Peoria, IL Road Trips

Situated on a river bluff with excellent natural resources and easy river access, the area has been settled since prehistory, with artifacts and burial mounds showing settlement as far back as 10,000 BC. Peoria was first settled by French explorers in 1680 and is one of the oldest continuously-occupied European settlements in what is now Illinois. Thanks to its position on the Illinois River, Peoria enjoyed comfortable growth from shipping business in the 1800s and early 1900s. Like Muncie in Indiana, it became known as an Average American Town, leading to the famous phrase used by Jack Benny as a radio punchline (and the Nixon administration for political spin) "Will it play in Peoria?" Residents may rankle at the implied lack of sophistication in the phrase; right or wrong, they take fierce pride in what their city has to offer, and they see the only differences between their city and Chicago as being size and cost-of-living. Today, most of Peoria's economy revolves around Caterpillar, manufacturer of the iconic yellow construction equipment used worldwide, as well as business conventions and the large medical center. While Caterpillar's corporate headquarters has moved to Texas, the company maintains a visitors' center in Peoria, and much of its engineering and manufacturing facilities remain as well. Illinois high school sports tournaments are also a major draw for visitors. Famous natives include Richard Pryor, for whom a street leading from town to the airport is named, and Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique.

1 Caterpillar Visitor's Center, 110 SW Washington St, ☏ +1 309 675-0606. M-Sa 10AM-5PM (last entry 3:30PM); closed Su and holidays. Although its headquarters have left Peoria, "CAT" still has a huge workforce here spanning dozens of buildings all over town, and Peoria is a popular destination for fans of CAT machinery. They have a visitor's center with eight exhibit galleries and four theaters, and the tour starts by climbing into the bed of a two-and-a-half story mining truck for a virtual ride. Adult $7, children 12 and under free, seniors and military $6. (updated Nov 2019) 2 Glen Oak Park, 2218 North Prospect Road. One of Peoria's oldest city parks, makes a nice all-day or half-day destination. In addition to traditional park activities (grassy and tree-shaded areas, picnic tables, playing fields, tennis courts), Glen Oak Park has an amphitheater used for outdoor concerts and is home to the Luthy Botanical Gardens, the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum, and the Peoria Zoo. 3 Luthy Botanical Gardens (in Glen Oak Park). daily 10AM-5PM. The gardens feature traditional ornamental collections and (increasingly) native plantings on five acres. During holiday seasons, the Gardens host special events. $2.50. 4 Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum (in Glen Oak Park), ☏ +1 309-323-6900. M-Sa 9AM-4PM, but Tuesday morning is members only; Su noon-5PM. $8.50. 5 Peoria Zoo (in Glen Oak Park). daily 10AM to 5PM.

1 Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 North Forest Park Drive, ☏ +1 309-686-3360. M-Sa 9AM-5PM; Su 1-5PM; trails are open dawn to dusk. Natural beauty can be found along the trails of the Forest Park Nature Center, a native river bluff forest with hiking and an interpretive center (and shop). Admission is free. Be forewarned: the trails are not flat. This is the hilliest hiking you'll find in the Peoria area! The shorter trails are very popular with families. The center is also an excellent place to spot butterflies and native birds, including bald eagles, which winter along the Illinois River. Free. (updated Feb 2018) 2 Glen Oak Park Amphitheatre, 2218 North Prospect Road, ☏ +1 309-682-6684, [email protected]. Inside Glen Oak Park (see the listing above), the amphitheatre is used for outdoor concerts, movies, and private events. Free Municipal Band concerts are held each Sunday at 7PM during the summer, movie nights begin at 8PM (50 cent admission), and the venue may also be rented for private events. The amphitheatre seats 500 people, plus many more on the lawn. Check the website for the schedule of events. 3 Par-a-dice Casino, 21 Blackjack Blvd, toll-free: +1-800-PAR-A-DICE (727-2-3423). Su-Th 8AM-4AM, F Sa 8AM-6AM. Riverboat gambling just across the river in East Peoria. Free admission. 4 Peoria Chiefs, Dozer Park, 730 SW Jefferson Street (from east of Peoria, take Interstate 74 to the Jefferson Street exit, and go SW eight blocks to the stadium.

1 Alexander's Famous Steakhouse (Alexander Street Steakhouse), 100 Alexander Avenue (from downtown Peoria, take NE Adams Street two miles north to Alexander Street, turn right, and the restaurant is on your left), ☏ +1 309-688-0404. M-Th 4PM-9PM; F Sa 11AM-9PM; Su 11AM-9PM. An amazing steakhouse where you pick out your own steak from the fridge, and then you can either grill it yourself or let one of their chefs cook it how you like. $11 - $30. (updated Feb 2018) 2 Connected, ☏ +1 309-686-5925. Daily 5PM-close. Upscale Italian/American menu with an extensive wine list and great cocktails. If you don't have a reservation, arrive early and grab a seat at the bar. (updated Nov 2019) 3 Hearth, 4604 N Prospect Rd, ☏ +1 309-686-0234. Lunch Tu-Sa 11AM-2PM; dinner Tu-Th 5PM-9PM, F-Sa 5PM-10PM. Upscale American menu with some excellent Creole and Cajun dishes, and a large selection of whiskey and other drinks. (updated Nov 2019) 4 Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe, 305 S.W. Water Street (take Main Street South to the edge of the river at Water Street; go right onto Water Street, and the restaurant is just across Liberty Street in the second block), ☏ +1 309-676-9668. Tu-Th 11AM-2PM & 5PM-8PM; F 11AM-2PM & 4PM-midnight; Sa noon-Midnight. A cafe with a distinctly bohemian feel and menu and often featuring live music. In the Contemporary Art Center building. $9-18. (updated Feb 2018) 5 Rizzi's Italian Restaurant (Rizzi's), 4613 N Sheridan Road (from Interstate 74, take the War Memorial Drive exit (US Route 150).

The highest concentration of drinking establishments is in downtown Peoria, in the few blocks surrounding Main and Jefferson. If you're looking for more of a young club scene, the scene is constantly changing. Taking a stroll down Main Street (downtown) will get you to most popular Peoria bars. 1 Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery, 619 Southwest Water Street (Near the Riverfront), ☏ +1 309-673-6000. For a great beer selection and lively conversation. (updated Mar 2016) 2 Martini's On Water Street, 212 SW Water Street (take Main Street south to the riverfront; make a right onto SW Water Street, and turn left into the first parking lot; Martini's is on your left before you reach Liberty Street), ☏ +1-309-655-5003. Tu-Sa 4PM-1AM (Jun-Aug: Sa 2PM-2AM); Su 5PM-1AM. On the waterfront in the historic Peoria train station, Martini's features great drinks and live music on the weekends. (updated Feb 2018) 3 Obed & Isaac's Microbrewery and Eatery, 321 NE Madison Ace, ☏ +1 309-306-0190. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-11:30PM. Charming brewpub built inside an old church. The bar is right in the middle of the floor, so you can feel like you're in the middle of the action, or grab a table where you can more easily take in the lofty ceiling and stained glass windows. (updated Nov 2019) 4 Rhodell Brewery, 100 Walnut St #111 (around the corner from Kellehers, near Riverfront). Brewpub that always has some tasty seasonal offerings on tap. (updated Mar 2016) Outside of the downtown area, there are a few other worthy establishments.

1 Comfort Suites, 1812 W. War Memorial Dr. Every room is a suite. Off of I-74. 2 Embassy Suites by Hilton East Peoria Riverfront Hotel, 100 Conference Center Drive, ☏ +1 309 694-0200. Amid the renowned shopping, dining and entertainment centers of the Peoria RiverFront. 3 Mark Twain Hotel, 225 NE Adams St, ☏ +1 309-676-3600. Independent hotel on the periphery of the downtown (near the expressway). It is a smaller, "hipper" hotel than the Pere Marquette. Although the building is older, this adds to its charm more than it detracts; the lobby, full of wood and leather, feels more like a cozy den than a hotel lobby, while rooms have brick walls inside for a nice change from the normal drab hotel decor. Pets are welcome. (updated Nov 2019) 4 Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, 21 Blackjack Blvd. A full-service hotel attached to the East Peoria casino. 5 Pere Marquette, 501 Main St, ☏ +1 309-637-6500. Peoria's most famous hotel, in the middle of the downtown and serving as Peoria's premier hotel since 1927. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is linked to the Civic Center by a skyway. Pets welcome. (updated Mar 2016)

Many visitors fly into Chicago or St. Louis and drive to Peoria. Each city is approximately 150 miles (250 km) from Peoria and the drive takes 2½-3 hours, depending on traffic. Indianapolis is 200 miles (320 km) away and takes 3½-4 hours to reach by car. 1 General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport (PIA IATA). Has daily flights from several cities, including the hubs at Chicago O'Hare, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Atlanta, and Minneapolis, and more limited flights to leisure destinations including Las Vegas, Phoenix/Mesa, Orlando, and Tampa. 2 Mt. Hawley Airport. On the north side of Peoria is a general aviation airport available for charter flights. 3 Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal (BMI IATA). About 50 miles from Peoria, is another nearby airport that might provide additional flights that can help you get to Peoria provided you are willing to drive the short trip to the city. I-74 is the main interstate that runs through the city. Peoria can also be approached from Interstate 55 (which connects Chicago and St. Louis) by taking a state highway such as IL 116 from Interstate 55 into Peoria, about 50 miles (80 km). This provides a somewhat more scenic trip through farming country and small towns. 4 Greyhound, 407 SW Adams St (near the Civic Center), ☏ +1 309-672-9000. 10AM-6:30PM daily. The largest motorcoach operator in the United States services Peoria at the downtown CitiLink location where local buses can also be picked up. 5 Peoria Charter Coach, 407 SW Adams St, ☏ +1-800-448-0572. 8AM-5PM daily.

1 CityLink is the city's mass-transit system, serving 23 routes in and around the city. Single ride fares are only $1, and an unlimited ride all-day pass, which can be purchased on a bus, is just $3. The main downtown bus station is at 407 SW Adams Street near the Civic Center and Dozer Park. Taxi service is available throughout the city; however, it is recommended you call for a taxi, as it is rare to find a taxi to hail outside the downtown or during odd hours. You can locate taxi companies online, in the phone book, or through your hotel's front desk. While Peoria's downtown is very walkable and parts of the city are amid a New Urbanist revival, to get around outside the downtown most visitors will want a car. All major car rental companies have outlets in Peoria; most have outlets at the airport, in the downtown, and in various outlying commercial areas.