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Kankakee, Illinois: Where Fun is Always on the Agenda – Best Things to Do and Places to Visit!

A pair of Frank Lloyd Wright’s earliest houses stand next door to each other on the same street in Kankakee, and that is the reason to make the trip. The Bradley House runs tours; the Hickox House beside it does not. The river is the other half of the day, with canoe rentals, a state park and a scuba quarry just outside town. Downtown is walkable. An hour south of Chicago.

Looking for a destination that covers a genuine range? Kankakee, Illinois is the answer. This charming city sits an hour south of Chicago and it holds more than the drive suggests.

History buff, art lover, outdoor enthusiast or railroad aficionado, all four are covered in Kankakee. The city’s architectural heritage through to a day on the trails, and the list runs longer than the size of the place implies. So why wait? Start planning the Kankakee trip and go and find what is here.

Key Takeaways

• Kankakee, Illinois is a unique and exciting destination that offers something for everyone.
• From historical highlights to outdoor escapades, there’s no shortage of fun things to do and places to visit in Kankakee.
• Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or an outdoor enthusiast, you’re sure to find plenty to love in this charming city.

The Kankakee Experience

Welcome to Kankakee, the land of exposed land. You are in for a treat, because this charming Illinois city holds more than most towns its size. Outdoor activities through to indoor attractions, both are covered.

Start the day with a coffee from one of the local shops. Then take a stroll through the walkable central commercial district and work through the landmarks, the museums, the dining and more than a dozen entertainment venues.

For outdoor time, the Kankakee River is the thing to see. Fishing, kayaking or canoeing down it, all three work. Or, if you would rather stay dry, hike or bike the Kankakee River Trail.

For history, visit the Kankakee County Museum, where the city’s past is laid out alongside exhibits on local industry and agriculture. And do not miss the B. Harley Bradley House, an architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

For fun and games, head to one of the local water and amusement parks. Splash Valley Aquatic Park is the popular one with families, with water slides, a lazy river and a wave pool. Or, for something more thrilling, the roller coasters and rides at Adventure Realm.

After a day of exploring, eat well at one of the many restaurants in Kankakee. Classic American fare through to international cooking, and the craving gets met. And for a night out, there are local bars and clubs.

The Kankakee experience sticks with you. So pack the bags, grab a sense of adventure, and go and use this charming Illinois city.

Historical Highlights

History buffs will find a lot in Kankakee. There are historical sites and museums across the city. These are the highlights not to miss:

Kankakee County Museum

The Kankakee County Museum is the stop for anyone interested in the history of Kankakee County. The exhibits cover the Civil War through to the present day, which gives you the people and the events that shaped the area. And check out the exhibit on the Kankakee County Historical Society, which has been preserving local history since 1958.

French Heritage Museum

Did you know Kankakee County has a French heritage? The French Heritage Museum at the Stone Barn is where to get it. This museum sits in a historic carriage house with exhibits on the French settlers who arrived in the early 1800s. You get their culture, their traditions and the mark they left on Kankakee County.

Kankakee County Courthouse

The Kankakee County Courthouse is a beautiful building and it is worth a look for the architecture alone. It is also where you get the legal history of Kankakee County. The courthouse has been in operation since 1912 and has seen its share of interesting cases. Take a guided tour for the building’s history and the legal system in Kankakee.

Historic Downtown Kankakee

Downtown Kankakee is where you get the history alongside the shops and restaurants. One of the highlights is the Harold & Jean Miner Festival Square, an events plaza wrapped around the city’s historic railroad depot. It also hosts the Merchant Street MusicFest in the summer, which is the clearest look at the local music scene.

Riverview Historic District

The Riverview Historic District is a charming neighborhood full of historic homes and buildings. Take a stroll through it for the architecture and the people who lived in it. One of the highlights is the Riverview Mansion Hotel, built in 1880 and now a bed and breakfast. It is the place to stay if you want Kankakee’s history first-hand.

Museums, architecture, or simply the local history, Kankakee covers all three. Work through these and you come away with a better sense of the area than you arrived with.

Architectural Marvels

Kankakee, Illinois holds some of the most unusual architecture in the Midwest. Houses through to historic landmarks, and there is more of it here than the town lets on.

B. Harley Bradley House

Architecture readers should not miss the B. Harley Bradley House. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1900, this house is a masterpiece of Prairie School architecture. The low-pitched roof, the overhanging eaves and the horizontal lines are the whole vocabulary in one building.

But the real work is inside. The intricate stained glass windows through to the fireplace, and every detail carries Wright’s thinking. So for architectural inspiration, put the B. Harley Bradley House at the top of the Kankakee list.

Warren Hickox House

The other architectural marvel in Kankakee is the Warren Hickox House. Built in 1900, this house is a prime example of Queen Anne architecture. The ornate details, the asymmetrical design and the colors make it a genuine set piece.

But what really sets this house apart is the history. Over the years, the Warren Hickox House has been home to some of Kankakee’s most prominent citizens. Doctors, lawyers and businessmen, and the building has seen all of them come and go. So to step back into Kankakee’s past, put the Warren Hickox House on the list.

Architecture reader or someone simply after an unusual day in Kankakee, the B. Harley Bradley House and the Warren Hickox House are the two not to miss. So what are you waiting for? Get out there.

Outdoor Escapades

Looking for outdoor time in Kankakee? You are in luck. There is plenty here for the nature and plenty for the adrenaline. These are the three places not to miss:

Kankakee River State Park

The Kankakee River State Park runs 4,000 acres along both sides of the Kankakee River for 11 miles. It takes camping, hiking, fishing, or simply a picnic with family. With over 30 miles of trails, there is a lot of ground in it. Keep an eye out for the wildlife, deer and beavers and a long list of birds. And for something more adventurous, rent a canoe or kayak and get on the river.

Perry Farm Park

For something more laid-back, check out Perry Farm Park. This 170-acre park runs hiking trails, picnic areas and a playground for the kids. But the riverfront is the real reason to come, whether you sit and watch it or cast a line into it. And with luck, the park’s resident bald eagles.

Highland Park

For something genuinely unusual, head to Highland Park. This park is built on top of an old landfill and now runs over 300 acres of trails, picnic areas and a golf course. But the views over the Kankakee River are the draw. Hike the riverfront, or rent a kayak and take the river from the water. And the wildlife is there, deer and foxes and a range of birds.

So grab the camping gear, pack a picnic, and get outside in Kankakee.

Art and Culture

Kankakee runs an art and culture scene that will hold you for days. These are the two places to make first.

Majestic Theater

Theater fans will love the Majestic Theater. This historic venue has been standing since 1912 and has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, George Grey Barnard among them, the famous sculptor who created some of the stained glass windows in the theater.

The Majestic Theater has been restored properly and the interior is the reason to buy a ticket. The intricate ceiling through to the ornate chandeliers, and every inch of the room has been worked on.

Kankakee Public Library

If you are more of a reader, check out the Kankakee Public Library. It has been a fixture in this community since 1899 and holds a deep collection of books, newspapers and other material.

The latest bestseller or a rare first edition, the Kankakee Public Library has both. And when you need a break from reading, there are events and programs through the year, book clubs and author talks among them.

Theater buff or book lover, Kankakee covers both. Get ready to work through the art and culture of this city.

Wright designed both of the houses. Bradley in 1900 and Hickox in the same year, standing next door to each other on the same street. The Prairie School begins here in a way that it does not begin anywhere else in the country. The rest of the town is a river, a depot, a restored theater and an old limestone quarry full of sunken boats. Good weekend.

Family Fun

Looking for family activities in Kankakee? There are plenty of options for you and the little ones. These are a few of our favorites:

Splash Valley

On a hot summer day, nothing beats cooling off in the water. Splash Valley is where you do that. This water park runs a lazy river, a wave pool and plenty of slides for kids of every age. And there is a separate area for the little ones, so nobody gets knocked over by the bigger kids.

Exploration Station

For something more educational, check out the Exploration Station. This children’s museum is full of interactive exhibits that keep kids busy while they learn. The Exploralot Castle through to the giant Lite Brite, and every age is covered. And there are special events and programs through the year, so check the website.

Brookmont Bowling Center

For the classic family activity, head to Brookmont Bowling Center. This bowling alley has been a Kankakee fixture for decades and the reason is obvious once you are in it. With 24 lanes, an arcade and a snack bar, nobody is left out. And there is glow-in-the-dark bowling on the weekends.

Whatever you choose, time with family is time well spent. So pack up the kids and head out for a day in Kankakee.

Unique Activities

Looking for something out of the ordinary in Kankakee? These are the activities that will have you saying you never knew that was possible.

Reed’s Canoe Trips

Get ready to paddle down the Kankakee River with Reed’s Canoe Trips. Seasoned pro or first-time paddler, Reed’s has a trip that fits. The routes run from an hour through to a full day, with the scenery of the Kankakee River Valley alongside. Bring sunscreen, a hat and some snacks. And the wildlife turns up if the timing is right.

Scuba Diving at Haigh Quarry

Looking for an adventure below the surface? Haigh Quarry, just outside Kankakee. This former limestone quarry has been turned into a scuba site, with clear water and a genuine list of things to find down there. Sunken boats, aircraft and a school bus. And if you are new to diving, Haigh Quarry runs classes and rents the equipment.

Paddling or diving, Kankakee has activities you will not find in the next town over.

Railroad Rendezvous

Get ready for a trip back to the days of locomotives and railroads. Kankakee holds some of the best railroad attractions in the country, so put on the conductor’s hat and get started.

Kankakee Railroad Museum

First, the Kankakee Railroad Museum. This museum sits in the city’s former train depot and it is the stop for anyone interested in trains and railways. The collection of railroad models and train-related memorabilia is genuinely impressive.

Check out the museum’s gift shop for train-themed souvenirs to take home. And with luck, a real train going past while you are there.

Train Depot

After the museum, head over to the train depot. This historic building is a genuine gem and it is the other stop for anyone visiting Kankakee. It has been restored properly and now holds a range of shops and restaurants.

Take a stroll through the depot and look at the architecture. And when the hunger arrives, eat at one of the restaurants. You can have a drink at the bar and watch the trains go past.

All aboard for a day of railroad history in Kankakee.

Green Getaways

Looking for somewhere quieter than the city? Kankakee’s green getaways cover it. These are the two places to visit for the nature.

Benoit Greenhouses

If you like plants, Benoit Greenhouses is the place. This family-owned garden center gives you a chance to look at, learn about and buy plants across an astounding range in Kankakee. Succulents through to orchids, it is all in there. And the best part is that you take a piece of Kankakee home with you.

Willowhaven Interpretive Center

Looking for something more educational? Check out the Willowhaven Interpretive Center. Located in nearby Bourbonnais, this nature center runs exhibits and programs that work for nature lovers of every age. Learn the local flora and fauna, take one of the trails, or attend a workshop on sustainable living.

Adding some green to your life or simply getting closer to the nature, Kankakee’s green getaways cover both.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the scoop on Kankakee, Illinois?

Kankakee is not only a good word to say. It is a good place to visit. Sitting in the heart of Illinois, it runs an unusual mix of urban and rural attractions. Museums through to outdoor adventures, and both are covered.

Are there any free and fun things to do in Kankakee County?

Yes, and you do not have to spend much to have a good time in Kankakee. Check out the Kankakee County Museum, which lets you in for nothing and covers the area’s history properly. Or take a stroll through the Kankakee River State Park and get the scenery without spending anything at all.

What are some exciting events happening in Kankakee in the next 14 days?

Kankakee keeps a busy calendar. Over the coming weeks you can catch a live performance at the Kankakee Valley Theatre, attend the Kankakee County Fair, or take part in the Bourbonnais Friendship Festival. Nobody is bored here.

Where can I take my kids for a good time in Kankakee?

Kids will love the Exploration Station, a children’s museum with hands-on exhibits and educational programs. Or take them to Splash Valley Aquatic Park for a day in the water. And do not forget the Kankakee River State Park, where you hike, fish and get outdoors with the whole family.

What’s the best place to go shopping in Kankakee?

For retail therapy, head to Northfield Square Mall. With over 60 stores and restaurants, something will land. Or check out the Kankakee Farmers’ Market for fresh produce, artisanal goods and a taste of what is grown locally.

Why is Kankakee River so popular?

For a start, it is one of the cleanest rivers in the Midwest. But that is not all. The Kankakee River runs some of the best fishing, kayaking and canoeing in the state. And it is ringed by parks and trails, which makes it the place to get outside.

Frequently asked questions about Kankakee, Illinois

Is the B. Harley Bradley House open to the public like a museum?

It does. The Bradley House runs tours, and it is genuinely worth taking one, because the interior is where the Prairie School idea actually lands on you properly. Stained glass, the fireplace, and the horizontal lines carried right the way through the building. The Hickox House next door is private, so you look at that one from the street instead.

Which Kankakee park is worth giving a whole day to?

Kankakee River State Park, which runs 4,000 acres along both banks for 11 miles and holds over 30 miles of trail inside it. Camping, hiking, fishing and canoe rental are all available on the site itself. Perry Farm Park is the shorter version, 170 acres with a riverfront and resident bald eagles on it. Both are free.

Is the scuba diving at Haigh Quarry actually any good?

Better than an Illinois quarry has any right to be, by most accounts of it. The water is clear, and what is down there is sunken boats, aircraft and an actual school bus. They run classes and rent out the equipment, so it works perfectly well as a first dive, and it sits just outside town.

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