Tour the River District
The River District Association is the official tour provider of downtown Rockford. Take a seasonal tour of downtown on foot or by bike during the summer months with renowned Rockford architect Gary Anderson. “The River District has a rich history of diverse architectural styles,” said Gary Anderson. “From industrial warehouses to personal residences, every building tells a story of the people, activities, and events that have shaped our city’s past. We invite you to catch a unique glimpse into both the past and the future on our walking tours.”
Walking Tour
The Walking Tour will include a history of historic properties and the many uses they have sustained over the past 150 years.
Over 20 stops are included on the tour, including:
• The Waterfront warehouse district on Water Street
• Historic properties along Madison Street
• The Brewmasters House of the Peacock Brewery
• Historic and contemporary residences on First Street
• And much more.
The cost for the tour is $5 suggested donation.
Biking Tour
The Bike Tour of our beautiful downtown is also led by Gary Anderson. It usually leaves on a Saturday morning beginning at 8 a.m. from Rockford City Hall. It is 2 hours long and offers a glimpse of Rockford’s history and a peek into the future.
Our stops typically include:
• Fairgrounds Park
• The former St. Thomas High School
• The Shumway and Condon Seed building
• The new Embassy Suites Hotel
• The Graham Ginestra Museum
• The former Barber Coleman plant
• A ride along the new South Main bike path to River Oaks and the history that surrounds the site
• The Monastery of the Poor Clares
• A ride on the pedestrian bridge crossing Fordham Dam
• A view of the Orchid Neighborhood, where the new Kishwaukee School will be constructed
The cost of the Bike Tour is $5 suggested donation.
Gary Anderson
Ride through the River District