What to Do While You're Here The Sweden House is centrally located along the Rock River in Rockford, Illinois. Listed below are some of the exciting locations that are only a short distance from the Sweden House. Click here for map.

Magic Waters www.magicwaterswaterpark.com Have a splashing good time at Magic Waters — open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The park features many twisting, twirling water rides and slides including a new SplashBLASTER water coaster! DISCOUNT TICKETS to Magic Waters Waterpark are available at the Sweden House Lodge!

The inspiration for Anderson Gardens began in 1966 during John Anderson's first trip to Japan. John learned about Japanese culture and customs and upon returning home, realized his own property had the potential to be an excellent setting for a Japanese garden. The gardens are lovely and tranquil and currently being expanded.

Carlson Arctic Ice Arena

If you're looking for an icy welcome to Rockford, try going ice-skating at the Carlson Arctic Ice Arena! It's a beautiful new facility with a year-round indoor ice surface measuring 200 feet by 85 feet. You'll find a pro shop, skate rental, Cousin's Sub Shop, play world, and dressing rooms.

Discovery Center Museum
www.discoverycentermuseum.org

Discover the world, and even the universe, in downtown Rockford! The amazing museum has over 180 exciting hands-on exhibits. In the back, visitors can enjoy a giant, multi-level playground. Discovery Center also displays an array of special traveling exhibitions and events throughout the year.

MetroCentre www.metrocentre.com The MetroCentre seats 10,000 people for a world of entertainment options every year, from the world's toughest rodeo to the world's finest orchestra. Concerts, comedians, sporting events, conventions — you'll find it all at Rockford's MetroCentre.

Midway Village Museum Center
www.midwayvillage.com

Midway Village Museum Center offers visitors a chance to step back in time and experience life at the turn of the century. Midway Village features 24 historic structures including a hardware store, general store, print shop, blacksmith shop, one-room school house, and much more. Explore the past in the Swedish Singer Gallery, Industrial Gallery, Dolls' House Museum and Exhibition gallery.

Rockford Park District
www.rockfordparks.org

The Rockford Park District offers a variety of attractions to tourists and local residents. Play any of nine public golf courses, hike or have a picnic in one of Rockford's many parks, take a boat ride on the Forest City Queen, take a trolley ride, or go horseback riding. You'll find all this and much more through the Rockford Park District.

Rockford Speedway
www.rockfordspeedway.com

Rich in racing tradition, the Rockford Speedway is celebrating more than 50 years of operation. The high banked quarter mile oval is known as Mid-America's Finest Racetrack. The Speedway hosts major events like the National Short Track Championships and the Spring Classic.

Severson Dells
www.seversondells.org

Severson Dells is a nature education center located just four miles southwest of Rockford. With 204 acres of mixed woodlands, prairie, wetlands, and oldfield habitat, Severson Dells is an ideal setting for nature study and appreciation.

Ski Broncs

The Ski Broncs have been skiing more than 30 years on the Rock River in Loves Park, just north of Rockford. They perform about 30 weekly shows free to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day every Wednesday and Friday Night at 6:30 p.m. at Shorewood Park.

The Coronado Theatre
www.centerevents.com

The Coronado Theatre, "Rockford's Wonder Theatre," was originally built in 1927 as a movie house and vaudeville theatre. The beautiful Coronado Theatre is a classic example of the "atmospheric style," featuring a mixture of Spanish castles, Italian villas, oriental dragons, and gold encrusted figures. The theatre recently underwent an 18-month, $18.5 million renovation and expansion. The Coronado Theatre re-opened its doors in January, 2001 as a first-class performing arts and entertainment center that showcases local productions as well as national touring productions.

Riverfront Museum Park
www.riverfrontmuseumpark.org
Riverfront Museum Park is a one-stop destination in Rockford for the arts and sciences. At Riverfront Museum Park there is truly something for everyone. Experience it today, call us at (815) 972-2800.

Rock Cut State Park
dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgmt/parks/rockcut.htm
Two lakes set off the park's 3,092 acres. Pierce Lake, with 162 acres, is a retreat for people wanting to fish, ice fish, or ice skate. 50-acre Olson Lake is especially for swimmers. Rounding out the park's recreational options are camping, hiking, horseback trails, cross country skiing and snowmobiling. Whatever the season, you can be sure there's quite a bit of activity at Rock Cut State Park.

New American Theater
www.newamericantheater.com
New American Theater was founded in 1972 by J.R. Sullivan. NAT has grown into what the Chicago Tribune calls, "the crown jewel of Rockford," providing the best of classic, contemporary, and new plays. NAT contains 2 stages; the 280-seat Main Stage and the 90-seat Second Stage. The New American Theater Center, located in the historic River District of Rockford, houses scene shop, costume shop, rehearsal hall, and classrooms, as well as acministrative offices.

Klehm Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
www.klehm.org

Explore this "living museum" every season: majestic colors of fall, hundreds of blooming crabapples in spring, butterfly gardens in summer, and snow-covered evergreens in winter.

• Bird watchers have recorded sightings of species seldom seen in this area.
• All ages can enjoy the maze and interactive sundial in the Nancy Olson Children's Garden.
• Demonstration gardens are filled with specialty plants and unique ideas.
• The Botanical Education Center has changing exhibits, a gift shop, botanical reference library, and is home for many workshops and special events.

Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden not only changes with the seasons, it is a work in progress being shaped by the imaginations, creativity and commitment of members, volunteers and sponsors.

Rev'd Up
www.revdupracing.com

Rev’d Up is a state-of-the-art family entertainment center, serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. The 68,000 square foot facility houses two indoor go-kart tracks, hi-end arcade, batting cages, golf simulator, bowling alley, bumper cars, café, and pro shop with an adjacent 18-hole outdoor miniature golf course.

CherryVale Mall
www.shopcherryvalemall.com

CherryVale Mall is home to all your favorite stores like Bergner's, Marshall field's and Sears, not to mention other great shops like Eddie Bauer, The Limited, Abercrombie & Fitch, The Disney Store and Gymboree.

CherryVale Mall is "A Great Shopping Place" with over 100 fabulous stores and 12 eateries making it truly a total shopping experience.

Laserquest
www.laserquest.aa.psiweb.com/info.html

Laser Quest is live action laser tag at its best! This most immersive laser-zapping adventure game is taking North America by storm. The game is tag, hide and seek, cops and robbers, capture the flag and Buck Rogers all rolled into one, enhanced with modern technology.

Burpee Museum of Natural History
www.burpee.org

The Burpee Museum of Natural History takes you on a trip through time starting more than four and one half billion years ago. Visit the Museum's own 10-foot-tall, 40-foot long Tyrannosaurus Rex, and go on to learn about the beginnings of man and our culture. The many exhibits and opportunities to see behind-the-scenes preparations offer a fascinating natural history experience for the whole family.

East State St. Antique Malls #1 & #2

60,000 square ft.; 320 dealers; open 362 days per year; 7 days a week from 10 a.m. — 9 p.m. Annual Christmas open house every year - 1st weekend of Dec. 3 Outdoor Antique markets per year; Memorial Day, 4th of July; Labor Day (call for exact dates as the weekends vary each year).