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Southern Cooking Restaurants Satisfy Tastes of Kankakee Diners
Kankakee County is home to some delicious Southern cooking, even though Kankakee is in the northern half of the United States. Three popular Southern-style restaurants in the county are Savannah’s Southern Bistro, Jimmy Jo’s BBQ, and Bulls Pit BBQ & 5 Star Wings.
Savannah’s Southern BistroHere’s a salute to Savannah’s, which is owned by two National Guard officers. Frank Hayden and Mark Ray not only operate the restaurant but are soldiers who served in... Read More »
Arts and Cultural Offerings in Kankakee County Keep Residents Entertained
Kankakee County is eager to showcase arts and culture options to residents and visitors. Art galleries, big names in entertainment, theaters and a rich history make Kankakee County a great place to expand your artistic mind.
Metro Centre Arts Gallery
Housed in the Metro Transit Center is the Metro Centre Arts Gallery, which opened in 2009. Headed by the Community Arts Council, the gallery's space is available to local artists or groups who are members in good standing with the council. All... Read More »
Frank Lloyd Wright Homes Side-by-Side in Kankakee, IL
Kankakee is the only city in the world where you'll find two Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes side-by-side. Both homes have been privately owned and off limits to tourists – until now.
The nonprofit group Wright in Kankakee recently acquired the title of one of the homes, known as the Harley Bradley House, and will open it as a museum. The group is collecting donations and furniture for the house, which is perched on the bank of the Kankakee River. News of the home being opened to the... Read More »
City Tavern Is Most Beautiful Bar South of Chicago
The 142-year-old City Tavern in Kankakee is the most beautiful bar south of Chicago.
Not only does the building retain its original woodwork and tin ceiling, but it also has a colorful history‚ having served as a brothel many years ago.
The building can seat 400 people in both the downstairs and upstairs bar areas. The upstairs is designated non-smoking and has a separate air filtration system. This area is open on Friday and Saturday nights and for private parties and special events like... Read More »
Frank Lloyd Wright's Kankakee House Now Owned by Not-for-Profit Group
Famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed two Kankakee homes that were both constructed in 1900 – Hickox House and the B. Harley Bradley House. In 2012, both remain showplaces next door to each other on South Harrison Avenue in the Riverview Historic District.
Hickox House is privately owned and not open to the public, but Bradley House is owned by a not-for-profit group, Wright in Kankakee, and is open for tours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The one-hour tour costs $15, and the... Read More »
Bike the Kankakee River Trail in Kankakee, IL
Try a little multitasking at the Kankakee River Trail in Kankakee, IL, where you'll get the feeling you're biking three trails in one. You get the scenic views of the river, the impressive bluffs over Rock Creek and the lone ruin of what once was the town of Altorff Mills. Distance: 10.5 milesDifficulty: Great stretches for beginnersDon't Miss: What's leftover from the town of Altorff MillsCheck out more outdoor recreation and family fun in Kankakee, IL. Read More »
Kankakee River Valley Recreation Includes Fishing, Golf and Family Fun
Residents will find a wide variety of recreation options in the Kankakee River Valley, ranging from biking, hiking and horseback riding to just relaxing as they watch the NFL's Chicago Bears train each summer at Olivet Nazarene University. Here are just a few fun things to do in the Kankakee River Valley:
Kankakee River State Park Kankakee River State Park comprises 4,000 gorgeous, scenic acres that follow the path of the river and is perfect for family picnics and outdoor adventures. It also... Read More »
Kankakee River Attracts Anglers, Boaters and Nature Lovers Year-Round
For 80 years‚ boat racers and spectators have descended on Kankakee County for the Kankakee River Valley Regatta. The only trouble‚ organizers found‚ was the name.
The race is not a genteel competition‚ with sailors navigating the waters powered only by Mother Nature’s fickle breeze. No‚ this race is about horsepower‚ and plenty of it.
In 2006‚ event organizers changed the title to the Powerboat National Championships‚ alerting all that speeds must be measured by stopwatches‚ not sundials.
“It’... Read More »
Water Park, Ice Arena, Kids Museum Equal Family Fun in Kankakee
Whether stepping on the ice at the OAK Orthopedic Sports Arena or swimming at Splash Valley Aquatic Park‚ playing ball at a Kankakee Valley Parks' ball field or checking out Exploration Station children's museum, families find plenty of action in the Valley.
OAK Orthopedic Sports Arena offers hockey and skating classes and leagues. It also houses the Kankakee Community College Fitness Center.
Splash Valley Aquatic Park boasts three water slides, a four-lane lap pool‚ two zero-depth entry... Read More »
Kankakee Provides Natural Retreat Close to Chicago
Looking for a good reason to settle down in Kankakee County? The people who live here can give you a hundred.
“I’m in love with this place. It’s everything we wanted it to be and more‚” says Susan Crisp‚ who moved to Kankakee County from Chattanooga‚ Tenn. in February 2007 to become the director of Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See in Manteno. Her husband‚ Jason Robertson‚ and four-year-old son‚ Gabriel‚ came with her.
“We had opportunities to move to other areas‚ but this area had better schools for my... Read More »
Shopping in Kankakee, IL
Kankakee has a variety of shopping destinations to choose from. Below is a listing of some of the stores available here.
Appliances
HOME APPLIANCE & HEATING, 1292 W. STATION ST., (815) 933-8211
Book Dealers
LOVE CHRISTIAN CTR., 249 S. SCHUYLER AVE., (815) 933-2822
PAPERBACK READER, 1015 N. 5TH AVE ., (815) 932-1147
Clothing
NELLYVILLE FASHIONS, 665 N. 5TH AVE., (815) 929-9924
RIL-DIL FASHION, 202 N. INDIANA AVE., (815) 933-7181
STUARTS, 42 MEADOWVIEW CTR., (815) 933-0028... Read More »
Abe Is Art in the Kankakee County Historical Museum
There are plenty of busts of President Abraham Lincoln, but the ones created by master artist George Grey Barnard are considered among the best. You can see them in the Kankakee County Historical Museum.
Barnard was an active artist between 1894 and 1936 and spent a portion of his early life in Kankakee.
The museum also features the actual rustic boyhood home of Lennington Small – Illinois governor from 1921-1929.
In addition, the museum features permanent exhibits, temporary galleries,... Read More »
Fun Things To Do in Kankakee, IL
1. Have a water filled day splashing and water sliding at Splash Valley Aquatic Park.
2. Explore Kankakee County Museum for its many featured exhibits.
3. Become a race fan as the annual Kankakee Speedway brings on dirt track racing for your entertainment.
4. Get the family together to play with real farm animals, bike, roller blade and cross country ski at the Perry farm.
5. Explore the Hidden Cove Family Fun Park filled with an array of indoor and outdoor activities.
6. Learn and appreciate... Read More »
Kankakee County Home to Fine Golf Courses
Other golf communities might be green with envy after seeing how many top courses are in Kankakee County.
And several cities (and villages) are represented. For example, Momence is home to South Shore Golf Club, a demanding venue where water comes into play on seven holes. Its small greens are fast and undulating, and most are well bunkered.
The village of Manteno is home to Manteno Golf Club, which features several elevated tees along with six water hazards that come into play. The popular... Read More »
