Yorkville

Yorkville wasn’t always considered a western suburb, per se, but as populations have moved westward from Chicago and other close-in suburbs, this town has continued to grow and evolve.

Today, the United City of Yorkville — its official name after its merger in 1957 with what was then Bristol — is home to nearly 22,600 residents, up from 17,000 just a decade ago. The county seat of Kendall County, the growing city is bustling with new and established businesses and attractions.

Many of those attractions — including a popular whitewater rafting course — are linked to the Fox River, which winds through town and defines both its geography and character. That waterway, and the vast acreage of natural and undeveloped lands, are a core part of the Yorkville lifestyle throughout the seasons.

GET A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

Whether you’re looking to bust cabin fever in the winter or take advantage of balmy days in the summer, enjoying the great outdoors is easy to do in Yorkville.

of the parks and forest preserves in town. Shoot down a notoriously steep hill at the Harris Forest Preserve, slide down a gentler slope at the mini sledding hill at Countryside Pavilion Park and compare those to other hills at Green’s Filling Station Park, Bristol Bay Regional Park, Cannonball Park, Raintree Park and Jr. Women’s Club Park at Heartland Circle.

When the ice is thick enough . . . grab your skates and take a spin around outdoor ponds and skating rinks in Yorkville, including spots within Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area.

While the snow is still fluffy and pristine . . . make tracks with cross-country skis or snowshoes on local trails, including those at Silver Springs and others at Bristol Bay Regional Park. While at Silver Springs, stop to take in the natural wonders, including the bubbling springs that do not freeze over in the winter — even during a Polar Vortex.

As winter thaws, spring ahead . . . to different outdoor pursuits. Come back to Silver Springs for hiking and fishing and check out the other activities offered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at this site, like archery and boating on the small inland Loon and Beaver lakes.

Change up your point of view . . . around the bluffs and ravines at Hoover Forest Preserve, a 400-acre area along the banks of the Fox River that also includes an education center, areas for horseback riding and a replica of a historic Pottawatomi Village.

Learn about . . . the history and natural resources of Kendall County at the Laws of Nature Center in the old Kendall County Courthouse. Featured are hands-on exhibits on prairies, Native Americans and insects, including a working beehive.

Enjoy whitewater rafting . . . at the Marge Cline Whitewater Course, located in Bicentennial Riverfront Park along the Fox River. A 1,100 foot-long bypass chute — located at a point where the river drops almost 6 feet — allows canoes, kayaks, and tubers to travel downstream safely around the Glen D. Palmer Dam without having to portage. A concrete path allows paddlers to walk back up to travel down the chute as often as they’d like.

For those looking . . . for a more leisurely kayak or canoe ride along the Fox River, bring your own or rent a kayak or canoe at Yak Shack, which also rents inflatable tubes for the whitewater course.

Keep the waterlogged fun going . . . at Raging Waves, the biggest waterpark in Illinois with 20 slides to zip down, along with a wave pool and, for those who want a more relaxing experience, a long and winding lazy river.

Explore the many open spaces . . . in Yorkville managed by the city’s parks and recreation department, such as Jericho Lake Park that’s also a popular fishing spot.

Take a swing . . . at the Whitetail Ridge Golf Club, known for its scenic surround- ings, or try your hand at a game of disc golf at the 12-hole Fox Hill Disc Golf course designed for novel and seasoned players alike.

Consider a rustic stay-over . . . at Fox River Bluff Vacation Cottage and RV Resort. Spanning over a mile of frontage on the Fox River, the resort is in the midst of a major renovation and expansion,

EXPLORE EATERTAINMENT OPTIONS

There may be a lot of activities in Yorkville that can get you all wet, but you can also whet your appetite at some of the town’s eateries and watering holes, which have continued to expand along with the area’s population.

For a meal with a view . . . feast on barbecue plates at the aptly-named Southbank Original Barbecue that overlooks the Fox River and that also offers special menus for steak nights and crawfish boils.

Check out the burger of the month . . . at Crusade Burger Bar, which cooks up a host of creative patties including the Easy E burger, topped with fried pork belly, bacon fat slaw, bacon jam and candied bacon.

Spread the burger love around . . . at Rowdy’s, also known for its burger varieties, including a burger topped with corned beef, pickles and Swiss cheese and a burger paired with mac and cheese bites.

Get fired up . . . about the wood-fired pizza at Parma Pizza Bar, which sources its giant wheels of cheese from namesake Parma, Italy.

Taste for yourself . . . how elevated the food scene has become in Yorkville at other independent restaurants, like Burnt Barrel Social, Craft’d Yorkville, the Silver Fox Bar & Grill, Dakotas and The Vault, the latter located an 1860-era building that was a former bank building.

Enjoy food, drinks and a show . . . at spots in Yorkville that offer onsite entertainment. Jam out at The Law Office Pub and Music Hall, located in a historic 19th century building that once served as a high school and law office before one of the attorneys, also a music promoter, turned it into a musical venue and brewpub.

Nosh on authentic Mexican fare . . . at Que Brava, Cancun Cafe and Mexican Grill, or the much larger and elegant Hacienda Real, which also features a large bar and outdoor dining area.

Shake off winter doldrums . . . at Pinz Entertainment Center, where you can try your hand at bowling or stop in for one of the weekly themed nights, like trivia night and bingo night.

Sample locally-made . . . mead (artisan honey wine) at Foxes Den Meadery or a variety of craft beers and ciders — and hundreds of canned beverage options — at Flight Tasting Room & Bottle Shoppe.

Sip a beer . . . named for various Yorkville sites — like a Fog on the Fox, Hydraulic or Courthouse Hill — at Fox Republic Brewing Company.

Pick your buzz . . . at Grace Coffee and Wine, where you can imbibe in java or wine depending on the time of day and nibble on house-made eats spanning breakfast, lunch, dinner and small plates. Or take your pick of beverages at Iconic Coffee, which also offers a selection of loose leaf teas, or Juicehead Smoothies and Coffee, both in downtown Yorkville.

Enjoy a tasty cone or sundae . . . at Foxy’s Ice Cream Shoppe, known for its bright light blue and pink exterior as well as it’s 18+ flavors and soft serve options. Open spring through fall, hotdogs and bratwursts are also served.

DO ALL THE THINGS

Your venture to Yorkville also takes you through some shopping areas, in and beyond the charming downtown district.

Browse the shops-within-a-shop . . . at Vintage 71 Shops, teeming with antiques and repurposed goods, along with an array of home décor items, clothing and jewelry.

Tickle your funny bone . . . at Viva La Funny, which sells an assortment of humorous socks, clothing and accessories.

Refresh your wardrobe for 2024 . . . with something new and fun from Mod Stitch boutique.

Do some sightseeing . . . while passing though Yorkville. Keep an eye out for the circa-1855 Chapel on the Green, the oldest church structure in the county that’s now used for special and private events.

Throw it way back . . . at Lyon Farm, run by the Kendall County Historical Society, and see a historic railroad depot, settler home, general store, school and a town hall that dates to 1876.

Time a trip to Yorkville . . . to coincide with one of the city’s many special events held throughout the year.

Sink a few putts. . . at the Library Mini Golf FUN Raiser on Feb. 4, a family- friendly event where 18 distinctively-themed holes of mini golf can be played inside the Yorkville Library.

Welcome spring . . . at the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, annual Easter egg hunt, or Margaritas en Mayo, a family- oriented fiesta held in late May.

Celebrate with the kids . . . at the annual School’s Out Beach Party at Town Square Park. Typically held the first week of June, but dependent on the District 115 school calendar, the celebration of summer vacation includes beach music and games.

Take part in a local summer ritual . . . at the Yorkville River Fest, a country music festival featuring food, craft beer tasting, family activities, and the especially popular Cardboard Boat Race.

On one of the longest days of the year . . . check out the Summer Solstice Craft Beer and Indie Music Festival, typically held the Friday and Saturday closest to the longest day of the year, usually June 21. The popularity of the festival is what prompted the creation of the Law Office Pub and Music Hall, to have a more permanent music venue in town.

Savor summer while you can . . . at other outdoor events in Yorkville, such as weekly cruise nights at Riverfront Park and the town’s Independence Day festivities.

As summer winds down . . . stretch out the seasonal fun at the family-friendly Yorkville Hometown Days Festival at Beecher Community Park on Labor Day weekend, complete with a carnival, car show, big band music, and an Ultimate Air Dogs Competition.

When sweater weather rolls around . . . do all of the fall things at events like Kiwanis’ Yorktoberfest, Scarecrow Walk and Halloween Egg Hunt before ushering in the merry season with the Yorkville Holiday Celebration and Rudolph Run 5K.

Support local theater . . . at a production staged by Your Performing Arts Center, including a Jan. 27 presentation of “The Brave Project,” benefiting a local family in need, and a spring staging of “Legally Blonde, Jr.”