Joliet's Rock & Roll Museum Becomes Worldwide Tourist Attraction: Here's What You'll Find

JOLIET, IL — It's been several years and thousands of volunteer hours in the making, but Ron Romero has finally done it. His Illinois Rock & Roll Museum in downtown Joliet is open to the public six days a week, making it one of this year's hottest travel stops for world travelers on their Historic Route 66 pilgrimage across the United States.

May through October marks the busiest time for Route 66 tourists passing through Joliet. Romero's museum is near the intersection of Cass and North Chicago Streets, across from The Forge. Summer hours for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

"We're not charging admission to come through the first floor," Romero said, adding that he's been blessed to receive a ton of generous free-will donations from visitors touring his museum.

During a recent interview, Romero shared with Joliet Patch his guest book. Visitors have come from The Netherlands, Germany, New York, Texas, Poland, Spain, Japan, Ohio and Florida.

And Lockport and Joliet, too.

"It's so surreal," Romero remarked, when asked about the world-wide appeal of his Joliet museum. "We just had a bus from Detroit, it was a full bus, 55 people. We're getting a lot of people from the United Kingdom ... The good thing for me is we're seeing more people from Joliet."

This past Saturday, Romero said the museum had 350 people visit.

Second Floor Museum Renovations Underway

Some days draw a huge crowd of out-of-town travelers, Romero said.

"It depends a lot on the weather," he said. "Some days, we could be upwards of 150 people. And it seems to be growing. We've done a lot more marketing than ever. "

As far as the bus tours, Romero said they include charter bus groups as well as buses from senior centers and assisted living retirement communities.

The entire first floor is on full display for visitors. The second-floor renovations are well underway, and Romero hopes to have the second floor finished this year.

When the second floor opens, it will feature country and bluegrass. The first floor pays tribute to rock & roll as well as jazz, blues and gospel.

"Once we finish the second floor and put in more exhibits, then we'll really hit the marketing. We're in a lot of travel guides and magazines now," Romero pointed out.

The gift shop is also on the first floor.

"The gift shop does really well, inside and online," Romero explained. "We have a lot of new books and new shirts and long sleeves as well."

Musical Instruments Of Famous Illinois Bands Now On Display

Romero said he's been especially fortunate to receive significant donations from band members and groups such as REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, Disturbed and Styx.

This Fall, the Rock & Roll Museum will hold its Hall of Fame ceremony at the Rialto, featuring musical appearances from Disturbed, Richard Marx and Suzy Bogguss. The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum Hall of Fame Induction Award Ceremony will be at the Rialto Square Theatre at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14.

"By far this will be the biggest and most entertainment of Illinois stars that we've ever had," Romero said.

Patch asked Romero to name his biggest goal for 2025.

"Finishing the second floor, that's the biggest goal," he answered. "And waiting for a grant to be paid out. It is coming through the state of Illinois. The HVAC is being updated and that will fix our elevator and put in our sprinkler system."

What exhibits are huge hits with visitors?

"Cheap Trick, Styx and REO Speedwagon are most popular," Romero explained. "Although the blues stuff and Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Willie Dixon and many others, do really well too."

The latest addition to the first floor of the museum includes a gallery paying homage to the blues, jazz, gospel, country and bluegrass performers with roots in Illinois.

"Most people on the first floor, will spend 45 minutes to an hour, that's kind of the average," Romero explained. "And we do invite them to visit the Joliet Area Historical Museum (next door)."

Romero said that the downtown Joliet construction work on nearby North Chicago Street really has not put a damper on his tourist traffic. A year from now, downtown Joliet will feature a new multi-million-dollar City Square across from the Rialto along with the public infrastructure street and water main improvements.

"Everybody gets upset about construction. In my opinion, it should have been a long time ago, but now it's being done. In the end, it's going to be a good thing for Joliet," Romero said.

Romero said that Route 66 is a huge asset for Joliet, and he hopes his museum and Joliet will become a major destination point for tourists.

"We're a little big city, and we get a lot of people that travel," Romero said. "It's an economic engine."