There is lots to love in Kankakee, Illinois. The combination of the lifestyle of urban and rural localities affected. The lovely Kankakee River meanders through the town, forming near the Kankakee Illinois hospital a backdrop for relaxation and recreation all the year ’round. The Kankakee Valley Theatre, Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Kankakee County Historical and Art Museum, Kankakee Community College, Riverview Historic District. From the Indians to industry, Kankakee has had a long tradition of agriculture and commerce and it looks towards an exciting future as the governmental, industrial, cultural and service center of Kankakee County.

The beautiful Kankakee River runs from Indiana till Wilmington Illinois, at the time of accession into the Illinois River. There are nine miles of river above the Kankakee dam which are perfect for pleasure boating, with picnicking and bathing on the banks. 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 the City of Kankakee’s Riverview Historic District are marked by fin de siecle street lamps, and the formal English gardens and gracious Victorian buildings along the river provide a picturesque glimpse of another era.

The Art Museum of the Kankakee County Historical Society features a large collection of sculptures by the well-known artist George Gray Barnard, together with Indian handicrafts and artifacts and the restored nineteenth century homestead which belonged to Dr. A. L. Small. The Kankakee Railroad Museum was founded by Harold Woods in 2001. It is located in downtown Kankakee at the north end of Historic Illinois Central Railroad Depot (197 S. East Ave), near Kankakee hospital. The Museum features three large operating model railroads built by members of the Kankakee Model Railroad Club and it is the scene of the annual Railfest celebration every June. Railfest attracts hundreds of visitors from taround the state to tour the Museum’s historic trolley and Pullman Coach and appreciate the importance of the railroad to Kankakee’s development. Railfest also features live music acts and children’s activities like face painting and bean bag tossing as well as great local cuisine ranging from pizza to barbecue pork sandwiches.

Kankakee is home to one a spectacular park. Kankakee River State Park has plenty to offer in terms of outdoor fun. Kankakee Park is especially popular among hunters. Hunters of all sorts can enjoy hunting deer, duck, pheasant, rabbit and fox just to name a few. If you would rather enjoy a day of leisurely fishing Kankakee Park has plenty of that as well. The Park is also great for picnicking, camping or even snowmobiling during the winter months. And if you happen to injure yourself while doing one of these activities in Kankakee Park you will probably want to go to the Kankakee county hospital.

If you are looking for a great place to take the kids during the summer months, then look no further than Kankakee for a spectacular water park. This water park has everything that your kids could dream of. The park holds a four lane lap pool, three water slides, and a lazy river that you can ride down in an inner tube. The park also has a kiddy pool for the younger children. Children over the age of twelve are actually allowed in the water park without an adult present.

Another point of interest in Kankakee is the Kankakee County Museum. They have exhibits that chronicle Kankakee’s experiences during the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. The Museum also holds the house of an Illinois Governor who was native to Kankakee, Illinois that was built in 1855. There is also a schoolhouse that was built in 1904.

Although the city of Kankakee may be small it still has lots to offer. The Kankakee Park, Water Park, Kankakee County Museum and Kankakee, Illinois healthcare are just a few examples. So whether you are native to the State of Illinois and haven’t been to the city of Kankakee or are simply driving through on a longer road trip, make sure you put Kankakee on your list of cities to visit. There are many things to keep you entertained in Kankakee as well as plenty of places to make you experience that small town feeling that many of us have never felt.