Top Things to Do in Rockford, Illinois
Do
Anderson Japanese Gardens
Twelve acres of gardens offer a tranquil space for walking and reflection. andersongardens.org
Burpee Museum of Natural History
Check out exhibits such as Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur, exploring the discovery and the restoration of a juvenile T.rex staffers unearthed in Montana. burpee.org
Discovery Center Museum
Kids can touch a tornado or learn how pulleys work. discoverycentermuseum.org
Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden
A glass visitors center is the gateway to 155 acres of gardens, a labyrinth, a butterfly garden and mature woodlands laced with walking paths. klehm.org
Laurent House
Tour the only wheelchair-accessible home Frank Lloyd Wright designed (for a WWII vet). laurenthouse.com
Midway Village Museum
Twenty-six historical buildings filled with artifacts take visitors back in time to a farm town of the late 1800s and early 1900s. midwayvillage.com
Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens
Exotic plants, sculptures and a mural depicting town history fill this conservatory in Sinnissippi Park. nicholasconservatory.com
Rockford Art Museum
The collection emphasizes regional artists at the location in the Riverfront Museum Park. rockfordartmuseum.org
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens
A time capsule of Rockford history, the 1865 Swiss chalet-style home preserves furnishings, diaries and collections. tinkercottage.com
Eat + Drink
Abreo Restaurant
Dine on a creative menu crafted from locally sourced ingredients in an upscale setting. Your dinner might include duck nachos, a ramp and Italian sausage cavatelli, and chambord crepes. abreorockford.com
Carlyle Brewing Company
A European-style alehouse features pub grub and 10-plus house beers. carlylebrewing.com
Josef-Barbados Restaurant and Oyster Bar
An all-white dining room showcases an international art collection, including a piece by Salvador Dali. josefs.us
LimaMar
Peruvian-inspired cuisine includes ceviches, a beef soufflé, and aji de gallina, a classic Peruvian dish of shredded chicken with a creamy yellow sauce. limamarrestaurant.com
Mary's Market
Made-with-care goodness shines in every cookie, pie and bread loaf at this favorite for hearty sandwiches, soups and sweets in Edgebrook. marysmarket.com
The Norwegian
The brunch pub and live music venue serves both small and large plates, with choices like Danish pancake balls with maple syrup and house raspberry jam or salmon and eggs. thenorwegian.com
Octane InterLounge
The owners' album collection gives this funky downtown hot spot a cool vibe; try the homemade soups and vegetarian fare. Octane on Facebook
Stockholm Inn
Don't miss the Swedish pancakes. stockholminn.com
Stay
Riverview Inn and Suites
Overlooking the Rock River, this hotel resembles an old hunting lodge-the type of place Teddy Roosevelt might have stayed. choicehotels.com
For more information visit gorockford.com