Rialto Theatre

Historic Vaudeville Movie Theatre listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Wide variety of performances.

CITY: Joliet

Joliet Area Historical Museum

Travel through time and space! Walk through a replica of the I & M Canal, window shop on a turn-of-the-century street, take a virtual ride on a replica trolley, live the legend of Route 66, land on the moon in a walk-in simulator, and experience space exploration and the Apollo missions. Temporary exhibit change often in our Special Exhibition gallery. There's always family fun in our discovery room, and remember your visit with a souvenir from our Gift Shop.

CITY: Joliet

Maneuvers

A Joliet staple for more than 30 years, this LGBT bar features dancing to live DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, Maneuvers Diva’s Den drag shows and live entertainment.

CITY: Joliet

Sandwich City Hall and Opera House

On August 20, 1878, 25 years after Sandwich first became a town, a contract was signed for construction of the Sandwich City Hall and Opera House. An allotment of $10,000 was given for the project, with the stipulation that it must be completed by the end of the year. The building was finished on time, but there was a cost overrun of $2,000 After much time, money and energy by volunteers to restore and renovate the City Hall and Opera House, a grand re-opening was held on April 12, 1986. Once again the building functions as a community oriented facility, bringing community theatre, lectures, recitals, style shows, weddings and a wide variety of outstanding performers, ranging from country to classical, to its stage.

CITY: Sandwich

The Farnsworth House Estate

Master architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created the ultimate minimalist masterpiece, the Farnsworth House, in pastoral Plano. The stellar structure of floor-to-ceiling glass seemingly "floats" above the rambling Fox River.

CITY: Plano

Reddick Mansion Association

One of Ottawa's greatest treasures. Pre-Civil war mansion, one of the area's most expensive and ornate Italianate residences. Tours available. Check website for hours.

CITY: Ottawa

Blue Beaker

Handcrafted Soap, tea, chocolate and gourmet treats, fair trade clothing & goods, yarns, knitting & crochet supplies, fairy gardens, miniature plants, garden accents, home decor, lighting and more! Classes offered too!

CITY: Ottawa

Ottawa Visitors Center

Open 7 days a week to service the traveling public. The Ottawa Visitors Center is your one stop shop for information on Ottawa's special events, free tour guides and unique Ottawa souvenirs at our Souvenir Shoppe.

CITY: Ottawa

Lincoln Landing

Dedicated on February 12, 2009, Lincoln Landing is Lockport's newest attraction. This park, located on the original Public Landing platted as a dock area by Canal Commissioners in 1836, features a unique bronze statue of a young Abraham Lincoln created by artist David Ostro. Interpretive signage through the park highlights the history of the I&M Canal, its impact on the Lockport community, and Lincoln's connections to both. This open-air museum is self-guiding, but is enhanced by a website with school lesson plans.

CITY: Lockport

Déjà vu

Enter and enjoy a 3,500 sq ft. building full of unique gifts, florals, and home décor.

CITY: Ottawa

Lockport Street Gallery

Incredible place to browse and shop. Glass jewelry, art and more. From Tiffany to Nedobeck.

CITY: Plainfield

Ewe and Me Fiber Studio

Ewe and Me Fiber Studio offers their shoppers great gift ideas, accessories, classes, knitting groups, patterns, and yarn.

CITY: Sandwich

First National Bank of Dwight

Famed architecht Frank Lloyd Wright designed and engineered this bank in 1905, and it is the only one of his three designed banks still standing.

CITY: Dwight

Planes, Trains & Automobiles - Sun Motel

An uptight businessman who is desperately trying to get home for Thanksgiving finds himself partnered with an easy going shower ring salesman who is on a journey of his own. The film was shot extensively in the Chicago suburbs. One of the most memorable scenes takes place when the two are forced to share a room at the Braidwood Inn (now the Sun Motel) in suburban Braidwood.

CITY: Braidwood

The Abbey Theatre at the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate

Located on the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate, guests are greeted with our famous family hospitality, homemade meals and heartwarming musical productions. Lunch matinees and dinner shows are complimented by itineraries that include tours of our other historic properties, or excursions into Joliet's vibrant downtown. The Jacob Henry Mansion Estate Dinner Theatre welcomes groups with onsite motorcoach parking and handicap accessibilty.

CITY: Joliet

Public Enemies - Stateville Correctional Center

The Feds hunt notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson during a 1930s crime wave. The restored period exterior of Chicago’s Biograph Theater, site of Dillinger’s infamous demise, is featured in a pivotal scene in the movie.

CITY: Crest Hill

Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum

A museum established to promote and preserve the history of the Ottawa area and the colorful and proud traditions of Boy/Girl Scouting and Camp Fire. Features national traveling exhibits from museums and libraries. Open Thursday-Monday 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, Closed on Holidays.

CITY: Ottawa

Illinois State Museum - Lockport Gallery

Changing exhibitions focus on Illinois art and artisans.

CITY: Lockport

Joliet Mosaic Walking Tour

Take a self-guided walking tour of the magnificent murals, sculptures and mosaics found throughout Joliet's city center.

CITY: Joliet

Little White Schoolhouse Museum

Constructed in 1854 as a church, this Greek Revival building also served as a schoolhouse for nearly 50 years. A later addition now serves as a museum of Oswego memorabilia.

CITY: Oswego

Mar Theatre

The Mar Theatre opened for business on June 15th 1937, and today much of the original stage and decorative ceiling are intact. The lobby and ticket booth area are in the original configuration. Much of the original architectural hardware and lighting fixtures are still in use. The original auditorium comfortably seats 300 moviegoers and a new second auditorium accommodates 64 patrons. Outside the original marquee is still used to inform moviegoers of the current movies.

CITY: Wilmington

Historical Society Museum/Alton Railroad Depot

The restored railroad depot, designed by Henry Ives Cobb, is now the home of the Dwight Historical Society and is still an operating Amtrak train station.

CITY: Dwight

"Much Ado About Nothing" at Circle Theatre

Circle Theatre's Emerging Young Artists presents Shakespeare's classic comedy of courtship.

CITY: Joliet

Will County Historical Society

Incorporated in 1964, the Will County Historical Society exists to connect people and organizations to the county's rich history. The Society's museum is housed in the original headquarters of the I&M Canal. Built in 1837, the structure played a central role in the design, financing, and construction of the Canal and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Changing exhibits highlight the history of Will County and the Canal. The Society's extensive collection includes significant county and canal-related records, including maps, plats, land records, obituaries, photographs, newspapers, receipts, and correspondence.

CITY: Lockport

Grundy County Historical Society

The Grundy County Historical Society operates a museum located near the historic I&M Canal in Morris, Illinois. Within the museum you will find an array of historical items. There are several cases on display filled with WWI and WWII memorabilia, artifacts from the Civil War era, and local history objects. Along with the museum, the Society owns an EJ & E railroad caboose which is open to the public for tours upon request. Museum hours of operation are Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10 AM to 3 PM. Call in advance for guided tours (48 hour notice).

CITY: Morris

The Old Barn Museum

Housed in an original 1840s barn, this museum features thousands of Native American artifacts, including arrows, axes, drills, stone implements, trade beads, beaded garments and natural history items.

CITY: Newark

Jacob Henry Mansion

Elegant National Historic Landmark offers unique Victorian setting for weddings/receptions. Groups and tours welcome.

CITY: Joliet

Public Enemies - Joliet Prison

The Feds hunt notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson during a 1930s crime wave. The restored period exterior of Chicago’s Biograph Theater, site of Dillinger’s infamous demise, is featured in a pivotal scene in the movie.

CITY: Joliet

Kendall County Historical Society's Heritage Hall & Chapel on the Green

Dating back to 1855, the chapel is Kendall County's oldest church building, adorned with stained glass windows and a restored 1899 pipe organ. The adjacent hall houses local artifacts, including photographs and clothing.

CITY: Yorkville

Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery

Features rotating, theme-based exhibitions of works created by past and contemporary Illinois artists and artisans. Exhibits are given added dimension through educational activities and tours for all ages.

CITY: Lockport

Gladys Fox Museum

The Gladys Fox Museum is located in the beautifully restored Old Congregational Church, which is the oldest surviving building of its type in Illinois. The building was constructed in 1840 of native limestone on land donated by the Illinois & Michigan.

CITY: Lockport

Opera House of Sandwich

The Opera House functions as a community oriented facility. It brings to its stage: theatre, lectures, recitals, weddings and a wide variety of outstanding performers, ranging from country to classical.

CITY: Sandwich

M.J. Hogan Grain Elevator and Visitor Center

The earliest remaining elevator along the canal that was fully operational during the canal's heyday. Built in 1862, the grain elevator allowed farmers to unload their grain locally instead of hauling it to the Chicago market by wagon.

CITY: Seneca

Will County Historical Society

Incorporated in 1964, the Will County Historical Society exists to connect people and organizations to the county's rich history. The Society's museum is housed in the original headquarters of the I&M Canal. Built in 1837, the structure played a central role in the design, financing, and construction of the Canal and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Changing exhibits highlight the history of Will County and the Canal. The Society's extensive collection includes significant county and canal-related records, including maps, plats, land records, obituaries, photographs, newspapers, receipts, and correspondence.

CITY: Lockport

Emerson Creek Pottery

It happens the moment you turn onto the long, gravel road; it might be the charm of the converted century-old farmhouse filled with handcrafted pottery, homemade candles and other unique finds. It might be savoring the last bite of Blackberry Peach Cobbler after a delicious, freshly prepared lunch in the tearoom. Or it might be the peaceful serenity found only in the countryside. Whatever “it” is, friends young and old, male and female, have been coming back to Emerson Creek to experience it again and again.

CITY: Oswego

Farnsworth House

Master architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created the ultimate minimalist masterpiece, the Farnsworth House, in pastoral Plano in 1951. The stellar structure of floor-to-ceiling glass seemingly "floats" above the rambling Fox River.

CITY: Plano

Marie Olmstead Museum

Described as "a hidden gem" of local cultural, natural and prehistoric history for lower DeKalb and upper LaSalle Counties. Three rooms comprising some 5,000 square feet packed full of artifacts and antiques that could be featured on "Antiques Raodshow". One of the "must-sees" is a 32-round flitlock rifle reportedly presented to Chief Shabbona at the signing of the peace treaty at Prairie du Chien in 1829. A favorite of the youngsters to see while visiting the museum is a stuffed, two-headed calf.

CITY: Somonauk

The Carving Shop

The Carving Shop features the work of Joe Dillet, Master Craftsman, and specializes in custom hand carved heirlooms for the family, church and architectural carvings. We work from your designs, or ours, to create an awesome look that only hand carving can achieve. All wood is seasoned. All work is protected with a finish that will last many years. All work is guaranteed.

CITY: Somonauk

Friends of Community Public Art

Offering scheduled tours of the FCPA murals and mosaic sculpture studios. See art being made by professional and local artists, and learn the details of their work. Art classes available. Visit www.facebook.com/fcpajoliet for more information.

CITY: Joliet

Stamp Thyme

Art rubber stamps and accessories, brass stencils, ink pads, markers, books, magazines and videos. Free demonstrations.

CITY: Lockport

Roberts Sewing Center

Illinois' largest sewing machine and quilting fabrics store. 7,000 bolts of cotton fabric, exciting classes, sewing, quilting, upholstery. Sales of Pfaff and Viking brand and industrial machines. Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Tues & Thurs 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM.

CITY: Crest Hill