Visit Pontiac Illinois

Welcome to Pontiac, Illinois!

Road Yacht

Murals on main street

Pontiac is home to 26 outdoor murals which, in addition to being beautiful pieces of public art, depict its varied local history. Most of the murals can be seen from your car, however, a walking tour is the best way to see the many details.

Get Your Kicks

The Americana charm of the Mother Road and the storied bygone days of our great nation abound at the Pontiac Museum Complex where visitors can learn about Route 66, U.S. Armed Forces history in Livingston County, and more. The Pontiac Oakland Automobile Museum and the Musuem of the Gilding Arts are located just one block away from the complex. The Vermillion River winds through out town, framing several beautiful public parks, where the Vermillion Players present live theatrical entertainment during the summer.

Attractions

Murals on Main Street

Pontiac is home to 24 outdoor murals which, in addition to being beautiful pieces of public art, depict its varied local history. Most of the murals can be seen from your car, however, a walking tour is the best way to see the many details.

The largest, and first mural is the Route 66 shield found on the back of the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. At its base are bricks from the original Route 66 alignment running through Pontiac and it is the perfect backdrop for a photo of your Route 66 journey. Pontiac hosted a Walldog Meet in 2009 when over 150 artists painted 18 murals in 4 days.

Check out our cool murals!

See All the Murals!

Pontiac Museum Complex

Located in the former Pontiac City Hall and Fire Station, the Pontiac Museum Complex houses 2 museums, 6 exhibits, and a fantastic gift shop to grab your souvenirs.

The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum is the repository for thousands of pieces of historic memorabilia from the glory days of the Mother Road.

Come learn the history of Route 66 in Illinois, see images of the road’s wonderful history, and hear a few great stories about life in America when Route 66 was the most important highway in the nation. Travel from the start sign in downtown Chicago to the Chain of Rocks bridge just by exploring the display cases. Learn about the people and places that made Illinois Route 66Β  and are Hall of Fame members.

The Livingston County War Museum is ran completely by veteran volunteers and features uniforms of area soldiers, memorabilia, and artifacts from conflicts.

The complex also houses a Route 66 Photo Journey by acclaimed photographer Efren Lopez, The Bob Waldmire Experience, Life in the 40’s, Life on the Titanic, Walldog Mural and Sign Art Exhibit, and the Lincoln Era Room.

Get your kicks here!

Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum

Come see one of the world’s greatest collections of Pontiac and Oakland automobile brand items.
Displays change often, so even if you have visited once, things will have changed for your next visit!Β Β 

Visit Our Website

The museum features antique and classic cars, and lots of automotive artifacts.Β  The Resource Center Library has several thousand old highway maps, sales brochures, original design drawings, and service and owner’s manuals. If it was printed about the Pontiac or Oakland auto brand, chances are you can find it here.
A shared namesake

Museum of the Gilding Arts

Founded by the Society of Gilders, the Museum of the Gilding Arts focuses on the history, craft, and use of gold and silver leaf in architecture and in decoration oughout a history that dates back to the days of the ancient Pharaohs of Egypt.
There are examples of gold and silver leaf, artifacts used in the application of the precious metal leaf, and displays showing how leaf was manufactured.Β Β 
The museum features a recreation of The M. Swift and Sons Company that manufactured gold leaf in Hartford, CT, and began its operations in 1887.Β Β 
experience the golden age

Looking for Lincoln

Pontiac’s historic connections to Abraham Lincoln date back to Lincoln’s early days as a young lawyer traveling the 8th Judicial Circuit. Lincoln made numerous visits to Pontiac, from his days as a humble prairie lawyer until his voyage on his funeral train to his final resting place in Springfield in April 1865.

Walk where abe walked

Pontiac's Swinging Bridges

The three charming and unique swinging bridges cross the Vermilion River and are beloved by locals and visitors alike.Β  Two of these pedestrian bridges were originally built in the 1890s to give factory workers an easier way to get to work on the north side of town. The third was built for aesthetics in the 1970s and all three are now the best way to get views of the Vermilion and explore Pontiac’s parks. Although the wooden walkways on the bridges have been replaced many times, the ironwork on the bridges is original.Β  Β 
stroll across the river

Featured Events

Pontiac is host to many fun events throughout the year. From car shows to concerts we have something for everyone. Visit our events page for more information on submitting your own events.
Today

Hooray, it`s April! You know what that means? The Historic Museum Complex is back to its summer hours! β˜€ Starting today, Tuesday April 1st, the complex will be open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

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Hooray, it's April! You know what that means? The Historic Museum Complex is back to its summer hours! β˜€ Starting today, Tuesday April 1st, the complex will be open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.
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Start your engines for summer 2025 🏁 The Great Race is coming to Pontiac on Monday, June 23rd! Join us from 1PM to 4PM as 140 classic cars and trucks line up in Downtown Pontiac. This exciting event is open to all with FREE admission.

Save the date and don`t miss out!

Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1107660197724503

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Start your engines for summer 2025 🏁 The Great Race is coming to Pontiac on Monday, June 23rd! Join us from 1PM to 4PM as 140 classic cars and trucks line up in Downtown Pontiac. This exciting event is open to all with FREE admission. Save the date and don't miss out! Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1107660197724503
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Visit the new Looking For Lincoln traveling exhibit, β€œJourney to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad” in Pontiac!
This exhibit is free and open to the public during regular business hours at Pontiac Public Library (IL) until March 5th, 2025.
We also have 3 companion programs included in this exhibit:
- The Underground Railroad in Livingston County, IL by Dale Maley on February 11th at 5:30PM.
- Songs of the Illinois Freedom Road Meet & Greet with Chris Vallillo on February 22nd at 1PM.
- Songs of the Illinois Freedom Road Performance by Chris Vallillo at the Eagle Theater, also on February 22nd at 3PM.

#playinpontiac #history #undergroundrailroad #travelingexhibit

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Visit the new Looking For Lincoln traveling exhibit, β€œJourney to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad” in Pontiac! This exhibit is free and open to the public during regular business hours at Pontiac Public Library (IL) until March 5th, 2025. We also have 3 companion programs included in this exhibit: - The Underground Railroad in Livingston County, IL by Dale Maley on February 11th at 5:30PM. - Songs of the Illinois Freedom Road Meet & Greet with Chris Vallillo on February 22nd at 1PM. - Songs of the Illinois Freedom Road Performance by Chris Vallillo at the Eagle Theater, also on February 22nd at 3PM. #playinpontiac #history #undergroundrailroad #travelingexhibit
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@livingstoncountywarmuseum will be closed until February 15th, 2025. Upon reopening, normal staffed hours will resume. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. The rest of the museum complex will remain open during regular hours. Thank you for your understanding!

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@livingstoncountywarmuseum will be closed until February 15th, 2025. Upon reopening, normal staffed hours will resume. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. The rest of the museum complex will remain open during regular hours. Thank you for your understanding!
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For #VeteransDay the Livingston County War Museum will be hosting a 20th Anniversary Open House to honor those who have served in our community. Located within the historic museum complex, the War Museum will be open from 10AM - 2PM on Monday, November 11th, and is free to enter πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ

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For #VeteransDay the Livingston County War Museum will be hosting a 20th Anniversary Open House to honor those who have served in our community. Located within the historic museum complex, the War Museum will be open from 10AM - 2PM on Monday, November 11th, and is free to enter πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ
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Happy Labor Day Weekend πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ We have lots going on in Pontiac if you`re still looking for something to do this weekend!

Starting Thursday, August 29th to Monday, September 2nd: The Annual 76th Central States Threshermen`s Reunion is finally here! Check out Threshermen`s Fairgrounds this weekend to see all of their attractions including the flea market, craft show, steam engines, and so much more.
http://www.threshermensreunion.org/

Saturday, August 31st:
The Pontiac Farmers Market will take place inDowntown Pontiac, IL this morning from 8AM - Noon.

Sunday, September 1st:
The long awaited Threshermen`s Parade will also take place in Downtown Pontiac and start at 1:15PM.

#playinpontiac

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Happy Labor Day Weekend πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ We have lots going on in Pontiac if you're still looking for something to do this weekend! Starting Thursday, August 29th to Monday, September 2nd: The Annual 76th Central States Threshermen's Reunion is finally here! Check out Threshermen's Fairgrounds this weekend to see all of their attractions including the flea market, craft show, steam engines, and so much more. http://www.threshermensreunion.org/ Saturday, August 31st: The Pontiac Farmers Market will take place inDowntown Pontiac, IL this morning from 8AM - Noon. Sunday, September 1st: The long awaited Threshermen's Parade will also take place in Downtown Pontiac and start at 1:15PM. #playinpontiac
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