Things To Do
Anderson Japanese Gardens
A Must See! Kate takes her upper-level Photo and the Advanced Art classes every fall to photograph the gardens, sketch and watercolor. Anderson is one of the most significant Japanese-style gardens in the U.S. It was designed by Hoichi Kurisu who studied landscape design under Kenzo Ogata in Tokyo. Construction began in 1978 when Rockford businessman John Anderson was inspired by a visit to the Kurisu-designed Japanese garden in Portland, Oregon. Only three essential elements, stone, water, and plants provide structure, represent life-giving force and provide color and choreographed views throughout the seasons. Secondary pagodas, lanterns, water basins, arbors, bridges and the guest house are designed and positioned to inspire calm, renewal, discovery and an invigorated soul.
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
Burpee Museum of Natural History
Rockford City Market
Rockford City Market is a popular Friday evening event occurring downtown near the river. It's part farmers' market and part community celebration, with local vendors and live music. The Market straddles Water Street and culminates under a large metal pavilion right in front of the entrance to The Standard. The market also operates an Indoor Market Building with permanent vendors throughout the year.
Rockford Art Museum
Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House
JOINT TOURS WITH ANDERSON GARDENS Frank Lloyd Wright & 16th Century Japan The Laurent House is proud to team with Anderson Japanese Gardens for a joint tour experience. These tours are offered each Wednesday and Friday from May through October by advanced reservation, preferably by two weeks. This is a nearly 4-hour tour experience that begins at Anderson Japanese Gardens (located 5 minutes from the Laurent House). Guests experience a docent-led tour of the gardens and an in-depth tour of Anderson Gardens’ 16th Century Sukiya-style Guest House, not normally open to the public. The tour concludes with guests driving to the Laurent House for a 60 to 90 minute tour with discussion of the influence of Japan on Frank Lloyd Wright and his design of the Laurent House.
CherryVale Mall
Need to run out for something last minute? Or just want to grab something at a Barnes & Noble cafe?
815 Escape
West Rock Wake Park
Environmentally-friendly tow-cable system eliminates the need for a boat. Classes available for first time wakeboarding/waterskiing
Discovery Center Kids Museum
Coronado Performing Arts Center
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens
Wednesday, June 5th is a free admission day. Tinker Swiss Cottage is a historic house museum located in the heart of Rockford, Illinois. The museum complex contains the historic house museum, barn, and carriage house from the Tinker family. In addition, the property is the home of the founding site of Rockford and contains a Pre-Columbian Native American conical mound.