Chaplin Creek Village 1715 Whitney Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031, Located 32 Miles South-Southwest, 815-456-2382, Chaplin Creek Village, founded and supported by the Franklin Grove Area Historical Society, is an evolving, full-scale historical restoration project depicting a mid-19th century prairie village. Visitors can view relocated area historical buildings including a blacksmith shop, saltbox-style home, country schoolhouse, and an English Style Barn. Chaplin Creek Village serves as the home of the Franklin Grove Area Historical Society, the Chaplin Creek Muzzle Loaders, and the Illinois Atlatl Association.  more...

Magic Waters Waterpark 7820 North CherryVale Boulevard, Rockford, IL 61016, Cherry Valley, 815-332-3260, The midwest's largest public water park, with SplashBlaster water coaster, wave pool, body slides, tube slides, SplashMagic River, Little Lagoon, Caribbean SplashMagic Island, sand volleyball, lounge chairs, lockers, concessions, and picnic areas.Two Dark intertube, The Abyss more... 

Franklin Creek Grist Mill 1893 Twist Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031, Located 32 Miles South-Southwest, 815-456-2718, The Franklin Creek Grist Mill, located in the Franklin Creek State Natural Area, is a regional landmark built near the site of the old mill originally built by Reverend Joseph Emmert and his son-in-law Christian Lahman in 1847. Visitors can experience 19th century heavy-timber type construction, and also, meet and visit with the mill builders and operators, and enjoy displays and learning activities at the "largest and most complete" grist mill in Lee County. more...

Graham-Ginestra House (circa 1857) 1115 South Main Street, Rockford, IL 61101, 815-968-6044, An Italianate limestone house, with ceiling murals, parquet floors, pocket doors, stained glass, curved staircase, carriage house, stables, and English garden.  

H.I. Lincoln Building (circa 1860) 136 North Elm Street, Franklin Grove, IL 61031, Located 32 Miles South-Southwest, 815-456-3030, Built by Henry Isaac Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's cousin, for the purpose of being a dry goods store, this restored building would later become a post office and then the home of the Franklin Reporter. Lincoln Hall is host to several functions and it is the National Headquarters for the Lincoln Highway Association.

John Deere Historic Site 8393 South Main in Grand Detour, Dixon, IL 61021, Located 36 Miles Southwest, 815-652-4551, Visitors of the John Deere Historic Site can view the home John Deere built in 1836. Rooms are furnished just as the Deere family would have enjoyed them. Household objects show how they would have cooked, cleaned, bathed, and spent leisure hours. You can also watch a blacksmith work in a replica of the blacksmith's shop. An archaeological exhibit shows the site of John Deere's original blacksmith shop. more...

Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home 816 South Hennepin Avenue; P.O. Box 816, Dixon, IL 61021, Located 36 Miles Southwest, 815-288-5176, Open March through October, this restored home was where the Reagan family lived from 1920-1923. There is a gift shop and a visitor center. more...

Stephen Mack Home & Whitman Trading Post 2221 Freeport Road, Rockford, IL 61072, 815-877-6100, Built in 1835 by fur trader Stephen Mack, this is one of the area's first settlements. more... 

Burpee Museum of Natural History 813 North Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103, 815-965-3433, Explore dinosaur, fossils, animals, plants, minerals, and Native American exhibits. 

Discovery Center Museum 711 North Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103, Riverfront Museum Park, 815-963-6769, The first outdoor Science park in the United States has exhibits on sound water and weather. 

Erlander Home Swedish-American Museum 404 South Third Streets, Rockford, IL 61104, 815-963-5559, Built for a Swedish family in 1871 this home and museum holds many artifacts and the Swedish decor or come for Midsommer's Dag in mid June or Lucia Fest in early December. Open Sundays 1-4p.m. 

Ethnic Heritage Museum 1129 South Main Street, Rockford, IL 61101, 815-962-7402, A museum dedicated to depicting the roles of six ethnic groups which played a role in area history: African-American, Hispanic, Irish, Italian, Lithuanian and Polish.  

J.R. Kortman Center for Design 107 North Main Street, Rockford, IL 61101, 815-968-0123, A two-story art gallery featuring works by area artists. 

Midway Village and Museum Center 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, IL 61107, 815-397-9112, The village features 24-restored and furnished homes, shops, and businesses from midwestern time. Costumed guides. 

Riverfront Museum Park 711 North Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103, 815-962-0105, Home of the Discovery Center Museum, Rockford Art Museum, Storefront Cinema, Northern Illinois Public Radio, Rockford Dance Company and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra offices.  

Rockford Art Museum 711 North Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103, 815-968-2787, Launched in 1913, the Rockford Art Museum has grown to become an Established Regional Arts Insitituion as designated by the Illinois Arts Council. Offering contemporary art exhibitions and a vareity of educational opportunities. Art classes and lectures are also held throughout the year.  more... 

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum 411 Kent Street, Rockford, IL 61102, 815-964-2424, A Swiss style Victorian home built in 1865. 

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum 411 Kent St., Rockford, IL 61102, 815-964-2424, A rare example of Victorian "exotic" architecture, this 1865 Swiss "cottage" was built by an early Rockford industrialist. Featuring parquet floors, ornate woodwork, murals, sculptures, the family's original furnishings, belongings and archives. Also features restored heirloom rose garden.  more... 

Anderson Gardens 340 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, IL 61107, 815-229-9390, A Japanese garden offering over eight acres of ponds, waterfalls, paths and quiet corners for contemplation, Japanese koi, Chinese grass carp, native aquatic life, granite lanters, Sukiya-style tea house and guest house, moon bridge, stone pagoda, water basins. Also has a cafe and gift shop. more... 

Anderson Japanese Gardens 340 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, IL 61107, 815-877-2525, Nine acres of water falls, Koi ponds, quiet corners and a 16th-century-style tea house. 

Davis Park 211 N Main Street, Rockford, IL 61101, South Wyman and Chestnut Streets, 815-963-8111, A seven-acre park along the river. Brownbag fish and a 12-mile recreational path for running, bike riding, and roller blading.

Klehm Arboretum and Botanical Garden 2701 Clifton Avenue, Rockford, IL 61102, 815-965-8146, 155 acres of rare and unusual trees and shrubs on a 1.5 mile trail. 

Rockford Speedway 9500 Forest Hills Road, Rockford, IL 61111, 815-633-1500, Nascar stock car racing and novelty racing take place on Saturdays April-October, and Wednesdays May-mid-August. 

Severson Dells Environmental Education Center 8786 Montague Road, Rockford, IL 61102, 815-335-2915, Nature preserve featuring 369 unspoiled acres with an unusual 90% concentration of native wildflowers. The Butterfly Garden has 56 types of plants that appeal to butterflies and hummingbirds. Offers paved path, trails, and gift shop. more... 

Sinnissippi Gardens, Greenhouse, and Lagoon 1300 North Second Street, Rockford, IL 61108, 815-987-8858, A large floral clock, gardens, lagoon, arboretum, and a greenhouse. 

Forest City Queen at Riverview Park 324 North Madison Street, Rockford, IL 61107, 815-987-8894, Excursion boat offering a variety of cruises on the Rock River such as sightseeing cruises, dinner cruises, and lunch water-ski shows.