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Welcome to Rockford Buzz! Your Guide for Things to Do in Rockford IL

Welcome to Rockford IL's ultimate guide to things to do! Whether you're a local resident or just visiting, Rockford IL has a wealth of activities and attractions to offer. From outdoor adventures and cultural experiences to shopping, dining, and entertainment, this website is your one-stop-shop for discovering the best things to do in Rockford IL. We've handpicked the most popular and unique experiences to bring you an extensive list of activities to suit every interest, age group, and budget. Whether you're looking to have a family day out, a romantic getaway, or an exciting solo adventure, you'll find it all right here. Get ready to discover Rockford IL like never before, and make your next trip to this amazing city unforgettable!

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Today's Events & Things to Do | Rockford IL Region

Welcome to Rockford IL's one-stop-shop for today's events! This website is your go-to source for finding the latest and greatest happenings in Rockford IL. Whether you're looking for a fun family activity, a night out with friends, or a unique cultural experience, you'll find it all right here. We've handpicked a variety of events to suit every interest and budget, so you can easily plan your day and make the most of your time in Rockford IL. From festivals and concerts to exhibitions and workshops, there's always something exciting happening in this vibrant city. So check out our calendar of events and get ready to experience Rockford IL like never before!

Full Events Calendar

Today's Lunch, Dinner, & Drink Specials | Rockford IL Region

Welcome to Rockford IL's guide to today's lunch, dinner, and drink specials! If you're looking for the best food and drinks in town, you've come to the right place. Here, you'll find a comprehensive list of the latest specials and promotions offered by Rockford IL's top restaurants and bars. Whether you're in the mood for a delicious lunch, a romantic dinner, or a night out with friends, you'll find the perfect meal or drink to suit your taste and budget. From classic comfort food to gourmet cuisine, and from refreshing cocktails to local brews, Rockford IL has something for everyone. So check out our list of specials and get ready to indulge in the best that Rockford IL has to offer!

Inzombia Coffee

Inzombia Coffee

Birthday Club

Birthday Club

Always Available

Hours Today: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

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Inzombia Coffee

Inzombia Coffee

Zombie Discount

Zombie Discount

Always Available

Hours Today: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

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Barnstormer Distillery

Barnstormer Distillery

Captain's Reserve Now Available

Captain's Reserve Now Available

Always Available

Hours Today: Closed

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Murphy’s Pub

Murphy’s Pub

Wine Night

Wine Night

Every Wednesday

Hours Today: 9:00 AM - 2:00 AM

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Ernie’s Midtown Pub

Ernie’s Midtown Pub

NEW BONELESS WING SPECIAL EVERY WEDNESDAY!!!

NEW BONELESS WING SPECIAL EVERY WEDNESDAY!!!

Every Wednesday

Hours Today: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

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Reel Nutrition

Reel Nutrition

Winning Wednesdays

Winning Wednesdays

Every Wednesday

Hours Today: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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Octane

Octane

Bao-wow-Wednesdays

Bao-wow-Wednesdays

Every Wednesday

Hours Today: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM

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5BAR

5BAR

Happy Hour

Happy Hour

Every Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Hours Today: 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM

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The Pomodoro

The Pomodoro

Wine Wednesday at The Pomodoro

Wine Wednesday at The Pomodoro

Every Wednesday

Hours Today: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM

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Murphy’s Pub

Murphy’s Pub

Murphy's Happy Hour : 3 - 6 PM

Murphy's Happy Hour : 3 - 6 PM

Every Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Hours Today: 9:00 AM - 2:00 AM

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Rockford Buzz

Missing Special

Send Us Your Lunch/Dinner/Drink Special

Don't see your favorite special? Please send us an email with the details and we'll add it to the website ASAP!

All Things Food

Deals, Sales, & Shopping | Rockford IL Region

Welcome to Rockford IL's ultimate shopping guide! We're your one-stop-shop for the latest deals, sales, and shopping experiences in Rockford IL. Whether you're looking for a unique gift, a stylish outfit, or just a great deal, you'll find it all right here. From trendy fashion and home goods to electronics and toys, Rockford IL has something for every shopper. So check out our list of deals and get ready to hit the shops in Rockford IL!

All Shopping Deals & Sales

Local Businesses & Cool Places | Rockford IL Region

Welcome to Rockford IL's Random Adventure Generator! Every time you refresh the page, you'll be presented with a new set of four randomly selected destinations, each offering its own unique experience. Whether you're a local resident or just visiting, these random draws will inspire you to explore Rockford IL in new and exciting ways. From outdoor adventures and cultural experiences to shopping, dining, and entertainment, there's always something new to discover. So join us on this journey and get ready to explore Rockford IL like never before!

John's Restaurant Pizzeria & Steakhouse

John's Restaurant Pizzeria & Steakhouse

John's Restaurant Pizzeria & Steakhouse

Today: 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

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Anna Maria's Restaurant

Anna Maria's Restaurant

Anna Maria's Restaurant

Today: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

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First Fridays

First Fridays

First Fridays

Today: Closed

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Dia De Los Muertos Art Gallery

Dia De Los Muertos Art Gallery

Dia De Los Muertos Art Gallery

Today: Closed

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Full Business Directory

Current Poll & Positive Rockford IL News

Our goal is to shed light on the Rockford IL's rich history, vibrant culture, and bright future. From local events and attractions to restaurant reviews and positive movements, this website has got you covered. Take part in our polls and have your voice heard, and stay informed with our articles written by us. Join us in celebrating everything that makes Rockford IL the incredible place that it is.

Favorite Coffee Shop

Favorite Coffee Shop

March is Caffeine Awareness Month! I'm not sure who needs to be made aware of the wonderous drug that is caffeine, but I'll take any excuse to celebrate my favorite beverage.So tell me, where do you go for your favorite brew?

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A Burger at Baker Street

A Burger at Baker Street

Sometimes you just need a classic burger and mac & cheese. So we headed to Baker Street Burgers to try the classics.The Baker Street namesake is their Baker Street Cheeseburger. Two 1/4 pound patties on a toasted brioche bun with gouda cheese, signature BSB sauce, caramelized onions, and pickles create this masterpiece. One bite into this juicy burger and you know you’ve made the right choice. The flavors blend beautifully, no ketchup needed here! The patties are cooked to perfection, just how you like them. Served with your choice of side, this will certainly fill you up and power you through the day. We decided to try the parmesan tots, because who doesn’t love a good tot? Fried to crisp, golden perfection and then dusted with deliciousness. These add that fancy flair you didn’t even know tots needed.Next up, a slight deviation from classics, Buffalo Chicken Mac. Cavatappi noodles, spicy buffalo cheese sauce, fried chicken breast, ranch drizzle, and a blue cheese crumble bring two classics together for this dish. This a generous portion of pasta! It comes in a deep bowl and did not disappoint. You can ask for extra buffalo sauce to take the spice level up a notch or enjoy the medium temp of this as is. You simply can’t go wrong with buffalo chicken and mac & cheese.Pair these dishes with one of their specialty cocktails or beers on tap, and you have yourself a delicious meal. We hope to see you there next time, Rockford!

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A Clasico Favorite at Mi Placita

A Clasico Favorite at Mi Placita

In late 2022, Mi Placita opened up on Riverside. As a branch of Mexico Clasico, you know you are in for a delicious experience!We ventured into Mi Placita for a weeknight dinner and were greeted by the incredibly friendly staff. This is a great north-end option if classic Mexican dishes are your jam. We started with bottomless chips and salsa. The salsa was loaded with flavor and the chips were obviously fresh. Just like their south-end sister, if you order the guacamole, it is made fresh to your liking. I am always blown away by the freshness and flavor profile.Eventually, we moved on to our entrees. We asked what dishes were most popular and ordered those. We figured the masses of the Rockford area wouldn’t steer us wrong, and we were right! We started with Los Tres Amigos: sliced steak, chicken breast, and shrimp. Choice of garlic or diabla for the shrimp and served with black beans and avocado salad. Talk about delicious. The meats were all cooked amazingly. We opted for the diablo sauce and were delighted that it was actually spicy! This dish wakes up your senses. The grilled veggies (onions and jalapeños ) were fantastic and beautifully presented. With all the additional sides, this was easily two meals (maybe because we just indulged in bottomless chips and salsa 😜).Next up, the most popular fajita dish the Texas fajitas: sizzling grilled steak, grilled chicken & shrimp. Cooked with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Served with rice, beans, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and tortillas. The shrimp was perfectly prepared. No chewy texture here. The generous portion of this dish makes it easily shareable. The flavors of the grilled veggies really shine in this dish. This is perfect for those who like to make their own handheld and don’t want to risk a spicy meal. Want to kick it up a notch? Just ask for hot sauce and go nuts!  Order your favorite margarita and you’re all set!  We definitely can’t wait to go back and try a few more of their specialty dishes. See you there, Rockford!

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A Beautiful Evening at Abreo

A Beautiful Evening at Abreo

Sometimes we ditch the jeans and t-shirt for something fancier. We headed to Abreo to celebrate the season of love. Lucky for us, we were starving by the time we got to Abreo… meaning we tried a lot of food 😂.  We started with shrimp asiago with lemon, garlic, butter, and a grilled baguette. This delicious buttery appetizer is perfect for two to share (but it’s so good you may not want to!). It comes served piping hot in a tiny skillet. Dip, dunk, and soak your baguette in garlic butter and asiago cheese topped with perfectly cooked shrimp.  Dinner came out and we started with the duck and figs, a seared duck breast, dried fig, honey-red wine jus, braised Tokyo turnips, and a crisp lentil croquette. The duck was prepared beautifully—the tender meat with delicious and prepared skin on, giving it a delightful crisp. The wine jus is a perfect pairing and is poured on your plate upon presentation. The crisp lentil croquette was a fun experience as a crunchy, flavor-packed side.Next up, the beef tenderloin with foie gras cream, garlic roasted maitake mushrooms, and roasted pumpkin. We requested a rare cook, and the beef absolutely melted in our mouths. The filet was seasoned beautifully, cooked perfectly, and absolutely perfectly paired with the rest of the plate. The mushrooms were delicious, the pumpkin was creamy, and everything was amazing.We couldn’t leave without dessert, and the warm chocolate cake with salted caramel was the perfect finisher. We added a scoop of house-made ice cream, which made an amazing dessert even better. This is perfect for two to share, but we recommend drawing a line in the cake… so you get your fair share 😉. Love knows no bounds, except your half of dessert.We can’t end this review without a shout-out to Jake’s favorite drink, the Hickory Stick. Whether you like a glass of wine or a signature cocktail, Abreo has you covered. The fantastic food is only one reason to visit, another is the amazing staff. From reservation to the end of our evening, the whole experience was smooth and friendly. Treat someone special in your life to a stunning evening downtown.

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Latest Rockford Buzz Videos

Whether you're a local resident or just visiting, our videos will inspire you to explore Rockford IL like never before. From outdoor adventures and scenic drives to shopping and dining experiences, we've got it all covered. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the latest videos about Rockford IL. Get ready to experience the city in a whole new way!

The Anything That Floats Race is Back and So We're Bringing Back this Oldie!

The Rock River Raft Race NFP board proudly announces the return of an area favorite: The annual Rock River Anything That Floats race and a date for the 2023 raft race: August 20, 2023. Each year, more than 50 homemade rafts float down the heart of Rockford from the Auburn Street bridge to Prairie Street Brewing Company for an afternoon of fun, resulting in significant donations raised to benefit local organizations. Event details for the fifth annual Rock River Anything That Floats Race (RRATFR) returning to the Rockford region Sunday, August 20, 2023 (rain date is Sunday, August 27) from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. can be found at the website: rraftr.com. The organizing board leads the race with the help of many individuals in the community, volunteers and sponsors.The RRATFR has helped to raise donations to support local efforts for the Fourth of July celebration, Rockford Ski Broncs, Rock River Trail Initiative and other area non-profits and charities. In the four previous years, the event was widely attended and collectively generated $20,000+ in proceeds to benefit these charities. New to this year’s race is the “Release the Quackin’” where participants can launch a rubber duck toward a target in the middle of the Rock River for a chance to win prizes.Also announced were plans to keep the hulled and DIY raft categories with first, second, and third prizes for speed as well as one People’s Choice and ‘Frank Schier Design and Creativity’ Judges’ Choice awards to determine the most creative designs. Local area businesses, clubs, students and other groups of individuals are encouraged to sign up and take advantage of this fun team-building experience.Participants can begin registering for the 2023 race on the website at www.rratfr.com. The registration deadline is August 14, 2023. The entry fee for rafts (with hulls or without hulls) is $100 per team (up to 10 crew members). Race day schedule of events includes: 10:00 a.m.: Check-in starts (all categories) 12:00 p.m.: Race begins at the Auburn Street bridge 12:00 p.m.--3:00 p.m.: Release the Quackin’ on the dock at Prairie Street Brewing Company 4:00 p.m.: Awards ceremony at Prairie Street Brewhouse 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: After-party at Prairie Street Brewing Company featuring local band Dirty Fishnet Stockings“We’re excited to bring back the annual tradition of the Raft Race to the city. The community has embraced the event which now, in its fifth year, has become another annual event to bring people to downtown Rockford and enjoy the riverfront,” said Amy McIntyre. “One of Rockford’s greatest assets is the river, and we are grateful to be a part of highlighting it.”The racecourse is 1.65 miles in length and ends in a grand finish at Prairie Street Brewhouse. The scenic course offers a variety of viewing options for the thousands of spectators who will attend: Auburn Street Bridge, the Whitman Street Bridge, and along the Rock River Recreation Path.It takes many, many volunteers to put on an event like the Rock River Anything That Floats Race. The board is looking for people interested in numerous roles to make this event a success, from planning in advance, to assisting with rafts entering the water and helping clean up the riverfront. Come be part of the crew! Visit the “VOLUNTEER” tab at www.rratfr.com to sign up and help.The board is also looking for corporate partners to help support this event. If you are interested in being part of this great community event as it grows, contact info@rratfr.com for more information. About The RaceInitially launched in 1976 (U.S. Bicentennial) as a US. vs. Brits race, after two years with only two teams, it was opened to the public. More than just an homage to the incredibly popular raft races of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s - the all-new Rock River Anything That Floats Race will be a brand new tradition for generations of Rockfordians to love and experience. Additional event details can be found at www.rratfr.com. 

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Womanspace is Rockford's Place for Women

Happy #InternationalWomensDay! Celebrate today, and every day, with Womanspace of Rockford, Illinois.

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Say Hello to Phateez. Rockford's Newest Apparel Company

PHATEEZ is Rockford's newest apparel company. Want to win your own? Head to our facebook page for details!

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2023 Vintage Shop Hop is Almost Here

Join Jake as he hops around the Vintage Shop Hop! We have a ton of local businesses participating. So go ahead, hop around!

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