When Kate said she’d be doing a Favorite Things in my Town party, I knew I had to participate. I think I’ve made it no secret how madly in love with my town I am, so it just gave me an excuse to brag about it.Because there’s so much to say, I’m going to break it up into two parts. First up, the scenery…
It’s charming; it’s quaint; it’s picturesque. When my husband looked over at the computer and saw this picture, he said, “What’s that building?” Uhh…he doesn’t go to the library very much. 🙂
I think what separates a nice town from a charming town is the care and detail that go into it. There are planters ev-er-y-where, benches all over, and music is always playing on the speakers. You just want to walk around in it.
One of my favorite places in town is this little pizza shop. The patio is all lit up in the evening, and it’s incredibly beautiful. You almost forget that you’re still in Michigan.
Of course, a beautiful town is great for visitors, but what sets it apart is how it treats the locals. You name it; they offer it. (Here’s part 2, by the way.)
Summer
Weekly Farmer’s Market, 4th of July bike parade…
Shopping for crayfish…
Fireworks…
And just general strolls by the water…
The hard part?
WINTER
Try being a quaint town when you’re buried under snow for over half the year, and it’s so cold, your car doesn’t wanna start. Seriously. Try it.
So what do they do? Offer free carriage rides through town…
Host annual ice festivals with miniature golf courses…
And strategically place Christmas carolers throughout town.
I know I’m prejudiced, but it can’t be beat. If this post doesn’t convince my family to get out of Dodge and move here, I don’t know what will. If you want to see more fabulous towns, head over to Centsational Girl’s place and browse all the other links!
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I want to come visit…in every season. Is that okay??! 🙂
Loved visiting your town virtually!
Yes, please!! See you soon. 🙂
You totally made me want to move there. I love it!
Awesome! Pictures just don’t do it justice, but it is really great. Now if I could just get my family over here…
WOW! I love your town too! BEAUTIFUL!!
Really? I mean your home town seems a little too fantastic. Do you promise that you aren’t stretching the truth? Ok never mind I googled it. It really is that beautiful! How? I’ve never seen anything like this. What is the history of it? Also, at first I thought having those webcams was a creepy idea, but the more I think about it the more I like it, especially at the playground. How do you feel about it?
As a newish reader (and huge fan) of your blog, I nearly fell out of my chair to realize you live in Rockford! My boyfriend grew up in Rockford and his parents still live there. Living in Kalamazoo, we visit nearly every weekend and it’s just as charming and amazing as the pictures portray it.
Visiting the Corner Bar for some hot dogs on a Saturday afternoon is like a mini high school reunion.
WOOHOO Rockford! Go Rams!
Oh. My. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall for that one! This is gonna be weird, but do you mind me asking when your boyfriend graduated?
My boyfriend graduated from Rockford high in 1999. Did you go there?
Heh! No. I teach high school there. I started in 2000, but I student-taught there in ’99. Small world… 🙂
I live in West MI too! You are the 2nd blog in the past few weeks that I have discovered live close to me! Winter is brutal in MI but it wouldn’t be right without all the seasons in my opinion.
I totally agree. My brother moved to California years ago, and I always feel bad that he misses so many beautiful seasonal things out here. It just wouldn’t be the same.
Love Rockford…such a gorgeous town. 🙂 I grew up in Linden, Michigan and the family that bought our house in “town” came from Rockford. I now live in the country in Davison, which is trying to do it’s own “big town” updates to the downtown area but it will always have its small town feel. So glad to have found some MI bloggers…go BLUE!
I grew up in Swartz Creek, Steph! My best friend is from Davison, but she lives out here now too! My family still lives in Flint Township, so I’m trying desperately to get them out of there. SMALL world! I, too, love finding some local bloggers.
I knew you were from Michigan but didn’t realize you lived in Rockford (i’m close to Mt. Pleasant, not too far away!). I want to live there in another life (can’t in this one, we are committed to schools and jobs) because I love the small town feel and it’s proximity to GR.
Exactly why I love it, too, Wendy. Small town, but if I want to do the “big city” thing, I drive 20 minutes to it. Such a great spot! Yay Michigan!
Oh my goodness I am in LOVE with your little town!
Thank you, Clydia Kay! Me too! ;0
Wow, gorgeous Chris! Oh my you live in the quintessential American town, I just loved this tour seen through your eyes! Thanks so much for linking up, what a fun day!
xo
Kate
Thanks so much, Kate! It was a great party to throw. I’m excited to see all the other links!
Wow! Talk about Hometown, U.S.A. I want to live there!! What a neat town!
Thank you, Tricia. I really do love it!
wow, i’m sold! when can i move here? ignore the fact that this CA gal has NEVER lived in the snow…i can totally handle it…right? maybe? it’s worth it, this place is adorable!
I’m sorry, but I don’t think you’d survive it Rayan. 😉 I’ve been here 37 years, and I barely survive it! Ha! My brother lives in CA, and he freezes when he comes to visit in the fall. 🙂 If you ever come over here, come visit!
Looks like a wonderful place to live 🙂
Thank you, Jessica!
How beautifully quaint!! It looks like your town is the perfect size: big enough to meet your shopping needs, but small enough to host fun events like the ice festival and 4th of July parade. Makes me want to visit Michigan!
Well said, Gretchen. It is the perfect size. Please DO visit! ;0
It just looks so charming! Thanks for giving us a peek!
You’re welcome! I was glad to show it off!
Love it! I have a good friend who lives in Rockford and in fact, I have a Groupon for Rosie’s Diner that I need to use soon… We live in Manistee on Lake MI, just a hop, skip & jump away. Can’t wait to get down your way soon and go to ArtPrize in Grand Rapids again this year!
Do you know that I’ve lived here 16 years, and I’ve never eaten at Rosie’s? Don’t tell anyone, or they’ll burn me at the stake. 🙂 Artprize! So awesome, isn’t it?
Rockford looks like a wonderful place to live. How ’bout we trade places. I’ll move to Rockford and you can have Phoenix! (Don’t worry, it’s cooling down. It will only be 108 tomorrow!)
108!!! I’ve been to Scottsdale, and it was beautiful there! I’ll trade you from December to April. Does that sound good? 🙂
I was thinking more the other way around! 😉
Wow!! Your town is gorgeous!!! So much greenery in the summer! And carolers!! Who doesn’t love carolers!!! 🙂
I know, right? Carolers. Can’t go wrong. 🙂 Lots of green in the summer; lots of white in the winter!
I didn’t know you were a MI blogger! I was just in Rockford last week for my nephew’s first freshman football game – last week was the first time in nearly 40 years that we played you. When I was a kid I remember that going to Rockford to meet my Aunt was such a LONG trip (ha ha). Now we go just to get on the bike trail, or to grab a hot dog at the Corner Bar. Funny how your perceptions change when you grown up.
Me too, Michele! I grew up in Flint, and the west side of the state seemed like a different country! You know…I teach freshman here. Perhaps I’ll be your nephew’s teacher. Creepy, right? 🙂
Visiting your post linked from Centsational Girl. I’m in GR, my parents and brother’s family are in Rockford, as is our church, so OF COURSE I had to check it out! You do it justice. If you get a minute to check out my fav spot in GR, it’s number 47 on Centsational Girl’s link party.
I will, Jen! Believe me, that post could have been a LOT longer. It was hard to choose what to include! Thanks for stopping by!
Chris, I have always been totally in love with Rockford. You don’t have to convince me sweetheart, just sell my house for a decent price and I will be on my way! Rockford is great, green, friendly and charming. I love to visit you and enjoy all that Rockford offers. I certainly enjoyed myself at the Farmers Market a few weeks ago. I love the fall festival, and need to make it out there for the colorful 4th of July bike parade. Rockford is truly a unique and special town. I am so glad my grandchildren are growing up there. The Rockford park, and the beautiful river, is the prettiest I have ever seen anywhere. Enjoyed the picture tour. Love Mom
I can ditto everything Kristin M said. We live in GR and love Rockford. I must get up soon for a little retail shopping at Jade and dinner at Red’s. MMM!
Reds…mmmmmm. 🙂
Your town is beautiful! I would love to visit any time of the year and go to the pizza place!!
Debbie
Almost picture-postcard perfect! I can see why you love it so much. Beautiful photos, great job. Thanks so much for sharing your “neck of the woods” with us. 🙂
This looks perfect!!! Love it! I could REALLY live in a little town like this! WOW!!!!
My husband is from Clarklake/Brookyln MI. His family is still there and we enjoy visiting. It’s so pretty!
I love the greenery, benches and little pocket parks. Absolutely beautiful! And that ice mini golf course? Adorable!! Makes me really want winter… especially when it’s going to be 102 degrees today in St. Louis.
I used to live in Michigan, and say I would never live up North again because of the winters, but this look so inviting, I wish I could grab my stroller load the kids up and go for a stroll through your town right now! Love it! Your right it is picturesque!
Wow your town IS amazing. I can see why you want to brag some more about it.
And don’t worry my better half has no clue what the library looks like either. ANd hes BEEN there!
Hmmm… I feel like I just watched the movie Funny Farm with Chevy Chase. 😉
It looks beautiful. I’d love to visit but being a Texan with thin blood, I could never survive winter.
How absolutely charming all of this looks! What a great little town! I am IN LOVE with the ice sculpture idea! That fire pit is soooo cool! And carriage rides? Perfect.
Looks like a wonderful place to live.
A warm and cozy feel ins what I get when
I look at your pictures! Love the carriage
ride pics.
melinda
I thought I liked living in the southwest until now. Thanks a lot.
But I might send you photos of us having Thanksgiving dinner on our patio this year. 😉
I love visiting Rockford. My parents live near Lake Bella Vista and my husband & I live in Grandville. After I started reading your blog awhile ago, I figured out you were in Rockford… small world. 🙂 Love your blog! and of course Maximus! 🙂 We just went to Reds the other weekend… yum yum!
Personally I am not very fond of winters but looking at these pictures I want to visit your town. I just checked and Rockford is only 1.5 hours from my place. I think I’ll be there this winter 😀