Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Loves Park, IL

Just upriver from Rockford, the city of Loves Park was established in 1947 and experienced significant population growth during a developmental wave in the 1990s and 2000s.

In addition to shopping centers, excellent public amenities, and expansive residential neighborhoods, Loves Park includes a substantial portion of the great outdoors, featuring the expansive Rock Cut State Park.

During summer, this area serves as a refuge for various outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, and horseback riding along 50 miles of trails.

Along the Rock River, visitors can enjoy a lengthy recreational trail that connects to downtown Rockford, meandering through beautiful riverside parks.

Notable attractions within the metropolitan region include a remarkable house created by Frank Lloyd Wright, the exquisite Anderson Japanese Gardens, and the prominent Mercyhealth Sportscore One and Two facilities.

1. Rock Cut State Park

Within Loves Park’s limits lies an expansive recreational sanctuary, spanning over 3,000 acres and comprising more than 50 miles of trails.

While hiking, biking, skiing, or horseback riding through the lush forests of Rock Cut State Park, one may find it difficult to believe they are still within the Rockford metropolitan area.

With over 100 varieties of wildflowers showcasing their vibrant colors in spring and summer, and the abundance of hardwood trees creating stunning autumn hues, the park is a visual delight.

The park includes a campground with approximately 270 upgraded campsites, as well as shelters, a group camp for youth, and a rustic cabin.

2. Pierce Lake

Amazing and picturesque, Rock Cut State Park’s most significant attraction is this grand 160-acre lake, bordered by deciduous woodlands in the park’s southeastern section.

Pierce Lake is complemented by a campground, shelters, picnic areas, boat launches, and a fishing pier. Additionally, nestled on the southwest shore is the Rock Cut State Park Concession, where during summer, visitors can rent a variety of watercraft, including kayaks, canoes, fishing boats, and rowboats.

For fishing enthusiasts, the lake is populated with species such as channel catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye.

On the opposite side of I-90 lies Olson Lake, designated for swimming and non-motorized vessels.

3. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Laurent House

In Loves Park, visitors are near the only residence crafted by Frank Lloyd Wright specifically for a client with a disability. Kenneth Laurent, a World War II veteran, became a paraplegic due to illness shortly after returning from combat.

The single-story Laurent House was constructed on a creekside site in 1949, following correspondence with Wright and a visit to his Taliesin studio, where the couple discussed their distinct requirements.

Featuring a hemicycle design and constructed predominantly of red tidewater cypress and Chicago common brick, the Laurent House is oriented to maximize sunlight, characterized by deep eaves and broad fascia.

Wright maintained a friendship with the Laurents for the duration of his life and took particular pride in this design. The house is available for public tours lasting one hour, with private tours also offered year-round.

4. Anderson Japanese Gardens

One of the must-see destinations in the Rockford vicinity is located just south of Loves Park.

Founded in 1978 by Rockford entrepreneur John R. Anderson, the Anderson Japanese Gardens were architecturally designed by renowned Japanese-American landscape architect Hoichi Kurisu.

This prestigious garden has been recognized by Sukiya Living Magazine as one of North America’s finest. Spanning 12 acres, it features waterfalls, winding pathways, meticulously curated pines, raked gravel beds, koi ponds, gentle streams, exemplary craftsmanship, and architecture dating back to the 16th century.

To better understand the rich symbolism of the gardens, guided tours are available, culminating at Fresco at the Gardens, which offers a menu highlighting organic and locally sourced ingredients.

The gardens also conduct Wellness in Nature programs, including awareness walks, tai chi, yoga, Pilates, meditation, and more.

5. Rock River Recreation Path

This picturesque paved trail follows the Rock River for ten miles through the Rockford metropolitan area. The Rock River Recreation Path originates in downtown Rockford and passes through Loves Park, leading towards Machesney Park.

Constructed as a bicentennial community project in 1976, this trail is an excellent route to reach downtown Rockford or to explore the various riverside attractions of Loves Park.

With gentle slopes, it is an ideal family-friendly outing, and the numerous parks along the way provide perfect picnic spots along the river.

6. Volcano Falls Adventure Park

Loves Park is also the site of the premier family entertainment center in the Rockford region, filled with attractions both indoors and outdoors.

Among its highlights are two creatively designed 18-hole mini-golf courses, one of which features an ascent up a volcano.

Additionally, visitors can enjoy three go-kart tracks, ranging from a beginner-friendly Rookie Track to a high-speed Slick Track, for which drivers need a valid U.S. driver’s license.

Indoors, Volcano Falls boasts a laser tag arena and an arcade equipped with over 50 games, including cutting-edge virtual reality machines.

7. Martin Park

Another tranquil location to relax and observe the Rock River is Martin Park, which is connected to the Rock River Recreation Path.

For those who enjoy fishing, the lagoon here provides opportunities to catch channel catfish, smallmouth bass, and walleye.

The park features two boat launches along the river, as well as grassy areas shaded by tall trees, where visitors can feed various ducks and geese (with oats or corn).

Moreover, Martin Park offers a playground for children and picnic tables with scenic views over the water.

8. B & B Park Bowl

A compact yet vibrant establishment, B & B Park Bowl has been the oldest bowling alley in Loves Park since the 1950s.

Featuring a fully-stocked cocktail bar, it has stood the test of time and adapted to contemporary trends, becoming the third alley in the nation to introduce glow-in-the-dark bowling on weekends.

All eight lanes are equipped with the latest Brunswick Anvilanes featuring 12-strike automatic scoring and bumpers for novice bowlers. B & B Park Bowl hosts numerous competitive league games while providing affordable open bowling opportunities throughout the week.

9. Pig Minds Brewing Co.

A brief drive into neighboring Machesney Park reveals Pig Minds Brewing Co., recognized as the first and only vegan microbrewery in the United States.

The establishment features ten handcrafted ales on tap, with a regularly changing selection while maintaining a core offering of popular favorites.

Selections typically include Happidaze (Blueberry California Ale), Sweep the Leg (IPA), and Southy Bitch Slap (American Red Ale).

For an all-encompassing experience, visitors can order a flight of all ten for $15. The menu also features an appealing array of choices, featuring Beyond and Impossible burgers, bowls, salads, wraps, and sandwiches.

10. Shorewood Park

Similar to Martin Park, Shorewood Park is located along the Rock River Recreation Path and features a charming lagoon.

This site is noteworthy for being home to the Rockford Ski Broncs, a distinguished water-skiing team that puts on spectacular public performances on Wednesday and Friday evenings during the summer months.

During off-peak times, guests can enjoy the stunning riverside views, or test their skills on the newly established disc golf course winding its way through the park’s mature trees.

Shorewood Park includes a boat ramp and numerous picnic areas where visitors can enjoy summer meals in the shade.

11. Hidden Treasures Mall & Antiques

Among Illinois’ premier antiques centers is Hidden Treasures Mall, located in Loves Park. As the largest establishment of its kind in the Rockford area, it features over 250 vendors within nearly 40,000 square feet of retail space.

Visitors should allocate ample time to explore the extensive inventory of furniture, ceramics, vinyl records, retro curiosities, primitives, toys, comic books, magazines, vintage signage, retro appliances, musical instruments, and much more.

The inventory is continuously refreshed, and an outdoor flea market occurs on regular dates throughout the summer season.

12. Rockford Speedway

Loves Park is host to one of only two racetracks in Illinois operated under NASCAR sanction.

The high-banked quarter-mile Rockford Speedway is a historic circuit, established in 1948, and continues to host races up to two times a week throughout the summer (April to October).

These races occur on Saturdays and Wednesdays, primarily featuring local-level events, with occasional regional and national competitions.

Saturdays often highlight the premier NASCAR-sanctioned Whelen All-American Series Late Model races, as well as American Short Trackers, Road Runners, and All-American Sportsmen.

On Wednesdays, guests can enjoy the Road Runner Super Summer Series, Winged Women on Wheels, Bandits, and numerous other events.

13. Mercyhealth Sportscore Two

In the realm of sports, Loves Park is recognized for the state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor facility known as Mercyhealth Sportscore Two.

Located on the east side of the city, conveniently accessible off I-90, this facility accommodates everything from children’s birthday celebrations to trade shows. Outdoors, it features a stadium with a 2,500 capacity, 26 soccer fields, 7 turf fields, and 3 sand volleyball courts.

Within the indoor sports center, there is an indoor golf driving range, alongside Skybox, a sports-themed restaurant equipped with large screens and four Full Swing Pro 2 simulators covering golf and various other sports, including football, baseball, hockey, and soccer.

14. Sand Park Pool

This beloved outdoor pool facility, managed by the Rockford Park District, has recently reopened after a three-year closure.

During the summer months, it becomes a key family destination, featuring an L-shaped pool that accommodates designated lanes for exercise, as well as a splash area with a diving board and two drop slides.

Adjacent to the main pool is Penguin Pond, designed for younger guests, featuring a wading pool, slide, interactive water sprays, and climbing structures.

The complex is surrounded by grassy hills, with the main pool lined by a continuous row of sun loungers offering uninterrupted views for parents.

15. Carlson Ice Arena

Another exceptional facility in Loves Park is the Carlson Ice Arena, an NHL-sized rink with seating for 600 spectators. The arena hosts a full schedule of hockey programs for children, including lessons, clinics, and camps, as well as games for the Junior IceHogs Hockey League.

Additionally, there is a junior figure skating program, and for families interested in casual fun, public skating sessions are available.

Within the facility, Sapora Playworld offers an impressive three-story soft play structure designed for children aged 5-12, along with the Tiny Tots Playspace for toddlers.