Downtown Rockford is split by the Rock River. The east side is the ideal area to stay if you want to tick the city’s attractions off your list like the Burpee Museum of Natural History and the Rockford Art Center. This side of Downtown also offers an excellent choice of restaurants and bars for foodies and night owls.
The west side of Downtown is slightly quieter and more low-key, yet it still feels very much central to the city. Home to the Rockford City Market, The Standard events venue, and a number of other alternative establishments, this side of the river is definitely much cooler and more unique.
Alternatively, if you’re feeling compelled to a bigger city, there’s also the possibility of staying in Chicago or Madison, which can be reached in just a few hours from Rockford.
Of course, there are also many hotels, guest houses, and B&Bs on the outskirts of Rockford that could offer a quiet and scenic city escape. The shores of Lake Michigan are only a few hours’ drive away too.
