Manteno Kankakee Illinois - Top Sights 2025

• Manteno Sights – A Travel Guide by Manteno Township, Kankakee County
• Manteno Sights & Attractions
• - Manteno State Hospital
• - Manteno Historical Society Museum
• - Manteno Depot
• - Manteno Community Park
• - Manteno Golf Club
• - Manteno Public Library

Manteno Sights – A Travel Guide by Manteno Township, Kankakee County

What makes Manteno sights so special is the quiet way, with the story here whirling at every street corner. The city was founded in 1855 when the railroad slit the prairie and a small junction for cereals and cattle was established. My grandfather told me that the first settlers came from New York to escape the noise of the city – a bit of irony considering that today the loudest noises of tractors and occasional trucks are coming across the I‐57.

I like to drive from Chicago by car; the 70 miles are a short trip, and as soon as you see the signs for Manteno, you realize that life is slower here. The small airport of Kankakee is just a stone's throw away if you prefer to fly – I personally find this a bit exaggerated, but hey, everyone has their preferences.

In the heart of Manteno Township you can feel the mix of agricultural land and a touch of industrial heritage reflected in the old brick buildings of the city centre. People here are friendly but not exaggerated; a short chat at the petrol station is often enough to capture the true nature of the city. And yes, if you ask yourself where to spend your time, just look around – the Manteno sights hide in the little moments you would overlook.

Manteno Sights & Attractions

This guide invites you to stroll with me through the inconspicuous but self-willing heart of Manteno, where every angle has a bit more history than you would suspect at first sight.

I prefer to start with the Manteno State Hospital – yes, the abandoned sanatorium, which used to house more patients than the entire city had inhabitants. The brick buildings are still like a memorial from another era, and if you are lucky, a local historian will let you sneak through the abandoned corridors. Parking is usually easy as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the old visitor parking lot will suddenly become the battlefield for caravan fans.

Only a few destinations surprise their visitors with a museum housed in a former hospital wing, but that Manteno Historical Society Museum does that. There I hang up my favorite photos of old school classes and yellowed newspaper articles while I wonder why the city never got a real art museum. The exhibition is small, but the stories – from the railway to the local brewer – are damn well told.

A short walk leads you to Manteno Depot, the old railway hub, which today serves as a café. I drank more than once a double espresso while I heard the sound of the passing trains that were hardly more than a noise in the background. The staff knows every visitor by name – a bit cheesy, but honestly, this is Manteno.

If you're looking for something green, the Manteno Community Park Your goal. The park is not just a national park, but the playgrounds, the small swimming pool and the picnic tables are perfect for a spontaneous barbecue. I started an improvised football match with a few teenagers from high school – the result was a bunch of dirty socks and a new friend who later brought me a piece of cake from the bakery around the corner.

For those who prefer to send the ball into the hole, there is the Manteno Golf Club. The 18-hole facility is located just outside the city center, but this is a small price for the quiet, slightly hilly landscape that almost lets you forget that you are in Illinois. I lost my golf club more than once because I was too busy admiring the old oaks that line the Fairway.

Another underestimated treasure is the Manteno Public Library. It is small, but the shelves are packed with local history, and the staff is always ready to lend you a book about the city foundation – although I personally prefer to read the stories from the museum. The building itself has a charming, slightly outdated design that reminds you of the 1950s, and the free Wi-Fi is a nice bonus if you want to update your Instagram story.

And yes, if you're looking for an overview, simply tap “Manteno Sights” into your search engine – you'll quickly realize that the city has more to offer than one would expect from a place with less than 10,000 inhabitants. I don't understand the hype about big cities, but here, between the quiet streets and the friendly faces, you'll find a piece of real America.