School’s out, and you find yourself with more free time than you know what to do with. The time has finally come for you to relax, unwind, and take your mind off school. After months of textbooks, tests, and papers, winter break is your chance to do something for yourself. Here are some ideas on how you can spend your time in and around the Rockford Region this holiday season.
Igloo Dining at The Top Rooftop Bar & Lounge
College Students
Go to Pottery Lounge: Sometimes getting creative is a great way to relax and relieve stress. Grab your friends or go solo. Pottery lounge offers pottery painting for all levels of experience. They accept walk-ins or you can sign up for a class. Upcoming themed events include a Nutcracker Paint Party on December 20th, Paint ‘til you faint on December 21st, and Paint ‘til you Faint Ugly Sweater Party on December 28th.
Visit festive bars: If you’re 21+, there are so many fun bars to visit while you’re here. For a full Christmas experience, you can visit Carlyle Brewing Co., 8th Ward Pub, or Rural On Tap. Each of these places really “decked the halls” and transformed into immersive holiday wonderlands. Other bars with Holiday themed menus include Fozzy’s, Prairie Street Brewing Co., Aero Ale House, and more!
Spend time outdoors: Fresh air might be the missing piece you need to unwind. Rock Cut State Park is a great way to do that. They offer a variety of things to do including several winter recreation options like hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing. Although it may be cold, Rockford’s nature scene is beautiful during the winter months.
Igloo Dining: Are you looking for a unique winter experience? Did you know you can dine or drink in an igloo in and around Rockford? There are several locations to check out over the break. The Top at Embassy Suites is taking reservations, so be sure to secure your spot there! Disco Chicken is another great option to experience igloo dining. You can head out to Roscoe and visit Hidden Creek Estates for an unforgettable igloo experience!
Illuminated at Anderson Gardens
Teens:
Go ice skating: Lacing up some skates and hitting the ice is the perfect activity for winter break. Bring your friends to Carlson Ice Arena on Friday nights for Frosty Fridays! For just $10, you can rent ice skates and skate from 7:00- 9:00 p.m. The rink is also brought to life by great music and a DJ! The concession stand will also be open if you get hungry for some snacks.
Take holiday photos: The holiday season makes it easy to take the perfect pictures that fit right into your social media feeds. Why not earn points and prizes too? The Rockford Holiday Photo Challenge sends you to multiple locations around the city to take pictures and challenge your friends. You can win badges and prizes while seeing the most festive spots around Rockford! Sign up here:
Challenge yourself to an escape room: If you’re looking for something exciting to do with a group of people, an escape room is a great option. 815 Escape is located in Regency Plaza. Work together with your group to solve puzzles, mysteries, and mind games. Put your brain to the test and see if you can escape! Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are also accepted depending on availability.
Tilted 10
Kids
The little ones need something to do to beat the boredom that inevitably comes with a long break as well. These options are sure to keep the kids busy and create fun memories over the holiday break.
Have fun at Tilted 10: This location is full of activities that are sure to keep kids of all ages entertained. Some activities to choose from are blacklight laser tag, 18-hole black light golf courses, tons of video games, bowling, and even bumper cars! During your visit, families can enjoy a full-service dining experience, and parents can enjoy craft cocktails from the bar. Head over to Cherryvale mall to give it a try!
Visit Museums: The Discovery Center is full of tons of interactive exhibits that kids will love! There are over 300 exhibits surrounding all different subjects including science, fitness, imaginative play, art, and so much more! It is a great way to keep kids learning while also having fun while they’re away from the classroom for the break. Burpee Museum of Natural History has many exhibits to explore, including a paleontology lab and a play area with real reptiles. Learn about Rockford's rich history at Midway Village Museum which includes exhibits on The Rockford Peaches and the sock monkey.
Go on an Adventure! The Rockford Adventure Trail will send you on a journey around the Rockford Region to visit all types of fun-filled spots. It is a FREE digital passport that allows you to earn points when checking in to each spot along the Adventure Trail. Points can be redeemed for super cool prizes like stickers, cups, hats, and more! Sign up here:
It can be hard to know how to spend your time away from school. Fill this year’s winter break with some of the many different activities the area has to offer. Get out and try something new! This guide will be a good start, but you can also browse our website to see everything else the area has to offer as well.
