Mercyhealth Sportscore One, located in Rockford, IL sits on 147 acres and has 18 Soccer fields, 8 Baseball/Softball fields and Indoor Soccer facility and more. Mercyhealth Sportscore Two sits on 180 acres in the nearby suburb of Loves Park and offers 21 Soccer fields, Sand Volleyball Courts, Indoor Golf Driving Range and an Indoor Sports Center for Soccer. Rockford sits on both banks of the scenic Rock River in northern Illinois just 15 miles south of the Wisconsin border. Referred to as the Forest City, Rockford is known for various venues of cultural or historical significance. If you are bringing your team to the area to play at Mercyhealth Sportscore One or Two, then you are in for a treat with the beautiful scenery and lots of outdoor activities. There are ample restaurants to try there as well. Here are some of both to consider for your travel list.

Things to Do

Discovery Center Museum

You’ve never had as much fun learning as you will at Discovery Center Museum. Everywhere you look, the interactive, flashy exhibits will beckon you to come explore and tinker. Ag-Zibit focuses on shedding light on the vital importance of agriculture through the use of 17 activities. Churn grain and mess around with some farming equipment. Milk an artificial cow, make your very own corn husk doll, roll eggs down the egg ramp, and more! Color & Light delves into the fascinating world of, well, color and light. Create masterpieces on the laser table. Shine lights through prisms and see beautiful spectacles like rainbows. Surround yourself in a giant bubble. Color & Light is typically a favorite among museum-goers.

Two more highlights out of the 16 galleries to watch for are Simple Machines and Rock River Discovery Park. Simple Machines lets you embrace your need to fiddle and problem solve. Play on the pulley chair, navigate a ball through the maze, attempt to figure out how machines function, and get swept up in curiosity. Rock River Discovery Park is a playground paradise that can warrant a trip to Discovery Center Museum on its own. This ginormous play area is stocked with slides, swings, and sand pits. Dig for dinosaur eggs, spelunk through a cave, play with the water wheels, and watch for balls flying through the tube system. Discovery Center Museum’s admission prices are very affordable, especially for how much there is to do there. 711 N Main St, Rockford, IL 61103

Laser Quest Rockford

Fast paced, heart pumping fun, laser tag seems to be one of the most popular activities kids enjoy. A trip to Laser Quest would be no different. They are the world’s leader in the laser tag industry with over 53 locations across North America, including one by Mercyhealth Sportscore. Let the team run around and enjoy a few 20 minute games of laser tag. Sports team packages are optional for groups of 10 or more. This will be the most fun way your team works up a sweat all trip. When they get a little too tired, Laser Quest has some arcade games they can play. The facility allows you to bring in your own food and drink if you prefer or you can purchase refreshments there. 293 Executive Pkwy Suite 1, Rockford, IL 61107

Rockford City Market

The Rockford City Market, located in downtown Rockford is the place to go to get fresh produce and other tasty homemade treats. The market features local farmers and vendors who sell various sorts of goods. With over 70 vendors, you are sure to fine great stuff to eat and to take back to whichever Mercyhealth Sportscore complex your team is playing at. 124 N Water St, Rockford, IL 61107

MindGames Escape Room

Referred to as “the top interactive attraction in the Northern Illinois region”, MindGames is a unique activity like nothing else on this list. MindGames is a thrilling escape room business that has two stimulating rooms you can attempt. The first is called Exit Protocol. You and your team are tasked with retrieving top secret CIA information that has been compromised after someone broke into a CIA office. Working together, your group has 60 minutes to locate the info and get it back safely. The other room is known as Secrets of the Pharaoh. In this room, you take on the role of an archaeologist and must uncover the mysteries of the Pharaoh’s tomb. Each room has a maximum of 10 people per room. 3214 S Alpine Rd, Rockford, IL 61109

AMC Showplace Rockford 16

There aren’t many activities that require less planning than going to the movies. All you have to do is show up at the right time. Going to the movies can be a saving grace for your team if you have some spare time you weren’t expecting. For the best movie selection in the Rockford area, AMC Showplace Rockford 16 is the place to go. A little misleading from the theater’s name, there are only 14 movies playing daily not 16, but that’s more than enough of a selection to choose from. If you’ve never been to an AMC theater before, than you’re in for a surprising treat. AMC has outfitted all of their cinemas with full service kitchens, so say goodbye to the ordinary popcorn and candy, unless that’s what you want of course. Besides the standard movie fare, AMC serves delicious sandwiches, pizza, hamburgers, plenty of appetizers, and some awesome desserts. 8301 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108

Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens

Along the banks of Rock River sits Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens. This unique attraction brings the tropics directly to you. It is the third largest conservatory in Illinois boasting 11,000 square feet. Explore the wide space and check out all of the tropical plants, water features, and sculptures. The conservatory also has seating areas where you can relax and take in the peaceful setting around you. There is also an outdoor portion of the conservatory known as the Eclipse Lagoon. This section has two fountains, a waterfall, pedestrian bridge, patio areas, and a walkway that connects it to the Sinnissippi Rose Garden. 1354 N 2nd St, Rockford, IL 61107

Magic Waters Water Park

Magic Waters Water Park is a family-friendly, outdoors water park in Rockford. It is home to Illinois largest Tidal Wave Pool, 75-ft. tall Speed Slide, the Lazy River ride, and the Abyss. Everyone one of the rides will entertain your team and at the end of the day, they won’t want to leave. Don’t miss the Screaming Lizard, a water slide is on a 45-degree angle where riders go from 0 to 37 mph in seconds, basically defying gravity. 7820 Cherryvale N Blvd, Cherry Valley, IL 61016

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Places to Eat

Linos

The Linos family has been serving exceptional Italian cuisine to the Rockford area for over 40 years. They have even been recognized for their excellence and have won awards and honors along the way. They’ll treat your team like family when you stop by to eat. Try their Breast of Chicken Parmigiana, Lions Famous Baked Lasagna, or their Saltimbocca Alla Romana. 5611 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108

Stockholm Inn

“Välkommen,” the spirit of hospitality, is the pillar of how Stockholm Inn operates. The Stockholm Inn is a great breakfast restaurant where they encourage you to ‘ta mer’: take more! All day long, they serve awesome food that your team will love. Their breakfasts are known far and wide, in particular, their World Famous Swedish Pancakes. Also try their Midsommer Stuffed French Toast, filled with whipped cream cheese and topped with strawberries & whipped cream. 2420 Charles St, Rockford, IL 61108

Machine Shed Restaurant

In 1978, the first Machine Shed Restaurant was opened on the outskirts of Davenport, Iowa. They had just 100 seats but fast forward to the present and there are now six Machine Shed locations, one of which is near Mercyhealth Sportscore. Serving breakfast, lunch, and inner, this is one restaurant that you can easily visit multiple times in a trip because of how expansive and awesome their menu is. 7475 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108

Lucha Cantina

Lucha makes almost everything they serve in house. They use only pure, natural ingredients so no lard, no MSG, and nothing partially-hydrogenated. Only good meats and veggies, from as close to home as they can find. Their beef is grass-fed and braised for six hours. The chicken is free of everything not natural, as nature intended. They use fresh kale, zucchini, and broccoli in their veggie blend. They make their own salsas, dressings, and sauces every day from fresh produce and spices. Try it. You’ll taste the quality. 1641 N Alpine Rd, Rockford, IL 61107

Whether your team is playing at Mercyhealth Sportscore One in Rockford, IL or Mercyhealth Sportscore Two in nearby Loves Park, you will enjoy the northern Illinois area with all of the beautiful areas and fun restaurants. You team will certainly enjoy visiting this area.