Food Scene
Rockford has become something of a foodie destination over the past few years. This is one of our favorite casual places to eat.
Ramona's Table
17 Squires Street Square NERockford has become something of a foodie destination over the past few years. This is one of our favorite casual places to eat.
Yes, it's a brewery. Yes, the have received national recognition for their craft beers. But it's also right on the trail and the restaurant they opened in 2017 may be the best in the city.
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Rockford Brewing Company
12 E Bridge St NEYes, it's a brewery. Yes, the have received national recognition for their craft beers. But it's also right on the trail and the restaurant they opened in 2017 may be the best in the city.
Think Shake Shack. Hand made burgers and crinkle cut fries. A no–nonsense menu... order one, two or three patties and whatever toppings you like. Oh yeah, there's other stuff on the menu, too.
Bridge Street Burger Shack
51 E Bridge St NEThink Shake Shack. Hand made burgers and crinkle cut fries. A no–nonsense menu... order one, two or three patties and whatever toppings you like. Oh yeah, there's other stuff on the menu, too.
A Grand Rapids tradition for generations, the Rockford location opened a few years ago. Smack in the middle of downtown, serving Madcap Coffee (look it up) and, for those with little will power, locally handmade chocolates that the family has been making for decades,
Sweetland Chocolates & Coffee
9 N Main StA Grand Rapids tradition for generations, the Rockford location opened a few years ago. Smack in the middle of downtown, serving Madcap Coffee (look it up) and, for those with little will power, locally handmade chocolates that the family has been making for decades,
Coffee? They roast their own beans. Huge breakfast rolls? Handmade on premises (the pecan rolls are served Friday and Saturday... don't miss that). Sandwiches? Yes, served on homemade rolls and often with meat smoked at the shop. Bagel dogs? Yes, and nobody else has bagel dogs. They were featured on Good Morning America because Ginger Zee loves them so much. There's also handmade fudge and chocolates, smoked meats, ribs and chicken wings and other daily treats. There's probably a lot more that I forgot, but we promise this is a really unique and special experience.
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Herman's Boy
220 Northland Dr NECoffee? They roast their own beans. Huge breakfast rolls? Handmade on premises (the pecan rolls are served Friday and Saturday... don't miss that). Sandwiches? Yes, served on homemade rolls and often with meat smoked at the shop. Bagel dogs? Yes, and nobody else has bagel dogs. They were featured on Good Morning America because Ginger Zee loves them so much. There's also handmade fudge and chocolates, smoked meats, ribs and chicken wings and other daily treats. There's probably a lot more that I forgot, but we promise this is a really unique and special experience.
After serving Rockford for decades, the Corner Bar suffered a devastating fire in August 2017 in which, ironically, only a single corner of the building survived. They've reopened with an eclectic new space and the casual atmosphere that has made it a Rockford Tradition. Whether it's a meal, sandwiched or their famous hot dogs (there's a wall with nearly 6,000 names of people who have successfully eaten 12 or more at one sitting), you won't go wrong. Locally owned, well–trained staff. It's the quintessential Rockford experience.
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Rockford Corner Bar
31 N Main StAfter serving Rockford for decades, the Corner Bar suffered a devastating fire in August 2017 in which, ironically, only a single corner of the building survived. They've reopened with an eclectic new space and the casual atmosphere that has made it a Rockford Tradition. Whether it's a meal, sandwiched or their famous hot dogs (there's a wall with nearly 6,000 names of people who have successfully eaten 12 or more at one sitting), you won't go wrong. Locally owned, well–trained staff. It's the quintessential Rockford experience.
Essentials
Groceries, gas, a Starbucks, a deli, clothing, housewares, do–it–yourself stuff and everything else. Open 24 hours.
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Meijer
2799 10 Mile Rd NEGroceries, gas, a Starbucks, a deli, clothing, housewares, do–it–yourself stuff and everything else. Open 24 hours.
Family Fare Supermarket
1415 Fulton St EFood and pharmacy. Open until midnight.
Sightseeing
It's a dam. It powered the first electric lights in the City. Over the years, the city has built an stunning series of parks, overlooks and gazebos. It's what a small town park should look like.
Isibonelo se-Rockford Dam Overlook
215 N Main StIt's a dam. It powered the first electric lights in the City. Over the years, the city has built an stunning series of parks, overlooks and gazebos. It's what a small town park should look like.
Parks & Nature
It's paved. It's flat. It used to be a railroad track. It runs along the river and through downtown. South of the city and across the old railroad trestle bridge, it will connect you to family parks and playgrounds, a dog park, and some graffiti under the highway bridge
White Pine Trail Trailhead
It's paved. It's flat. It used to be a railroad track. It runs along the river and through downtown. South of the city and across the old railroad trestle bridge, it will connect you to family parks and playgrounds, a dog park, and some graffiti under the highway bridge
Entertainment & Activities
It's just 4 miles north of the house. A small–town theater with low prices, cheap popcorn and no THX or IMAX.
Rockford's Northstar Cinema
11699 Northland Drive NortheastIt's just 4 miles north of the house. A small–town theater with low prices, cheap popcorn and no THX or IMAX.
The Whitecaps, a Division A farm team of the Detroit Tigers play here from April until they win the Midwest Championship in September. The games are fun and unpredictable, plus you can order a pork chop sandwich at the concession stand. What's not to like?
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West Michigan Whitecaps
4500 W River Dr NEThe Whitecaps, a Division A farm team of the Detroit Tigers play here from April until they win the Midwest Championship in September. The games are fun and unpredictable, plus you can order a pork chop sandwich at the concession stand. What's not to like?
A big multiplex about 10 miles south of Rockford. It has THX and Dolby and an IMAX and you pay more money for tickets and popcorn, but it's an immersive experience. Plus you can order tickets online. Lots of restaurants on premises and nearby.
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Celebration! Cinema Grand Rapids North & IMAX
2121 Celebration Dr NEA big multiplex about 10 miles south of Rockford. It has THX and Dolby and an IMAX and you pay more money for tickets and popcorn, but it's an immersive experience. Plus you can order tickets online. Lots of restaurants on premises and nearby.
If you are lucky enough to be in town during the ten weeks of summer from June to August, it is also the Tuesday night home of the Rogue River Blues Series, featuring great local and regional acts. On Thursday nights, a community open mike night that has really upped its game over the past few years. On Sundays, there's Praise in the Park, where local churches take turns singing and rocking their praises. And there are lots of places nearby to go before or after the events.
Garden Club Park
White Pine Trail State ParkIf you are lucky enough to be in town during the ten weeks of summer from June to August, it is also the Tuesday night home of the Rogue River Blues Series, featuring great local and regional acts. On Thursday nights, a community open mike night that has really upped its game over the past few years. On Sundays, there's Praise in the Park, where local churches take turns singing and rocking their praises. And there are lots of places nearby to go before or after the events.
Arts & Culture
Its free, open most afternoons and features a concise and well–displayed history of this former logging and leather tannery town. Won't take more than an hour to get through, maybe less. One block east of Main Street.
Rockford Area Historical Museum
21 S Monroe St NEIts free, open most afternoons and features a concise and well–displayed history of this former logging and leather tannery town. Won't take more than an hour to get through, maybe less. One block east of Main Street.
Drinks & Nightlife
Live music on the weekends and some other times. Full menu of comfort and tavern foods. Tavern refreshments as well. It's the place to go if you want to see real Rockfordites hanging out after dark.
Rogue River Tavern
4 N Main StLive music on the weekends and some other times. Full menu of comfort and tavern foods. Tavern refreshments as well. It's the place to go if you want to see real Rockfordites hanging out after dark.