Apollo Activity Center

The Apollo is an all-purpose activity center, featuring a renovated historic 1912 theater.

CITY: Belvidere

Belvidere Cemetery and Pettit Memorial Chapel

Established in 1847, this is the burial ground for Belvidere's illustrious pioneers. Want to go right to a Frank Lloyd Wright landmark? Visit the Pettit Memorial Chapel.

CITY: Belvidere

Petit Memorial Chapel

Petit Memorial Chapel, located in Belvidere Cemetery, was designed by Frank Llyod Wright and erected in 1907. Brochures available for self-guided historic tours. Open daily, 8am - sunset. Tours available by appointment.

CITY: Belvidere

Boone County Historical Museum

Explore this varied collection of local memorabilia. The museum includes a log home, Civil War artifacts, a natural history room, historic dolls, clothes, tools and transportation ranging from a 1906 Eldredge Runabout to Belvidere's first Chrysler.

CITY: Belvidere

Exclusively Yours Leiza-George

A shopping experience like no other, this store has floor-to-ceiling gifts from around the would. Its specialties include handmade oak and Amish furniture, jewelry, linens, cards, Christmas items and more.

CITY: Belvidere

Tom Guirl's Beaver Creek Pottery

Find skillfully handmade and kiln-fired pottery to decorate your home.

CITY: Belvidere

Frank Lloyd Wright Pettit Memorial Chapel

Take a free self-guided tour of the Chapel, located in the Belvidere Cemetery, which was built in 1907 in memory of a local doctor.

CITY: Belvidere

Byron Civic Center

Musicals, comedies and mysteries are performed August-May at this civic center located in Byron High School.

CITY: Byron

A.G. Spalding: From Byron to the Big Leagues Exhibit

Located at the Byron Museum of History, this exhibit features Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Albert Spalding, from his youth in Byron to his league pitching career and the founding of the Spalding Sporting Goods Company.

CITY: Byron

Byron Natural History Museum

This natural history museum displays prairies, woodlands, wetlands and other interesting exhibits illustrating life as it existed hundreds of years ago in Northern Illinois. Be sure to make a stop at the museum gift shop.

CITY: Byron

Byron Museum Of History & Lucius Read House

The Byron Museum Complex consists of a large Exhibit Hall and the historic Lucius Read House, which was on the Underground Railroad and is a listed site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. The Read House features a permanent exhibit entitled, ‘From Shackles to Freedom: The Underground Railroad’ which shines a spotlight on Byron’s participation in the Underground Railroad. We are happy to accommodate group tours outside regular hours. Tours are free and are self-guided or a docent can be arranged. We also have ample meeting space available.

CITY: Byron

Paulson's Agriculture Museum of Argyle

Home of the largest and best collection of farm equipment and antiquites of yesteryear. Over 700 cast iron implement seats, 50 antique tractors, windmills, windmill weights, and antique washing machines. Wagons, spreaders, cultivators, planters, and the most extensive collection of Rockford, Illinois-made Emerson Brandingham equipment. A model tractor and toy collection is as large as it is unique. Individual tours available. The main building is heated and available all year round for weddings, birthdays, social gatherings, or auctions.

CITY: Caledonia

Lincoln Highway Interpretive Mural - Genoa

The Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition has produced many Interpretive Murals along the Illinois Lincoln Highway National Scenic Byway and its corridor in northern Illinois. The Genoa mural depicts the history, heritage, and events of the highway and its impact on Genoa and the other communities along the Illinois route.

CITY: Genoa

Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society

In 1977, the Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society was formed to bring together area people who had an interest in local and regional history and its preservation.

CITY: Genoa

Garnhart's Oliver Museum

Explore the largest Oliver Hart-Parr collection in the Midwest, including farm toys, advertising, and collectibles dating back to 1860, and real antique tractors and machinery. Bus and group tours are available, but should be scheduled in advance.

CITY: German Valley

White Pines Dinner Theater

Entertainment abounds with a dinner theater sporting musical comedies and murder mystery plays. Groups large or small. Call for reservations located in the beautiful White Pines Forest State Park.

CITY: Mount Morris

Jeff Adams "Images In Bronze"

Fine art gallery / sculptor, Jeff Adams studio. Tour full-service casting facility. Saturday by appointment.

CITY: Mount Morris

White Pines Inn Gift Shop

Charming country gift shop that's chock full of jellies, jams, quilts, and country decor. Located in log building in White Pine Forest State Park.

CITY: Mount Morris

Eagles Nest Gifts and Gallery

Beautifully crafted silver jewelry, Minnetonka moccasins, log furniture, and an outstanding art gallery filled with sculptures and pottery can be found at the Eagles Nest.

CITY: Oregon

Slip and Slurry Pottery

Full working pottery studio and store for 24 years, stoneware and porcelain.

CITY: Oregon

Pec Playhouse Theatre

Performances produced by people dedicated to proividing quality community theatre in an intimate, rustic venue.

CITY: Pecatonica

Atwood Park War Memorial

The memorials here are a tribute to veterans of the Vietnam War, Korean War, Gulf War and World War II. The war memorials are the only ones built in the U.S. by youth, constructed by Boy Scouts of Troop 312 Rochelle as Eagle Projects.

CITY: Rochelle

Krafty Korner - Located inside R & D Do It Best Hardware

Unique gift items including, paintings from Spain, tractor collectables, yard art, candles, glass work, specialty items, and hard-to-find gift ideas.

CITY: Rochelle

Rock Run Peddler

A quaint red cottage with a unique gathering of primitives, folk art, florals, and garden decor. Also seasonal garden to enjoy.

CITY: Rock City

MetroCentre

Hosts a variety of world-class entertainment: concerts from the biggest stars in music and comedy, circuses, rodeos, motor sports, family shows. Home to three different sports teams: ice hockey, indoor football and indoor soccer.

CITY: Rockford

Riverfront Museum Park

Arts and humanities complex housing Discovery Center Museum, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford Dance Company office and studies, Northern Illinois Public Radio offices and Rockford Symphony Orchestra offices.

CITY: Rockford

Bengt Sjostrom Theatre & Studio Theatre

Newly renovated, stunning open-air theater with retractable roof, home to Starlight Theatre, the area's oldest summer theatre, and to RVC's annual Shakespeare Festival. The Studio Theatre provides a venue for amateur and student productions.

CITY: Rockford

Summer Wood Amphitheatre

Outdoor performances by nationally known, Christian-oriented artists at the largest outdoor Christian amphitheater in the Midwest. Family-oriented environment with children's programs, free admission to most events, and sign language interpretation.

CITY: Rockford

Rockford College Performing Arts Department

Four productions per year in Clark Arts Center's Maddox and Cheek Theatres, performed by theater students, plus student-directed 3-Penny Theater productions, the Rockford College Forum Series, and Common Destines programs.

CITY: Rockford

Camp Grant Museum and Command Post Restaurant

Memorabilia of Rockford's Camp Grant, U.S. Army induction and training camp during World Wars I and II. The museum, an original building of Camp Grant, houses the Command Post restaurant and contains postcards, pictures, and memorabilia of the camp along with Rockford postcards.

CITY: Rockford

Rockford Art Museum

Part of the Riverfront Museum Park, the Rockford Art Museum features an eclectic collection of 20th century American artworks. Discover pieces by self-taught African American artists, American Impressionist paintings and modern art glass. Changing exhibits feature regional and national artists.

CITY: Rockford

Coronado Performing Arts Center

See a play or musical performance at the wonderfully ornate Coronado Performing Arts Center, which was once a 1920s movie palace and vaudeville hall. The Coronado still features its original whimsical details, such as gilded Spanish castles, Chinese dragons in relief on the walls and a faux starry sky. Coronado Performing Arts Center is the venue for many performing arts groups and traveling shows.

CITY: Rockford

Anderson Japanese Gardens

Rockford's 12-acre, "pond-strolling" Japanese garden is acclaimed as one of the top two authentic formal Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Winding paths, serene waterfalls, Sukiya-style buildings, and a gift shop selling authentic Japanese crafts make the gardens a must-see.

CITY: Rockford

Storefront Cinema

Weekend showcase for the finest in foreign, independent and classic films; children's international film festival in spring.

CITY: Rockford

Jane Addams International Peace Garden

This peace garden honors Rockford College alumna and Nobel laureate Jane Addams. The garden is located at Fisher Chapel on the grounds of Rockford College.

CITY: Rockford

Rockford Dance Company

Established in 1972, Rockford Dance Company pursues excellence in the art of dance through performance, education and outreach. A full season of dance is performed by company members, guest artist from around the world, and students from RDC’s school of dance. This ballet school also offers classes in modern, jazz, and tap and a recreational division full of many other unique dance genres.

CITY: Rockford

Discovery Center Museum

Named one of the top 12 children's museums in the nation by Forbes in 2012, here kids can explore more than 250 hands-on art and science exhibits, a planetarium, TV studio, robotics lab and the Tot Spot for toddlers. Discovery Center also boasts the nation's first community-built outdoor science park, the Rock River Discovery Park, featuring a two-story maze, water play area and dinosaur fossil dig.

CITY: Rockford

Midway Village Museum

The museum campus consists of a Victorian village with 26 historical buildings filled with artifacts of the era as well as several beautiful 19th century gardens that depict life in northern Illinois from 1890 to 1910. Interpreters in authentic period dress are available seasonally for guided tours. The main museum building holds large group meeting rooms and exhibit space with a number of permanent exhibits reflecting Rockford's history and culture that include The Girls of Summer: Rockford Peaches of the AAGPBL, Queen City of the Prairies: Rockford's First 20 Years and The Missing Link: Socks, Monkeys and Rockford's Industrial Past. Special events throughout the year include a World War II re-enatment, Sock Monkey and Scarecrow Harvest Festivals, and more. Free recreational path located on property.

CITY: Rockford

Kryptonite

A downtown bar made for socializing featuring jazz, folk, light rock and a variety of music. The upper mezzanine offers comfortable lounge seating and the club features wine and gourmet pizza.

CITY: Rockford

Beattie Park

Downtown park on the banks of the Rock River. Site of several Native American "Effigy Mounds," which have been preserved, and home to Rockford Artists Fair.

CITY: Rockford

Rockford Symphony Orchestra

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra has been serving Northern Illinois for more than 75 years and has a strong tradition of presenting classical and contemporary orchestral music of the highest caliber in Rockford's beautiful and awe-inspiring Coronado Theatre. Nationally known guest artists frequently serve as soloists for RSO concerts, adding tremendous variety and diversity to each season. In addition to a wonderful array of Classics and Pops Concerts, each season the Rockford Symphony also presents The Nutcracker in collaboration with the Rockford Dance Company. The Rockford Symphony Orchestra also brings the joy of music to thousands of students each year through its comprehensive educational programming, including Youth Concerts and the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra. In 2007, the RSO was named the Illinois Orchestra of the Year.

CITY: Rockford

Rockford College Art Gallery

Six exhibitions per year featuring local and national artists, including Rockford College students and faculty.

CITY: Rockford

J.R. Kortman Center for Design

Upscale shop and gallery, in downtown Rockford.

CITY: Rockford

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center

Since 1884, the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center (MPAC) has been offering exciting, personal, interactive music experiences to the northern Illinois area. MPAC presents several exciting concert series with local, national and internationally-renowned performers, from genres including classical, jazz, folk and Broadway.

CITY: Rockford

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens

Tinker Swiss Cottage is a historic house museum located in the heart of Rockford, Illinois. The museum complex contains the historic house museum, barn, and carriage house from the Tinker family. In addition, the property is the home of the founding site of Rockford and contains a Pre-Columbian Native American conical mound. Robert Tinker's inspiration for the Cottage came during his tour of Europe in 1862, where he fell in love with the architecture of Switzerland. In 1865, Robert began building his Swiss Cottage on the limestone bluff overlooking Kent Creek.Robert surrounded his Swiss Cottage with over 27 acres of trees, vines, winding pathways, flowerbeds, and gardens. A three-story Swiss inspired barn was added to the property which housed cows, chickens, and horses.

CITY: Rockford

Studio Theatre at Rock Valley College

During the fall and spring semesters, Rock Valley College sponsors a Studio Theatre program, giving students and amateur actors in the area a chance to perform with guest professionals in plays such as Wings, Black Coffee, and 1940's Radio Hour. Each year the Studio Theatre presents a William Shakespeare classic. The Studio Theatre also has a new play development program with productions that have included American Rock!, Kite's Book, and Christmas With the Conroys.

CITY: Rockford

Burpee Museum of Natural History

The award-winning "Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur" exhibit explores the history of the museum's young T. rex skeleton on display that has been called one of the 10 most important dinosaur discoveries of the past 100 years. Visitors can also view the skull of Homer, a juvenile Triceratops, and see Burpee staff members working on his bones in the lab. Other exhibits include a coal forest with simulated thunderstorms, a Native American exhibit with a full-size wigwam, and rotating traveling exhibits in the new Woodward Hall. Don't miss Burpee's annual PaleoFest in March.

CITY: Rockford

Erlander Home Museum

The cultural centerpiece of Rockford's Swedish-ancestry community, Erlander Home Museum is located in Rockford's first brick home, built by John and Inga Stina Erlander family in 1871. Restored to its original Victorian decor, the twelve-room home features collections that include Rockford-made furniture, a renowned collection of more than 50 dolls created by Charlotte Weibull and many artifacts recalling Swedish immigration to northern Illinois and Rockford's Swedish heritage. Don't miss the Midsommar festival in mid-June; the First Annual KUBB Tournament in early June; Julmarknad in late November; Lucia in early December; Camp Sweden, a youth camp, in July; Swedish language classes offered in the fall and spring.

CITY: Rockford

Ethnic Heritage Museum

Six nationalities that helped shape the cultural region are represented in this home museum, built in 1850. Located in the heart of the old water power district, the house features a room for each ethnic group it represents: African American, Irish, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, and Hispanic. Call to confirm hours and admission fees.

CITY: Rockford

Rockford Art Museum

Part of the Riverfront Museum Park, the Rockford Art Museum features an eclectic collection of 20th century American artworks. Discover pieces by self-taught African American artists, American Impressionist paintings and modern art glass. Changing exhibits feature regional and national artists.

CITY: Rockford

Starlight Theatre at Rock Valley College

The area's oldest outdoor summer theatre with four musical productions in June and July. Starlight's home, the Bengt Sjostrom Theatre, features more than a thousand seats, a stunningly artistic and creative retractable roof, new seating and an improved stage. Starlight Theatre has been named one of Illinois' 150 Great Places by the American Institute of Architects, Illinois Council. This prestigious award is given to places that have been identified by leading architects as contributing to their communities' quality of life.

CITY: Rockford

Artists' Ensemble Theatre

Artists's Ensemble is a thriving theater group that offers five professional productions a year in the Clark Arts Center at Rockford College. Tickets are available by phone or online.

CITY: Rockford

The Office Niteclub

Located in downtown Rockford’s historic River District, The Office offers dancing, drag shows, karaoke and an outdoor patio in warm-weather months.

CITY: Rockford

Macktown Living History Education Center

Built in 1834 on the Pecatonica River by fur trader Stephen Mack, one of the area's first settlers. See the walnut cradle Mack made for his children, plus Native American artifacts, donated by Mack's descendents. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Macktown is where Stephen Mack, his Native American wife, Hononegah, and the people who inhabited the village conducted their daily business. Remnants of 8,000 years of Native American occupation of this same site can be seen. Stephen Mack’s Home and the Whitman Trading Post still stand, and a reconstruction of the village is being undertaken, including the disassembly of the 2-story shop and schoolroom to be rebuilt at its original site. There are many historic and prehistoric artifacts in the Education Center.

CITY: Rockton

Historic Auto Attractions

More than 70 historic autos including presidential limousines, Al Capone's car and movie cars such as the Batmobile, PLUS hundreds of "pieces of history" and constantly changing exhibits make this museum a step above the standard auto museum.

CITY: Roscoe