Nearby Tourist Attraction Named One of America’s Top Landmarks

School's almost out and summer's almost here, which means it's time to start planning those summer vacations and road trips. If you're family is anything like the Griswolds, surely you have something epic planned, but if you don't, it's time to start putting something together.

If a road trip is on your summer bucket list but you're not quite sure the fam' is ready for driving across the country to see the Hoover Dam, then start with something a little smaller but equally as fun, like taking a trip to the Windy City to see one of America's top landmarks.

Trip Advisor named Cloud Gate, also known to Illinois transplants and tourists as "The Bean", as one of top landmarks in the country. It was just shy of making the top 10, coming in at number 11, behind places like Rockefeller Center, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building. What came in at number 1? The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Now if you just said, "been there, done that" or don't feel like traveling this summer because you're on budget, there are plenty of great landmarks for you and the family to visit right here in Rockford; put a list together and check each one off after you visit them:

• Anderson Japanese Gardens
• Burpee Museum
• Discovery Center
• Klehm Arboretum
• Coronado Theater
• Magic Waters
• Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum
• Rock Cut State Park
• Nicholas Conservatory
• The Rockford Symbol
• The Rock Men