Rockford, IL

About

From an industrial town that was little more than a stopping point midway between Chicago and the Mississippi, Rockford has redefined itself into an attraction-filled city! It's nickname "The Forest City" is well earned, with a number of exceptional green spaces to enjoy. Meditate on the serenity of the Anderson Japanese Gardens, designed by the man behind Oregon’s Japanese Garden, Hoichi Kurisu. Or go wildlife spotting in Rock Cut State Park. Explore the Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens to admire 19th century furniture in a charming European-inspired home on the outskirts of town. For more culture, check out the Rockford Art Museum, which focuses on local Illinois based works, but has a surprisingly varied collection spanning ancient to modern art. The Burpee Museum of Natural History is another of Rockford's hidden gems, with engaging exhibits like "Jane-Diary of a Dinosaur", which is centered around the world's best-preserved and most complete juvenile T-Rex !