Top 17 Things To Do In Kankakee, Illinois

1. Get to know the different plants at Benoit Greenhouses

The family owned and operated Benoit Greenhouses offer visitors a chance to admire, learn and buy plants of an astounding variety in Kankakee. Their Garden Center houses perennials, annuals, tropical and vegetable plants, and the greenhouses have an array of flowering plants that you can admire.

Benoit Greenhouses

Address: 568 N 2750E Road, Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: Benoit Greenhouses

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat: 8am - 4pm (closed on Sun)

2. Buy fresh eggs or tour the farm of Dickman's Farm Fresh Poultry

Operated since the 1960s, Dickman’s Family Farm has farm fresh eggs and grass-fed chickens that visitors can purchase at the farm or at the many farmer’s markets located in the Kankakee area. Visitors can also take a tour of their farms and learn more about the poultry business.

Dickman's Farm Fresh Poultry

Address: 6480 S 14000 W Rd, Herscher, IL, 60941

3. Go for the 'Finding Frank' mural tour

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Go on a ‘Finding Frank’ mural walking tour and discover brilliant Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired murals in downtown Kankakee area. Started in 2017 to mark the 150th birth anniversary of America’s most famous architect, tourists can easily do a self-guided tour with the help of specific signboards designed for the purpose of this walking tour.

Finding Frank Mural Tour

Address: Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901

4. Admire the architecture at the Bradley House and Warren Hickox House

Some of the earliest and finest examples of the Prairie-style design homes can be seen in Kankakee, namely the Bradley House and the Warren Hickox House. The houses are one of the many structures that form a part of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail that spans many states, and should not be missed by any visitor to Kankakee.

B Harley Bradley House

Address: 701 S Harrison Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901, USA

Website: B Harley Bradley House

Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 1:30pm - 3pm; Fri - Sun: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

5. Buy an artwork at Yellow Elephant Gallery

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Featuring the work of a range of artists in a variety of artistic styles, the Yellow Elephant Gallery has artwork to suit almost every budget. Besides fine art, the gallery even has beautiful gift selections, like scarves, journals, pottery, artisan soaps, handmade jewellery, photographs, prints, etc. that would make a great souvenir or gift from Kankakee.

Yellow Elephant Gallery

Address: 150 N. Schuyler Avenue, Suite 107, Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: Yellow Elephant Gallery

Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 12pm - 4:30pm; Sat: 10am - 3pm (closed on Sun, Mon & Tue)

6. Spend family time at Bird Park Family Fun Station

At Bird Park in Kankakee, enjoy spending some quality family time with fun activities. You can choose from picnics and playground jungles for kids to scenic river walks, and many more. Located on the shores of Kankakee River, this park also has a historic quarry where you can view local wildlife in their natural habitat.

Bird Park Family Fun Station

Address: 893 W. Station St. Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: Bird Park Family Fun Station

7. Go ice skating at Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena

Featuring a first-rate ice skating rink where you can indulge in freestyle skating, the Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena is a fun family-friendly place that also has an NHL rink, competitive ice arena, café, arcade, etc. Besides regular ice skating sessions, you could even try their occasional evening Club SK8 wherein you can skate to the latest music tracks in a club-like atmosphere.

Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena

Address: 1601 River Rd, Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Fri: 3pm - 5pm; Tue, Thu: 2:30pm - 4:45pm; Sat - Sun: 1pm - 3pm

Price: 4 USD onwards

8. Look at the miniature display of the railroad at Kankakee Railroad Museum

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With three beautifully detailed and operational miniature railroad layouts to admire, the Kankakee Railroad Museum is a delight for visitors of all ages. The museum also has many railway artefacts, including a large steam locomotive bell, a 1947 converted Pullman Coach, etc. on display.

Kankakee Railroad Museum

Address: 197 S E Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: Kankakee Railroad Museum

Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 11am - 4pm; Sun: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Mon - Thu)

Price: 2 USD

9. Visit the wildlife exhibit of Illinois at Willowhaven Park & Nature Center

Featuring a variety of native wildlife from across North America and Illinois in particular, the Willowhaven Park & Nature Center offers visitors a chance to observe these wildlife species from close. Under the guidance of skilled professionals, you can touch snakes, alligators, turtles, rabbits, etc. and observe other mounted exhibits.

Willowhaven Park & Nature Center

Address: 1451 N 4000 E Rd, Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: Willowhaven Park & Nature Center

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat (1st and 3rd of each month): 9am - 4pm; Sun (1st and 3rd of each month): 12pm - 4pm (closed on Mon)

10. Go scuba diving with Haigh Quarry

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Do something offbeat and go scuba diving at the Haigh Quarry in Kankakee. This manmade dive site has a diverse fish population, sunken artefacts and structures that are perfect for diving sessions and even underwater photography.

Haigh Quarry

Address: 2738 E 2000N Rd, Kankakee, IL 6090

Website: Haigh Quarry

Opening hours: Mon: 8am - 5pm; Wed - Thu: 8am - 5pm; Fri: 8am - 7pm; Sat: 7am - 7pm; Sun: 7am - 5pm (closed on Tue) (closed from Nov to Mar)

Price: 25 USD onwards

11. Tee off in the greens of the Kankakee Country Club

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Nestled along the Kankakee River, the manicured lawns of the Kankakee Country Club are the perfect place to spend a relaxing time playing golf with your buddies. This 18-hole golf course is located in one of the finest clubs in the area and has scenic river views, gently rolling terrain and is suitable for players of all levels.

Kankakee Country Club

Address: 2011 Cobb Blvd, Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: Kankakee Country Club

12. Watch a real car race at Kankakee County Speedway

Have a fun night out watching fast cars race each other on dirt tracks at the Kankakee County Speedway. This race track facility is perfect for car enthusiasts of all ages and features a variety of car racing events. The racing events include stock cars, sport compacts, modifieds, and more.

Kankakee County Speedway

Address: 213 W 4000S Rd, Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: Kankakee County Speedway

Price: 12 USD onwards

13. Try Grapes & Hops' wide selection of wines

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Serving up a wide selection of craft wines from across Illinois wineries, Grapes & Hops is a premier wine and craft beer boutique. Enjoy unique wines like cranberry wine, wine slushies, cheese pairings and more in the rustic interior of this Kankakee craft wine bar.

Grapes & Hops

Address: 251 S Schuyler Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: Grapes & Hops

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 2pm - 8pm; Fri: 2pm - 11pm; Sat: 12pm - 11pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

14. Kayak with Reed's Canoe Trips

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Pick a beautiful day and go kayaking out on Kankakee River, the cleanest river in the Midwest, with Reed’s Canoe Trips. They provide kayaks and transportation to and from the river, and you can choose from three trip itineraries that are suitable for different ages. On the kayaking trip, you can spot local wildlife, picnic on the river bank, swim, and generally have fun on the river.

Reed's Canoe Trips

Address: 2146, 907 N Indiana Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: Reed’s Canoe Trips

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 8am - 6pm

Price: 40 USD onwards

15. Go bowling at Brookmont Bowling Center, Inc.

Have a fun time bowling at the 36-lane Brookmont Bowling Center, Inc. in Kankakee that also has an arcade, pool tables, lounge area, golf simulator, café and more. If you’re lucky, you could even take advantage of their dollar-bowling specials wherein you can bowl for just 1 USD! Other specials and events also take place on a regular basis.

Brookmont Bowling Center, Inc.

Address: 200 W Brookmont Blvd, Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: Brookmont Bowling Center, Inc.

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 12pm - 10pm; Thu: 9am - 10pm; Fri: 12pm - 10pm; Sat:9am - 11pm (closed on Sun)

Price: 2 USD onwards

16. Build your own burger at Burgers & Beer

At the Burgers & Beer restaurant in Kankakee, not only do you get to dig into yummy burgers but also get to customise them too. Choose from a variety of toppings, sauces, cheeses and premium additions like mac n’ cheese, applewood smoked bacon, etc. to build a burger of your liking.

Burgers & Beer

Address: 756 West Jeffery Street, Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: Burgers & Beer

Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)

17. Try the cozy Carlo's Restaurant

Tuck into a home-cooked breakfast, lunch or dinner at the cosy Carlo’s Restaurant. Serving scrumptious American-style food like biscuits & gravy, hotcakes, hamburgers, barbeque ribs, spaghetti with meat sauce, and more, this restaurant is a must-try in Kankakee.

Carlo's Restaurant

Address: 2060 W Station St, Kankakee, IL 60901

Website: Carlo’s Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 6am - 9pm; Sun: 7am - 2pm

Plenty to do in Kankakee, Illinois

From stunning architecture to quaint museums to adventurous outdoor activities, there is no dearth of things to see and do in Kankakee, Illinois. Grab our list of things to do in this buzzing town and have a jolly good time!