Enjoying Rockford for the Holidays

Nicholas Conservatory is an 11,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor facility filled with beautiful botanical exhibits, ranging from orchids and butterflies to papaya, sugarcane, and much more. The Sinnissippi Park Rose Garden and the Eclipse Lagoon, which is longer than a football field, are outside, and during the winter the lagoon freezes over, transforming into a giant public skating rink and ice hockey destination. The Conservatory’s onsite restaurant, the Hibiscus Bistro, is a great place to grab a bite and reenergize during a busy winter day.

When you’re not busy enjoying the holidays in one of our local Rockford rentals, make a day trip to Rock Cut State Park. Located approximately 10 miles northeast of the city, Rock Cut State Park is an excellent place to enjoy nature all year round. Spread over more than 3,000 acres, the park contains two lakes, 40 miles of hiking trails, and 23 miles of bike trails. Just about any activity you can think of is available, including land-based equestrian and cross-country skiing excursions, along with a wide variety of opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and ice skating.

If you’re a history buff, looking for a holiday historical fix, you’ll love the Midway Village and Museum Center. This 146-acre campus includes the 15,000-square-foot Museum Center, where the history of Rockford and the surrounding area can be relived through exhibits dedicated to the city’s agricultural, industrial, and sports history. We also highly recommend the Victorian Village, which contains more than two dozen historical buildings that depict life in Rockford in the early 20th century.

Housed in the original home of the Rockford Brewing Company, the Prairie Street Brewhouse continues Rockford’s rich brewing tradition. Here you’ll find a variety of tasty ales, lagers, and porters, as well as wines, specialty cocktails, and a full lunch and dinner menu featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. And if you’re interested in expanding your visit, the Brewhouse offers special events such as yoga, pinball, and special five-course dinners that pair delicious food with Prairie Street’s very own brewhouse beers.

Visitors to the Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden will find far more than just flowers. In fact, there are eight separate gardens here, along with 1.8 miles of paved trails and 2.5 miles of easy woodland paths. Guests can stroll through the grounds at their leisure or take a guided tour aboard the Klehm shuttle bus. The Nancy Olsen Children’s Garden is an ideal spot for families and holiday pictures, as is the Rhododendron and Azalea Dell. There is even a large vegetable garden that provides food for local food pantries.

Ready to enjoy Rockford in the wintertime and see some fantastic properties for rent and purchase while you’re at it? Contact our Rockford real estate company today and let us know what you’re looking for. With decades of collective experience serving Rockford renters and homebuyers, our team will exceed your expectations.