Rialto Square Theatre
- Historic theater
- In Joliet, Illinois
- 0.1 mi from Route 66
- National Register of Historic Places
Joliet's Rialto Square Theatre, a grand 1926 theater in Joliet, IL, stands right by the Route 66 corridor. Built as a vaudeville and movie palace by the architects Rapp and Rapp, it now stages musicals, plays, concerts and comedy. With its Neo-Baroque design, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and for Route 66 travelers it is the showpiece of downtown Joliet, worth a look even without a ticket.
What is Rialto Square Theatre?
The Rialto is a theater building in the Neo-Baroque style, the ornate, richly decorated look that many movie palaces used to make a night out feel special. It was conceived to mix live vaudeville acts with films, the standard program for big theaters of its day.
Today the stage is used mostly for musicals, plays, concerts and stand-up comedy. The building can also be booked for public and private events, so the calendar mixes touring productions with local occasions.
History of Rialto Square Theatre
The theater opened in 1926. The architecture firm Rapp and Rapp designed it. It has since been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the American Institute of Architects has named it one of its “150 great places in Illinois,” a sign of how highly the design is regarded in the state.
Visiting Rialto Square Theatre: tips
The theater sits right by the old road in downtown Joliet, so it is an easy stop even if you only have time to see the facade. To see the interior, the simplest way is to buy a ticket for a performance; check the schedule before your trip. Parking and restrooms are on site, the building is listed as wheelchair accessible, and it is listed as suitable for children.
Several historic stops are within a short walk: the old United States Post Office is about 0.1 miles away, the Joliet Area Historical Museum about 0.1 miles, and the Joliet YMCA building about 0.3 miles.
Practical info
- Address
- 102 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432
- Phone
- +1 815-726-6600
- Website
- rialtosquare.com
- Hours
- We have no opening hours for this stop yet — check the official site.
- On site & nearby
Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix
Where to eat near Rialto Square Theatre
All diners on Route 66 →
On the map
Full mapRialto Square Theatre with the 6 closest stops and a place to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.
Tap a dot to see that stop here.
Stops near Rialto Square Theatre
All of Illinois
0.1 mi from Rialto Square Theatre
0.1 mi from Rialto Square Theatre
0.3 mi from Rialto Square Theatre
0.3 mi from Rialto Square Theatre
0.3 mi from Rialto Square Theatre
0.4 mi from Rialto Square Theatre
Questions about Rialto Square Theatre
Is the Rialto Square Theatre on Route 66?
It stands in downtown Joliet right by the Route 66 corridor, less than a mile from the old road.
When was the Rialto Square Theatre built?
It opened in 1926 as a vaudeville and movie palace designed by Rapp and Rapp.
Can you go inside the Rialto?
Yes, by attending a performance or event. The theater stages musicals, plays, concerts and comedy.
Own or run Rialto Square Theatre? Send us a photo or a correction.