2. IL Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
Reviewed By Nita L - pittsburgh, United States
This was so full of Route 66 Illinois memorabilia, it was great!! Packed with things and lots of interesting info! No cost for this museum, which is surprising, we would have gladly paid. More than one floor, lots of little rooms and so much to see. The War Museum attached to it is unbelievable with the number of mannequins and uniforms. Great place, worth a stop!!
3. Livingston County War Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
We are a hands-on, living history museum featuring displays, artifacts and uniforms of local soldiers from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. Our staff is made up of military veterans who are present to share their experiences with you. We are located next to the Route 66 Museum. Visited by guests from over 75 countries since 2004. Free admission. Free parking. Open 7 days a week Mon-Sat 10 - 4, Sun 12 - 4. See you on Route 66!
Reviewed By giggly711 - Illinois
This place we found on accident and it was well worth the stop. It was cool to see all war stuff and all the different unifroms. Very informativeThank you for your positive review on TripAdvisor. We hope you will return to see us again!
4. International Wall Dog Mural and Sign Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By Sherry C - Wadsworth
This is a great museum featuring work of the Walldogs, who do fantastic work and did the murals in downtown Pontiac. There is a room in the back of the museum which is not to be missed, as it features some very unique apparel using a black light. If you go to Pontiac, make sure to stop here.
5. Museum of the Gilding Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By aby61 - Alexis Illinois
This museum was rather small but very unique in what it offers. As with all other Pontiac Museums it is donation only. I love this as the town offers access for everyone. If you can afford to pay a little more, the museums are worth it. If you can't, that's okay too!
The museum shows how gold leaf is applied to various items, it is quite an amazing process! Very interesting!
6. Livingston County Courthouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By MLStanton - Bloomington, Illinois
Although the courthouse was closed during our summer Sunday afternoon in Pontiac, we were able to relax at one of the picnic tables on the shaded lawn of the Livingston County courthouse. Through the trees, we saw the 21st century Law and Justice Center just a couple of streets away.
We took a moment to reflect at the monument to those who served in WW II.
As we turned to walk down the block, we saw the grounded bronze plaque which marks the spot of a time capsule to be opened in 2045.
We saw the clocks in the flag topped spire when we stepped across the street. They've been running since 1892.
The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Construction was completed in 1875 at a cost of $75,000. The architecture style is Second Empire.
During the week, the courthouse is open from 9 to 4.
And, yes, the courthouse was seen in the Jamie Lee Curtis film Grandview, USA.
7. Humiston Woods Nature Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By John W - Peru, Illinois
While this place is considered to be in Pontiac, it is far enough away to escape the tourists. It's a little off the beaten path, probably easiest to take Route 23 and turn by the landfill. My brother and I went for about a 2.5 mile hike which took us by the Vermilion River. Very pretty with the fall colors. It reminds me of the River area of Matthiessen State Park, which is about 40-45 minutes north. There are plenty of picnic tables plus there's firewood for the colder months. Next time would love to explore the rest of the preserve. Well worth a stop
8. Pub 13
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By searover69 - Brisbane, Australia
Friendly bar owner runs a nice spot to watch sport, play pool or darts or just chill in the super comfy bar stools and contemplate life over a beer. Super clean ladies bathroom.
9. Jones House Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Ron B - Pontiac, Illinois
The Jones House is the oldest brick home in Pontiac, Illinois. It was built in 1857-58 and is an excellent example of Gothic Revival Architecture. It was the first property in Pontiac placed on the National Historic Register in 1978. It is named after the family who lived there the longest.
The home is a survivor, owned and restored by the Livingston County Historical Society over a 12 year period to what it would have looked like in 1860-70. It is furnished with period items to represent the typical upper middle class home of the time.
The house is open for tours at least once a month - see the Pontiac Illinois tourism website for the exact schedule. Tours are conducted by volunteer docents who are members of the Historical Society and you will learn much about the house, the families that have lived there, and the early days of Pontiac.
The town operates a free tourist trolley for easy transport between the local sites. The driver does a nice verbal tour of what the city has to offer. Come out and see what this great historic small town has to offer!
10. The Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
The Eagle Performing Arts and Conference Center is a new venue in the City of Pontiac. The Center is a flexible space that can be utilized for dinner theater, concerts, recitals, meetings, retreats, conferences, receptions and other special events.
Reviewed By Ed V
Went for a performance on Sunday. Meal provided by Bernardi's and was great. Sat at a table for 8. Great 1 act play with a 15 minute intermission and I would recommend this venue for more plays.
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