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57 Best and Fun Things To Do In Rockford, Illinois


TouristWire Editors

Rockford welcomes visitors with a unique blend of arts, culture, and scenic landscapes, boasting an array of exceptional museums and gardens.

Known as the “City of Gardens,” visitors can enjoy the serene landscapes and riverside trails and strolls beside the ornamental lagoon. Rockford offers year-round contemporary music and ballet performances for the whole family’s enjoyment. Visit some of the delightful boutiques, teahouses, and art galleries and take in the picturesque greenery of the surrounding gardens. After sunset, treat yourself to a trip to the local planetarium to experience the amazing night sky in all its glory.

Rockford offers the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation. Explore the list below to find some of the most noteworthy attractions you can visit during your stay in this idyllic town.

The 57 Most Popular Things To Do In Rockford, Illinois

57. Funderburg Forest Preserve

4.0 ★★★★☆ (2 reviews)

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Credit: Jacob Ball, Google Maps

Location: 3927 S Meridian Road Rockford IL

Web Address:   http://winnebagoforest.org/

56. Nelson Knitting Company (Home of the Sock Monkey)

5.0 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

Location: 909 S Main Street Rockford IL

55. LIB Conservation Area

4.0 ★★★★☆ (4 reviews)

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Credit: Kyle Schilling, Google Maps

Location: 5601 Newburg Road Belvidere IL

Tel:  815 547 7935

Web Address:   https://bccdil.org/explore/kishwaukee-bottoms-conservation-area/lib-conservation-area/

54. The Funderburg House

5.0 ★★★★★ (4 reviews)

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Credit: The Funderburg House, Google Maps

Location: 605 N Streetate Street Belvidere IL

Tel:  815 544 8391

Web Address:   https://funderburghouse.org/

53. Bell Bowl Prairie

4.2 ★★★★☆ (5 reviews)

Location: 6045 Cessna Dr Rockford IL

Tel:  815 201 2643

Web Address:   https://savebellbowlprairie.org/

52. Erlander Home Museum

4.4 ★★★★☆ (8 reviews)

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Credit: Roger W, License, Flickr

Location: 404 S 3rd Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 963 5559

Web Address:   http://swedishhistorical.org/

51. La Paloma Gardens

4.1 ★★★★☆ (11 reviews)

Location: 3622 Brookview Road Rockford IL

Tel:  815 399 0324

Web Address:   http://lapalomagardens.com/

50. Severson Dells Forest Preserve

4.0 ★★★★☆ (11 reviews)

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Credit: Eric Qiu, Google Maps

Location: 8786 Montague Road Winnebago IL

Web Address:   https://seversondells.com/

49. Olson Lake

4.2 ★★★★☆ (13 reviews)

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Credit: Dale Wishop, Google Maps

48. Pierce Lake

4.3 ★★★★☆ (15 reviews)

47. Levings Lake

4.4 ★★★★☆ (18 reviews)

46. Swanson Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (27 reviews)

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Credit: Lucas Schooling, Google Maps

Location: Cherry Valley Path Rockford IL

Web Address:   http://rockfordparkdistrict.org/

45. Ethnic Heritage Museum

4.6 ★★★★★ (31 reviews)

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Credit: Joseph Gage, License, Flickr

Location: 1129 S Main Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 962 7402

Web Address:   https://ethnicheritagemuseum.org/

44. Levings Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (55 reviews)

Location: 1420 S Pierpont Ave Rockford IL

Tel:  815 987 8800

Web Address:   https://rockfordparkdistrict.org/levings-park

43. Anna Page Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (57 reviews)

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Credit: M. Readey, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 3102 N Springfield Ave Rockford IL

Web Address:   https://rockfordparkdistrict.org/anna-page-park

42. BeachWatch LLC – Olson Beach

3.6 ★★★★☆ (61 reviews)

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Credit: adamltw, Google Maps

Web Address:   http://beachwatch.net/

41. Oak Ridge Forest Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ (78 reviews)

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Credit: Eric Qiu, Google Maps

Location: 8321 Blomberg Road Cherry Valley IL

40. Forest Preserves of Winnebago County

4.7 ★★★★★ (79 reviews)

Location: 5500 Northrock Dr Rockford IL

Tel:  815 877 6100

Web Address:   https://winnebagoforest.org/

39. Rockford Park District

4.0 ★★★★☆ (82 reviews)

800px-native american linear mound beattie park rockford illinois

Credit: M. Readey, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 401 S Main Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 987 8800

Web Address:   https://rockfordparkdistrict.org/

38. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Laurent House

4.8 ★★★★★ (91 reviews)

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Credit: Teemu008, License, Flickr

Location: 4646 Spring Brook Road Rockford IL

Tel:  815 877 2952

Web Address:   http://laurenthouse.com/

37. Olson Swedish Heritage Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (98 reviews)

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Credit: Jakub J, Google Maps

Location: 7901 Harlem Road Caledonia IL

Web Address:   https://rockfordparkdistrict.org/olson-swedish-heritage-park/

36. Veterans Memorial Hall

4.6 ★★★★★ (104 reviews)

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Credit: Teemu008, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 211 N Main Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 969 1999

Web Address:   http://veteransmemorialhall.com/

35. Deer Run Forest Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ (105 reviews)

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Credit: Eric Qiu, Google Maps

Location: 5691 River Road Cherry Valley IL

Tel:  815 877 6100

34. Espenscheid Memorial Forest Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ (118 reviews)

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Credit: Troy Bednar, Google Maps

Location: 4800 S Perryville Road Cherry Valley IL

33. Beattie Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ (131 reviews)

800px-native american linear mound beattie park rockford illinois

Credit: M. Readey, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Rockford IL

Tel:  815 987 8800

Web Address:   https://rockfordparkdistrict.org/contact-us

32. Snow Park at Alpine Hills

4.3 ★★★★☆ (132 reviews)

Location: 4402 Larson Ave Rockford IL

Tel:  815 966 8737

Web Address:   https://alpinehillsadventure.com/

31. Mercyhealth Sportscore One

4.3 ★★★★☆ (137 reviews)

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Credit: Mercyhealth Sportscore One, Google Maps

Location: 1288 Elmwood Road Rockford IL

Tel:  815 987 1640

Web Address:   http://mercyhealthsportscore.com/sportscore-one/

30. Kishwaukee Gorge North Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ (154 reviews)

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Credit: A Lew, Google Maps

Location: 4643 Blackhawk Road Rockford IL

Tel:  815 877 6100

29. Lockwood Park & Trailside Equestrian Centre

4.6 ★★★★★ (160 reviews)

Location: 5201 Safford Road Rockford IL

Tel:  815 987 8809

Web Address:   https://lockwoodpark.com/

28. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens

4.6 ★★★★★ (168 reviews)

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Credit: steeleman204, License, Flickr

Location: 411 Kent Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 964 2424

Web Address:   http://tinkercottage.com/

27. Davis Park at Founders Landing

4.4 ★★★★☆ (184 reviews)

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Credit: steeleman204, License, Flickr

Location: 320 S Wyman Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 968 5600

Web Address:   https://gorockford.com/listings/davis-park-at-founders-landing/275/

26. Aldeen Golf Club

4.6 ★★★★★ (188 reviews)

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Credit: Aldeen Golf Club, Google Maps

Location: 1902 Reid Farm Road Rockford IL

Tel:  815 282 4653

Web Address:   http://aldeengolfclub.com/

25. Aldeen Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (223 reviews)

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Credit: Joseph Gage, License, Flickr

Location: 623 N Alpine Road Rockford IL

Web Address:   https://rockfordparkdistrict.org/

24. Searls Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (255 reviews)

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Credit: Jon Nelson, Google Maps

Location: 4950 Safford Road Rockford IL

Tel:  815 987 8800

Web Address:   http://rockfordparkdistrict.org/

23. Severson Dells Nature Center

4.7 ★★★★★ (292 reviews)

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Credit: Brian Thoren, Google Maps

Location: 8786 Montague Road Rockford IL

Tel:  815 335 2915

Web Address:   http://seversondells.org/

22. Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ (297 reviews)

Location: 5757 Blackhawk Road Rockford IL

Web Address:   https://winnebagoforest.org/preserves/kishwaukee-river/

21. Spencer Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (300 reviews)

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Credit: Janet Everett, Google Maps

Location: 899 Appleton Road Belvidere IL

20. Rockford Casino

3.8 ★★★★☆ (360 reviews)

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Credit: Rockford Casino, Google Maps

Location: 610 N Bell School Road Rockford IL

Tel:  779 269 9010

Web Address:   https://hardrockcasinorockford.com/

19. Martin Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (411 reviews)

Location: Martin Memorial Park Loves Park IL

Tel:  815 987 8800

Web Address:   http://rockfordparkdistrict.org/

18. Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ (428 reviews)

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Credit: shehan peruma, License, Flickr

Location: 5360 Mulford Rd. & 5801 Perryville Rd Rockford IL

Tel:  815 877 6100

Web Address:   http://winnebagoforest.org/preserves/blackhawk-springs/

17. Mercyhealth Sportscore Two

4.4 ★★★★☆ (508 reviews)

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Credit: Mercyhealth Sportscore Two, Google Maps

Location: 8800 E Riverside Blvd Loves Park IL

Tel:  815 987 8890

Web Address:   http://mercyhealthsportscore.com/sportscore-two/

16. Sinnissippi Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (647 reviews)

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Credit: Roger W, License, Flickr

Location: 1401 N 2nd Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 987 8858

Web Address:   http://rockfordparkdistrict.org/ncg

15. Baumann Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (767 reviews)

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Credit: SuburbanPhotographer, License, Flickr

Location: Cherry Valley IL

Tel:  815 332 3441

Web Address:   http://cherryvalley.org/

14. Rockford City Market

4.5 ★★★★★ (823 reviews)

Location: 116 N Madison Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 977 5124

Web Address:   http://rockfordcitymarket.com/

13. Belvidere Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (872 reviews)

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Credit: Belvidere Park, Google Maps

Location: 1006 W Lincoln Ave Belvidere IL

Tel:  815 547 5711

Web Address:   http://belviderepark.org/

12. Volcano Falls Adventure Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (970 reviews)

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Credit: Volcano Falls Adventure Park, Google Maps

Location: 7602 Rock Valley Pkwy Loves Park IL

Tel:  815 282 2100

Web Address:   http://volcanofalls.com/

11. Rockford Speedway

4.5 ★★★★★ (993 reviews)

Location: 9572 Forest Hills Road Loves Park IL

Tel:  815 633 1500

Web Address:   https://rockfordspeedway.com/

10. Sinnissippi Gardens

4.8 ★★★★★ (2,505 reviews)

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Credit: Roger W, License, Flickr

Location: 1354 N 2nd Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 987 8858

Web Address:   https://nicholasconservatory.com/

Our Top picks

9. Rockford Art Museum

4.6 ★★★★★ (115 reviews)

800px-riverwalk behind rockford art museum and burpee museum

Credit: Alexbaumgarner, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 711 N Main Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 968 2787

Web Address:   http://rockfordartmuseum.org/

8. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden

4.7 ★★★★★ (465 reviews)

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Credit: KlehmArboretum, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 2715 S Main Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 965 8146

Web Address:   http://klehm.org/

7. Midway Village Museum

4.6 ★★★★★ (521 reviews)

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Credit: Vail Marston, License, Flickr

Location: 6799 Guilford Road Rockford IL

Tel:  815 397 9112

Web Address:   https://midwayvillage.com/

6. Burpee Museum of Natural History

4.7 ★★★★★ (715 reviews)

800px-burpee - thescelosaurus

Credit: Kranar Drogin, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 737 N Main Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 965 3433

Web Address:   http://burpee.org/

5. Discovery Center Museum

4.8 ★★★★★ (1,530 reviews)

Location: 711 N Main Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 963 6769

Web Address:   http://discoverycentermuseum.org/

4. Hurricane Harbor Rockford

4.1 ★★★★☆ (1,934 reviews)

800px-magic waters in der autostadt wolfsburg

Credit: Cubanito, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 7820 Cherryvale N Blvd Cherry Valley IL

Tel:  847 249 4636

Web Address:   https://sixflags.com/hurricaneharborrockford/

3. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

4.7 ★★★★★ (1,974 reviews)

800px-nicholas conservatory interior

Credit: Bryan Lee, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 1354 N 2nd Street Rockford IL

Tel:  815 987 8858

Web Address:   http://nicholasconservatory.com/

2. Anderson Japanese Gardens

4.7 ★★★★★ (3,106 reviews)

800px-anderson japanese gardens rockford illinois - japanese maple leaves

Credit: Djngsf, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 318 Spring Creek Road Rockford IL

Tel:  815 229 9390

Web Address:   http://andersongardens.org/

1. Rock Cut State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (3,319 reviews)

800px-pierce lake - rock cut state park

Credit: Lectrician2, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 7223 West Lane Road Caledonia IL

Tel:  815 885 3311

Web Address:   https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/pages/rockcut.aspx

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Rockford, Illinois! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

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