5 Things to Do in Kankakee That You Shouldn't Miss

July 20, 2017 Nicolette Lion

Kankakee /kæŋkəˈki/ is a city in and the county seat of Kankakee County, Illinois, United States. The city's name is probably derived from the Miami-Illinois word teeyaahkiki, meaning: "Open country/exposed land/land in open/land exposed to view," in reference to the area's prior status as a marsh. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,537. Kankakee is a principal city of the Kankakee-Bourbonnais-Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area
Restaurants in Kankakee

1. B. Harley Bradley House

701 S Harrison Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901-5109 +1 815-936-9630
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 55 reviews

B. Harley Bradley House

Reviewed By Vicki A - Brunswick, Md.

Did not expect to find this great historical site here but glad we did. We had a very friendly guide who took her time and answered all of our questions. We very much enjoyed our tour.

2. Kankakee Railroad Museum

197 S East Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901-3834 +1 815-929-9320
Excellent
54%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

Kankakee Railroad Museum

Reviewed By Allan C - Germantown Hills, Illinois

One can visit the indoor model train layouts. Featuring O, HO, and N gauge, Plus the opportunity to purchase HO gauge rolling stock lettered and labeled advertising original Kankakee Companies. Afterwards, be sure to take the tour through the passenger / Dinning car, the overnighter Caboose, and the trolly car which was resurrected for a long life as a shed. The tour guide we had actually worked on that rail line for 30 some years !!

Visited April 2017

3. Kankakee County Museum

801 S 8th Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901-4744 +1 815-932-5279
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 15 reviews

Kankakee County Museum

Reviewed By R M - Bourbonnais, Illinois

The museum has many treasures of Kankakee and d two old homes. The school house and the Doctors home. There are many festivals there during the summer like the strawberry festival which has many artisans showing their talents. Many organizations decorate Christmas tress during December and are on display and you can vote for your choice. There is a new theme every year.

4. French Heritage Museum at The Stone Barn

165 N Indiana, Kankakee, IL 60901 +1 815-932-5279
Excellent
58%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

French Heritage Museum at The Stone Barn

Explore and celebrate the French involvement in the history of the Kankakee River Valley: the first explorers and missionaries, the coureurs de bois and fur traders, and the pioneer settlers from France, French Canada, and Belgium. Our French Heritage continues to play a distinctive role in our community's identity.

Reviewed By Jsleos - Chicago, Illinois

Disclaimer: the museum isn't the best-organized and the exhibits could use some better-suited design. BUT! The strength of this museum is the fact that it covers a little-known era in the Kankakee area and highlights the French heritage of northeastern Illinois. If you're coming from Chicago, the museum isn't worth the trip on its own, but it definitely can be coupled with other area attractions to fill an afternoon.

5. Kankakee County Convention & Visitor Bureau

1 Dearborn Sq Ste 1, Kankakee, IL 60901-3880 +1 815-935-7390
Excellent
67%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

The Kankakee River Valley is easy to find, but hard to leave. Kankakee County is an affordable getaway for professionals, history buffs, families, anglers and sports enthusiasts.Kankakee County is located just 50 miles south of Chicago, off of Interstate 57. Routes 45/52, 50 and 17 also run through the River Valley. O'Hare International Airport is 75 miles north of Kankakee County, and Midway Airport is 50 miles north. The Greater Kankakee airport is also available for personal aircraft landing space.

Reviewed By BRENDA D - CHAMPAIGN

We were seeking a meeting location for a state-wide association. Some live in Chicago, some live in Champaign and south. So it was fair to meet in Kankakee. The library was very accomodating, easy to find, close parking and the meeting room was free!!The Kankakee County Convention and Visitor Bureau provided options for our meeting, and even sent us some information about the area, and some promotional items.
Very glad I called them.

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