📍 The only county-wide guide
Most visitor sites cover just one hotel or one town. The Bourbs covers all of Kankakee County — Bourbonnais, Bradley, Kankakee, Manteno, Momence, Herscher, St. Anne, Watseka, and everywhere in between. We track local events daily, maintain directories of restaurants, parks, entertainment venues, and hotels, and publish a free weekly newsletter.
Who's Visiting Kankakee County?
Find what's most relevant to your trip
ONU Families & University Visitors
Visiting Olivet Nazarene University
Move-in weekend, homecoming, Parents Weekend, graduation — Bourbonnais gets busy. ONU's campus is in the heart of Bourbonnais, steps from the I-57 hotel corridor. Hotels fill fast for major events; book early. Use our hotel directory to compare options by distance and amenities.
Medical Visitors & Patient Families
Near Riverside Medical Center
Riverside Medical Center is one of the largest employers and healthcare providers in the region. Families staying nearby for extended care will find several extended-stay hotels within 5–10 minutes via Route 45. Several hotels offer long-term rates and in-room kitchenettes.
Chicago & Chicagoland Day-Trippers
Weekend Getaway from Chicago
An hour south on I-57, Kankakee County is an easy escape from the city without the Door County price tag. Kankakee River State Park, downtown Kankakee's riverfront bar and restaurant scene, live music, and food festivals give you a full weekend. Hotel rates here run significantly less than Chicago metro.
Business Travelers & I-57 Corridor
Business Travel Along I-57
Kankakee County sits on one of the Midwest's major north-south freight and business corridors. With multiple full-service hotels near Exit 315 and 312, free breakfast options, fitness centers, and meeting facilities, it's a practical base for work in the region. Downtown Kankakee has walkable dining and a few solid spots for after-hours.
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Hiking, Fishing & the River
Kankakee River State Park is the crown jewel — 11+ miles of trails through limestone rock canyon formations, fishing for smallmouth bass and walleye, primitive and modern camping, and kayaking access to the Kankakee River. County forest preserves add disc golf, picnic areas, and more. Spring and fall are peak trail seasons.
Foodies & Local Dining Explorers
Eating Your Way Through K3
Kankakee County punches above its weight on food. Downtown Kankakee has earned a real culinary scene — local chef-driven restaurants, cocktail bars, a growing food truck scene, and annual food festivals. Bourbonnais and Bradley round it out with diverse options across every price point. Our restaurant directory covers it all.
Top Attractions & Things to Do
The best of Kankakee County, from one end to the other
🌲 Nature & Outdoors
Kankakee River State Park
Illinois's 6th-largest state park. 11+ miles of trails, limestone rock canyon formations, fishing, kayaking, camping, and some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the state. The Rock Creek canyon area is especially stunning in fall.
Bourbonnais / Kankakee
🏛️ History & Architecture
B. Harley Bradley House
A Frank Lloyd Wright prairie-style landmark in Kankakee. One of Wright's earliest surviving works (1900), designated a National Historic Landmark. Tours available seasonally — a bucket list stop for architecture fans.
Downtown Kankakee
🍻 Downtown Scene
Kankakee River Walk & Downtown
Downtown Kankakee has seen a genuine revival — riverfront dining, craft cocktail bars, live music venues, local boutiques, and seasonal markets. Summer brings outdoor concerts, festivals, and a lively weekend scene along the Kankakee River.
Downtown Kankakee
🎓 University Town
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais's anchor institution — a nationally ranked private liberal arts university with Division II athletics. The campus hosts public performances, athletic events, and community programming throughout the year.
Bourbonnais
🌸 Annual Events
Kankakee County Events Calendar
Summer means car shows, riverfront festivals, outdoor concerts, and farmers markets. Fall brings harvest festivals, Momence Gladiolus Festival, and holiday events across every community. We track them all — updated daily.
County-Wide
⛳ Recreation
Disc Golf, Trails & County Preserves
Kankakee County Forest Preserve District manages over 6,000 acres with disc golf courses, equestrian trails, fishing lakes, and picnic areas. Perry Farm Park in Bourbonnais is a local favorite with a disc golf course and scenic river views.
Multiple Locations
🛒 Shopping
Bourbonnais & Bradley Retail Corridor
The Route 30 / Tanger Outlets area and surrounding retail strip along Route 50 make Bourbonnais and Bradley a regional shopping destination, drawing shoppers from multiple counties and crossing state lines.
Bourbonnais / Bradley
🎭 Arts & Entertainment
Live Music & Performing Arts
Local venues host live music from country to blues to cover bands most weekends. The Kankakee area has a surprisingly active music scene — check our entertainment directory and events calendar to see what's on this weekend.
County-Wide
Communities of Kankakee County
Nine distinct communities, each with their own character
Bourbonnais
Pop. ~20,000
Home to Olivet Nazarene University, Kankakee River State Park, and the county's primary hotel corridor along I-57. The most visitor-facing community in the county.
Bradley
Pop. ~16,000
A dense commercial corridor between Bourbonnais and Kankakee with strong local restaurant and retail options. Quick access to Riverside Medical Center.
Kankakee
Pop. ~26,000
The county seat. Downtown riverfront scene, Frank Lloyd Wright landmark, Riverside Medical Center, Metra/Amtrak station, and a revitalized restaurant and bar district.
Manteno
Pop. ~9,000
Growing community on I-57's south end. Manteno State Fish and Wildlife Area, a handful of dining options, and a tight-knit community character.
Momence
Pop. ~3,000
Known for the annual Gladiolus Festival, a charming small-town riverfront, and the historic Momence "Rose City" identity. Worth the drive east.
Herscher
Pop. ~1,500
Rural community west of Kankakee with a strong local school district and classic small-town Illinois character.
St. Anne
Pop. ~1,200
A quiet agricultural community with deep French-Canadian roots. St. Anne's historic Catholic church is a regional landmark.
Watseka
Pop. ~5,000
Iroquois County seat just across the county line — close enough to be part of our coverage. A classic small Illinois city with local dining and retail.
Getting to Kankakee County
By car, train, or bus — it's easier than you think
| From | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago (Loop) | ~60 miles | ~1 hr via I-57 |
| Chicago O'Hare (ORD) | ~75 miles | ~1.25 hrs |
| Chicago Midway (MDW) | ~55 miles | ~55 min |
| Joliet, IL | ~45 miles | ~45 min |
| Indianapolis, IN | ~120 miles | ~2 hrs via I-65 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | ~80 miles | ~1.25 hrs via I-57 |
| Springfield, IL | ~140 miles | ~2 hrs via I-57 |
🚆 Train
Metra Rock Island District
Daily service from Chicago's LaSalle Street Station to Kankakee. Approximately 1.5 hrs. An easy car-free option for day trips and weekend visits. Kankakee station is in downtown Kankakee with easy access to local restaurants and the riverfront.
🚆 Amtrak
City of New Orleans
Amtrak's City of New Orleans stops at Kankakee station daily — running between Chicago and New Orleans. Useful for arrivals from the south. Check Amtrak.com for current schedules.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about visiting Kankakee County
What is there to do in Kankakee County, Illinois?
Kankakee County has a lot to offer. Kankakee River State Park draws hikers, fishers, and campers from across Illinois. Downtown Kankakee's restaurant and bar scene has genuinely leveled up — local chefs, riverfront dining, and live music most weekends. We also have a packed events calendar with car shows, food festivals, farmers markets, concerts, and community events running year-round. The county spans nine communities — Bourbonnais, Bradley, Kankakee, Manteno, Momence, and more — each with their own character.
How far is Kankakee County from Chicago?
Kankakee County is approximately 60 miles south of the Chicago Loop — about a 1-hour drive via I-57 under normal traffic conditions. From Chicago Midway (MDW) it's even closer at around 55 miles. If you prefer not to drive, Metra's Rock Island District runs daily service from LaSalle Street Station to Kankakee in about 1.5 hours, and Amtrak's City of New Orleans stops at Kankakee station daily.
What hotels are near Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais?
Several hotels are within a short drive of Olivet Nazarene University — Hampton Inn, Best Western Plus, Holiday Inn Express, MainStay Suites, and Comfort Inn are all clustered near I-57 Exit 315 in Bourbonnais. For major ONU events (move-in, homecoming, graduation), hotels fill quickly — book early. See our full hotel directory for addresses, amenities, and booking links.
What is Bourbonnais, Illinois known for?
Bourbonnais is best known as the home of Olivet Nazarene University and the gateway to Kankakee River State Park. It historically hosted the Chicago Bears summer training camp and remains a major retail and dining destination for the region. Bourbonnais is the most visitor-friendly community in Kankakee County, with the densest concentration of hotels, restaurants, and retail all within a few miles of I-57.
Are there good restaurants in Kankakee County?
Yes — and it's gotten noticeably better. Downtown Kankakee has a growing chef-driven dining scene along the riverfront. Bourbonnais and Bradley cover every cuisine and price point. Food trucks are active throughout the warmer months. We maintain a complete restaurant directory and feature a local restaurant review in our weekly newsletter every week.
Where should families stay while visiting Riverside Medical Center?
Riverside Medical Center is located in Kankakee. The closest hotel cluster is in Bourbonnais and Bradley, just 5–10 minutes north via Route 45. Extended-stay options like MainStay Suites and Candlewood Suites are well-suited for longer visits and offer in-room kitchenettes. See our hotel directory with filters for extended stay properties.
What outdoor activities are available near Kankakee, Illinois?
Kankakee River State Park is the headliner — 11+ miles of trails through limestone rock canyon formations, fishing for smallmouth bass and walleye, primitive and modern camping, and kayaking on the Kankakee River. The Kankakee County Forest Preserve District manages 6,000+ acres with disc golf courses, fishing lakes, equestrian trails, and picnic areas. Perry Farm Park in Bourbonnais is a popular local spot with a disc golf course and river access. See our parks directory for the full list.
Is there public transit from Chicago to Kankakee?
Yes. Metra's Rock Island District runs daily service from Chicago's LaSalle Street Station to Kankakee, with the ride taking approximately 1.5 hours. The Kankakee Metra station is in downtown Kankakee within walking distance of the riverfront and restaurants. Amtrak's City of New Orleans also stops at Kankakee daily, connecting Chicago with New Orleans and intermediate stops. Check metra.com and amtrak.com for current schedules and fares.