- Diverse Outdoor Recreation: The Chicago area offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including wakeboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and extensive biking trails.
- Inclusive and Unique Experiences: The city of Rockford hosts special events like an adaptive wakeboarding day for individuals with disabilities and cultural workshops at the Anderson Japanese Gardens.
- Family-Friendly Farm and Nature Activities: Visitors can enjoy horseback riding, goat hikes, fruit picking, and serene walks through the beautiful 12-acre Japanese gardens.
- Accessible and Affordable Getaway: Located just 90 minutes from Chicago, Rockford provides a budget-friendly outdoor escape with a variety of options for all travelers.
Rockford, Illinois, is emerging as a wonderful and affordable destination for summer adventure, offering a delightful array of outdoor escapes just 90 minutes from Chicago. This vibrant city provides a surprising mix of high-quality experiences for every type of traveler, from serene nature lovers to thrill-seeking adventurers.
The region is a hub for exciting water sports. West Rock Wake Park, one of the Midwest’s top cable wakeboarding parks, is hosting a remarkable adaptive event in August for individuals with developmental disabilities, beautifully opening up the sport to new audiences. For a more tranquil experience, visitors can paddle the scenic Rock River Water Trail, a designated National Water Trail. The area is also a haven for cyclists, with the new Atwood Trails offering fast and flowy singletrack for all skill levels, and Rock Cut State Park providing miles of scenic mountain biking paths.
Beyond the trails and water, Rockford offers charming family-friendly experiences. Lockwood Park provides horseback riding and a lovely children’s farm, while Gretta’s Goats offers unique goat hikes and farm stays. For a more peaceful retreat, the Anderson Japanese Gardens is a 12-acre oasis of koi ponds and waterfalls, featuring cultural workshops throughout the summer. With so many accessible and budget-friendly options, Rockford is the perfect destination for a refreshing and memorable summer getaway.
