If you’re looking for a romantic night out, or just a fun evening with the kids, Downtown Joliet has the entertainment venues for everyone. Casino gaming, minor league baseball, and live music are all alive and kicking in the heart of Joliet’s downtown district.
Downtown Joliet’s premier Irish pub, the downtown establishment has been a staple for drinking and dining in the area for many years. Chicago St. is also host to a monthly open mic night, traditional Irish music every Monday and is known for quality music entertainment from local area musicians throughout the month. Open for lunch and dinner. Visit the Chicago St. website for an entertainment schedule or to view their menu options.
Located along the Des Plaines river in picturesque downtown Joliet, Harrah’s Joliet offers the hottest new slots, thrilling table game action, weekly poker tournaments, award-winning restaurants and the best customer service around! Open Daily 8 a.m. to 6 a.m. Each week features a different local band at Stage 151. Every Friday Night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. you can enjoy live entertainment with no cover charge! With hot dining, entertainment, and gaming plus free admission every day for everyone, Harrah’s Joliet is the place for excitement!
Resident actors provide community entertainment in the Bicentennial Theater.
For more than 70 years, the Joliet Drama Guild has provided top-flight entertainment to the local community. Housed in the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre, the Drama Guild provides an opportunity for local thespians—some are second and third generation participants—to develop their craft while offering quality performances at an affordable price.
Step back in time at the Joliet Area Historical Museum. Journey back and experience how people lived, worked, traveled, and built the foundation for today’s thriving community. Walk through a life-size replica depicting the building of the historic Illinois Michigan Canal, stroll down a turn-of-the-century street past store fronts showcasing fashions of yesteryear, browse through a hardware store, or take a virtual ride on a replica trolley. During your visit, stop in our Route 66 Welcome Center, check out the Resource and Discovery Room which is packed with fun activities for children, and visit the Museum Gift Shop for gifts from Joliet’s past. Visit the Joliet Area Historical Museum website for information on upcoming events and exhibits.
Joliet is known as the City of Steel and Stone. Rich deposits of limestone led to a thriving quarry industry, and in the years following the Civil War, a huge iron producing industry would, over 60 years, employ thousands at the Joliet Iron Works. Following the dismantling of the Joliet Iron Works in the 1930s, the foundations of this once bustling factory were all but forgotten. However, in the 1990s the Forest Preserve preserved this important link to Joliet’s past. Follow a 1-mile walkway through the site on a self-guided tour through exhibits explaining the iron-making process, and just as important, describing the men who worked there.
Hours: Summer 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. or Winter 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game! Buy me some peanuts and ‘you know the rest. Bring the entire family to beautiful Duly Health and Care Field, home of Joliet’s professional semi-pro baseball team. Plenty of food booths, lots of action on the field, and great views from stadium seats or lawn seats all add up to a great place to enjoy America’s favorite past time!
Our Downtown Public Library is a great resource for everyone. More than 300,000 books and 400 magazine subscriptions are just the beginning of what our public library offers adults and children in the greater Will County community. You’ll also find audio visual aids, CDs, DVDs and knowledgeable staff members who can help you find answers to nearly any question. In addition, the Library hosts educational and entertaining programs, classes and seminars on a variety of subjects. Most are free of charge, and request advance registration. Check out the Joliet Library website for an activity schedule.
Aptly called ‘The Jewel of Joliet’, the Rialto Theatre is located in the heart of downtown’s entertainment district. Built in 1926, this magnificent theatre was once on the vaudeville circuit, attracting world-famous performers. In later years, the Rialto was a movie palace. It was restored to its original splendor in 1980 and once again attracts headline acts and appreciative theater-goers. The Rialto is renown for its spectacular architecture and a grand promenade patterned after the Palace of Versailles in France. The theatre seats 1,900 people and features a variety of live entertainment from musical/dance programs, concerts, dramas, and stand-up comedy acts. Headliners include Bill Cosby, Kenny Rogers, Jeff Foxworthy, Hubbard Street Dance, Leann Womack, and more. The Rialto is also home to several educational performing arts programs such as the Rialto Children’s Choir and Children’s Theatre Workshops.
Visit the Rialto website for more information on upcoming shows.