The Rockford area is known as an outdoor destination, especially in the non-winter months. Numerous forest preserves surround the Kishwaukee River valley, five miles southeast of the downtown area. Rock Cut State Park is located within the county to the northeast. Both the Rockford Park District and Winnebago County Forest Preserve District own and operate numerous golf courses as well.
Rockford's Anderson Japanese Gardens has been ranked the top Japanese garden in North America. Hoichi Kurisu designed the garden. The Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden is also a popular attraction.
Burpee Museum of Natural History, located just north of downtown, is home to Jane the Rockford T-Rex. The Discovery Center Museum contains a large and well-respected interactive children's science exhibit. The Rockford Art Museum completes the entire museum campus.
Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center is the oldest continuous community music organization in the United States. It exists to provide quality music for all people of the northern Illinois region through live performances by local and world-renowned artists.
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