Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens
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Visiting the Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum
General Admission Tours are Tuesday-Sunday
at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM

Guided tours are required for admission into the museum.

Tours in January, February, and March REQUIRE a reservation made a minimum of 24 hours in advance. 

Tours in April = December only need a reservation if you need special accommodations or have a group of 8 or more. 
​

The Cottage will be closed on July 26-27 for maintenance.
The cottage will be closed on August 30-31 for the holiday weekend.

** Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum my close due to weather conditions throughout the winter months. **
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum       411 Kent St. Rockford, IL 61102              P: (815)964-2424              [email protected] 
*Due to the nature of the museum and the display of its artifacts, guided tours are required for entrance into the museum. Guided tours are approximately 60- 90 minutes long and are a completely walking tour. 

Admission and Guidelines

General Admission Rates
Adult                               $10.00
Senior (65+)                   $9.00
Children (6-17 yrs)        $5.00
Children 5 and under    Free
Tinker Members           Free


Please observe the following  while touring the museum:
  • For the comfort of our guests, all of the buildings are climate controlled.
  • No food or drinks are permitted
  • No flash photography
  • Handling the artifacts is prohibited
  • Sitting on the furniture is prohibited
  • Strollers are not permitted
  • Animals are not permitted inside the buildings* 
    • *with the exception of service animals

Group Tours

Groups of 8 or more must contact the museum at 815-964-2424 or [email protected] for available dates and times.
Please allow at least two weeks when scheduling a group tour.

Museum Closure Dates

New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Fourth of July, Memorial Day Weekend, Labor Day Weekend, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. In the winter months, the museum may close unexpectedly due to weather.

Donation Day

Annual Donation Days
Museum entry is free for all Illinois residents who show valid proof of residency on these scheduled dates.
Spaces are limited to 15 people per tour. Reserved school and group tours do not qualify for the Donation Day discount.


2025 IL Resident Donation Days: 

January: 7, 8, 14, 15, 22, 28, 29​
February: 
All Tuesdays & Wednesdays
March: All Tuesdays & Wednesdays
April: 22nd, 29th
May: All Tuesdays
June: All 
Wednesdays
July: 1st, 15th
August: 6th, 20th
September: All Tuesdays & Wednesdays
October: 1st, 15th
November: Museum Closed
December: 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th

Accessibility

Due to the nature of the Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum, accessibility is limited. There are no ramps leading into the museum nor elevators inside the museum. 

The Barn, where all tours begin, is wheel chair accessible. A standard sized wheelchair is available free of charge. Visitors using wheelchairs or strollers may be dropped off at the Barn, with free handicapped parking nearby. 


For those requiring assistance with hearing, vision, or other disabilities, you must contact the Museum no less than 48 hours in advance for suitable accommodations in programs, activities, and services. 

Partner Programs

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Time Travelers is a free reciprocal membership network for historical sites and museums throughout the United States. Currently, the Time Travelers program includes over 250 organizations in more than 40 states across the country.

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Blue Star Museums provide free access to the institution for active-duty military personnel and their immediate families from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Interested in visiting? 
Read about what our visitors have to say!


Office Hours: 

Tuesday       9am-5pm
Wednesday  9am-5pm
Thursday     9am-5pm
Friday           9am-5pm
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  • Home
  • About
    • History
    • Gardens
    • Staff and Board
  • VISIT
    • Calendar >
      • D&D Night
      • Fundraiser
      • Lectures
      • Murder Mystery Night
      • Paranormal
      • Summer Camp
      • Tea
      • Walking Tour
    • School Tours
    • BSA & Girl Scout Groups >
      • Scouts BSA Classes
      • Girl Scout Classes
    • Exhibits
  • Rentals
    • Birthday Party Packages
  • Donate!
  • Get Involved
    • Memberships
    • Volunteers
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Online Gift Shop
  • Contact Us
    • Book a Tour