Area Attractions

The award-winning exhibit, Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur, explores the history of the young T. rex skeleton found by Burpee researchers in the badlands of Montana, called one of the ten most important dinosaur discoveries in the past 100 years. Also new: The Children's Gallery--a special place for children and families to explore and discover.

Bordered by the Rock River and two major streets in downtown Rockford, Davis Park at Founders Landing marks the site where Rockford's cultural and industrial heritage began. With seven acres of grass and paved walks plus ample parking lots, Davis Park is host to many outdoor festivals, fairs and concerts, and is one of the primary stage sites in Rockford's annual On The Waterfront music festival on Labor Day weekend.

Experience a world of hands-on investigation and fun-filled exploration at this children's museum with 200+ hands-on art and science exhibits, planetarium, TV studio, robotics lab, outdoor science park; special events, traveling exhibits and entertaining classes for children and families.

Late Nineteenth Century village with 26 historical buildings set on 137 acres. Indoor galleries with permanent exhibits on area heritage including the Rockford Peaches baseball team and exhibits describing the city's history, aviation and industry. Special events throughout the year include a World War II re-enactment, Sock Monkey and Scarecrow Harvest Festivals, and other special events. Free recreational path located on property.

Beautiful Illinois state park with two lakes set off the park's 3,092 acres. Pierce Lake, with 162 acres, is a retreat for people wanting to fish, ice fish or ice skate. A second 50-acre Olson Lake is especially for swimmers. Fishing, boat launches, restored prairie and birdwatching, hiking, extensive campgrounds, paddleboat and canoe rental, horse and bike trails, cross-country ski trails and concessions.

Illinois' largest art museum outside of Chicago with over 1,200 works of art; noted for its permanent collection of 19th and 20th Century American art, plus dynamic and changing exhibits featuring regional and national artists. Gift store.

A rare example of Victorian exotic architecture, this 1865 Swiss "cottage," was built by early Rockford industrialist and Rockford mayor Robert Tinker. Parquet floors, ornate woodwork, murals, sculptures, spiral staircase, with the family's original furnishings and belongings in place. Visitors' Center has changing exhibits and gift shop in the restored barn. Special events and monthly family activities focus on early Rockford and Victorian traditions. The Museum recently restored the suspension bridge first built across Kent Creek by Robert Tinker in 1870. The bridge connects to the Railroad Gardens once maintained by Tinker and now being restored. Tinker Swiss Cottage has been marked as a place of historic significance by the Rockford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and as one of the 150 Greatest Places in Illinois by the Illinois American Institute of Architects.