JOL to CHI

Joliet, Illinois was known as the City of Stone in its early years. It grew into a diversified manufacturing town, and today is a fast-growing, fun-filled community. As the train passes through town, watch for historic Union Station, century-old homes and mansions, and a castle-like high school built in 1901.

Joliet, Illinois was known as the City of Stone in its early years. It grew into a diversified manufacturing town, and today is a fast-growing, fun-filled community. As the train passes through town, watch for historic Union Station, century-old homes and mansions, and a castle-like high school built in 1901.

Imagine a life spent within the confines of four 25-foot tall limestone walls; a life without running water or plumbing; a life where one wrong move could get you in a cell the size of a closet. This was reality for prisoners of the Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois. Though no longer operating, Joliet Correctional Center offers residents and tourists a peak into the building's past and an opportunity to step into the shoes of its inmates.

Imagine a life spent within the confines of four 25-foot tall limestone walls; a life without running water or plumbing; a life where one wrong move could get you in a cell the size of a closet. This was reality for prisoners of the Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois. Though no longer operating, Joliet Correctional Center offers residents and tourists a peak into the building's past and an opportunity to step into the shoes of its inmates.

Can you catch a glimpse of a water-filled channel in northern Illinois between Bloomington and Chicago? The Amtrak route follows a portion of the path of a 96-mile, hand-dug waterway called the Illinois & Michigan Canal that forever changed the nation when it opened in 1848.

Can you catch a glimpse of a water-filled channel in northern Illinois between Bloomington and Chicago? The Amtrak route follows a portion of the path of a 96-mile, hand-dug waterway called the Illinois & Michigan Canal that forever changed the nation when it opened in 1848.

Just north of the town of Lemont, Illinois, the train passes a small lighthouse marking an amazing engineering feat at the intersection of two canals. These two manmade waterways - the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal and Cal-Sag Channel - were completed in 1922 to help reverse the flow of the Chicago River, and thereby safeguard a clean water supply for the growing city.

Just north of the town of Lemont, Illinois, the train passes a small lighthouse marking an amazing engineering feat at the intersection of two canals. These two manmade waterways - the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal and Cal-Sag Channel - were completed in 1922 to help reverse the flow of the Chicago River, and thereby safeguard a clean water supply for the growing city.

Since Illinois is nicknamed the Prairie State, you may be surprised to see forests along the train route close to Chicago. For example, between Willow Springs and Lemont, the train passes through a portion of Cook County's Forest Preserves.

Since Illinois is nicknamed the Prairie State, you may be surprised to see forests along the train route close to Chicago. For example, between Willow Springs and Lemont, the train passes through a portion of Cook County's Forest Preserves.