There is much to love about Kankakee, Illinois. The local lifestyle combines urban and rural influences. The beautiful Kankakee River meanders through the city, forming a backdrop for year-round relaxation and recreation near Kankakee Illinois Hospital. The Kankakee Valley Theatre, Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Kankakee County Museum of Art and History, Kankakee Community College, Riverview Historic District, Lunch in the Plaza and concerts in the park are just a few of the things that give this city its unique style and energy. . From Indians to industry, Kankakee has had a long tradition of agriculture and commerce and looks forward to an exciting future as the center of Kankakee County’s government, industry, culture and services.
The beautiful Kankakee River stretches from Indiana to Wilmington, Illinois, at which point it joins the Illinois River. There are nine miles of river above the Kankakee Dam that are perfect for boating, picnicking, and shore bathing. Below the dam, the shallow, winding Kankakee River is lined with limestone formations and trees, and offers some of the most enchanting canoeing in the state of Illinois. The winding streets of Kankakee City’s Riverview Historic District are punctuated by fin-de-siecle streetlights, and the formal English gardens and elegant Victorian buildings along the river provide a picturesque glimpse of another era. Modern architecture is represented by the two Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Kankakee Healthcare, both of which are excellent examples of the Prairie style. Both the B. Harley Bradley House and the Warren Hickox House are situated on South Harrison Avenue and are privately owned.
The Kankakee County Historical Society Art Museum features a large collection of sculpture by noted artist George Gray Barnard, along with Indian crafts and artifacts and the restored 19th-century farmhouse that belonged to Dr. AL Small. The Kankakee Railroad Museum was founded by Harold Woods in 2001. It is located in downtown Kankakee, on the north end of the historic Illinois Central Railroad Depot (197 S. East Ave), near Kankakee Hospital. The museum features three large working model railroads built by members of the Kankakee Model Railroad Club and is the site of the annual Railfest celebration each June. Railfest draws hundreds of visitors from across the state to tour the museum’s historic streetcar and Pullman coach and appreciate the importance of the railroad to Kankakee’s development. Railfest also features live music acts and kid-friendly activities like face painting and bean bag tossing, as well as great local cuisine ranging from pizza to BBQ pork sandwiches.