Rockford Named The Perfect Weekend Destination Away From Chicago

Sometimes it's really refreshing to know my hometown is making headlines!

I've grown up in Rockford my entire life.  I know pretty much everything you need to know about this place - at least I like to think so!

As I've gotten older, I've had so many friends and family move out of town because of high crime and more opportunities for work beyond the forest city.

Me?  I'm still around because I do, truly love living here.

You can say all you want that it's the worst place to live in the United States, but it's all about what you make of it and who you surround yourself with in this city that makes it totally worth living in Rockford.

I've never felt unsafe walking around my neighborhood, but others would definitely say otherwise based on the "area" I live in.  It's all about the mindset you have!

Well, according to Matador Network... Rockford is apparently the best weekend escape from Chicago and I'm so happy I found this piece.  They really see the beauty in this city I call home!

The largest city in Illinois outside of the Chicagoland area, Rockford offers beautiful landscapes and plenty of family-friendly adventures that make it a great destination for people who love the outdoors. - Matador Network

 

Not only do they emphasize the outdoors like Rock Cut and Atwood Park, they dive so much deeper into where you can make pit spots at around Rockford to enjoy your time a little more.

From restaurants, to scenic bike paths, to botanical gardens, there's a reason it's a destination they recommend visiting!  Rockford Japanese Gardens is mentioned in this piece, too!

What started as a backyard project for the Anderson family is now one of the top Japanese gardens in the United States. - Matador Network

 

Since we're talking about places all around the Rockford area, I wanted to mention how much I love downtown Rockford.  There's this weird stigma that downtown is such a terrible, scary area.  It's really not!

There are some incredible historical homes in my neighborhood, the nightlife is amazing, the views from all the bars in the area are stunning when the sun sets, and the markets on the weekends are a must!

So, would you vacation for a weekend in Rockford if you didn't live here?  From an outsider's perspective, Rockford seems like a fantastic destination!