15 Best Things To Do In Pontiac, Illinois

1. Plan a picnic at the beautiful Livingston County 4-H Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you’re an outdoorsy type, you will love visiting the Livingston County 4-H Park. This park is the site of the annual Livingston County Ag Fair, an agricultural show where locals can showcase their agriculture and livestock. The fair is put on by 4-H volunteers, who also maintain the park to ensure locals have a beautiful space all year round. It’s a great place to have a picnic, play on the playground, and even camp overnight!

Livingston County 4-H Park

Address: 18142 4h Park Rd, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: Livingston County 4-H Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

2. Check out the collection of vehicles and memorabilia at Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If the name Pontiac sounds familiar, it’s probably because of the Pontiac brand of cars. The brand is named after Pontiac, Michigan, where the brand was founded as part of General Motors, but ironically the largest collection of Pontiacs, and the more expensive line of Oakland cars, can be found in Pontiac, Illinois. The Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum was founded by a Pontiac car expert who wanted to preserve these classic cars and display them for auto enthusiasts. Visitors can see all kinds of automobiles, from classic makes to rare models, and learn all about the Pontiac and Oakland brands and their history.

Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum

Address: 205 N Mill St, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

3. Delve into nostalgic relics from The Mother Road at the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum

Car and travel lovers will also get a kick out of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. This museum contains exhibits and artifacts from The Mother Road, which is what Route 66 was called back when it was America’s most important highway. Route 66 is important to Pontiac, Illinois, because it runs right by the town. The museum seeks to preserve the heritage of this highway through informative exhibits and tell the stories of its glory days to new generations.

Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum

Address: 110 W Howard St, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

4. Recognize the services of US military at Livingston County War Museum

Another educational institution in Pontiac is the Livingston County War Museum. The museum educates visitors about Livingston County soldiers in conflicts dating back to World War I, and pays tribute to both living and deceased service members. It is run by a volunteer staff of both local veterans and civilians. You’ll also get to see the beautiful interior of the historic Pontiac town hall, where the museum is located.

Livingston County War Museum

Address: 321 N Main St, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: Livingston County War Museum

Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 10am – 4pm; Sun: 12pm – 4pm

Price: Free

5. Watch your favorite movies at the multi-screen Crescent Cinemas

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

For a relaxing night out, head to the independent Crescent Cinemas in downtown Pontiac. This historic movie theater plays all of the latest hits and has the latest tech in sound and display but has charm and character all its own. The cinema also has great deals like discounts for kids in the summer and BYOB Tuesdays, where you bring your own bowl and get popcorn for only 50 cents!

Crescent Cinemas

Address: 313 W Madison St, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: Crescent Cinemas

Opening hours: Varies by showtime

Price: 10 USD

6. Savor tender steaks and ribs at David's Food and Spirits

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This cozy little steakhouse is the perfect spot for comfort food. The menu has several varieties of steak, including a ribeye and sirloin, along with classic chicken and seafood dishes. Each entree comes with a choice of potato or pasta along with salad and a roll so you get a lot of food for a reasonable price. They also mix up the menu with rotating specials!

David's Food and Spirits

Address: 624 W Howard St, Pontiac, IL 61764, USA

Website: David’s Food and Spirits

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 4:30pm - 9pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

7. Take a leisurely walk with your partner in the Humiston Woods Nature Center

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

No matter what season you visit Pontiac, pay a visit to Humiston Woods Nature Center. This idyllic preserve lies along the banks of the Vermilion River and consists of a large hardwood forest and restored prairie. The preserve has many native plants, flowers, and birds, which you can see by hiking along one of the seven trails. You can also picknick, fish in the pond, or launch a canoe from the boat dock.

Humiston Woods Nature Center

Address: 2100 North Rd , Pontiac, IL 61764, E 2100 N Rd, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: Humiston Woods Nature Center

Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset (daily)

Price: Free

8. Click the mandatory selfie with Route 66 Shield Mural

Another spot for Route 66 enthusiasts is the Route 66 Shield Mural. This is Pontiac’s oldest mural, dating back to 2006. The city has 23 murals throughout the town, and visiting all of them would be a fun itinerary to tour downtown! This beautiful mural is actually painted on bricks from the original Route 66 road. You can stand in front of the mural for a picture or even drive your car up in front of it for another great photo option!

Route 66 Mural

Address: 110 West Howard Street, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: Route 66 Mural

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

9. Treat your taste buds at PK UnKorked Wine Shop & Tasting Room

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Travel the world without leaving downtown Pontiac by stopping at PK UnKorked Wine Shop and Tasting Room. This charming wine shop has a global selection of over 100 wines. Sample a few or buy a glass to sip in the cozy tasting area. They also serve goodies like chocolate covered strawberries to go with your drinks.

PK UnKorked Wine Shop

Address: 220 S Main St, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: PK UnKorked Wine Shop

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 12pm - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 9pm; Sun: 12pm - 6pm

10. Visit the historic judicial center, Livingston County Courthouse

The most eye-catching building in the historic downtown of Pontiac is the Livingston County Courthouse. This unique, towering building dates back to 1875, and is the third courthouse in the city since it was founded in 1837. It is a brick building with several contrasting white towers on each corner, including a taller clock tower in the center. Aside from its appearance, the Livingston County Courthouse is also an important judicial seat and has been added to the National Register of Historic Places because of its significance.

Livingston County Courthouse

Address: 112 W Madison St, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: Livingston County Courthouse

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

Price: Free

11. Indulge in a fun afternoon at Pontiac Parks & Recreation

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The Pontiac Parks and Recreation department offers fun activities and programs to keep the whole community happy and healthy! Pontiac has 11 beautiful parks that are perfect for the whole family. They offer playgrounds, ball fields, and more. If you’re visiting in the summertime, you can also thank Pontiac Parks and Rec for access to the natatorium pool and splash pad. They also run tons of programs, like indoor cycling classes, youth and senior programs, and sports leagues that anyone can join.

Pontiac Parks and Recreation

Address: 900 N Elm St, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: Pontiac Parks and Recreation

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 5am –-8pm; Sat: 6am - 6pm; Sun: 10am - 6pm

Price: Free

12. Try American delicacies at Edinger's Filling Station

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

You can’t get a more American menu than the one at Edinger’s Filling Station. This casual restaurant plays up on Pontiac’s love of cars and travel with a gas station themed atmosphere. No dried out hot dogs and trail mix like you would get at an actual gas station—at Edinger’s you can fuel up and fill up on fries, burgers, pastas, and breakfast, too. They also have a rotating selection of homemade pies and desserts so leave room for something sweet at the end of your meal.

Edinger’s Filling Station

Address: 423 W Madison St, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: Edinger’s Filling Station

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 5:30am - 3pm; Sat: 5:30am - 2pm (closed on Sun)

13. Gulp down great cocktails at the famous PJ's Pub

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Head to the local watering hole, PJ’s Pub, to grab a drink and unwind after a long day touring around Pontiac. They have drinks that are high quality yet affordable. You can also play darts, video games, and pool. They even have karaoke! PJ’s is a great place to experience the fun-loving nightlife of Pontiac.

PJ’s Pub

Address: 301 N Ladd St, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: PJ’s Pub

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 6am - 1am; Sun: 11am - 12am

14. Play a round of golf with friends at Wolf Creek Golf Course

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you’re on vacation in Pontiac and just have to get in a round of golf, you’re in luck: Wolf’s Creek Golf Club is a great option for a game. Don’t be intimidated if you’re not an expert: they have four sets of tees for all skill levels, so beginners can pick it up too. They even offer instruction if you’re looking to improve your game. Take a lunch break for a cold drink and delicious meal at the clubhouse’s bar and grill.

Wolf’s Creek Golf Club

Address: 21062 N 1850 E Rd, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: Wolf’s Creek Golf Club

Opening hours: Varies based on tee time

Price: 17 USD

15. Rejuvenate your senses at True Essence Tranquility spa

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

It wouldn’t be a true vacation without a little rest and relaxation. You can get pampered at Pontiac’s True Essence Tranquility Spa. Choose from one of therapeutic massages: a true essence massage to balance your mind, body, and spirit; a serenity massage to relieve stress on the body; or an uplifting tranquility massage. You can also get a facial and choose from one of six kinds of sauna treatment.

True Essence Tranquility Spa

Address: 725 W Madison St, Pontiac, IL 61764

Website: True Essence Tranquility Spa

Opening hours: Mon: 9am - 6pm; Tue: 12pm - 7pm; Wed: 10am - 4pm; Thur: 10:30am - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 9am - 4pm (closed on Sun)

Price: Varies based on service

A city as classic as American pie

Pontiac is symbolic of American culture in many ways. The city grew out of humble beginnings to become a bustling town along the railroad. Later, this railroad was replaced with the highway that would become the iconic Route 66, the emblem of the American love of travel and exploration. It has relied on its ingenuity to remain an important city today as a judicial seat, and most importantly, it has a close-knit community and provides lots of great resources and things to do for its residents–and visitors, too!