Hidden gem museums along Route 66 bring fun for whole family

Looking for indoor family fun this winter? You’ll find no shortage of jaw-dropping museums along Route 66, ranging from a rock music museum to vast vintage automobile collections.

Chicago is home to world-class museums like the Art Institute and Field Museum, but here are some lesser-known gems scattered around Joliet and along Route 66 that are worth visiting.

Joliet Area Historical Museum

204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet – JolietMuseum.org

Get up close and personal with artifacts from the Mother Road at the Joliet Area Historical Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center! Located in a historic building that once housed the Ottawa Street Episcopal Methodist Church, a grand example of Neoclassical architecture, this building now hosts a plethora of themed selfie spots and exhibits dedicated to the significance of both Route 66 and The Lincoln Highway. Explore the museum’s brand new exhibit dedicated to The Blues Brothers, the seminal comedy that was filmed in Joliet. You’ll also find other photoworthy exhibits, like a replica I&M Canal lock, a turn of the century streetscape, an Old Joliet Prison guard tower and a recently added 3D Route 66 selfie sign – located near the entrance of the museum. Free parking can be found nearby, at the corner of Ottawa and Webster streets.

Illinois Rock And Roll Museum On Route 66

9 West Cass St., Joliet – RoadToRock.org

Rock on down the road to the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66, a multilevel museum and performance space whose mission is to " … preserve the history of musicians and bands with ties to Illinois … " The full museum still is under construction, with exciting new exhibits being installed on the second floor, but the first-floor exhibit gallery and gift shop currently are open to the public six days a week, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Rock & Roll Museum’s gift shop is home to official Route 66 passports, limited edition T-shirts, buttons, magnets, books and much more.

Illinois Route 66 Mining Museum

150 Kankakee Road, Godley

The Illinois Route 66 Mining Museum is a hidden gem of pure Americana, located in the small village of Godley. With only 600 residents, Godley was put on the map in 1864 by the discovery of “black diamonds,” which sparked the central Illinois coal rush. A tragedy in 1883 resulted in the death of 74 men and boys, an event that played a major part in the formation of the United Mine Workers Union in 1890. This small, but fascinating, micro-museum is open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Pontiac Oakland Automobile Museum

201 N. Mill St., Pontiac – PontiacOaklandMuseum.org

Visitors are astonished at the quality of the cars on display and the extent of the collection at Pontiac Oakland Automobile Museum. You’ll need about an hour or so to tour the vast collection of vintage cars, memorabilia and Pontiac Research Library housed in this sprawling downtown museum, located just a short walk away from the Route 66 Association Of Illinois Museum. Admission is free, however, you can opt for a behind the scenes tour for just $5 a person. This special tour will give you the inside scoop on the history of these astounding automobiles and stories from knowledgeable guides. Open every day, the auto enthusiast won’t want to miss a chance to see this fine collection.

Museum Of Gilding Arts

217 N. Mill St., Pontiac – SocietyOfGilders.org/Museum

Take a step back in time to America’s “Gilded Age,” when silver and gold leaf was all the rage. Gilding, a metal coating process that dates back to ancient Egypt, is on display front and center at this unique downtown museum. This impressive collection of gilding artifacts features examples of the leafing process and detailed information on how it is manufactured. Displays at this museum highlight the many applications for this technology throughout the ages, from architecture to decoration to preservation. A stop at the Museum of Gilding Arts is the perfect addition to your nostalgic trip along Route 66.

Route 66 Association Of Illinois Museum

110 W. Howard St., Pontiac – IL66Assoc.org

Pontiac is home to one of the best Route 66 museums along the entire Mother Road, this expansive archive of 66 artifacts and ephemera is widely regarded for its vast collection of historical photos.

At this fan favorite museum, you’ll find nostalgic relics from days gone by, vintage license plates, a VW bus with a connection to Disney’s hit film “Cars” and a spectacular two-story tall mural of a Route 66 shield, perfect for photo-ops. This is a can’t miss location for travelers spending any time along The First Hundred Miles.