48 Hours of Adventure in Kankakee County
Cycle, kayak, golf, and eat your way through Kankakee County
“People who come from Chicago to visit Kankakee are really surprised by how open it is out here, with it not being that far from [Chicago]. And even when you’re in downtown Kankakee, all you have to do is take a 5 minute bike ride and you’re riding along the river into wide open spaces. It’s really beautiful.”
Kankakee County serves up endless bike trails, calm river kayaking, and great vibes all summer long. With just an hour(ish) drive southwest of Chicago, you can trade in the brick buildings and city traffic for a weekend of clear-your-head adventure in the open air of Kankakee County.
Day 1: Biking, Live Music, and Good Eats
Get your weekend rolling (literally) with the Slow Roll bike ride that kicks off Kankakee’s Sunset Stroll, a quaint but lively street festival filled with friendly locals, food trucks, and live music. With a regular Friday night concert series in Downtown Kankakee, you can enjoy all the festival perks but without having to squeeze your way through a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd.
Within minutes of parking near the festival, we were greeted by Gina, a super friendly local, who was excited to meet some out-of-towners and rode with us for the Slow Roll.
The Slow Roll is led by welcoming locals who are proud and eager to show off parts of their town. Depending on the route they take you on, you’ll get a taste of everything Kankakee has to offer by bike: Smooth river trails, rustic gravel paths, and clearly marked green bicycle lanes weaving through city streets mean you never have to worry about finding your way as you explore Kankakee by bicycle.
Color-changing spoons at Rebel Ice Cream gives their “90s kids” customers a trip down memory lane.
After working up an appetite from the community bike ride, don’t forget to reward yourself with some good eats from Martinez Tacos or Mac’s BBQ food trucks at the Sunset Stroll. Oh, and trust us, you’ll want to save room for dessert because Rebel Ice Cream has unique, homemade flavors you will be thinking about for days, we promise!
Kankakee’s Sunset Stroll on Friday nights is everything Summer should be.
Settle in for a good nights’ sleep at the Holiday Inn Express, a newer hotel located just minutes from downtown Kankakee. You’ll need your energy for the endless bike trails you’ll want to explore the next day.
Day 2: Farmer’s Market, More Bike Trails, and Golfing
Before you embark on your day of adventure, grab a fresh breakfast at the Kankakee Farmers Market, held every Saturday morning from May through October. While sipping on an iced coffee from LoveALatte, awaken your senses with the smell of freshly baked bread from Good Morning Bakery. If sweets are more your style, try the latest “Gourmet Dozen” from the Mini-Doughnut Shoppe. And if you see someone offering to draw you as a vegetable… do it! Because… why not?
Turned into musical carrot; complete with a ukelele! Drawing courtesy of Julia McDonald, the artist behind VegetablesarePeopletoo.com
While you’re there, be on the lookout for Kankakee’s downtown murals and get an Instagram-worthy shot of you in front of a local favorite, the interactive living room.
Take a seat, rest your feet. Er… kind of.
Stock up on a few snacks before you set off to explore the scenic trails by bike alongside the Kankakee River. The Kankakee River Trail is a 10.5 mile point-to-point route that’ll have you racking up 20+ miles if you choose. Stray a little off the beaten path to the Kankakee River Trading Post to scope out for a future fishing trip or to simply cool off from the hot summer sun.
“I was impressed how well kept the Kankakee bike trails were! Scenic bicycle paths and fresh air without worrying about the crowds you experience in the city.”
A little-known and overlooked spot on your ride back into town is the Indian Caves, a captivating nature preserve area nestled within Perry Farm Park. (You can easily ride right past it if you don’t know it’s there!) If you’ve got the time and the correct footwear (hint: sturdy, non-slip sandals or water shoes), venture into the cave openings to explore what lies beyond.
Pro Tip: The Kankakee Trading Post is a great stop to replenish your water or grab an ice cream bar to go.
The 20-mile bike ride wasn’t the biggest accomplishment of the day: It was saving this little dragonfly from drowning just outside the Indian Caves!
After a day of exploring you’re bound to have worked up an appetite (and thirst)! Quench it by stopping at the Brickstone Brewery for some local brews and eats. Their bruschetta and burrata plate is a sure-fire hit, but their appetizer menu has something for all palate varieties.
There’s options for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike at the Brickstone Brewery.
After breakfast, head back to the hotel to freshen up then get ready to sink some holes at Shamrock Golf Course, an 18-hole course open to the public. This is a great spot for beginners and experts alike.
While we’re not regular golfers, we found ourselves completely at ease in this laid-back ambiance, set next to the river.
For $64, we had full access to the course, a full set of golf clubs for each of us, and a golf cart to drive around in. Balls and tees were extra, so if you’ve already got some, don’t forget to bring ‘em!
Wrap up your day at The Hoppy Pig, a spot recommended to us by not one, not two, but three Kankakee locals! Known for their expansive draft list and mac & cheese, we knew we had to check it out. There’s plenty of options for vegetarians, too! We found the roasted veggie tacos really hit the spot.
Next door to the Hoppy Pig is their sister location, The Barrel Room. If you don’t want the night to end just yet, hop on over there (pun intended) to scope out this vintage industrial warehouse that has been turned into a unique setting as a cocktail lounge, liquor store, and tasting room.
Grab a fresh bottle of whiskey to go or have a seat at the bar for some beer or wine sippin’.
Day 3: Breakfast, Paddling, and Root Beer Floats
There is no better place to start your day than at Berry and Butter, where their homemade crepes & signature cinnamon French toast will get your taste buds dancing with delight.
If you’d rather work up to an appetite first, then enjoy a quiet morning bike ride around Perry Farm Park. There is a 2.5 mile paved loop where you can breathe in the fresh morning air, get your blood flowing, and if you’re lucky, see some deer grazing near the path.
The Genovese Crepe: Eggs, cheese blend, tomatoes, spinach, Pesto, aioli… I will be thinking about this crepe for the rest of my life.
No weekend in Kankakee County is truly complete without indulging in some river sports on the Kankakee River. So, head on over to Reed’s Canoe Trips for your choice of paddle. They make kayaking (or canoeing) easy and straightforward with 3 trips to choose from, depending on how long you want to be on the river. We did the “Trip 2” which is ~2.5 hours and starts at just $40 per single kayak or $63 per canoe.
Pro tip: Book a reservation at Reed’s ahead of time to guarantee an afternoon of paddling.
Reed’s provides you with a ride to the drop-off spot, where your kayak or canoe will be waiting for you. This paddle down the Kankakee River is nothing but serene. Cherish those magical moments where you feel the river is your private playground. With the gentle current and breeze pushing you along, you can turn your paddle into a lazy river ride if you wish.
After a 6-mile journey down the river, you’ll arrive at the canoe landing, but before getting out we suggest beaching the kayaks and sauntering up to Ryan’s Pier for lunch, just past the bridge. A hearty burger or sandwich coupled with a cold beer at Ryan’s Pier hit the spot. After that, the helpful team from Reed’s will scoop up you and your boat and drive you back to your car. (What service!)
Room for a post-paddle dessert? Finish your Kankakee weekend adventure with an old-fashioned root beer float from Jaenicke’s. This cute, retro walk-up will bring you back to a time of car hops and Cadillacs while you reflect on your outdoor adventure in Kankakee County. The perfectly sweet ending to a spectacular weekend!
“I really enjoyed the bike trails here and how friendly the people are. It’s amazing how much fun you can have just an hour away from home. I’ll be back!”