Peoria Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Peoria Area CVB
Photo provided by Peoria Area CVB
Photo provided by Paul Kluber/Peoria Area CVB
Photo provided by Todd Ryburn/Peoria Area CVB
Photo provided by Peoria Area CVB
Stroll along the picturesque Illinois River, through parkland and down tree-lined streets in the oldest European settlement in Illinois.

Visit museums, theaters and galleries in Peoria, one of the first towns to be settled by Europeans in Illinois. The city was established in 1680 by French explorers and is today the biggest city on the Illinois River.

Visitors of all ages will love the Peoria Riverfront Museum. This fusion of art and science has a planetarium, sculpture garden and large theater screen.Peoria has been the headquarters of famous American equipment manufacturer Caterpillar since 1925. Discover how the company’s iconic tractors are made at the Caterpillar Visitors Center.

Peoria caters to a variety of musical tastes with concerts held frequently. See a performance by the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, one of the oldest of its kind in the U.S. The city is also home to a variety of choral groups, bands and youth symphonies.

See a play by one of Peoria's many professional and community theater groups. Peoria Players Theatre is one of the five oldest community theaters in the nation. In the warmer months, see a play at the outdoor Corn Stock Theatre.

Peoria Park District is the oldest park district in Illinois. Walk or rent a bike to ride through 9,000 acres (3,642.2 hectares) of protected land. Play a round of golf at one of six public golf courses.

Spot exotic creatures in the African safari exhibit at Peoria Zoo in Glen Oak Park just north of downtown. See movies and concerts held regularly during the warmer months in an open-air theater. Go hiking and biking on trails and let the kids explore the playgrounds. Surround yourself with blooming flowers and landscaped shrubbery at Luthy Botanical Garden.

Rent a car to take the scenic trip along Grandview Drive. This 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) road north of Glen Oak Park has spectacular views of the Illinois River and historic mansions. President Theodore Roosevelt is said to have called this “world’s most beautiful drive” during a visit to Peoria in 1910.

Rent a car to drive from Peoria to Chicago, 167 miles (268.76 kilometers) northeast of the city. Peoria International Airport provides regular services to a number of destinations within the United States.

Where to stay in Peoria

Peoria showing street scenes

Downtown Peoria

If you're spending some time in Downtown Peoria, Peoria U.S. Courthouse and Carver Arena are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Peoria
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Central Peoria

Central Peoria might not have many top sights, but Northwoods Mall and Weaverridge Golf Course are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Central Peoria
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Northwest Peoria

If you're spending some time in Northwest Peoria, Shoppes at Grand Prairie and Weaverridge Golf Course are top sights worth seeing.

Northwest Peoria
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North Peoria

While visiting North Peoria, you might make a stop by sights like Northpoint Shopping Center and Galena Marina.

North Peoria
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South Peoria

When in South Peoria, you can plan a visit to O'Brien Field and Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

South Peoria
Luthy Botanical Garden featuring wild flowers

East Bluff

If you're spending some time in East Bluff, Luthy Botanical Garden and Peoria Zoo are top sights worth seeing.

East Bluff
Four Points By Sheraton Peoria
Four Points By Sheraton Peoria
3 out of 5
500 Hamilton Blvd, Peoria, IL
Fully refundable
The price is AU$146 per night from 15 May to 16 May
AU$146
includes taxes & fees
15 May - 16 May
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Peoria. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
7.4/10 Good! (970 reviews)
"This hotel was in great proximity to our weekend events. Our room was nice, comfortable, and clean. Only concern is the bathroom was quite small despite the room being large and spacious."

Reviewed on 10 Apr. 2025

Four Points By Sheraton Peoria
Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette
Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette
3.5 out of 5
501 Main Street, Peoria, IL
The price is AU$184 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
AU$184
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Peoria. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
"Peaceful, quiet stay. Comfy beds! I would have given all 5 stars but the check in line was extremely long. Finally got our keys to the 7th floor only to find that the keys were not working....so back to the line we go...."

Reviewed on 13 Apr. 2025

Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette
AmericInn by Wyndham Peoria
AmericInn by Wyndham Peoria
2.5 out of 5
9106 North Lindbergh Drive, Peoria, IL
The price is AU$132 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
AU$132
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Peoria. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (979 reviews)
"Great hotel, clean rooms, good breakfast only complaint was the mattress was very firm (my back didn't love it) and the a/c didn't work properly and was a little loud."

Reviewed on 14 Apr. 2025

AmericInn by Wyndham Peoria
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Charming Vintage Hideaway with Finished Attic
Charming Vintage Hideaway with Finished Attic
Peoria
Stay at this vacation home in Peoria. Enjoy air conditioning. Popular attractions Luthy Botanical Garden and Peoria Zoo are located nearby.
8/10 Very Good! (3 reviews)
My get away
"It was great only one suggestion cause we was with our kids and they had they game system and me and wife wanted to watch movies but only one tv so suggest just add tvs to the rooms other then that it’s perfect"

Reviewed on 15 Mar. 2025

Charming Vintage Hideaway with Finished Attic
Charming 3 Bedroom Ranch by downtown Peoria & OSF!
Charming 3 Bedroom Ranch by downtown Peoria & OSF!
Peoria
Stay at this vacation home in Peoria. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions St. Mary's Cathedral and Peoria U.S. Courthouse are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (27 reviews)
Peoria
"Great location"

Reviewed on 5 Jan. 2025

Charming 3 Bedroom Ranch by downtown Peoria & OSF!
Peoria Prime Location: 3Bed w/Arcade+Foosball
Peoria Prime Location: 3Bed w/Arcade+Foosball
Peoria
Stay at this vacation home in Peoria. Enjoy air conditioning. Popular attractions Northwoods Mall and Luthy Botanical Garden are located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (31 reviews)
Weekend for wrestling tournament at civic center
"Great communication and house was exactly as expected! Thank you!"

Reviewed on 14 Mar. 2025

Peoria Prime Location: 3Bed w/Arcade+Foosball
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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