The best arts & culture spots in Joliet

16 arts & culture spots we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Arts & Culture · 16 places · showing the latest additions first

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Arts & Culture

Whether you need a midweek reset or want to wow a curious kid, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum delivers immersive exhibits, live animals, and…

2430 N Cannon Dr (Chicago)

“Whether you need a midweek reset or want to wow a curious kid, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum delivers immersive exhibits, live animals, and very chill butterflies. Drop-by programs and hands-on science make it feel like nature class, minus the homework, right in our own backyard.”

From the Chicago newsletter, August 3, 2026

Joliet Area Historical Museum

Arts & Culture

Colorful, interactive exhibits on local life, Route 66 lore, and even the Old Joliet Prison make Joliet Area Historical Museum a…

204 N Ottawa St

“Colorful, interactive exhibits on local life, Route 66 lore, and even the Old Joliet Prison make Joliet Area Historical Museum a surprisingly fun rabbit hole for a close-to-home afternoon. Bonus points: their rooftop hosts live music Friday, August 7, and the gift shop scratches that souvenir itch.”

Illinois State Museum-Lockport Gallery

Arts & Culture

Need a low-key culture boost close to home? Illinois State Museum-Lockport Gallery rotates thoughtful exhibits highlighting Illinois…

201 W 10th St (Lockport)

“Need a low-key culture boost close to home?”

From the Tinley Park newsletter, August 3, 2026

Rialto Square Theatre

Arts & Culture

Ornate, historic vaudeville theater for plays, concerts, orchestral productions & expos.

102 N Chicago St

“Ornate, historic vaudeville theater for plays, concerts, orchestral productions & expos.”

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Chicago Sports Museum

Arts & Culture

Interactive exhibits, artifacts & memorabilia help tell the story of the city's rich sports history.

835 N Michigan Ave (Chicago)

“Interactive exhibits, artifacts & memorabilia help tell the story of the city's rich sports history.”

Chicago Children's Museum

Arts & Culture

Family museum on Navy Pier with lots of interactive exhibits, including many for young kids.

700 E Grand Ave (Chicago)

“Family museum on Navy Pier with lots of interactive exhibits, including many for young kids.”

Field Museum

Arts & Culture

State-of-the-art museum of science & invention, with the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex.

1400 S Lake Shore Dr (Chicago)

“State-of-the-art museum of science & invention, with the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex.”

Museum of Illusions Chicago

Arts & Culture

Immersive rooms with optical illusions & holograms designed to deceive the eye, popular for photos.

25 E Washington St (Chicago)

“Immersive rooms with optical illusions & holograms designed to deceive the eye, popular for photos.”

National Museum of Mexican Art

Arts & Culture

Some 18,000 paintings, photographs, sculptures & more are housed at this art museum.

1852 W 19th St (Chicago)

“Some 18,000 paintings, photographs, sculptures & more are housed at this art museum.”

Harris Theater for Music and Dance

Arts & Culture

This venue hosts the Chicago Opera Theater as well as a variety of music and dance performances.

205 E Randolph St (Chicago)

“This venue hosts the Chicago Opera Theater as well as a variety of music and dance performances.”

The Art Institute of Chicago

Arts & Culture

Renowned art museum holding nearly 300,000 works from all over the world, spanning many centuries.

111 S Michigan Ave (Chicago)

“Renowned art museum holding nearly 300,000 works from all over the world, spanning many centuries.”

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Arts & Culture

Sprawling, hands-on museum full of informative, child-friendly scientific & industrial exhibits.

5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr (Chicago)

“Sprawling, hands-on museum full of informative, child-friendly scientific & industrial exhibits.”

Joliet Iron Works Historic Site

Arts & Culture

Free city-maintained park featuring a walking and paved bike trail through the ruins of a former iron plant.

31 Columbia St

“Free city-maintained park featuring a walking and paved bike trail through the ruins of a former iron plant.”

Chicago History Museum

Arts & Culture

Photos, artifacts, newsreels & dioramas bring to life historical events, architecture & culture.

1601 N Clark St (Chicago)

“Photos, artifacts, newsreels & dioramas bring to life historical events, architecture & culture.”

Charnley-Persky House Museum

Arts & Culture

Important example of early modern architecture from 1892 by Louis Sullivan & Frank Lloyd Wright.

1365 N Astor St (Chicago)

“Important example of early modern architecture from 1892 by Louis Sullivan & Frank Lloyd Wright.”

KidsWork Children's Museum

Arts & Culture

Interactive educational museum featuring themed areas, a giant water table, an outdoor playground and more for kids of all ages.

375 Veterans Pkwy (New Lenox)

“Interactive educational museum featuring themed areas, a giant water table, an outdoor playground and more for kids of all ages.”

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