"Rockford, Illinois, is a small city 90 miles west of Chicago, and it’s actually a pretty happening place. By far the best reason to go is to visit the Anderson Japanese Gardens. It began in the late 1970s in a local businessman’s backyard when he brought in the master craftsman and designer Hoichi Kurisu to create a Japanese garden. Today, the garden is open to the public and managed by a nonprofit, and it’s incredibly well-maintained and extraordinarily beautiful.If you want to see even more gardens, there are also the Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden and the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens. If it’s autumn, after visiting the gardens you could check out some nearby orchards, like Edwards Apple Orchard West. Alternatively, you could explore Rock Cut State Park or kayak on the Rock River. The garden alone is worth the trip, but with all the other options in Rockford, it’s a great day trip from the city." - MATADOR_NETWORK
