2-Day LGBTQIA+ Rockford Itinerary

Get your day started off right at Crust & Crumbles, where the morning sun lights up this made-from-scratch, artisan bakery. Dig into a breakfast sandwich or a slice of avocado toast topped with an egg any way you like it. Add to that a steaming cup of joe and you’re fueled up for your downtown adventure. 

Let the exploring begin on State Street at Maze Books where shelves are filled with both new and used books. Be sure to check out the LGBTQIA+ section as well as the courtyard out back for a little quiet time. For the metaphysically-minded, a short walk takes you to Infinite Soul Vibrations, where crystals, candles, and gifts add a little zen to your day. Continue to SRM Print Studio & Gift Shop to browse items from Ladyfingers Letterpress, an award-winning queer brand, along with notebooks from an LGBTQIA+ artist in Rockford. 

When you’re ready for lunch, indulge in one of the best fried chicken sandwiches you’ll ever have at Disco Chicken. Choose from 9 different sandwiches, be sure to order a side of tater tots, and add one of their fresh-juice cocktails to wash it all down. After lunch, turn off of State Street and onto Main Street where you find gay-owned JR Kortman Center for Design, an eclectic boutique of art glass, jewelry, toys, folk art, and other interesting home and personal accessories. Make your way upstairs to the Kortman Gallery where you're surrounded by fine art from around the world and a selection of books on art, design, and pop culture.

Speaking of art and pop culture, don’t miss the Sam Kirk Mural, a celebration of self-expression, diversity, and pride with images of women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and underrepresented communities. It’s the perfect backdrop for a photo. Finish your afternoon of discovery at the Burpee Museum of Natural History, where Jane, the world-famous juvenile T. Rex, takes center stage. Discover hands-on displays that bring science to life, from fossils to biodiversity. 

End your day with dinner at Woodfire Rockford, where the menu is “more than just pizza.” Try any of the house-made pastas or, of course, one of their specialty pizzas. The laid-back vibe is ideal for unwinding with a cocktail after a day on your feet. After dinner, make your way to the gay-owned Office Nightclub for music, dancing, karaoke, trivia game night, or drag bingo. And, depending on the night, see a show in their upstairs entertainment lounge. It’s one of the longest running alternative lifestyle bars in the country!

It’s late, so why not spend the night? The Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront & Rockford Conference Center located in downtown Rockford, puts you right in the middle of everything. This repurposed building, once a knitting factory, is a blend of industrial charm and modern comfort, creating the largest and only full-service hotel in the city center.

Day two begins with breakfast at Fresco at the Gardens overlooking your ultimate destination, the Anderson Japanese Gardens. Feast on dishes like steak and eggs or a veggie frittata as you take in “teaser” views of the gardens through floor-to-ceiling windows. After your meal, explore the 15 acres of gardens, streams, waterfalls, winding pathways, and koi-filled ponds. Rated one of North America's highest quality Japanese gardens for more than a decade, plan your visit from May through October for a back-to-nature experience you didn’t know you needed.

A short drive away are the Shops of Edgebrook. Visit B Jones, a trendy high-end women's boutique of today’s fashions, handbags, and jewelry for any occasion. Just a few storefronts away is Eurostyle+, a boutique full of European and American apparel and accessories. Be sure to check out the sale rack in the back of the store for some great bargains. 

Located in the same shopping center, lunchtime is Baker Street Burgers time, where elevated burgers, handhelds, mac and cheese, and fresh salads take on a whole new meaning in this modern, industrial-style space. Ranked #87 on Yelp’s Top 100 Burgers in the U.S, grab a seat at the bar and order one of the ten burgers on the menu with a side of bacon parmesan tater tots. 

Your adventure continues with a drive to the Midway Village Museum, for a taste of Rockford history. Walk through 26 historical buildings in the Victorian Village and discover galleries highlighting the region's industrial past, immigrant stories, and cultural heritage. Don’t miss "The Girls of Summer" exhibit celebrating the Rockford Peaches of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. Made famous by the movie A League of Their Own, see bats, balls, gloves, and more used by the actual team. If time allows, make the 15-minute drive to Beyer Peaches Stadium for a great photo op. 

For dinner, head to Plume, a farm-to-table restaurant with three seating areas: an intimate indoor dining room, the seasonal patio spritz bar, and a lower-level Cellar Dining Room. Choose from more than a dozen small plates, pastas, and large plates. Everything is delicious, so order to your heart’s content. A table in the cellar gives you a front row seat to all of the action of the open kitchen where culinary magic is made.

After dinner, take the short walk to the West Side Show Room, an intimate 75-100 seat theater where tickets are always free and donations are appreciated. Arrive early to enjoy a drink at the lobby bar and chat with other show-goers before settling in for the show. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis so plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before show time. After the show, cap off your night as well as your last day in Rockford with a pint, cocktail, or glass of wine at The Oasis Micro-Pub. Settle in at the bar and reminisce about your two days of non-stop adventures, while planning your next trip to Rockford.

Originally written by Fay Stevenson of OutCoast