We first visited Pontiac Illinois during our Route 66 road trip through Illinois and quickly realized this charming small town was more than just a quick stop along the Mother Road. What started as a place to stretch our legs turned into an afternoon filled with colorful murals, Route 66 history, quirky museums, and small-town charm. This time around, we spent the entire day exploring Pontiac Illinois, enjoying iconic festivals, good food, live entertainment, and all the fun energy happening throughout town. There was so much going on during our visit and honestly, it made us love Pontiac even more. If you’re planning an Illinois road trip, Pontiac absolutely deserves a stop on your itinerary.
Things to Do in Pontiac, Illinois
Visit the Museum Complex
The Museum Complex is definitely a must-stop while visiting Pontiac, especially since admission is completely free (though donations are appreciated). One of the highlights is the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame, filled with nostalgic Route 66 memorabilia. Kids will especially love seeing Bob Waldmire’s famous VW van, the inspiration behind Fillmore from Disney’s Cars. You’ll even find Waldmire’s artwork displayed throughout the complex.
Pro tip: Make sure to get a free Centennial Passport and have it stamped here!
It is a bit of a maze so take time to explore the museum. You’ll find really neat photographs of iconic Route 66 spots, and some of the photos are even displayed inside old jail cells, which made exploring even more interesting. As you walk around the complex, keep an eye out for the colorful butterfly mural too. (We love our butterfly murals!)
There is so much more to see beyond Route 66 history. The Livingston County War Museum features more than 275 military uniforms and artifacts honoring local veterans. There’s also a recreated 1940s home display and even a Titanic exhibit. The volunteers were incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable and even treated visitors to a little live music during our visit, which made the experience feel even more special.
After taking the time to go through the museums, take time to go back for a photo op with the mural of World’s Largest Route 66 shield. (See the bricks in front of the mural? These were once part of the original Route 66 alignment through town.) We also found Bob Waldmire’s 1966 school bus aka his “Road Yacht.” **Currently under construction**
Tip: See those footprints on the sidewalks? Follow the footprints to either the murals or attractions.
See murals and art cars
Besides the largest Route 66 shield behind the museum, there are over 20 other murals located around town. If you’re short on time many of them are located in the same alley as the Route 66 shield. Another one not to miss is the 66 foot long Waldmire Memorial mural dedicated to the Mother Road legend.
Cool fact: Bob designed the mural before he died and about 500 of his friends painted it. Look for the hand prints.
As we strolled around town, we also noticed these small, painted cars. They were so dang cute!
See Pontiac cars
Pontiac cars in Pontiac? Yes, it only makes sense! Car lovers will definitely want to make a stop at the Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum, which is filled with antique and classic Pontiac vehicles. We loved that they rotate the collection, so there’s always something new to see. The cars are beautifully displayed throughout the museum, and it’s such a well-done space overall. Don’t skip the gift shop either. They had some really great Route 66 and Pontiac-themed items. Definitely worth a stop while exploring Pontiac or Rt. 66.
Tip: For a fun souvenir, have the kids pick out a Pontiac Hot Wheels car.
Museum of the Gilding Arts
If you’re visiting the Pontiac Oakland Museum, it’s worth making a quick stop at the Museum of Gilding Arts a few doors down. This free museum highlights the art of gold and silver leafing, and there were some really pretty examples throughout. It was interesting seeing how gold leafing is done, and there were a few interactive features that made it fun to explore. While it is a small museum, it’s definitely worth stopping by if you’re already in the area.
Visit a festival
During our visit, the Swinging Bridges Arts Festival, Red Carpet Corridor Festival, and even a carnival were all happening at the same time. So much going on in Pontiac! The streets were lined with talented vendors showcasing unique handmade crafts, and my daughter, our little artist, loved stopping at the different booths to create make-and-take projects.
There were plenty of kid-friendly activities too, including face painting and hands-on crafts throughout the festival. One of the festival days also featured a car show, adding even more fun to the weekend. We also spotted the Skoolie Swarm, a gathering of creatively converted school buses transformed into homes and travel rigs, parked around town. Add in live music from local bands, and the whole weekend had such a fun, lively atmosphere.
Parks and Swinging Bridges
Did you know there are three swinging bridges in Pontiac? We’ve checked out the other two at [insert park name], so this time we made our way to the one closer to downtown at Humiston-Riverside Park.
Of course, the highlight for us was walking the path out to the swinging bridge that crosses the river. The kids had so much fun on it — lots of laughs, especially when it got a little wobbly (which just made it more fun for them).
This park is such a great spot for families. There are two playgrounds here, including a really cool ADA-accessible playground, which we always love seeing. You’ve also got beautiful views of the Vermilion River, and if you’re visiting in the summer, there’s a splash pad too.
Tip: If you’re a Route 66 fan, make sure to check out the Route 66 Centennial Wayside Exhibit located right in front of the splash pad.
Make a pit stop at Wally’s
If you need gas, snacks, food, or fun souvenirs, Wally’s is an absolute must-stop. Honestly, whenever we’re anywhere near Pontiac, we make it a point to stop at Wally’s. It’s one of those larger-than-life road trip stops the Griswolds themselves would probably love. Very comparable to Buc-cees but less chaotic.
Sure, it’s a gas station with super clean bathrooms, but Wally’s is SO much more than that. Besides all the fun shopping and Route 66-style souvenirs, they also have ice cream, fresh baked goods, a grill, “Sloosh” slushy machines, a popcorn station, a coffee bar, and even a homemade beef jerky bar. Very cool! We always end up spending way longer here than planned… but honestly, that’s part of the fun. Our must-grabs every time? The popcorn, homemade chips, and Slooshes!
Where to Eat
Lola’s
One thing we definitely didn’t expect to find in Pontiac? Delicious Filipino food! Lola’s serves up both traditional Filipino favorites and creative twists on classic dishes, and everything we tried was packed with flavor. From the refreshing calamansi juice and ube swirl coffee to the savory bangus, lumpia, and BBQ pork skewers, every dish was so good. The Barangay Smash Burger with longanisa, chilimansi, and a fried egg was also a standout and such a fun fusion item. If you’re road tripping along Route 66 through Pontiac, Lola’s is absolutely worth a stop!
Tip: Make sure to stop by and take pics with the Pontiac angel wings.
Bob & Ringos Smokehouse
Looking for delicious BBQ in Pontiac? Bob & Ringo’s Smokehouse served up flavorful BBQ paired with classic comfort food. Everything is made fresh, not frozen, but we were still impressed with how quick the service was. After spending the day exploring the festivals and museums, we were absolutely starving and ended up trying a little bit of everything.
We started with pulled pork nachos and fries before diving into our entrees: a steak horseshoe, brisket sandwich, smoked wings, the B&R Burger made with house-ground steak, and their special of the day, a Reuben. Everything was hearty, flavorful, and definitely hit the spot after a busy day exploring Pontiac. Definitely a great spot to grab a bite to eat in Pontiac.
Other Things to See in Pontiac:
I wish had more time to explore but we were already running out of time.
- Seasons of Life Statues made of steel plates
- On a quest to find Honest Abe? There are 9 Looking for Lincoln sites here!
Looking for the ultimate Illinois Route 66 fun with kids? I detail all the stops here!
So glad you enjoyed our beautiful town, and that you mentioned the butterfly mural. I painted it a few years ago, and it is a bit hidden, like something on a scavenger hunt!
I grew up 40 minutes from Pontiac and I never realized how much cool history and highlights were there. Can’t wait to take my kids! Thanks for the guidance.