Hollywood Casino Joliet is 2.4 miles from Best Western Joliet Inn & Suites — a 6 minute drive via Larkin/Houbolt with no tolls. Free secure parking on site including oversized spots. Free hot breakfast daily (eggs, sausage, waffles, yogurt, pastries, coffee, juice). Heated indoor pool with solarium. Free WiFi. 24/7 front desk. Closest casino: Hollywood (2.4 mi). Also nearby: Harrah's Joliet (3 mi), Rivers Casino Des Plaines (35 mi), Rock Run Crossings development. Best rooms: King Bed Business Plus for solo/couple, Double Queen sleeps 4 for groups, One-Bedroom Suite for multi-night stays, full ADA accessible rooms with roll-in showers available. Book direct on the official Best Western page to save up to 10 percent vs third-party booking sites. Best Western Rewards earns points; AAA, AARP, Government and Military discounts also stack. Front desk: (815) 730-7500.
Chicagoland Speedway (Route 66 Raceway) is at 500 Speedway Blvd Joliet IL, 10 miles south of Best Western Joliet Inn & Suites via Houbolt Road and Route 53. Normal drive 14 minutes, race day plan 1 hour. Our parking lot has oversized spots for RVs, trailers and box trucks. Free for all hotel guests. Discounted group block rates available for 10+ rooms — popular with race crews and fan clubs. Submit Group Inquiry form or call (815) 730-7500. Race weekend amenities: free hot breakfast (coffee from 5:30 AM), 24-hour front desk for late returns, heated indoor pool, microwave and refrigerator in every room, 55 inch smart TV with Netflix. Nearby dining: Cracker Barrel and Texas Roadhouse 5 minutes, Portillo's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cooper's Hawk. Cup Series weekends typically sell out 45-60 days in advance. Book early on the official Best Western page to save up to 10 percent.
Starved Rock State Park is 50 miles southwest of Best Western Joliet Inn & Suites, a 1 hour drive on I-80 west to Exit 81 (Utica/Route 178) then south 2 miles to the visitor center at 2668 East 875th Road Oglesby IL. No toll road. Arrive before 10 AM on summer weekends. Best single-day trails: French Canyon Loop (1.2 mi easy, seasonal waterfall), St. Louis Canyon (1.4 mi moderate, full-height waterfall in spring), Wildcat Canyon (1.7 mi, deepest canyon), Lover's Leap and Eagle Cliff (short walk, Illinois River views). Best time to visit: January-February for frozen waterfalls (pack ice cleats), spring for flowing falls and wildflowers, mid-October for fall color. Lodging in Utica is limited and pricier; Joliet has more rooms, easier highway access, real restaurants and free hot breakfast included. Pack list: layers (canyons 10 degrees cooler), grippy boots, 1 liter water and packed lunch, trail map. Winter: ice cleats. Two-night weekend pairs well with Hollywood Casino or downtown Chicago. Book direct on the official Best Western page to save up to 10 percent or call (815) 730-7500.