Kankakee
Around Kankakee
Photo: Chris Light · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Illinois · 106k people
Kankakee
Locals say Kankakee Valley · “K-Town”
Where the river runs slow and the corn grows tall.
River GreenCorn GoldRiver Blue
Welcome to the Kankakee Valley, where the river runs through small towns and the cornfields stretch to the horizon. Grab a tenderloin, say hi at the farm stand, and you'll feel at home in no time.
Clubs for Kankakee
No clubs for Kankakee yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Kankakee. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Kankakee. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Kankakee River State Park 11 miles of river frontage, trails, and camping.
- Kankakee County Museum Local history and artifacts.
- Perry Farm Park Prairie trails and historic farmstead.
- Kankakee County Fairgrounds Hosts the annual county fair and events.
- Kankakee Riverwalk Downtown path along the river.
- Outdoors Fish for catfish on the Kankakee River
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Kankakee River State Park
- With kids Visit the Kankakee County Museum
- With kids Shop at the farmers market
- Evenings Local taverns
- Evenings Summer concert series
- Locals love Farm stands
- Locals love Local diners
Through the year
- Kankakee County Fair July Livestock, rides, and local food.
- Momence Gladiolus Festival August Flower parade and street fair.
- Kankakee Riverfest June Live music and river activities.
- Kankakee Farmers Market Summer Weekly local produce and crafts.
- Kankakee 4th of July Celebration July Fireworks and family fun.
Kankakee has four distinct seasons, with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The best time to be out is spring or fall. Best: Spring and fall are the most comfortable, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Getaways
- Chicago Big city sights and museums.
- Pontiac Route 66 attractions and murals.
- Ottawa Historic downtown and riverfront.
- Monticello Indiana lake country and casinos.
Local flavour
Rooting for Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Fire FC
Eat and drink
- Kankakee River catfish Freshly caught and fried catfish, a local river staple
- Pork tenderloin sandwich Classic Midwestern diner sandwich, popular across Illinois
- Chicago-style hot dog Part of the wider Chicago metro food culture, enjoyed locally
- Sweet corn Fresh corn from local farm stands in the summer
Where people go
- Kankakee River State Park A vast, wooded park along the river with trails, fishing, and camping
- Downtown Main Streets Historic small-town storefronts in Momence, Manteno, and Bradley
- Farm stands and grain elevators Agricultural landmarks dotting the flat, fertile landscape
- Local diners Classic Midwestern diners serving breakfast and comfort food
Heritage and traditions
Kankakee Valley is proud of its rich agricultural heritage, the scenic Kankakee River, and the small-town charm of its communities, along with a unique French heritage in Bourbonnais.
This time of year in Kankakee
- Fall Fall Corn mazes and pumpkin patches at local farms.
Say it like a local: “frontage road” — A service road parallel to a highway.
Festivals
- Bourbonnais Friendship Festival August Celebrates the area's French roots with music, food, and family activities.
- Manteno Fall Festival September A traditional harvest festival with a parade, crafts, and local food.
Landmarks with a story
- Kankakee County Courthouse A striking courthouse in the heart of downtown, listed on the National Register.
- Downtown Kankakee Historic District A walkable area with preserved 19th-century commercial architecture.
- St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church A historic Catholic church known for its beautiful stained glass and community role.
- Kankakee Depot A restored railroad depot that recalls the city's rail history.
Food traditions
- Lenten fish fries Local churches host community fish fries, a Midwest staple.
- Church potluck casseroles Potluck dinners at churches and community halls feature classic casseroles and hot dishes.
- French-Canadian dishes at Bourbonnais festivals At the Friendship Festival, visitors can try French-inspired treats like crepes and tourtière.
Music and arts
- Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra A community orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Community theater groups Local groups like the Kankakee Community Theatre stage plays and musicals.
- Barn quilts Colorful quilt patterns painted on barns along rural roads.
- Blues and jazz nights Local venues host blues and jazz performances, reflecting Chicago's influence.
A little history
- pre-1800s Potawatomi and Native American presence
- 17th century French exploration and naming
- 1853 Founding of Kankakee
- 1850s Railroad arrival
- 1907 Olivet Nazarene University founded
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Fishing tournaments on the Kankakee River
- Outdoors Canoeing on the Kankakee River
- Outdoors Biking the Riverwalk
- With kids Picking apples at a local orchard
- With kids Walking the Kankakee Riverwalk
Locals speak with a Midwestern accent, using 'pop' for soda and 'you guys' for plural you. The city name is pronounced 'kang-KUH-kee'.
Only here
- Momence is the 'Gladiolus Capital' and hosts the festival.
- The Bourbonnais area celebrates its French heritage with the Friendship Festival.
- The Kankakee River is a designated state park and a favorite for fishing.
- The Kankakee County Courthouse is a distinctive architectural landmark.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to pronounce Kankakee as 'kang-KUH-kee' and Bourbonnais as 'bur-BON-ay'.
- Be prepared for cold winters and hot, humid summers.
- Try local sweet corn in August and catfish from the river.
- Check out the farmers market on Saturdays.
- Get to know the river—it's a great place to fish, kayak, or just relax.
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Part of Chicagoland
Nearby
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Kankakee, IL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.