Best Places to Visit in Rockford

May be Rockford has never been on the top of the list of holiday destinations, but it offers every that thing which can make it endearing to you. The same happened to us when we arrived there last month. We were surprised at its first sight but didn't let our emotions to become conspicuous. As far as we went and explored the city, we couldn't hold our emotions inside. We were completely in the awe of its benevolence. Our eyes were rolling out of astonishment and we hardly managed to keep our heads from turning. Wherever we went, we were just amazed and this feeling was unprecedented. We haven't experienced anything like that in our life before. Silently, we praised ourself for making such a great choice for our vacations and eventually ended up boasting of our perspicacious mind. We were feeling proud of deciding the name in the nick of time. We hardly remember any moment when we had kept our camera in our bag. Every moment was picturesque, and thus, our camera is flooded with plethora of picture-perfect moments.

Anderson Japanese Gardens

John Anderson is the brain behind the majestic Anderson Japanese Gardens. The foundation of these gardens was laid in 1978. He drew inspiration from the Portland Japanese Garden nestling in Oregon and gifted Rockford with such enthralling creation. The imagination of John Anderson was brought to reality by the world-renowned designer and craftsman, namely, Hoichi Kurisu. The alignment of rocks, paths and trees is simply incredible. The expertise of Hoichi Kurisu is evident from this jaw-dropping creation and the heavy influx of visitors all-year round to this facility. Anderson Japanese Gardens is an unprecedented testament of Japanese authenticity. Grace and elegance of Anderson Japanese Gardens is hard to match and even surpass. Its foundation was laid with a clear motto of promoting and flourishing Japanese culture and heritage. Be a part of the spectacular and full-of-hues events at Anderson Japanese Gardens, namely, On Tap in the Garden, Ikebana & Chanoyu, Spook-tacular Haunts, and many more.

Address: 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, Illinois 61107, United States
Phone: 1 815.229.9390
Website: www.andersongardens.org
Operation Hours: Monday-Friday (9:00 am-6:00 pm); Saturday and Sunday (9:00 am-5:00 pm)

Burpee Museum of Natural History

Burpee Museum of Natural History is engaged into inspiring people and roping in them to discover the deep insights of natural world. In 1935, a local furniture maker, i.e., Harry Burpee purchased The Manny Mansion and thought of converting it into a funeral parlor. But due to objection showed by neighbors, Harry Burpee converted it into Harry and Della Burpee Art Gallery, which is today famed as Rockford Art Museum. After several renovations and modulations, the museum opened its doors for many out there on May 24, 1942. The museum is also engaged into providing students with golden opportunities to learn from highly-educated and skilled educators who help them in attaining quality knowledge and education lucrative for their own growth and development. Its workshops and group tours are mean to enhance the horizon of learning for a wide gamut of age-groups.

Address: 737 North Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103, United States
Phone: 1 815.965.3433
Website: www.burpee.org
Operation Hours: Tuesday-Sunday (10:00 am-5:00 pm); remains closed on Mondays

Discovery Center Museum

Discovery Center Museum is revered as one of the incredible spots in the city that are apt for providing children with opportunities to learn and discover. Sprawling across 23,000 sq. ft., Discovery Center Museum entertains and educates children through its hands-on programs and interactive exhibits. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math is the main focus area of Discovery Center Museum and its all learning program are driven by STEM protocol. The main emphasis of the exhibitions at the museum remains on space travel, human body, simple machines, electricity, the science of sports, color and light, math, communication, and agriculture. At the museum, you can also catch the glimpse of Rock River Discovery Park which is sprawling across 15,000 sq. ft of area boasting of a water play area, a dinosaur dig pit, a secret garden, and a maze. The museum also remains engaged all-year round hosting travel exhibits and other related programs to entertain and educate its visitors.

Address: 711 North Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103, United States
Phone: 1 815.963.6769
Website: www.discoverycentermuseum.org
Operation Hours: Opens daily (10:00 am-5:00 pm)

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens

The stones of Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens were laid by Robert Hall Tinker as his personal residence. He built his residence in Swiss style overlooking the Kent Creek. In 1875, Robert Hall Tinker became the mayor of Rockford and also became fame as Rockford Park District’s founding member. In the wake of the demise of Robert Hall Tinker and his second wife, Jessie Dorr Hurd Tinker, the home was acquired by Rockford Park District. In 1943, the home opened its doors to the visitors as a museum. On December 27, 1972, Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens made its presence on the list of National Register of Historic Places. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens is engaged into preserving, interpreting and protecting the history, culture and heritage of Rockford in the hope of promoting economic and community verve. Its splendid collection boasts of more than 10,000 objects representing the belongings of the residents of the Tinker Swiss Cottage.

Address: 411 Kent Street, Rockford, Illinois 61102, United States
Phone: 1 815.964.2424
Website: www.tinkercottage.com
Operation Hours: Tuesday-Sunday (1:00 pm-2:30 pm, 3:00 pm-5:00 pm); remains closed on Mondays

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

Famed as the third largest conservatory in the state, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens gives you deep insights of the history, culture and heritage of the Midwest. Sprawling across 11,000 sq. ft. of space, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens is believed to be a breathtaking spot bedazzling you with its plant exhibition. The Gardens boast of its sculptures and water features situating incredibly amidst the tropical plant setting. The conservatory has a lot of more to astonish you, namely, patio areas, fountains, pedestrian bridge, waterfall, walkway and many more. Its walkway provides you with an access to Sinnissippi Rose Garden. Watching events hosted by Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens is believed to be one-of-its-kind experience in the city. Debuting in Illinois Next Year - Bruce Munro: LIGHT, Lorikeet Exhibit Lands at Nicholas Conservatory, Free Walking Tours of Public Art, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens Beneficiary of $10,000,000 Endowment, and many more are amongst the most enthralling events happening at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens all-year round.

Address: 1354 North 2nd Street, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
Phone: 1 815.987.8858
Website: www.nicholasconservatory.com/home
Operation Hours: Tuesday-Friday (9:00 am-5:00 pm); Saturday and Sunday (10:00 am-3:00 pm); remains closed on Mondays

Midway Village Museum

If Rockford has really pleased you, then you must be wondering about its origin and history. There are plenty of intriguing secrets about this breathtaking city locked in the store of its history. To supply you with the right amount of knowledge and facts about this enchanting land, Midway Village Museum has come up a long way. It is dedicatedly engaged into providing people with unstoppable supply of the interpretation of Rockford’s history. The museum collects and preserves myriads of artifacts and works related to the age-old history of Rockford and astonishes its visitors giving them an unforgettable experience. Its state-of-the-art exhibits are said to treat you with edutainment, i.e., education as well as entertainment. The museum also organizes multitudes of other programs and events that supply humongous knowledge based on Rockford’s history. Thus, abundance has become a driving force behind the popularity of Midway Village Museum. The museum also addresses the probable challenges that can be foreseen in city’s future and ropes in its community’s people to discuss remedies to every problem that the city may face.

Address: 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61107, United States
Phone: 1 815.397.9112
Website: www.midwayvillage.com/wordpress
Operation Hours: Tuesday-Friday (10:00 am-4:00 pm); Saturday and Sunday (10:30 am-4:00 pm); remains closed on Mondays

Kenneth and Phyllis Laurent House

There are plethora of facts about Kenneth and Phyllis Laurent House that are one and first of its kind and ready to astonish you on your first visit to Rockford. This house was designed by an architect, Frank Lloyd Wright who was a person with disability. Kenneth and Phyllis Laurent House was the first and the only house in the city built by a physically-challenged architect. Phyllis and Kenneth Laurent lived in the hose for sixty years until 2012, and after that, a private foundation acquired the house. Kenneth and Phyllis Laurent House was also honored by placing it on the list of the National Register of Historic Places. There is plenitude of features about this house that deserve your attention, like, fishpond, a carport, solar hemicycle footprint, and a patio. Much of the majesty of the house comes from its Red Tidewater Cypress and Chicago Common Brick. Now, we believe that Kenneth and Phyllis Laurent House has given you many reasons to alter your holiday goals and make the very first move towards it.

Address: 4646 Spring Brook Road, Rockford, Illinois 61114, United States
Phone: 1 815.877.2952
Website: www.laurenthouse.com

A Map Guide on Rockford's Best Tourist Spots