Here are 10 unique roadside attractions within a few hours from Rockford, Illinois

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — American’s highways can be a treasure trove of quirky roadside attractions.

Things like the “world’s largest ball of string,” and others, continue to beckon curious travelers.

Here are 10 unique attractions within a few hours from Rockford, including some that are right here in the stateline.

Rockmen Guardians, Rockford, Illinois

Address: Sinnissippi Park, 1301 N. Second St., Rockford, IL 61107.
Located along the Rock River in Rockford’s Sinnissippi Park, these 12-foot rock figures were crafted from boulders by artist Terese Agnew in 1987 and installed in 1988. Their almost superheroic poses and rock armor create a surreal presence as if they’re guarding the city. The Rockmen are made of rock, granite and cement.

class="wp-block-heading">Millie the Cow, Rockford, Illinois

Address: Lockwood Park,5201 Safford Road Rockford, IL, 61101 
Towering over Lockwood Park in Rockford, this 19-foot-tall and 21-foot-long fiberglass cow was donated to the Rockford Park District in the 1980s by Muller-Pinehurst Dairy. Millie has been a beloved local landmark, attracting visitors for photos and curiosity.

World’s Heaviest Ball of Twine, Highland, WI

Address: 9360 S. County Road South, Lake Nebagamon, WI 54849
About two hours northwest of Rockford, in Highland, Wisconsin, this massive ball of twine—created by James Frank Kotera and weighing over 6 tons—stands as a roadside marvel. While Kotera’s piece is the heaviest, a giant ball of twine in Cawker City, Kansas, also claims the title of the world’s largest.

Historic Attractions, Roscoe, IL

Address: 13825 Metric Rd, Roscoe, IL 61073
Just north of Rockford in Roscoe, this museum boasts nearly 90,000 square feet of oddities, including cars from “Batman” and “Ghostbusters,” presidential limousines, and gangster-era memorabilia. It’s a pop culture time capsule with a twist.

Dr. Evermor’s Sculpture Park, Freedom, WI

Address: S7703 US-12, North Freedom, WI 53951
About 2 1/2 north in Freedom, Wisconsin, this park features a whimsical array of sculptures made from industrial scrap metal. The centerpiece, “Foreverton,” is billed as the “World’s Largest Scrap Metal Sculpture.” The piece weighs 400 tons.

House on the Rock, Spring Green, WI

Address: 5618 WI-23, Spring Green, WI 53588
Rough 100 miles northwest of Rockford in Spring Green, Wisconsin, this architectural oddity houses eccentric collections—think giant orchestrions and a 200-foot indoor carousel. It’s a labyrinth of the bizarre that defies convention.

Henry’s Rabbit Ranch, Staunton, IL

Address: 1107 Historic Old Route 66, Staunton, IL 62088
About 250 miles south of Rockford in Staunton, this Route 66 gem blends a vintage gas station replica with live rabbits and classic VW Rabbits. Rich Henry’s passion for roadside nostalgia makes it a quirky pit stop.

World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, Collinsville, IL

Address: 800 S. Morrison Ave., Collinsville, IL 62234
About four hours south in Collinsville, this 170-foot-tall water tower, built in 1949, is a kitschy icon listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Superman Museum, Metropolis, Illinois

Address: 517 Market St., Metropolis, IL 62960
Although it’s a haul from Rockford—about 400 miles, the Super Museum in Metropolis, is must-see for super hero fans. The small museum houses a $2.5 billion collection of Superman memorabilia spanning 60 years. Paired with the 15-foot bronze statue in Superman Square, it’s an enthusiast’s paradise and a tribute to the Man of Steel.

Black Hawk Statue, Oregon, Illinois

Address: Lowden State Park, 1411 N. River Road, Oregon, IL 61061
Standing tall along Route 2 south of Rockford near Oregon, Illinois, this 48-foot-tall concrete statue of the Sauk warrior Black Hawk commemorates the leader of the Black Hawk War. Black Hawk was erected in 1911 by artist Lorado Taft.