Will County - 24 Attractions You Must Visit

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About Will County

Will County, Illinois is well known for its charming attractions and beautiful landscapes. Nestled in the Midwest, Will County has a population of around 677,560 people and spans 1,159 square miles. In addition to its large number of parks and historical sites, the county is home to several major cities and towns such as Joliet, Aurora, Naperville and Plainfield. With a variety of outdoor activities available including camping, fishing, agriculture and more - it's clear why so many people call W

Types of Attractions in Will County

Activities Around

List of Attractions in Will County

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park is a perfect way to get out and explore nature. Located on historic Bluff Trail, the park offers a variety of recreational activities from kayaking and fishing to hiking and bird watching. With nearly 500 acres of land spreading out along both sides of the Des Plaines River, there's plenty to explore! The park also features multiple picnic pavilions, loaders for personal boats, boat beaches, a restroom building open during summer hours.

Channahon State Park

Channahon State Park

Outdoors- Other

Channahon State Park offers visitors the opportunity to experience breathtaking natural beauty. Covering over 2,000 acres, this state park is filled with sprawling prairies and marshes along with deep ravines and wooded areas. It provides a prime habitat for numerous plant and animal species throughout its diverse ecosystem. Outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, camping, walking trails and picnic areas allow visitors to fully appreciate the park's incredible ecological diversity.

Commissioners Park

Commissioners Park is an impressive outdoor playground. It has beautiful paths for hiking and biking, as well as bike rentals. The park also offers a variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy such as disc golf, fishing, volleyball, horseshoes, soccer fields and several playgrounds. There are plenty of picnic areas to relax after a day of fun activities. With its plethora of attractions, Commissioners Park is one of the county's most popular outdoor destinations.

Dellwood Park

Dellwood Park offers a unique opportunity for nature lovers by allowing its visitors to observe a wide variety of flora and fauna up close. This park is made up of nearly 500 acres of recreational land, including three ponds and an amateur disc golf course. The park also hosts fishing areas, picnic tables, hiking trails, open field spaces, nature play areas, and many more offerings to keep visitors busy throughout the day.

Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area

Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area, contains wooded areas as well as wetlands that provide habitat for local wildlife such as white-tailed deer, waterfowls and amphibians. Visitors can enjoy recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, birdwatching or simply taking in the tranquil beauty of the forest and all of its creatures. Facilities like primitive camping spots and a picnic area are also available to take advantage of the area's peaceful atmosphere.

DuPage River Park

DuPage River Park

Lake/ River/ Ponds

Outdoors- Other

The DuPage River Park offers a diverse range of recreational opportunities for visitors. Boasting over 40 miles of trails that connect to numerous other parks, the DuPage River Park is ideal for walking, biking and even horseback riders. Whether you're looking to take a leisurely stroll or explore the wetlands and woodlands, there's something here for everyone. The park also includes fishing piers and boat launches, giving anglers access to the river.

Eaton Preserve Park

Eaton Preserve Park

Outdoors- Other

Eaton Preserve Park is a fantastic natural retreat spanning 77 acres, the park offers a wide variety of activities for nature lovers to enjoy including picnicking, fishing, bird watching and more. The park is set in a beautiful wooded valley that is filled with diverse flora and fauna native to the area. In addition to recreational activities available at Eaton Preserve Park there are also several miles of trails for visitors to explore.

Gaylord Building

Gaylord Building

Iconic Buildings

The Gaylord Building has a rich local history. Built in 1867, it was originally used as a general store and post office before being converted into the offices for many businesses in this growing area. Throughout the years it has seen many uses, including retail shops, service clubs, and professional offices. Recognized for its beauty and design, the Gaylord Building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

Harrah's Joliet

Harrah's Joliet

Luxury Stays

American Cuisine Places

Casinos

Harrah's Joliet, is a popular entertainment destination for locals and tourists alike. This lavish casino and hotel resort offers a wide variety of gaming options such as slots, a poker room, table games like blackjack and roulette, as well as an onsite sportsbook. Visitors to Harrah's can also enjoy live music or comedy shows in Chicago Street Theater, shop at designer stores or relax at the 10th-floor pool.

Hickory Creek Preserve

Hickory Creek Preserve

Outdoors- Other

Hickory Creek Preserve, is a nature lover's paradise. This 748-acre public park contains some of the most stunning landscapes in the Midwest, many of which are protected by state and federal law. Visitors can take advantage of a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, wildlife watching, and even horseback riding on unique bridle trails. With two lakes for fishing as well as picnic areas and observation platforms for bird-watching.

Hiram B. Scutt Mansion

Hiram B. Scutt Mansion

Iconic Buildings

The Hiram B. Scutt Mansion is an impressive property built in 1880 by the wealthy coal-mining entrepreneur Hiram B. Scutt. The mansion is a sight to behold with its intricate brickwork and ornate glasswork due to materials being imported from France. This estate consists of 40 rooms distributed over three stories and occupies 20,000 square feet of land in rural Illinois. The vast lawn contains several outbuildings such as a carriage house, gardener's cottage, summerhouse and more.

Illinois and Michigan Canal

Illinois and Michigan Canal

Lake/ River/ Ponds

Outdoors- Other

The Illinois and Michigan Canal is a historically important transportation route that has been connecting towns since the early 19th century. The I & M Canal ran for a distance of about 98 miles beginning in Bridgeport on the Chicago River and ending at LaSalle-Peru at the Illinois River. Some say the move from Native American portage trails to the canal was what enabled the Chicago area to become a center of commerce in the young United States of America.

Illinois Aviation Museum

Illinois Aviation Museum

Iconic Buildings

Museums

The Illinois Aviation Museum is an impressive experience for aviation enthusiasts. On display are aircraft from the golden age of flight along with exhibits from WWI and WWII, as well as modern military machines. Visitors to the museum can explore the history of aviation through tour guides who have a wealth of knowledge about each aircraft and their historical context. Educational programming includes speakers, lectures, and interactive workshops for children of all ages.

Illinois State Museum

The Illinois State Museum with its permanent exhibits feature ancient Native American artifacts dating back thousands of years as well as items from more recent civilizations that have lived in the area. Additionally, there are interactive displays that help visitors gain a better understanding of Illinois culture and development. Since it first opened its doors in 1974, this museum has been an invaluable asset in documenting and preserving the past for future generations to appreciate.

Jackson Street Bridge

The historic Jackson Street Bridge has been a fixture in Will County, for nearly a century. Built in 1919, the truss bridge was the first publicly-funded structure of its kind in the area, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Spanning 80 feet across Fox Creek, it is not only a marvel of engineering, but also a cherished part of local history. With its inviting wooden railings and grand rustic design, this iconic relic has become an attraction to many visitors.

Joliet Iron Works Historic Site

The Joliet Iron Works Historic Site offers visitors a unique look into the area's rich industrial history. Built in 1873, this National Historic Landmark was once an active iron works that created an impressive number of mining tools and products for the area's booming mining industry. Today, visitors can explore the ruins of many of the site's buildings and machinery to gain a greater understanding of how the local economy operated during its heyday.

Joliet Kicks on Route 66

Joliet Kicks on Route 66

Iconic Buildings

Man-made Structures- Other

Joliet Kicks on Route 66 is a popular tourist site for those looking to journey along historic Route 66. The attraction is an Americana-style truck stop and diner that also houses a gas station and convenience store. Stop at Joliet Kicks to experience the nostalgia of traveling down one of America’s most iconic highways. With prices that are cheaper than traditional fuel stations, helpful staff, great service, delicious food, and vintage vibes.

Messenger Marsh

Messenger Marsh

Outdoors- Other

Messenger Marsh is a wetland complex that has become home to many different types of plant and animal species. This beautiful marsh is situated on 1200 acres of land and is one of the most significant habitats in Illinois for migrating waterfowl. As well as its striking beauty, Messenger Marsh provides excellent recreational opportunities for visitors including fishing, boating, birdwatching and more. Populations of frogs and turtles find refuge in this wetlands area.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is a remarkable example of conservation success. Once the site of a US Army Ammunition plant, the 19,000+ acre federal reserve is now home to some of the most diverse grassland wildflowers and biodiversity found anywhere in the Midwest. From celebrating endangered species that can survive here to allowing visitors to roam throughout areas on trails and activities such as guided tours.

Old Joliet Prison

Old Joliet Prison was once a formidable structure that acted as a symbol of the power of the State. Founded in 1858 and closed in 2002, it served many economic and criminal justice functions within the region over its 144 year history. Originally constructed to ease overcrowding within the Cook County prison system, it eventually became a juvenile correctional facility during its later years. It housed some of the most dangerous criminals in Chicago and surrounding areas.

Map of attractions in Will County

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For more information about Will County, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_County,_Illinois