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The island is sometimes accessible on foot at low tide.
Wakae Island Ruins
Sala Silver Mine
World War I Firing Walls
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Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è pasta... E pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
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The Curious History of New England’s Hermit Tourism
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All the United States Illinois Rockford

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Rockford

6 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Rockford, Illinois

Updated January 24, 2024

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Unusual Attractions in Rockford

Rockmen Guardians

Rockford, Illinois

Rockmen Guardians

The city of Rockford, Illinois is symbolically protected by a quartet of fittingly stony sentinels.
Gardens in the Autumn

Rockford, Illinois

Anderson Japanese Gardens

This lush 12-acre site was once named the finest Japanese garden in North America.
Umpire’s view of the diamond at Beyer Park.

Rockford, Illinois

Beyer Stadium

This baseball diamond was home to the Rockford Peaches, a team featured in the hit film "A League of Their Own."
Shot of the lacquered cabinets and custom-built casket used for Forgotten Boneyard display.

Rockford, Illinois

Scavenged Parts Antiques & Oddities

A wondrously macabre treasury of obscure antiques and unusual oddities.
Beattie Park Mound Group Historic Site

Rockford, Illinois

Beattie Park Mound Group Historic Site

This unassuming city park is home to three different types of Native American mounds.
Wandering along the labyrinth is a meditative journey.

Rockford, Illinois

Labyrinth at Womanspace

Walk along the intricate path of this stone labyrinth and gardens.
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Pettit Memorial Chapel

Belvidere, Illinois

Pettit Memorial Chapel

A small cemetery chapel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1906.
12 miles from Rockford
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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

A Feminist Road Trip Across the U.S.

Atlas Obscura has a tradition of exploring the stories of women who changed the world, from wildlife biologists and mountain climbers to Civil War spies and tattoo artists. To celebrate these daring women who struck out on their own, we’ve put together a cross-country road trip. Over 12 stops and more than 3,000 miles, this route will give you a front-row seat to women’s history in America.

View Itinerary

Explore Rockford, Illinois

A
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Rockford Leaderboard

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Places Visited

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Recent Rockford Activity

  • mjh

    wants to go to Scavenged Parts Antiques & Oddities

    3 days ago
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    wants to go to Anderson Japanese Gardens

    3 days ago
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    wants to go to Scavenged Parts Antiques & Oddities

    3 days ago
  • theschroders

    has been to Rockmen Guardians

    3 days ago
  • klk2425

    wants to go to Rockmen Guardians

    2 days ago

Stories About Rockford

Podcast: Secret Places With Ashley Ray

A love letter to an unloved Midwestern town.
by The Podcast Team
June 21, 2023

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