Hold on Mother Nature, it's not time for winter yet. The Rockford Park District will hang on to summer fun a little longer. The Riverboat and Trolley season will be extended through October 19, 2014. There's still time to enjoy our Rockford treasures. Here's how. The Rockford Park District's Forest City Queen riverboat and rail-based Trolley Car 36 have extended their operational season, and will continue to offer public excursion rides Saturdays and Sundays through October 19, 2014, weather and river conditions permitting. Select dates and times are also still available for the two-hour Forest City Queen dinner cruises. Trolley rides at Rockford City Market will continue through October 17, 2014.

I have had the pleasure of riding The Forest City Queen and the 45-minute narrated excursion cruise was entertaining, visually stunning, and informative about the formation of the Rock River and Rockford in general.

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Trolley Car 36 travels along the Rock River Recreation Path from Riverview Park to the Symbol sculpture, with a brief stop at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, where riders can visit the rose gardens and Eclipse Lagoon before returning to the station. I haven't had the pleasure of riding the Trolley Car, but I have seen it and it is amazing.

For more info on taking your family on either the River Boat or Trolley Car log on to www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/boatandtrolley, call 815-987-8894, or stop by during office hours at the Trolley Station at the south end of Riverview Park, 324 N. Madison St., Rockford, IL.

Get there early because seating availability is first come, first served. Don't forget your camera either.

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