Peoria IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Peoria, Illinois.
1. Caterpillar Visitors Center
HEAVY EQUIPMENT HERITAGE
The Caterpillar Visitors Center offers interactive exhibits, engaging videos, and hands-on activities that provide educational insights into the history and mechanics of heavy equipment. Visitors can explore life-size displays showcasing Caterpillar's global impact and technological innovations. The center ranks as one of Peoria's top attractions, offering an immersive experience for machinery enthusiasts and curious travelers alike.
2. Peoria Riverfront Museum
ART, SCIENCE AND HISTORY
The Peoria Riverfront Museum features international exhibitions, the Dome Planetarium, and a RealD Giant Screen Theater alongside art and natural history collections. Located in the RiverFront District, this cultural hub offers permanent collections like the sculpture garden and Peoria Holocaust Memorial, plus rotating exhibits and galleries. Visitors can enhance their understanding of Central Illinois while enjoying a variety of engaging educational experiences.
3. Grand View Drive
SCENIC RIVER VALLEY VIEWS
Grand View Drive offers a beautiful scenic journey with picturesque views of the Illinois River valley on one side and a variety of impressive homes on the other. This well-known street in Peoria provides travelers with a leisurely adventure through one of the city's most charming areas. Visitors can slow down and take in the natural beauty that prompted Theodore Roosevelt to famously call it the 'World's Most Beautiful Drive.'
4. Peoria Zoo
GLOBAL WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
The Peoria Zoo is home to over 100 species of animals from around the world, including giraffes, rhinoceros, spider monkeys, and sea lions. The Australia Walk-About stands as the zoo's signature experience, allowing visitors to take a leisurely stroll with wallabies bouncing around their feet. With easy-to-navigate pathways and engaging exhibits featuring several endangered species, the zoo offers a delightful experience for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages.
5. Dozer Park
BASEBALL AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
Dozer Park serves as the premier baseball stadium in downtown Peoria and home field for the Peoria Chiefs minor league baseball team. The stadium offers fans an intimate setting with excellent sightlines, comfortable seating, and a range of concessions featuring local flavors. Beyond baseball, the venue hosts various community events and concerts throughout the year, making it a versatile entertainment destination for locals and visitors.
6. Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum
INTERACTIVE LEARNING FOR KIDS
The Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum provides hands-on, interactive exhibits designed specifically for children to learn through play and exploration. Young visitors can engage with various themed areas that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and discovery in a safe and stimulating environment. The museum offers regular educational programming and special events that make it a must-visit destination for families traveling to Peoria with children.
7. Wildlife Prairie Park
NATIVE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Wildlife Prairie Park spans nearly 2,000 acres just outside Peoria, showcasing native Illinois wildlife in their natural habitat, including bison, wolves, black bears, and elk. Visitors can observe these magnificent creatures via hiking trails, train rides, or guided tours throughout the park's diverse ecosystems. Beyond wildlife viewing, the park offers unique lodging options, including converted train cabooses, making it possible to extend your wilderness adventure overnight.
8. Peoria Riverfront Market
LOCAL PRODUCE AND CRAFTS
The Peoria Riverfront Market brings together local vendors selling fresh produce, artisanal foods, handcrafted items, and unique souvenirs along the scenic Illinois River. Visitors can sample regional delicacies, meet local farmers and artisans, and enjoy live music while experiencing the community atmosphere. The market serves as a vibrant gathering place that showcases the best of Central Illinois' agricultural bounty and creative talent.
9. Forest Park Nature Center
URBAN WILDERNESS PRESERVE
Forest Park Nature Center offers over 7 miles of hiking trails through a pristine 540-acre Illinois nature preserve with stunning woodland and river valley vistas. The center includes an interpretive building with natural history exhibits, educational programs, and a nature store for visitors to enhance their understanding of local ecosystems. Nature enthusiasts can observe abundant wildlife, native plants, and seasonal changes while exploring this protected sanctuary just minutes from downtown Peoria.
10. Luthy Botanical Garden
URBAN FLORAL OASIS
Luthy Botanical Garden encompasses five acres of meticulously maintained floral displays, specialty gardens, and tropical plants in the heart of Peoria. Visitors can wander through themed sections including a rose garden, woodland wildflower garden, and a tropical conservatory that provides year-round botanical beauty. The garden hosts seasonal events, educational workshops, and plant sales that celebrate the diversity and wonder of the plant kingdom.
11. Peoria Civic Center
ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVENTION HUB
The Peoria Civic Center stands as the region's largest multipurpose venue, hosting major concerts, sporting events, conventions, and theater performances throughout the year. The facility features a 12,000-seat arena, a 2,200-seat theater, and extensive exhibition space to accommodate a diverse range of events and experiences. Visitors can check the center's calendar for upcoming shows, from Broadway productions to championship sporting events and headline musical acts.
12. Wheels O' Time Museum
VINTAGE TRANSPORTATION COLLECTION
The Wheels O' Time Museum showcases an impressive collection of antique automobiles, tractors, trains, and other mechanical marvels spanning the 20th century. Visitors can explore multiple buildings housing vintage vehicles, a functioning miniature railroad, music machines, and carefully preserved historical artifacts. The museum offers a nostalgic journey through America's transportation and technological evolution with hands-on displays that appeal to curious minds of all ages.
13. Peoria Historical Society
LOCAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION
The Peoria Historical Society maintains two historic house museums—the Pettengill-Morron House and Flanagan House—that showcase the city's rich architectural and cultural heritage. Visitors can tour these meticulously preserved properties filled with period furnishings, artwork, and artifacts that tell the story of Peoria's development. The society offers guided tours, educational programs, and special events that bring the region's fascinating past to life for contemporary audiences.
14. Glen Oak Park
HISTORIC URBAN GREENSPACE
Glen Oak Park spans over 100 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds featuring recreational facilities, walking paths, and picnic areas in a historic setting. The park serves as home to several major Peoria attractions, including the Peoria Zoo, Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum, and Luthy Botanical Garden. Visitors can enjoy the scenic lagoon, amphitheater, and traditional carousel while experiencing one of the city's most beloved public spaces, designed in part by noted landscape architect Oscar F. Dubuis.
15. Peoria Riverfront
VIBRANT WATERFRONT DISTRICT
The Peoria Riverfront district offers a revitalized urban space along the Illinois River with restaurants, shops, museums, and recreational opportunities. Visitors can stroll along the riverfront promenade while taking in scenic views, attending seasonal festivals, or enjoying outdoor concerts at the CEFCU Center Stage. This vibrant area serves as the cultural and recreational heart of the city, connecting Peoria's rich history with its dynamic present through various year-round attractions and events.