Rockford Forest City Activity Guide

Devin
Rockford Forest City Activity Guide

Take Out & Catering

Grab and go comfort foods! Homemade meatloaf, hamloaf, meatballs, twice baked potatoes, mac & cheese, pulled pork BBQ, garlic bread, Italian beef. Cater as well. Butcher shop AND tasty deserts.
Pinnon's Foods
2324 N Court St
Grab and go comfort foods! Homemade meatloaf, hamloaf, meatballs, twice baked potatoes, mac & cheese, pulled pork BBQ, garlic bread, Italian beef. Cater as well. Butcher shop AND tasty deserts.
Pizza, pasta and full bar - staple Chicago pizzeria.
Giordano's
Pizza, pasta and full bar - staple Chicago pizzeria.
Need help organizing a meal during your stay? Reach out to ABC Catering for support - including catering, rentals (linens, chair covers, event tableware), and full service bar.
ABC Catering
Need help organizing a meal during your stay? Reach out to ABC Catering for support - including catering, rentals (linens, chair covers, event tableware), and full service bar.

Dinner & Bars

Communal seating with curated tasty small plates and cocktails downtown Rockford
11 locals recommend
Social Urban Bar & Restaurant
509 E State St
11 locals recommend
Communal seating with curated tasty small plates and cocktails downtown Rockford
Seasonal menu focused on big flavors and locally sourced ingredients with innovative cocktail menu!
11 locals recommend
Abreo Restaurant
515 E State St
11 locals recommend
Seasonal menu focused on big flavors and locally sourced ingredients with innovative cocktail menu!
Fine Italian dining full of robust flavors. Also provides catering and banquets.
Franchesco's Ristorante
7128 Spring Creek Rd
Fine Italian dining full of robust flavors. Also provides catering and banquets.
Japanese Hibachi!
JMK Nippon
Japanese Hibachi!
Sushi and hibachi
Shogun
293 Executive Pkwy
Sushi and hibachi
Focused on embodying the look and feel of a classic neighborhood tavern
Tavern On Clark
Focused on embodying the look and feel of a classic neighborhood tavern
One of Rockford's rivals for best pizza in town!
Salamone's Cherry Valley
103 S Cherry St
One of Rockford's rivals for best pizza in town!
A local favorite for Italian in a town rooted historically in having a high Italian and Swedish population. Also offer very coordinated multi-traffic lane takeout including pizza.
10 locals recommend
Lino's
5611 E State St
10 locals recommend
A local favorite for Italian in a town rooted historically in having a high Italian and Swedish population. Also offer very coordinated multi-traffic lane takeout including pizza.
Evening only (generally 4-9pm weekdays; closed Sundays) with classic tavern food. Side note: sweet ceiling tiles.
The Olympic Tavern
2327 N Main St
Evening only (generally 4-9pm weekdays; closed Sundays) with classic tavern food. Side note: sweet ceiling tiles.
Home to a Chicago favorite for Italian beef, burgers, salads, Chicago-style hot dogs, and chocolate cake.
Portillo's Hot Dogs
6090 E State St
Home to a Chicago favorite for Italian beef, burgers, salads, Chicago-style hot dogs, and chocolate cake.
Self-branded "not a chain restaurant" offering wood-fired pizza, oyster bar, steaks, pastas and homemade desserts
Stone Eagle Tavern
6445 E State St
Self-branded "not a chain restaurant" offering wood-fired pizza, oyster bar, steaks, pastas and homemade desserts
Creole soul and comfort food! If you're looking for a classy, upscale, date night restaurant... this is your place! Great for lunch as well with awesome food service.
Ambiance Cuisine Cocktails & Catering
Creole soul and comfort food! If you're looking for a classy, upscale, date night restaurant... this is your place! Great for lunch as well with awesome food service.
Alchemy at Aldeen
Spirits made from select heirloom grains, distilled and bottled on-premise. Take a tour and visit the Rush Hour Bar (35 min from house).
Rush Creek Distilling
1501 W Diggins St
Spirits made from select heirloom grains, distilled and bottled on-premise. Take a tour and visit the Rush Hour Bar (35 min from house).
Head chef Marc hand rolls sushi orders to perfection. Generous portions in compact cafe.
Marc's Fusion Cafe
4133 Charles St
Head chef Marc hand rolls sushi orders to perfection. Generous portions in compact cafe.
Japanese pub and tapas bar - find sushi and beef sliders on the same menu.
Izakaya 88
Japanese pub and tapas bar - find sushi and beef sliders on the same menu.
Legendary Chicago pizza
Rockford - Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
Legendary Chicago pizza

Event Venues

Indoor/outdoor rooftop event center on the river downtown Rockford
The Standard
Indoor/outdoor rooftop event center on the river downtown Rockford
Relaxing riverside eatery and brewery with fun industrial spaces inside as well. Also has facilities to host events and meetings.
34 locals recommend
Prairie Street Brewing Co. Events
200 Prairie St
34 locals recommend
Relaxing riverside eatery and brewery with fun industrial spaces inside as well. Also has facilities to host events and meetings.
Illinois Bank And Trust Pavilion
Think: Outdoor small concert venue. Locals go to Sinnissippi for Music in the Park every June - August on Tuesdays and Thursdays ~7pm (tickets range from ~$5 to $25). (Edgebrook Music on the Mall on Friday evenings is free in the summer 630-830p - check online for details for both performing areas).
8 locals recommend
Sinnissippi Gardens
1354 N 2nd St
8 locals recommend
Think: Outdoor small concert venue. Locals go to Sinnissippi for Music in the Park every June - August on Tuesdays and Thursdays ~7pm (tickets range from ~$5 to $25). (Edgebrook Music on the Mall on Friday evenings is free in the summer 630-830p - check online for details for both performing areas).
Each summer Rock Valley College hosts a series of shows under a mechanical roof that opens up to the stars.
Starlight and Studio Theatre
3301 N Mulford Rd
Each summer Rock Valley College hosts a series of shows under a mechanical roof that opens up to the stars.
Delightful theatre with gilded Spanish castles, Italian villas and Chinese dragons. Check out shows playing online.
19 locals recommend
Coronado Performing Arts Center
314 N Main St
19 locals recommend
Delightful theatre with gilded Spanish castles, Italian villas and Chinese dragons. Check out shows playing online.
Large event venue! Check out performances scheduled during your visit.
Rockford Woman's Club
Large event venue! Check out performances scheduled during your visit.

Experiences

Every Friday 4-8:30pm mid-May to after Labor Day (7:30p after Labor Day). Features local growers and vendors with handmade products, fresh produce, meat, cheeses, flowers, baked goods, wine, prepared food, as well as artisans. Also visit the Indoor Rockford City Market throughout the year with five small businesses open daily: Crus & Crumbles, Velvet Robot Coffee Lab, Guzel, Quixotic Bakery and 815 Yoga Collective.
9 locals recommend
Rockford City Market
116 N Madison St
9 locals recommend
Every Friday 4-8:30pm mid-May to after Labor Day (7:30p after Labor Day). Features local growers and vendors with handmade products, fresh produce, meat, cheeses, flowers, baked goods, wine, prepared food, as well as artisans. Also visit the Indoor Rockford City Market throughout the year with five small businesses open daily: Crus & Crumbles, Velvet Robot Coffee Lab, Guzel, Quixotic Bakery and 815 Yoga Collective.
Year round! The Beloit, WI local farmers market has become widely known around the southern Wisconsin northern Illinois area. Its a go early or its packed by 10 kind of market. May to October, Saturdays 8am-1pm rain or shine. Winter Crafters and Farmers market runs Saturdays 9am-12pm indoors - April at 557 E Grand Ave., Beloit, WI
6 locals recommend
Beloit Farmer's Market
557 E Grand Ave
6 locals recommend
Year round! The Beloit, WI local farmers market has become widely known around the southern Wisconsin northern Illinois area. Its a go early or its packed by 10 kind of market. May to October, Saturdays 8am-1pm rain or shine. Winter Crafters and Farmers market runs Saturdays 9am-12pm indoors - April at 557 E Grand Ave., Beloit, WI
Nestled in the lightly rolling countryside where Illinois and Wisconsin meet. Enjoy a taste of Tuscany, beautiful scenery and warm hospitality in their tasting room or patio (26 min from house).
DC Estate Winery
8877 State Line Rd
Nestled in the lightly rolling countryside where Illinois and Wisconsin meet. Enjoy a taste of Tuscany, beautiful scenery and warm hospitality in their tasting room or patio (26 min from house).
Ice skating
Rockton Ice Rink
Ice skating
Full service spa with flotation and infrared sauna therapies.
Forest City Float
Full service spa with flotation and infrared sauna therapies.
Carlson Ice Arena features public skating sessions, lesson programs, hockey leagues, and is home to Sapora Playworld. Check out their public skate hours in advance.
Carlson Ice Arena
4150 N Perryville Rd
Carlson Ice Arena features public skating sessions, lesson programs, hockey leagues, and is home to Sapora Playworld. Check out their public skate hours in advance.
Basketball, volleyball, disc golf, pickleball, table tennis ($6 drop-ins). UW Health Sports Factory is one of the largest sports facilities in the Midwest. It is operated by the Rockford Park District. Full-service sports bar/restaurant with 180-degree view over Rock River. Stay active throughout the year with healthy exercise by walking laps, playing basketball, pickleball, or volleyball at UW Health Sports Factory. Drop-in sports programs are offered Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, and during other limited times. Schedules are subject to change - always check our online events calendar for the most up to date information. (If just visiting to get your steps in: $2).
UW Health Sports Factory
305 S Madison St
Basketball, volleyball, disc golf, pickleball, table tennis ($6 drop-ins). UW Health Sports Factory is one of the largest sports facilities in the Midwest. It is operated by the Rockford Park District. Full-service sports bar/restaurant with 180-degree view over Rock River. Stay active throughout the year with healthy exercise by walking laps, playing basketball, pickleball, or volleyball at UW Health Sports Factory. Drop-in sports programs are offered Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, and during other limited times. Schedules are subject to change - always check our online events calendar for the most up to date information. (If just visiting to get your steps in: $2).
CORRECT NAME: Alpine Hills Adventure Park and Golf Center. Urban wonderland where kids and family can scream through zip lines and treetop canopy experience, including dual-racing zips, double decker zips and wobbly suspension bridge.
Snow Park at Alpine Hills
4402 Larson Ave
CORRECT NAME: Alpine Hills Adventure Park and Golf Center. Urban wonderland where kids and family can scream through zip lines and treetop canopy experience, including dual-racing zips, double decker zips and wobbly suspension bridge.
West Rock Wake Park at Levings Lake offers a premier water sports experience. From beginners to experienced waterskiing/wakeboarding - take lessons and get out in the water! No boat needed. Rentals available.
Levings Lake, Rockford, IL 61102, USA
West Rock Wake Park at Levings Lake offers a premier water sports experience. From beginners to experienced waterskiing/wakeboarding - take lessons and get out in the water! No boat needed. Rentals available.
Trolley Car 36 - Catch a free ride by the river on this trolley car during Food Truck Tuesdays or during the Rockford City Market. Look for the marked trolley stops along the river. Can also be chartered for birthdays, anniversaries, wedding days, etc.
324 N Madison St, Rockford, IL 61107, USA
Trolley Car 36 - Catch a free ride by the river on this trolley car during Food Truck Tuesdays or during the Rockford City Market. Look for the marked trolley stops along the river. Can also be chartered for birthdays, anniversaries, wedding days, etc.
Saturday morning tradition May to October, open air market.
North End City Market
Saturday morning tradition May to October, open air market.

Desserts

Pinnon's Foods
2324 N Court St
Large assortment of baked treats and coffee
Mrs. Buckbee's Wake & Bakery
Large assortment of baked treats and coffee
Crust & Crumbles
116 N Madison St
8 locals recommend
Mary's Market Cafe & Bakery
4431 E State St
8 locals recommend
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Treat shop with gourmet popcorn, shakes, snow cones, ice cream, coffee and more.
Flying Pig Treat Shop
431 E Grand Ave
Treat shop with gourmet popcorn, shakes, snow cones, ice cream, coffee and more.

Parks

Beach time in the Midwest
Pearl Lake, South Beloit, IL 61080, USA
Beach time in the Midwest
Beautiful day and night. Also a great spot to park for a walk along the river trail.
31 locals recommend
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
1354 N 2nd St
31 locals recommend
Beautiful day and night. Also a great spot to park for a walk along the river trail.
Definitely worth your time. Also take advantage of brunch at their restaurant in the summer.
44 locals recommend
Anderson Japanese Gardens
318 Spring Creek Rd
44 locals recommend
Definitely worth your time. Also take advantage of brunch at their restaurant in the summer.
19 locals recommend
Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
2715 S Main St
19 locals recommend
Severson Dells Nature Center
8786 Montague Rd
36 locals recommend
Rock Cut State Park
7223 Harlem Rd
36 locals recommend
Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve
5801 Perryville Rd
Kishwaukee Gorge North Forest Preserve
Atwood Mountain Bike Park
Seasonal outdoor family park with water-based rides & attractions plus numerous food concessions - right here in Rockford.
16 locals recommend
Six Flags Magic Waters Waterpark
7820 Cherryvale N Blvd
16 locals recommend
Seasonal outdoor family park with water-based rides & attractions plus numerous food concessions - right here in Rockford.
Nature trail at the confluence of Rock and Pecatonica Rivers with restored prairies, savannas and wetlands (26 min. from the house)
Nygren Wetland Preserve
3714 W Rockton Rd
Nature trail at the confluence of Rock and Pecatonica Rivers with restored prairies, savannas and wetlands (26 min. from the house)
Trail cuts through downtown along the river. 320 miles of Illinois and Wisconsin - for more information see rockrivertrail .com
Rock River Trail, Trinidad and Tobago
Trail cuts through downtown along the river. 320 miles of Illinois and Wisconsin - for more information see rockrivertrail .com
Gorgeous trail worth a walk or ride summer or winter.
The Rock River Rec Bike Path, Rockford, IL, USA
Gorgeous trail worth a walk or ride summer or winter.
Northern Illinois' premier BMX race facility. Beginners and experts welcome at Searls Park.
Rockford BMX
Northern Illinois' premier BMX race facility. Beginners and experts welcome at Searls Park.

Vegetarian and Vegan

Great local brewery and has several vegan options
15 locals recommend
Pig Minds Brewing Co.
4080 Steele Dr.
15 locals recommend
Great local brewery and has several vegan options
Some vegetarian and vegan options
8 locals recommend
GreenFire
6795 E Riverside Blvd
8 locals recommend
Some vegetarian and vegan options
Ripe Life Juice Co.
Thrive Cafe
6731 Broadcast Parkway
Ask for the vegan menu
34 locals recommend
Prairie Street Brewing Co. Events
200 Prairie St
34 locals recommend
Ask for the vegan menu
Sisters Thai Cafe
514 E State St
Vegan options available
6 locals recommend
The Norwegian
1402 N Main St
6 locals recommend
Vegan options available
Vegan options available
Alchemy at Aldeen
Vegan options available