Kankakee, Illinois

Kankakee, Illinois has become  a city of unique style and energy with many attractions such as the local lifestyle blends urban and rural influences, the Kankakee Valley Theatre, Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Kankakee County Historical and Art Museum, Kankakee Community College, Riverview Historic District, Lunch on the Square and concerts in the park, Kankakee River- a backdrop for relaxation and recreation all the year 'round. Furthermore, the city looks towards an exciting future as the governmental, industrial, cultural and service hub of Kankakee County characterzied by its  a long tradition of agriculture and commerce.

The beautiful Kankakee River runs from Indiana till Wilmington Illinois, at which point it joins 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. Modern architecture is represented by Frank Lloyd Wright's two houses 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 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 throughout 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 kids' activities such as face painting and bean bag tossing as well as great local cuisine ranging from pizza to barbecue pork sandwiches.