Peoria, Illinois, is a thriving city of more than 100,000 people located in central Illinois and adjacent to the Illinois River. Its rich history is on full display in this sprawling riverfront city, which has a plethora of cultural attractions to match.
Things To Do In Peoria IL, several of the attractions that attracted so many people to Peoria when it was first discovered by French explorers in the late 17th century remain popular today.
The Smithsonian-affiliated Peoria Riverfront Museum is a major cultural feature of the city. Exhibits travel across the country, and the museum’s grounds include a sculpture garden. An educational space that extends into the riverfront corridor is also home to a C.
List Of 12 Things To Do In Peoria IL Today
1. Peoria Riverfront Museum
The massive Smithsonian museum in downtown Peoria has a great view of the Illinois River. Riverfront Museum’s rotating exhibit galleries feature Smithsonian catalog exhibits from around the world. Every year, the exhibits are reimagined and offer new reasons for visitors to come back. From Da Vinci installations to bioluminescence lessons, the exhibitions cover a wide range of topics at East peoria.
The museum’s permanent exhibits cover a wide range of artistic and scientific disciplines. An 1898 Duryea Motor Trap – one of the first gasoline-powered automobiles on the market – is among a large collection of folk and fine art at the museum.
Along with the impressive Abraham Lincoln statue, the grounds feature a stunning Sculpture Garden for guests to enjoy. Another notable landmark in the area is the Peoria Holocaust Memorial. This reflective area provides a peaceful setting in which to contemplate the past.
The museum also has a Giant Screen Theater, where summer blockbusters, 3D documentaries, and annual film festivals can be viewed. The museum’s impressive Dome Planetarium offers visitors an up-close look at the night sky, as do its 30 different celestial shows is a free things.
Every week and throughout the year, Peoria’s Riverfront Museum hosts a wide range of adult-oriented programs and classes.
Address: 222 Southwest Washington Street, Peoria, Illinois
2. Caterpillar Visitors Center & Museum
Caterpillar Visitors Center & Museum, this 50,000-square-foot visitor center honors Peoria, Illinois-based Caterpillar Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. The visitor center and museum, which opened in 2012, has eight galleries with exhibits on the company’s past, present, and future.
Attractive displays of massive Caterpillar machinery span the museum’s exhibit floor and include several that guests can climb aboard at peoria chiefs.
The museum also has a driving simulator and a 3D design technology application that are worth checking out. Scale models and branded clothing are available for purchase at the Visitor Center’s merchandise shop.
The Caterpillar Visitors Center is open from Monday to Saturday during the daytime hours.. Children under the age of 12 are admitted free of charge.
Address: 110 Southwest Washington Street, Peoria, Illinois
3. Peoria Zoo
Glen Oak Park is home to the Peoria Zoo and the Luthy Botanical Garden. As of 1981, the zoo was accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, and the Peoria Park District manages the facility. The zoo has six different exhibits, including an Asian Trail, a Tropics Building, and a Conservation Center, for visitors to explore at st louis.
These include rhinos, tigers, and wallabies along with tortoises, emus, and boa constrictors as some of the Zoo’s resident animals. Every day at the zoo, visitors and animals are able to interact with each other. A wide range of camps, classes, and summer programs for children and adults are also offered by the zoo.
Address: 2320 North Prospect Road, Peoria, Illinois
4. Peoria Civic Center
The calendar of this 11,000-plus-seat arena is jam-packed with concerts, sporting events, and other community gatherings. The Civic Center in Peoria is the place to go for the best shows and performances in the area.
The Peoria Civic Center is frequently visited by national touring musicians and Broadway’s biggest acts currently on tour. During the season, the Bradley University Braves basketball team is a sellout.
It’s a packed house for the Peoria Rivermen Southern Professional Hockey League team as well. A 100-foot-long ice slide and an outdoor ice rink are part of the PNC Winterfest, which runs from November through January at the Civic Center.
Address: 201 Southwest Jefferson Avenue, Peoria, Illinois
5. Wildlife Prairie Park
Nearby, a 2,000-acre zoological park provides a habitat for dozens of Illinois native species. In many cases, the park’s animals are rescued and would not be able to survive on their own in the wild. Bison, bobcats, black bears, foxes, owls, and snakes are all common sights at Wildlife Prairie Park.
Mountain bike trails, a disc golf course, and a butterfly habitat are just a few of the other things you’ll find here in the woods. The Wildlife Prairie Park Railroad is open to both adults and children. All year long, visitors can enjoy this fascinating wildlife park, which is open on Tuesdays through Sundays at corn stock theatre.
Address: 3826 N. Taylor Road, Hanna City, Illinois
6. Luthy Botanical Garden
Glen Oak Park, home to the Peoria Zoo and the George L. Luthy Memorial Botanical Garden, is a lush green space. There are now more than 15 themed gardens and a tropical conservatory spread over five acres at this botanical center, which was established in 1951.
A Rose Garden, a Children’s Garden, and a Herb Garden are just a few of the beautiful spots to enjoy the flowers. Cacti and exotic lilies are among the plants on display in the park’s tropical conservatory. Additionally, the Luthy Botanical Garden organizes a number of floral shows, including an annual orchid show at contemporary art center.
As a popular venue for special events, the botanical garden has hosted a number of educational programs and events throughout the year. There is no charge to visit this park, but donations are always welcome.
Address: 2520 North Prospect Road, Peoria, Illinois
7. Forest Park Nature Center
Forest Park is a 540-acre forest preserve located north of downtown and near the Illinois River. Park trails wind through bluffs, prairies, and open forests over seven miles of land. Forest Park’s designated bird-watching station, where more than 100 different species have been documented to visit, is a popular spot for wildlife sightings.
Additional educational services for children and adults, such as guided hiking, are also available at the Nature Center. Fair trade and environmentally friendly products are available for purchase at the Trailhead Nature Store. Forest Park’s trails and Nature Center are open year-round, with hours of operation ranging from Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Address: 5809 North Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights, Illinois
8. Pettengill-Morron House Museum
The Pettengill-Morron House, one of two historic homes operated by the Peoria Historical Society, was built in 1868. There are many original Pettengill and Morron family heirlooms in this home museum, which is now part of the National Register of Historic Places at dozer park.
On Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., guided tours of the historic mansion are available, as are other times by appointment. The 1837 John C. Flanagan House Museum, run by the Peoria Historical Society, is located on the other side of downtown and offers additional historical walks.
Address: 1212 West Moss Avenue, Peoria, Illinois
9. Laura Bradley Park
The Laura Bradley Park, located next to Bradley University, has provided Peoria with a place to get away from it all for more than a century. A high-bluff woodland landscape and a thriving riparian corridor are just some of the things that haven’t changed in this public park are one of the fun things to do.
Playgrounds, picnic areas, and baseball fields surround the park’s natural features, making them appealing to visitors of all ages. Dry Run Creek flows through Laura Bradley, where a beautiful Japanese bridge and an ornamental shelter are located.
Bradley Park’s disc golf course is a local favorite, and the dog park is a popular spot for pet owners alike. Every day of the year, the park is open from dawn to dusk.
Address: 1317 North Park Road, Peoria, Illinois
10. Northmoor Observatory
The Peoria Astronomical Society maintains the Northmoor Observatory in Donovan Park north of the downtown area. Open every cloudless Saturday night between May and October, the observatory features an impressive nine-inch refractor telescope and a rotating dome ceiling. On these Saturday nights, the observatory is aided in its exploration of the cosmos by volunteers.
Donovan Park, formerly the Leo Donovan Golf Course, is a sprawling expanse of greenery and paved walkways that encircles the Observatory. Outside of the winter, the park’s excellent cross-country course is popular with local runners.
Cyd’s Gourmet Kitchen, with its coffee bar, bakery, and take-out café, can also be found in Donovan Park.
Address: 5805 North Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, Illinois
11. Jubilee College State Park
It’s only a short drive west of town to Jubilee College State Park, which offers a variety of outdoor activities and a tranquil natural setting thing. Jubilee College, one of the state’s earliest educational institutions, was once located in this state park, which encompasses more than 3,000 acres.
There are over 40 miles of multi-use trails in the park, which are popular with hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. In the winter, snowmobiles and cross-country skiers travel through the same areas of land. Recreational vehicles and tents are welcome at the park’s seasonal campground.
Address: West Fussner Road, Brimfield, Illinois
12. Grand View Drive and Park
Theodore Roosevelt dubbed Grand View Drive and the adjacent park the “world’s most beautiful drive” during his 1910 visit to the area. Grand View Drive, a 2.5-mile stretch of road in Peoria, Illinois, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, allowing visitors to see the area’s woods, water, and historic homes.
It’s easy to spend an afternoon at Grand View Park, which has an abundance of playgrounds and hiking trails, as well as benches with views, to take in the scenery. If you’re looking for a good workout, the steep grade of Grand View Drive is ideal for jogging, running, or biking.
FAQs On Things To Do In Peoria IL
Is Peoria worth visiting?
Illinois’ largest city, Peoria, is located in central Illinois and sits along the Illinois River. Since there are so many things to do and see in Illinois, it’s a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. If you’re planning a trip to this city, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide variety of activities.
What does Peoria Illinois have to offer?
In the Greater Peoria area, there is a plethora of activities for the whole family. Visit one of the many local attractions, festivals, or events in the Peoria, AZ, area! Our city has something for everyone, from the Peoria Riverfront Museum to the Par-A-Dice Casino and Hotel to the Peoria Zoo.
What is the crime rate in Peoria Illinois?
One of the highest crime rates in America, Peoria has a crime rate of 41 per 1,000 residents compared to all communities, from the smallest towns to the largest cities in the United States. Every 25 people in this city are at risk of being victims of either violent or property crime.
