Tinker Swiss Cottage is located at 411 Kent Street, Rockford, IL 61102. The Museum has two main entrances: one on Winnebago Street and one on Kent Street. Parallel parking spaces are located at the Winnebago Street entrance and a spacious parking lot with a turnaround for buses is located at the Kent Street entrance. Visitors entering at the Winnebago entrance may also access additional parking by continuing past the Visitor Center, the Cottage and the Carriage House Administrative Offices until they reach the parking lot. At the west end of the lot is a stone pathway leading to the Tinker Barn and Visitor Center. All tours and programs begin at the Tinker Barn and Visitor Center.
From the North
Take Winnebago south through downtown Rockford until you reach the Tinker Swiss
Cottage sign with the flashing light. Turn left into Tinker Park and proceed
to park or continue past the Visitor Center, Cottage and Carriage House until
you reach the parking lot.
From the South
Take South Main Street (Illinois Rte.2) north past 15th Ave./Marchesano Ave.
You will enter the Historic Southwest Business district. Continue through the
Morgan Street traffic light for one block when you will reach Kent Street. Turn
left onto Kent Street and the Museum parking lot entrance is ahead on the right.
From the East
Travel west on East State Street into downtown Rockford. After crossing the
Rock River, continue on West State Street past Church Street and Court St. and
turn left onto S. Winnebago Street just past the Bus Transportation Depot. Continue
on S. Winnebago until you reach Tinker Park. Turn left onto the Blake Street
entrance to Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens at the Tinker sign with
the flashing light.
Or
Proceed west on Bypass 20 to the Main St./Illinois Rte. 2 exit. Go north on South Main St. Continue past Klehm Arboretum for approximately 2 miles when you will continue through the traffic light at Morgan Street and proceed one block to Kent Street. Turn left onto Kent St. The Museum entrance is ahead on the right.
From the West
Go east on West State St. into downtown Rockford. At S. Winnebago Street, turn
right (south). Continue on S. Winnebago, crossing over the rail yards, until
you reach Blake Street. Turn left into Tinker Park at the Tinker Sign with the
flashing yellow light.