Compare Cheap Hotels in Rockford

Known as 'Screw City' due to its history as one of the largest manufacturing centers in the United States, Rockford is also one of the largest cities in Illinois. Located about halfway between Madison and Chicago on Interstate 90, many people visit the area to see the Rockford Ice Hogs hockey team, which plays at the Metro Center. Cheap Trick, the band, hails from Rockford, and front-man Rick Nielsen has set up a unique museum that is dedicated to the band's history.

Key facts

While there is a small, regional airport located in Rockford, most visitors and locals fly into Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). From there, you can take a bus from the international terminal to Rockford that will drop you off at the Clock Tower Inn on the eastern end of the city. While the city offers a limited bus network, which operates during the day and early evening, most visitors prefer renting a car to satisfy their transportation needs.

Hints and tips

Rockford, Illinois, experiences four full seasons, with moderate summers and chilly winters. Summer temperatures hover around 80 degrees, while winter temperatures average in the 20s. The On The Waterfront music festival is hosted annually in Rockford over Labor Day weekend, and features a wide variety of bands and waterfront entertainment along downtown's Rock River.