Play in Pontiac and experience year-round fun! Enjoy our Rockin’ at the River concert series; fall fairs; summer festivals and Hometown Holiday Christmas events; ice skating; farmers markets; car shows and cruise nights; historic home tours; dining el fresco; farm to table meals; old-time bakery; specialty coffees and wine tasting; unique shopping; summer plays; movie theater and our crown jewel - The Eagle Performing Arts and Conference Center. The Eagle offers dinner theater, concerts, receptions and other special events.
Calling all artist and art lovers – downtown Pontiac will quickly become your new happy place! Pontiac has over 25 large, colorful, outdoor murals created by a talented group of artists known as the Walldogs. Simply follow the red footprints from mural to mural for a walking tour with nostalgic charm! Our collection of miniature art cars is scattered around the downtown sidewalks – each one created by a local artist or art group – great for photo opps! The Pontiac Community Art Center is a studio, teaching space, gallery, and retail sales outlet for locally produced works. Pontiac is also home to The Museum of Gilding Arts. Created by the International Society of Gilders, the museum focuses on the history, craft and art of using precious metal in design and decor.
With a name like Pontiac, of course we love cars! You’ll also love and appreciate our one-of-a-kind museum: The Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum and Resource Center. With classic Oaklands and cool Pontiacs, this museum is the only museum dedicated to just these two automobile brands. The museum is also home to one of the largest collections of oil cans and antique road maps around.
History Buff? We’ve got you covered! The Pontiac Museum Complex houses a variety of exhibits and displays:
The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum offers a collection of images, artifacts, and stories about the nation’s most famous road – Route 66. Memorabilia related to the iconic Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire including his school bus home ‘The Road Yacht’, VW Microbus, and a gallery of his artwork.
The Livingston County War Museum is staffed entirely by volunteer veterans. This museum pays tribute to the men and women from Livingston County who served in the nation’s military since World War I.
Ron Selle and Darlene Agner have beautifully curated fascinating exhibits that delve into the history of three transformative time periods in our nation’s history:
The Life in the 1940s – Featuring four rooms, completely furnished with furniture and toys of the era. Be sure to stop into the “Stage Door Canteen” to enjoy some vintage1940s music.
The Life on the Titanic - This exhibit portrays the life and times of the ship, its passengers, and the elegant Edwardian Age. The items on display are contemporaries of those that sank on the famed ship as well as items from the rescue ship.
The Music of the Civil War – Learn about the music that was popular during the Antebellum period, the war itself, and Reconstruction Era. There are framed original editions of sheet music with recordings as well as displays of antique musical instruments and soldier artifacts.
Most famously, the city has many connections to our nation’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. Follow the Looking for Lincoln Story Trail and learn more about this important historical figure and his connection to Pontiac. Located on the south lawn of the Historic Courthouse is a life-size commemorative statue of Honest Abe himself – another great selfie spot awaits!
To learn more about Pontiac, head online to visitpontiac.org or call the Pontiac Tourism office at (815) 844-5847.