Anderson Japanese Gardens
Anderson Japanese Gardens consists of two very different gardens -- a formal Japanese garden in the style of the Kamakura period, 1185 to 1333 A.D.; and the Garden of Reflection, a contemporary international garden with a strong Japanese influence. It is open from May through October.

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
The Klehm Arboretum is a 150 acre facility offering year-round enjoyment of both native plants and those from around the world. The site includes many unique species from throughout the United States that normally do not thrive in this region, plus the Midwest’s most vigorous evergreen collection.  It also offers a number of unique gardens including the Fountain Garden, the Children’s Garden, a Hosta Garden, a Grass Garden, the Butterfly Garden and more.

Pecatonica Prairie Path & Bike Trail
An 18-mile long biking, hiking and nature trail extending from Illinois route 75 and River Road, east of Freeport, to the Village of Winnebago.

Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park offers over 3,000 acres of outdoor entertainment including the 162 acre Pierce Lake which is ideal for fishing, small boat sailing and ice skating, and 50-acre Olsen Lake which is ideal to swimming.  The park offers over 40 miles of hiking trails, 23 miles of mountain biking trails and 14 miles of equestrial trails.  It has excellent camping facilities and makes an ideal picnic area.

Rockford Park District
The Rockford Park District offers 176 parks encompassing more than 4500 acres throughout the Rockford area for all types of recreational activities. 

Severson Dells Nature Center
Severson Dells is a nature education center located four miles southwest of Rockford. Part of the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District, it provides critical habitats for a wide array of our unique flora and fauna. In some areas, native prairies have been restored, while others areas offer mature woodlands, wildflowers, wetlands, dolomite cliffs and streams.

Sinnissippi Gardens & Greenhouse
The Sinnissippi Gardens feature an All-American Rose Selection (AARS)-Accredited rose garden, a working floral clock planted each year with thousands of annuals, and an annual garden meticulously planted with colorful bedding plants. The greenhouse contains beautiful changing floral displays and gentle waterfalls, as well as beautiful fish and birds in the aviary. In the fall, over 4,000 brilliantly colored mums fill the greenhouse, shortly followed by poinsettias.

Winnebago County Forest Preserve
The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District offers over 8500 acres for outdoor fun at 36 locations throughout Winnebago County.