Things To Do in Rockford When You're Dead Hiding From Your Governor

By Karl Klockars in News on Feb 21, 2011 7:00PM

While the nation's eyes are fixed on the protesters in Madison, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker pleads his case to the morning network news shows, it occurs to us that the legislators on the downlow might need some help when it comes to killing time as they hide out in our fair state.

Reports put some of them in Rockford, hanging out at the Best Western, other reports have them elsewhere. The Americans For Tax Reform site had some suggestions for the Wisconsin legislators as well but in the interest of showing our guests a good time we thought we'd put together a quick primer on good times in Rockford.

Today is President's Day and a mandatory furlough for Wisconsin workers, so they've got time to find out that the city isn't all Cheap Trick, clock towers and meth, after all. Where they should take their "snow day" after the jump.

1) If you get nostalgic for the majesty and splendor of the Wisconsin Dells, lucky for you - the Best Western Rockford has an indoor waterpark right onsite. Coco Key Water Park offers 2-for-1 Thursdays, so bring the family on down and extend the standoff in "tropical" splendor. We know you'd probably go with the park-district owned Magic Waters but they're not open til it's..you know, not February.

2) Still looking to celebrate the afterglow of the Packers Superbowl victory? Form a Rockford Packers Fan Caucus and debate over chicken wings and beer at Frank's Sports Page, Rockford's "first real sports bar" according to the Rockford Register Star. The RRStar calls Rockford a "haven for Packers fans" so you're at least among some friends.

3) Missing the flashing lights and endless excitement of any of Wisconsin's many casinos? It's no Ho-Chunk, but you can still get your gaming fix at Crazy Penguins Game Center. Instead of gambling, they've assembled 6000 square feet of videogame madness, including PC and console games, retro gaming, billiards, and if the the idea of a multi-legislator battle of Rock Band doesn't sound like a good way to kill a few hours in Rockford, then you don't know what fun truly is.

4) We tried to find a dairy nearby in case you need a cheese fix, but the best we could do was a Chuck E. Cheese. Still, it's the thought that counts. It's where a Kid Legislator Can Be a Kid, you know.