Health & Fitness
Summer Fun in Channahon and Minooka
Summer is here! A list of 10 activities to do this summer in the Channahon-Minooka area. Share your local summer activity in the comment box below.
By Jeremy J. Ly
This past Saturday a friend asked me if I wanted to go for a summer walk on the I&M canal trail. Sure, why not? We ended up walking from Channahon McKinley Woods to downtown Morris. Only took 4 1/2 hours. We did not make the return walk home – a friend met us for lunch and drove us back.
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The long walk got me thinking – I find myself saying, “I’m bored” or “There is not much to do in the area.” In reality, there are a lot of free or low-cost activities in Minooka and Channahon during the summer for all ages.
I've put together a list of things to do this summer in the Minooka-Channahon area. This list is in no particular order and not comprehensive. Feel free to add your Minooka-Channahon things to do for summer in the comment section below.1. I & M Canal Trail – As long as I can remember, my family and friends have biked, jogged and hiked along the canal trail in Channahon. The trail goes right through Channahon, Aux Sable and Morris townships. The canal trail offers 61.5 miles of scenic views of nature and waterways, not to mention all the history involved in the I & M canal.
2. Pool - Don’t have a pool? No worries. Stop by the Channahon Tomahawk Aquatic Center for a dip. Channahon Park District offers drop-in rates or season passes. While for many Minooka residents – it is out-of-district rate, drop-in price is still affordable. I wish Minooka and Channahon would team up on a park district –but that is for a different post.
3. A picnic - at one of the area parks. Channahon State, Central, Community or Lion's Park all offer pavilion areas, picnic tables or a great space to spread out a blanket and basket.
4. Minooka Summerfest, sponsored by Lion’s Club (June 20 – 22) Normally in August, Summerfest is now in June to kick off the first full day of summer. Summerfest has something for everyone: a 5K, kiddie parade, bean bag tournament, beer garden and a pork chop dinner. PDF schedule of events
5. Three Rivers Fest (Aug 7 - 11) When I was in school, I knew it was end of summer break when it was Three Rivers Fest time. Carnival rides, games, beer and more. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the festival. You can even get commemorative license plates for your vehicle to mark the anniversary – not sure who wants new license plates for two months – but you could be cruising through town with your Three Rivers Fest commemorative license plates if your heart desires.
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6. Minooka Movie Series – Enjoy Iron Man (June 15), Iron Giant (July 13) and National Treasure (August 10) all at 8:30 p.m. on the Lakewood Trails Ballpark off Ridge Road.
7. Farmers Markets -
Channahon Farmers Market - Thursdays until August 1 from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m at Central Park. It will be difficult for people who work during the day to get to the Channahon Farmers Market. If you can’t attend Channahon’s market during the week, check out Minooka’s Saturday market.
Minooka Farmers Market - First and third Saturdays in July, August and September from 9 a.m. – noon in downtown Minooka.
8. Library Summer Reading – We all know Chicago area weather can be all over the place. Too hot, too rainy or too humid? Then stop by the Three Rivers Public Library for their summer programming. Cool off at the library, pick up a book and log-it for a chance to win prizes. Win prizes for reading, how cool.
9. Lunch, Dinner or Drinks in outdoor seating area – Twin Rail Pub or 2fers are the only two places that come to mind for outdoor seating. Twin Rail Pub offers great food we have come to enjoy from the people who bring you Chapin’s in Morris. The pub a cozy space and hopefully more people stop by and check Twin Rail Pub out. Maybe a bags tournament?
2Fers is a good spot to order a pizza or a sandwich and take in a game.
10. Ice Cream – Tornadoes, hand-dipped soft-serve, frozen yogurt, oh my! Summer is not complete without ice cream. You only need to go to one place in the area to get ice cream. Everyone already knows – Minooka Creamery. Lines are long during the dog days of summer, but worth it.
Did I miss something? Share with our readers your Channahon-Minooka summer activity in the comment box below:
