From Wikitravel

Rockford [1] is a city in Winnebago County, Northern Illinois.

[edit] Get in

Rockford is located at the intersection of I-90 and I-39 in North Central Illinois, just 20 miles south of the Wisconsin border. The Rockford Region is an easy drive from Chicago (60 miles from O'Hare), Madison (60 miles) or Milwaukee (80 miles). The Chicago/Rockford International Airport (RFD) also offers a variety of non-stop flight destinations, including Denver, Phoenix, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale and St. Petersburg/Clearwater.

[edit] Get around

Rockford is relatively easy to navigate by car and has little traffic congestion compared to other larger cities. The Rockford Mass Transit District offers bus service in Rockford, Loves Park and Machesney Park. Taxicab services are also available.

[edit][add listing] See

When traveling in the Rockford Region, you will see the rolling hills of Northern Illinois, the Rock River and many trees and forests (Rockford is known as The Forest City). Although Rockford has the population of a larger city, it has a small-town feel.

[edit][add listing] Do

There are many original restaurants, sites, attractions and events that can only be found in Rockford.

[edit] Family Fun

The Riverfront Museum Park houses three distinct museums: The Burpee Museum of Natural History, home to Jane, the world's most complete juvenile T. rex skeleton; the Discovery Center Children's Museum, ranked fourth in the nation by Child magazine; and Rockford Art Museum, the largest art museum outside of Chicago. Other museums in the area include: Midway Village and Museum Center, Tinker Swiss Cottage, Historic Auto Attractions, Erlander Home Museum and Ethnic Heritage Museum. During the summer, Magic Waters Waterpark, operated by the Rockford Park District, offers families a fun way to cool down in the summer heat.

[edit] Arts & Culture

The Coronado Performing Arts Center is a historic "atmospheric" style theatre that was built in 1927 and fully restored in 2001. The Coronado offers a full season of Broadway shows, concerts and other performances. The MetroCentre, Rockford's downtown 10,000-seat arena, is home to music, athletic and exposition events. In the summer months, Starlight Theatre on the campus of Rock Valley College features classical and contemporary musical productions. The theatre has a unique mechanical roof that opens out like a blooming flower on clear nights. Rockford also has a symphony orchestra, dance company and several theatre companies.

[edit] Outdoor Fun

Anderson Japanese Gardens is open May through October and was rated the finest Japanese Garden in North America, according to the Roth Journal. Rock Cut State Park is one of the largest state parks in Illinois and features camping, hiking, biking, birding, fishing, horseback riding and kayaking. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden has over 500 different species of trees, shrubs and vines. Rockford also has a large variety of low-cost public and private golf courses. In the fall and winter, locals and visitors enjoy many apple orchards and Christmas tree farms.

[edit] Events

 Rockford hosts an annual rock concert during Memorial Day weekend called Wing Ding. Notable bands such as Buckcherry, Saliva, Breaking Benjamin, P.O.D, and Drowning Pool have performed at this concert. The concert is held by WXRX 104.9FM.
 Every Labor Day weekend, Rockford hosts On the Waterfront, Illinois' largest outdoor music festival, featuring local, regional and national acts on eight different stages.  The second weekend of October brings rowers from around the country for the Baird Head of the Rock Regatta, a premiere national rowing competition.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

JMK Nippon is probably the best and most authentic Japanese restaurant to be found in the midwest, if not all of America. Their sushi is both delicious and reasonably-priced, the teppan-yaki is much better than that of such chain restaurants as Benihana, and they even offer traditional Japanese dishes such as sukiyaki and shabu-shabu. This is a must-eat restaurant if business or pleasure brings you to Rockford. The owner Mas, while shy, is very friendly, as is his son John.

Go to the Potato Shak in near-by Loves Park, IL, for cheap, cheap, cheap breakfast and lunch options. Breakfast is simple to order: choose option A, B, or C. It'll only run you a couple bucks. And the best bus-boy in the city -Ace- will give you some friendly conversation.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Comfort Inn Rockford Hotel, 7392 Argus Dr., (815) 398-7061, [2]. Located in the American heartland, a delightful mix of sedate country scenery and exciting city life. The hotel is a deluxe three story hotel with sixty-four rooms and suites.

• Comfort Suites Rockford Hotel & Cliffbreakers Conference Center, 700 W. Riverside Blvd., (815) 282-3033, [3]. Situated on the beautiful Rock River. Secure Online Reservations.

• Quality Suites Rockford Hotel, 7401 Walton Street, (815) 227-1300, [4]. Located one block West of the junction of I-90 and State Street (Bus 20). We are an all suite hotel with 95 spacious and beautiful furnished guestrooms.

• Sleep Inn Rockford Hotel, 725 Clark Drive, (815) 398 8900, [5]. Located near the intersection of US Highway Business 20 (East State Street) and Interstate 90, it is conveniently located in the hub of shopping and dining opportunities in the area.

[edit] Get out

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