3rd Weekend trip to Rockford, IL

Rockford, IL is our "distant" weekend trip this year. It is just under 4.5 hours from Clayton, MO.

"Rockford is ... located in far northern Illinois on the banks of the Rock River." Rockford is "the fifth-most populous city in Illinois as well as the most populous outside the Chicago metro area.
"Settled in the mid-1830s under the initial name of Midway, Rockford became strategic for industrial development, stemming from its location roughly equidistant between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River." from wilkipedia.

HOTEL reservations: I have a block of rooms at the Rockford Radisson. Rockford hotels were more expensive that I expected, and staying near downtown was really expensive. Some option:

Radisson: Mid-price level 200 S Bell School Road. Cost (with taxes) about $150 a night ($129 before taxes). To reserve a room call: 779-513-8228

Other hotel options:
High end: Embassy Suites The Top (downtown near attractions). Rooms start at $216 a night (before taxes). https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/rfdmses-embassy-suites-rockford-riverfront/

Cheaper than Radisson: Comfort Inn (near the Radisson). Rooms start at $84 a night (before taxes) https://www.choicehotels.com/illinois/rockford/comfort-inn-hotels/il070

Planned events: (You are always free to make your own plans to see other things in the area that interest you).
Friday: Rockford History walking tour with Gary Anderson. Meet at Eddie Green Park - 1st Street and East State Street at 5:15 - we'll get dinner after. Cost - it is donation to the Historic River District association - request is $8-$10 per person

Friday Dinner: Woodfire Brick Oven Pizza, https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/664d76b7561e0fe538d9ce7b/67dac7e2c97493ab214acdb6_March%202025%20DInner%20Menu.pdf (BRING CASH or be able to VENMO!)
No reservations on Friday evenings.

Saturday events:

Saturday Breakfast (if you need it): Machine Shed Restaurant

9:00am! an early one: Frank Lloyd Wright Laurent House (only FLW house designed for the disabled) - cost: $18-$20; 4646 Spring Brook Road
10:45am: Midway Village and History Museum: Cost $10 ($14 if we add the Victorian Living History Museum on to the regular museum); 6799 Guilford Road
OR Nordic Cultural Center with Erlander House (working on this one); 327 S 3rd St

Saturday lunch: Baker Street Burger, https://bakerstreetburgers.com/food-menu/

3:00pmTinker Swiss Cottage House Museum: Cost: $10; 411 Kent Street
4:30: Ethnic Heritage Museum (featuring galleries on the African-Americans, Hispanic, Irish, Italian, Lithuanian, and Polish people who helped establish Rockford. Plus the Graham-Ginestra House. Museum: $7; House: $5; Both: $9; 1129 S Main St

Saturday dinner: Thunder Bay Grille, https://thunderbaygrille.com/rockford/ Reservations for 14 @ 7PM (815) 397-4800

Sunday breakfast (if you need it): Sunrise Family Restaurant

Sunday: St Stanislaus Annual Polish Festival of Rockford; 201 Buckbee St