Attractions at Rockome Gardens
Rock gardens, the horse-powered sawmill, blacksmith shop, Old Hickory Railroad, school house, petting zoo and more at Rockome Gardens, Arcola, Illinois.
Rockome Attractions
The park will be open from 10 to 6, check the calendar for the schedule. This year, admission to Rockome is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (60+), $4 for children (4-12), and those under 4 get in free. Season passes are available for $35, seniors $30, child $25. Season pass does not allow entry to Bluegrass Festival, Halloween Event, or Christmas Show.
This Price Includes:
The Gardens. Rockome is known for its creative rock sculptures and our seven beautiful gardens in the heart of Illinois’ largest Old-Order Amish community. This year the gardens include the Sunken Garden, Formal Garden, Herb Garden, the Spanish Garden, the Fern Garden, the Hill, and our special Victory Garden.
Master Craftsmen and Artisans. Demonstrating century-old traditions passed down from generation to generation, you are welcome to watch them practicing their trade. We feature a hand-blown glass maker, 1860 soap maker, woodcarver, coppersmith, wire artisan, baker, and candy maker. Each will have their wares for sale and custom orders are available.
The Haunted Cave. A favorite for many years, this whimsical and sometimes spooky attraction holds such rooms as the bridge of lights and the slanted swing.
Horse-Powered Sawmill. This is only one in the world which makes it a unique attraction available at Rockome. There is a fee of $3 if you wish to ride the horse as it saws a wood slice, but the slice comes free with the ride. Be sure to get your name burned into the wood slice at the Blacksmith Shop.
Blacksmith Shop. Hammer and anvil are used in this old style blacksmith shop. (There is a small fee for work done by our blacksmith)
Old Hickory Railroad. This is the largest outdoor train setup in Illinois, measuring 1310 feet of track. It runs thru scenery made to look like the continental US. Always being improved and expanded, recent additions include a New England scene.
Rockome Train. Take a break and a slow ride thru the backwoods here at Rockome. It’ll give you a chance to eat an ice cream cone from the snack shop. Runs every hour on the hour.
School House. Come see our turn of the century one room school house. Ring the bell loud enough and you can hear it for miles.
Petting Zoo. Bring the youngsters to our petting zoo with such animals as sheep, goats, and horses (there is a nominal 25 cent fee to buy feed if you want to feed them by hand)
Giant Rocking Chair. This chair has been sat in by thousands of visitors and has always been such a favorite that some ask if this is the reason it’s called “Rock”ome. If this isn’t a picture opportunity, then I don’t know what is, so bring your cameras folks.
Tree House and Playground. Want to take a breather? Sit here in the shade and let the kids run off some excess energy.
Fishing. come catch and release for free in the pond. Inquire at the Trading Post for poles at no extra charge. (nominal fee for bait)
Lookout Tower. If you’ve got the legs and the lungs for it, climb to very top of the Learning Center and look out over the whole gardens. A favorite of the kids.
We also offer additional attractions:
- Buggy rides: $4 per person, includes a trip thru the park with commentary from our knowledgeable drivers.
- Kayaking the Kaskaskia: $20 per person, but this includes admission to the park. It’s a scenic 4 mile trip down the scenic river, no rapids included. As the kayaks only seat one, no children under 12 are permitted without an adult, but a guide can be hired if an extra adult is required. Please inquire at the gate for this amusement. Starting times are 10am, 12:30pm and 2:00pm as everyone must be out of the water by dark. The trip takes two and a half hours, on average.
- Horseback Riding: $18 for an hour or $9 for half, also $6 pony rides available. This includes a guided tour through the countryside at Rockome.
- Chicken Tic-Tac-Toe: play the chicken for only a quarter! She’s had a lot of practice, but see if you can beat her.
- Arcade: New this year is our family friendly video arcade and pool hall. Waiting for the wife to finish shopping? 75 cents per game, rack ‘em up!
- Camping: Primitive camping available $18 for a tepee and $25 for the cabin. Sorry, only one cabin, first come first serve and yes, we take reservations. The tepees sleep 6-8 people and the cabin 4-6. You can view other local places to stay.
- Penny Press: Looking for a souvenir or collect pressed pennies? Only costs you two quarters and supply your own penny.
The bottle houses have become broken and although we are looking for a way to display them safely, they are not available at this time. The lily ponds were leaking due to cracks beyond repair and had to be removed. The Amish home is currently closed for historical renovation, but will be open in future years.
Things to Do
Opening Day April 29
Spring Horse Plowing Day May 7
June Jamboree Music Festival** June 11
Farm Horse Pull July 16
Wanda Brunsetter Book Signing July 16
(Author of Amish fiction books for children & adults and cookbooks)
Talent Show July 17
State of Illinois Kiddie Pedal Tractor Pull August 6
Antique Show August 6 & 7
Bluegrass in the Gardens Music Festival** August 20 & 21
Five Mile Experience Sept 15 – Oct 31
Pony Pull September 17
Farm Horse Plowing September 17
Five Mile Experience (Continued from September 15) October 1 - 31
Harvest Festival October 8 & 9
** Admission is higher due to live music entertainment on June 11 and August 20 & 21.
Attractions/Shops
Historic Gardens
Rockome Restaurant
Cheese Factory
Amish Museum:
The Illinois Amish museum is dedicated
to the Old Order Amish, features exhibits
on quilts, buggies, barns, homes and
more. Here you will also see a video that
introduces you to the Amish faith and
lifestyle.
• Meal in an Amish Home
• Amish Dairy Farm Tour
• Amish Home Tour
• Amish Woodworking Tour
• Guided Countryside Tour
A Truly Authentic Amish Experience
Tours and Meals
By Reseravation Only
Contact us:
Phone:
Email: [email protected]
Antique Barn Mall
Children's Petting Zoo
Blacksmith's Shop
Country Heritage Crafts
Trading Post
Sarah's General Store
Elvan's Ice Cream Shop
Marcella's Corner (Official Raggedy Ann & Andy Shop)
Old School House
Old Hickory Railroad
Buggy Rides
Train Rides
Martin House / Amish Home
Tatman-Hudson Cabin-1940
RG Craft Guild Shop - Coming soon
Attractions
Take a Leisurely Stroll Through Acres of Gardens!
Experience Rockome in a Horse-Drawn Buggy Ride
Ride the Banks of the Kaskaskia River on Our Train!
Tour the Amish Home at Rockokme Gardens!
Thomas the Tank Engine at Old Hickory Railroad
Are the Three Bears Home in their Cottage?
Fallon, our European Fallow Deer, left the petting farm to pose with Ricky Skaggs when he was here in 19998.
Gardens and Attractions
Whether you're young or young at heart you'll discover a lot to see and do at Rockome Gardens. We offer 15 acres of gardens and theme park attractions... all unique and indicative of our location in peaceful and serene Illinois Amish Country. There's enough to keep you all day!
Rock and Floral Gardens
An Artful blend of rock and floral gardens line our pretty, picturesque landscape every season. Dozens of varieties of colorful flowers and herbs bloom annually at Rockome Gardens. They're carefully tended by a dedicated staff of Amish and Mennonite women (all with green thumbs).
Enjoy a peaceful stroll through acres of adorable gardens and relax in one of our quaint gazebos.
Relaxing Buggy Rides
A relaxing ride in one of our slow-moving, horse-drawn buggies is the ideal way to see Rockome Gardens. For only $1.75 per person, you and your family will be totet around the park. Feel free to ask your driver questions.
All Aboard the Rockome Railroad!
At the top of every hour, and the bottom of each hour on busier days, you can take a trek to the banks of Illinois' Kaskaskia River on our Train. You'll also be treated to a narrative about Rockome Gardens while you travel along.
Tour the Amish Home
Old Bagdad Town At Rockome Gardens
Head to the south end of the park and explore Old Bagdad Town, a recreated frontier village with boardwalk, jail, livery stable, barber shop, village blacksmith, one-room schoolhouse, bakery, candy shop, horse rides, petting farm and more. See Arnold, our Vietnamese Pot Belly Pig.
See Friendly Faces in our Petting Farm!
At Old Bagdad Town, step into our petting farm and you'll be greeted by Scooter the Llama, Teddy the Mini Horse, Benjamin the Flemish Rabbit, Fallon the European Fallow Deer, Samson the Turkey, Roscoe the Peacock, Peanut the Barbados Lamb and our friendly herd of goats.
Dutch Barn & Antique Farm Machinery
On the east side of the park, you can't miss the colorful red Dutch Barn. In it and around it, we're pleased to have an impressive collection of antique farm machinery.
Old Hickory Miniature Railroad
Visitors, young and older, will love watching miniature trains travel the tracks at Old Hickory Railroad, ranked as one of the largest outdoor G-Guage Layouts in America. Daily at 1 and 3, see Thomas the Tank Engine. Enjoy lunch on a picnic table under one of our shade trees.
Antique Museum and Lookout Tower
Antique buffs will appreciate the fine collection of antiques in our Anitque Museum, located on the second level of our Big Red Barn. Walk up a few more flights and you'll see much of the park from our Lookout Tower.
Get Spooked in Our "Haunted" Cave
Swing in a slanted room, see the one-eyed calf, watch out for the "bats." You wont believe what you see!
So Much, Much More to Explore
Click on our colorfull map on the previous page for more fun, unique things to see and do at
Rockome Gardens.
©1999 Rockome Gardens, Inc.
blacksmith_shop
Both age-old arts, wood carving and blacksmithing flourish in this small town. View the craftsmen in action on the weekends as they forge horseshoes, or have your name carved in a piece of wood to hang as a rustic piece of art in your home.
Other Features:
Gardens
Haunted Cave
Farm House
Blucker Hall
School House
Woodburning
Model Trains
buggyrides
Although automobiles became more and more popular everyday, in the 1940's small towns and rural citizens continued to make use of the horse and carriage.
Here at Rockome, you can enjoy a buggy ride through the village. The population of Rockome's surrounding community is largely Amish, allowing us to easily incorporate this form of transportation into our everyday life.
Blacksmith Shop
Rockome Train Robbery and Old Badad Shootout
Showtimes
Train Robbery......3:00 PM
Shootout on Main Street........4:00 PM
SHOWS OCCURING EVERYDAY
Press PLAY below to watch a glimpse of the
Rockome Train Robbery
Untitled Document
Check Back Soon for Details!!
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