Overview
Rockford is a city in the Rock River Valley in Northern Illinois. With a population of over 145,000 (2019), it is the third largest city in the state.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 6 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Rockford
Burpee Museum of Natural History
Home to Jane, the world's most complete juvenile T. Rex skeleton.
Anderson Japanese Gardens
Coronado Performing Arts Center
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.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 12°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby Madison)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- RFD Chicago Rockford International Airport, Chicago/Rockford — 5 mi away. Directions
- MSN Dane County Regional Truax Field, Madison — 62 mi away. Directions
- ORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago — 63 mi away (major hub). Directions
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the next nearest full-service airport and is directly connected to Rockford by Interstate 90 or by Coach USA Van Galder Lines. Van Galder operates from Ground Transportation, outside security in Chicago and from their own terminal at 7559 Walton St in Rockford (see below under 'By bus').
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Burpee Museum of Natural History, Anderson Japanese Gardens
- Lunch JMK Nippon
- Afternoon Coronado Performing Arts Center
- Dinner GreenFire Restaurant Bar & Bakery
- Evening Carlyle Brewing Co.
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
Go Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Is served by: :* Allegiant Air (Fort Lauderdale,Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, Punta Gorda (FL), Sarasota, St. Petersburg/Clearwater). :* American Airlines (Chicago O'Hare) (operated by Landline Bus, airside, behind security, to Chicago where passengers transfer directly to their other flights) :* Apple Vacations Airlines chartered by Apple Vacations to Cancun, Huatulco, and Punta Cuna. Destinations may vary.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the next nearest full-service airport and is directly connected to Rockford by Interstate 90 or by Coach USA Van Galder Lines. Van Galder operates from Ground Transportation, outside security in Chicago and from their own terminal at 7559 Walton St in Rockford (see below under 'By bus').
Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) in Madison, Wisconsin, is about an hour and 20 minutes north of Rockford in Interstate 39/90 and is served by six airlines.
By car
Rockford is located at the intersection of US Route 20 and Interstates 90 and 39, just 95 miles east of Dubuque, Iowa, 20 miles south of the Wisconsin border, 60 miles west of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and 130 miles north of Bloomington.
By bus
By train
Rockford is not served by passenger trains, with the railway lines in the city only served by freight trains. However, Amtrak's throughway bus service provides a connection to Chicago Union Station for rail passengers. A new passenger route from Chicago is in the planning stages.
Get around
By car
Rockford is relatively easy to navigate by car and has little traffic congestion compared to other larger cities. Taxicab services are also available.
The 4 most important roads in Rockford are State Street, which runs from east to west as part of US Highway 20; Main Street, which runs south from downtown to the airport as part of Illinois State Route 2; Second Street, which runs north from downtown to the Wisconsin border as part of Illinois State Route 251; and Riverside Boulevard, which bends into to Harrison Avenue and Springfield Avenue, and can be an easy way to get around the entirety of the city.
By transit
The Rockford Mass Transit District offers bus service in Rockford, Loves Park and Machesney Park.
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.
There are many original restaurants, sites, attractions and events that can only be found in Rockford.
The Riverfront Museum Park houses three museums:
See 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
- Rockford Art Museum, the largest art museum in Illinois 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.
Do
Arts and culture
- The BMO Center, 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.
Outdoor fun
- 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.
- Established in 2011, the Nicholas Conservatory is home to many exotic plants and ecosystems. Check their website for monthly free days and other events. You may be lucky enough to get licked by a butterfly on butterfly month.
- Rockford 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.
- During the summer, Hurricane Harbor, offers families a fun way to cool down in the summer heat.
Spectator Sports
The Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League offer an excellent family entertainment option.
Events
During March, the Midway Village & Museum Center hosts the Sock Monkey Madness Festival featuring vendors, crafts, make-your-own-monkeys, activities, and information on sock monkey history.
Relatively new to the area, the Screw City Beer Festival occurs every September. Come and eat food, hangout, hug a stranger, and most importantly try some delicious craft beer.
The Rockford City Market is an outdoor market held every Friday evening from May to September. Food, local craft beer, drinks, live music, locally produced artisanal products, and farm vendors are featured at this weekly event.
Eat
Eat JMK Nippon
Has decently high quality, reasonably priced sushi. 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.
Eat GreenFire Restaurant Bar & Bakery
Wood-fire pizza, burgers, steaks, seafood, cakes, pies, cupcakes. Kitchen is open until midnight every day. Natural & organic cuisine. The owner, chef Philippe is a Rockford institution when it comes to food. Try the famous chicken crepe. The bakery also puts out tasty items.
Eat Potato Shak
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 busboy in the city, Ace, will give you some friendly conversation.
Eat Illinois Machine Shed
Offers reasonably priced perfectly done basic farm cooking, with huge portions.
Eat The Olympic Tavern
In business since 1945. Has a world class beer selection, and family-friendly casual fine dining, in a Frank Lloyd Wright architecturally award winning atmosphere, as well as the fine patio in the warmer months. The Olympic is a long standing Rockford tradition.
Eat Stockholm Inn
The Stolkholm Inn serves American and traditional Swedish food in a family restaurant atmosphere. Swedish specialties include Swedish pancakes, Kroppkakor (meat-filled potato dumplings), Swedish Meatballs and Kaldolmar (cabbage rolls).
Drink
Drink Carlyle Brewing Co.
Has a wonderful selection of freshly brewed beers and root beer. Food selection is great for an area bar. Known for their signature Vanilla Cream ale. Their signature thin crust pizza is their highest ordered food item.
Drink Pig Minds Brewery
Has the same style of a brewpub but offers a vegan menu.
Drink Oasis Micro-Pub
Although they do not brew their own beer, they have a constantly changing beer menu with dozens of craft beers and wine. The bartenders are both friendly and sassy, and if you are lucky you may even see Uncle Nick (owner) in all of his suspender-ific glory.
Sleep
Stay safe
In the past Rockford used to be one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. Crime has decreased and Rockford is mostly safe but some parts should be avoided especially at night.
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