Looking for a family outing that’s colorful, fun, and a little magical? Grab your phone, plan your outfit, and head out to explore Rockford’s Public Art Trail!
Since the launch of Cre8IV in 2019, Rockford has added more than 40 eye-catching murals to buildings throughout the city. One of the coolest things about these local murals is that they were created specifically with Rockford in mind! You can find murals that honor famous Rockfordians, Rockford area sports teams, and Rockford-made products like the sock monkey! There are also several murals that highlight elements of our local ecosystem like flowers, animals, and birds.
The Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is making it even more fun to check out local public art with the new Public Art Passport. You can sign up for free here to get the passport sent to your mobile device. After you sign up, the passport will be delivered to your mobile device and accessed through your phone’s internet browser. There is no app to download.
Once you have your passport, you can view a list of over 100 pieces of public art and their locations around the city. Visit a location, check in on the passport, and earn points to redeem towards cute Rockford merch! You’ll receive 100 points per location you visit. These points can be redeemed for stickers, hats, and more. You can claim your prizes by stopping by the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (102 N. Main Street) or choose to have the prizes mailed to you by selecting that option on the Passport website.
How To Get Started Discovering the Rockford Public Art Trail
- Get Your Passport! Sign up here to get your free Rockford Public Art Trail passport sent directly to your phone.
- Receive a Text and Click the Link! You will be able to access the passport through your phone’s internet browser.
- Head to a Public Art Spot and Check In! Choose a public art location from the list, drive or walk there, and check in once you’re there.
Rockford’s public art, especially the colorful murals, make a gorgeous backdrop for photos! If you take some while you’re exploring the Rockford Public Art Trail, be sure to share them on social media using #RockfordPublicArtTrail and tagging @GoRockford!
Our Experience on the Rockford Public Art Trail
We started our journey on North Second Street, first stopping to check out the Dustin Eckhardt Mural painted in 2022 that shows off local flora and fauna with a fun flower eyed portrait.
After that, we continued down North Second Street and parked at the Sinnissippi Exploration Station to see the Symbol and its 2023 paint job (looks great!) as well as the Sinnissippi River Crab which has been a staple on the Rock River path since 1974.
We then visited the Women’s Suffrage sculpture located near the Rock River behind the Swedish American Riverfront YMCA. This sculpture was created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote and it absolutely sparkles in the sun!
We continued to Madison Street to see both of Eddaviel’s colorful pieces including a collaboration with the Rockford Public Library that we helped paint in 2021! His cat mural was our favorite of the day.
Then we headed to Willow Beauty to see the gorgeous 2023 Louise Jones floral mural on West State and took some cute photos!
Our last stop was on Myott Avenue to see the 2022 OhYa Studio mural which celebrates the Rockford Peaches, sock monkey, Symbol, and the city’s screw history.
Finally, we made our way back to the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to pick up our prizes – a set of super cute Rockford stickers! The whole trip took about an hour and was a lot of fun!
Next time you’re looking for a fun, free way to spend the afternoon, consider touring the Rockford Public Art Trail! You’ll see beautiful art, learn more about the history of the city, and hopefully develop a deeper appreciation for the place we call home!
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