What is there to do in/on/or around Rockford, Illinois??
 

Here's the skinny... I'll be flying in O'Hare around the 17th of Nov and probably flying out of O'Hare on the 22nd or 23rd. During this visit I will find myself needing to occupy a bit of time and I don't know that I really trust my driving abilities enough to want to drive my friends' car from Rockford to Chicago for a few hours, but I could definently do that....

I'll be staying in Rockford and I wanted to know what interesting things are around there that I could check out? My friend Aaron assures me there isn't a lot to do, but I know that since I've never been there and it's only an hour outside of Chicago that there must be a good amount of things in/on/or around the darned city... which leads me to this post.

I'll be open to any suggestions or if anyone has a spare moment and wants some company, I'll be happy to abide :)

But I'm just rather curious as to whats there... so if anyone can fill me it, I'd GREATLY appreciate it. Thanks! :)

No, really, you're friend is right. Rockford sucks. (Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.)

EDIT: Here, this is the best I can do in terms of suggesting anything actually in the Rockford area: http://www.rockfordlink.com/index2.htm

Just keep in mind...it's in a place called "Winnebago County" and has a population of 150,116 - it's not exactly a happenin' place ;)

go to chicago -- if you don't trust your driving, I'd bet there was a train that went from rockford to chicago....

I know if you go south to Peoria, you can find some very interesting places...especially down town along the river..

been there, done that--time to relax in paradise..VG

I used to live near there, your friend is right. There is fun to be had a couple hours away in nearly any direction, but it isn't in Rockford. Starved Rock State Park is about 90 miles south and pretty cool. Wisconsin is very cool and immediately north. But honestly, I'd bite the bullet and check out Chicago. Drive into O'Hare or nearby and take public transportation, if you'd rather not drive downtown.

So, the best thing to do in Rockford, Illinois is.... catch a train out of town. :lol:

Brilliant.

lol.... awesome ;) I'm sure I'll be spending a bit of time in Chicago, but there will be a bit of time I need to occupy my own time too. I know there is a bus that runs from the airports right to rockford... and I am oddly looking forward to checking out the "country club" of the small town.. BUT, I'll have to check some other stuff out...

Thanks for the info so far though... I will definently be testing my leetness on the train and bus systems. Should be fun.

http://www.timvp.com/rockfrd2.jpg
Investigate a crime or two while your out there.

<embed src="http://www.kfcplainfield.com/sound/rockford.wav" autostart="TRUE" HIDE="TRUE">

Astrocloud, that's too freakin funny!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Why? Because that song was the first thing that came to my mind after reading the thread title. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Drive to Madison, Wisconsin, and have a good time in a great college town

Gotta say....drive to Madison and have a good time in a college town....or make a similar drive and have a good time in the 3rd largest (and 1st best ;)) city in the nation....nothing against Madison, but..... ;) :p

Go to the west suburbs of Chicago.....you don't even have to go downtown. :) Head to Schaumburg or thereabouts, you can find plenty to do.