There are some things to do in Joliet, Illinois. The city is well known for its historical significance and thriving art scene.
Several museums are also available to visitors, including the Joliet Area Historical Museum and the Pilcher Park Nature Center. Among other things, the city has the Old Joliet Prison and the Joliet Iron Works Historic Site.
Joliet, Illinois, is an attractive small town with many activities and attractions. Its unique blend of small-town charm and big-city culture makes it a great place to visit. Here are a few of the best things to do while visiting this beautiful town.
Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park
If you’re an outdoor lover, there’s a good chance that you have heard of Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet, Illinois. This ten-acre recreational park and its offshoots are a great place to burn calories.
The park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including swimming, horseback riding, and hiking. It also boasts an impressive masonry wall display memorializing the city’s earliest pioneers.
You’ll also find an impressive array of trees, shrubs, and bushes that add to the park’s appeal. In addition to its amenities, you can also take advantage of its scenic location, which is located between the I&M Canal and Bluff Street in downtown Joliet.
For the dogs, you’ll be pleased to know that this dog park is not exactly a kennel but rather a family-friendly destination for the pawed set. The park offers snacks, bottled water, and cleaning and repair services to make things more convenient for visitors.
Old Joliet Prison
Old Joliet Prison is a popular attraction in Illinois. Not only is it a historic building with fascinating history, but it’s also the location for some of the best-known television shows. The Blues Brothers, Prison Break, and Supernatural are just a few films filmed here.
If you want to take a tour of the site, there are several options available. You can opt for a self-guided tour for only $20, or you can opt to go on a guided tour. However, most buildings are closed to the public because of dangerous conditions.
You can visit the website or call the museum to book a tour. Trained tour guides lead tours from the Joliet Area Historical Museum. They offer prison tours, including the East and West Cell Houses, the Chapel, the Honor Dorm, the North Segregation Building, the Cafeteria, and the Yard Area.
Joliet Area Historical Museum
The Joliet Area Historical Museum is located in downtown Joliet, Illinois. This historical museum documents the history of the city and Will County. It has many exhibits and spaces to enjoy.
In addition to its permanent and temporary exhibits, the museum offers programs and events for the entire family. For example, you can tour the museum, learn about the city’s history, or watch a concert.
The Joliet Area Historical Museum opened in 2002. The building was constructed of Joliet limestone and designed by Daniel H. Burnham.
Visitors can view exhibits, including Illinois & Michigan Canals replicas. There is also a display of the city’s early days, with artifacts from the Joliet quarries.
Pilcher Park Nature Center
The Pilcher Park Nature Center is great to learn about the great outdoors. It is located in Joliet, Illinois. This nature park offers several trails to explore.
Visitors can enjoy a day of hiking and biking in this park. The Nature Center also features a picnic area. In addition, you can rent cross-country ski equipment. You can even bring children to the petting zoo if you have children.
Another exciting part of Pilcher Park is the statue of Robert Pilcher, a local Joliet. This naturalist man donated land to the Joliet Park District in 1920.
You can see the statue near the Nature and Visitor Center. The figure is a reminder of the importance of nature preservation.
Joliet Iron Works Historic Site
Joliet Iron Works Historic Site is a 52-acre site once home to an iron manufacturing plant. The factory was built in the late 1800s and operated until the 1930s. As a result, the area has many fascinating remnants of the industrial past.
The ruins include the foundations of blast furnaces and other structures. The Will County Forest Preserve District made a path around the ruins in the 1990s. Today, the Joliet Iron and Steel Works Trail is a 0.59-mile paved trail with historical information and ruins. It’s ideal for hiking, running, and portraits.
The Joliet Iron and Steel Works Trail offers a great perspective on the iron and steel production process. In addition, many signs focus on the history of the workers and the people who lived on the site.
Visitors can explore the ruins at their own pace, but you can ask the interpreter if you want a guided tour. They will explain the production of iron and steel and the lives of the men who worked at the site.
While walking the 1.3-mile loop trail, visitors can stop at restroom facilities, a picnic shelter, and a shelter with a capacity for 100 people. In 2010, the amenities at the Joliet Iron Works Historic Site were renovated.
You can visit the Joliet Iron and Steel Works Historic Site on a self-guided, self-administered interpretive tour. During your tour, you will see the historic remains of the iron and steel mill and learn about manufacturing iron and steel.
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