The jewel of Central Illinois, Peoria is a vibrant metropolis along the shores of the Illinois River. From downtown hotspots, towering buildings and a picturesque skyline to quaint parks and trails, charming riverside shops and championship golf courses, you'll experience the culture, entertainment and energy of a hip urban city without the attitude. As the third largest city in Illinois, Peoria boasts an interesting and diverting nightlife. Downtown provides a cornucopia of restaurants, shops, bars, nightclubs, music venues and events to jazz up your visit.

Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway, a site for your next meeting or convention, or a unique group tour destination, Peoria is an exciting place to explore and play in central Illinois.

City of East Peoria. In East Peoria, you will discover the EastSide Centre, many athletic tournaments, the holiday Festival of Lights, fine dining restaurants, shopping, golf courses, great entertainment, car shows, and fishing tournaments. For information and events, visit www.cityofeastpeoria.com.

Par–a–dice Hotel Casino. Whether you're a serious gambler or a pleasure seeker, Par–A–Dice is Peoria’s ultimate casino, dining and entertainment destination on the water. Step into 35,000 square feet of plush casino space and try your luck at over 1100 slot and video poker machines and gaming tables, including blackjack, roulette, craps, Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud Poker and Three Card Poker. Take a trip down Penny Lane on the first deck to enjoy the Penny Slots, or enjoy the Bally Games – Hot Lines, Super Frenzy Jackpot Bonus and Five Line Ten Times Money! For your dining and wining pleasure, enjoy the Par–A–Dice Island Buffet and Boyd's Steakhouse, which serves juicy steaks, distinctive wines, single malt scotch and fine cigars. Featuring piled–high deli sandwiches and desserts, Nelson's is the perfect spot for a quick bite, while Bourbon's Lounge offers an intimate atmosphere for a nightcap. As a dockside facility, you are free to board the casino at any time for free. Visit www.par–a–dice.com.  [Top]

Eastside Centre. Recipient of the National Softball Association's Outstanding Parks Award for 2002 – 2005, EastSide Centre in East Peoria is one of the premier athletic, recreation and fitness facilities in the Midwest. Eastside features 14 lighted softball, baseball, and soccer fields, a stadium with a track, and a 53,000 square foot recreation building with the Eastside Fitness Club, which offers exercise equipment and fitness, dance and martial arts classes. EastSide is the home field for East Peoria youth baseball, softball and soccer and East Peoria High School baseball, softball, soccer, football and track. EastSide has hosted the National Softball Association's Super World Series and Illinois High School Association state softball championships, as well as regional, state and national baseball, track, volleyball, softball and soccer championships. EastSide also features Fon du Lac Park’s Splashdown waterpark. Visit www.eastsidecentre.com

Wildlife Prairie State Park. Discover the animals of Illinois from the pioneer days. One of our Nation's premier wildlife parks, Wildlife Prairie State Park is a unique 2,000 acre zoological park that’s home to wolves, bison, waterfowl, black bear, elk, cougar, otter and much more. Enjoy the Park's spectacular natural settings, butterfly garden, wildflowers, lakes, wetlands, and restored prairie. Imagine life in the early 1800's at the Pioneer Farmstead with farm animals, a one–room school house and log cabin. Explore the nature of Illinois while riding the train, visit the bronze statuary, enjoy fun special events or Sunday Brunch, and learn about native Illinois. Spend the night on the Prairie in one of our renovated Cabooses, Cabin on the Hill, Cottages by the Lake, or Prairie Stables. Cast your fishing lines on Deep Lake, Caboose Lake, Beaver Lake, and Horseshoe Lake. Visit www.wildlifeprairiestatepark.org.  [Top]

Splashdown. Splashdown at Eastside is a 3–acre water park and entertainment complex packed with wet and wild attractions, slides, rides, tubes, grooves, gadgets, and gizmos and splash–kickin' activities for your family. Discover wacky water effects found on Splashtower Island. Plunge into an inner tube that careens the crazy and unpredictable curves of the Wild Ride tube slide. Take a tranquil voyage floating along the Lazy River or sit back and watch the kids play at the Splash n' Play pool. Spend this summer splashing on the cool wonders of interactive water activities, and enjoy loads of fun. Visit www.fondulacpark.com.

 Peoria RiverFront. The beautiful Peoria RiverFront is the city’s most exciting attraction in a vibrant urban environment overlooking the Illinois River. Indulge in shopping pleasures, including local artwork, antiques, clothing, jewelry, and gifts at RiverFront shops. Dine at waterfront restaurants or cafés, and enjoy arts, live entertainment, lively nightlife, fun festivals and family activities. Shop for local produce and artistry and hear local musicians at the Peoria RiverFront Market on Saturday mornings (June–Sept.).Enjoy horse drawn evening carriage rides through downtown or rent a 2– or 4–person bicycle. Visit the 50–acre Constitution Gardens, a legacy of the US Bicentennial, RiverFront Festival Park and Liberty Park, home of activities, events and music festivals at. Dock your boat at the RiverFront Marina and walk to Marshall Memorial Plaza, which features the interactive Gateway Fountain and spectacular views of the River. Board the Spirit of Peoria, a turn of the century–style paddle wheeler for sightseeing, theme cruises and private charters. Jam to live bands at the Contemporary Art Center or the CEFCU Center Stage at The Landing, an outdoor entertainment stage on the river. More recreation can be had at  the RiverPlex and the Water Street Dance Company. The heart of Peoria’s diverse arts community, the RiverFront is lined with artisanal buildings housing galleries, studios, music venues, and antique shops. Outdoor sculptures reflect Peoria’s rich history and culture. Visit www.peoriariverfront.com.  [Top]

Peoria Civic Center. Form, fantasy, and function come together at the premier entertainment and convention center in Illinois. A three building complex in the heart of downtown Peoria, the Civic Center features a 12,248 seat arena, a 110,000 square foot exhibit hall with 16 meeting rooms and an elegant 2,200 seat theater. The Peoria Civic Center presents events, concerts, festivals, professional sports, and banquets, including the Broadway Theater series, Peoria Symphony, Peoria Rivermen hockey, the Illinois Ballet, IHSA Tournaments, and the hottest musical concerts and bands. Aerosmith, Barry Manilow, Cher, James Taylor, John Mellencamp, KISS, Patti Labelle, Ray Charles, Sting, and Tony Bennett have graced the stages here. Visit www.peoriaciviccenter.com.

Liberty Park at RiverFront. The Gazebo at Liberty Park at the RiverFront offers a supreme setting for outdoor concerts, weddings and festive family gatherings. Home of the RiverFront Market on Saturdays, the Park is open to the public and available for private rentals. Call (309) 689–3019.  [Top]

RiverFront Walking and Biking Trail. Experience beauty and solitude away from the hustle and bustle of city traffic on the beautiful walking and biking trail in downtown Peoria. The trail begins on the Peoria RiverFront and leads to the historic Springdale Cemetery. Future plans include connecting the trail to the Rock Island Trail.

River Plex. RiverPlex Recreation & Wellness Center is a 120,000 sq. ft facility featuring a state–of–the–art fitness center, an indoor aquatic park, a multipurpose arena with sports, classes, programs and activities, and a pro shop with a smoothie bar. This unique recreation facility features swimming, basketball courts, track, weight lifting and classes. Daily passes and memberships are available. Call (309) 282–1700 or visit Visit www.peoriaparks.org.  [Top]

Contemporary Art Center of Peoria. Peoria's cultural hub for art, music, and entertainment, the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria is a forum for art through education, exhibition and events. Enjoy art exhibitions and instruction, live music, comedy improve, poetry nights, and yoga and tai chi classes; all on the vibrant Riverfront. See exhibits, hear live jazz and blues, enjoy dance performances or take advantage of the classes offered through CAC’s educational program. Visit resident artists in their studios and shop for unique gifts and art objects. Enjoy blues, jazz and other music genres at the CAS’s Live at Five Spot, every Friday night from 5:30–7:30 pm. Call (309) 674–6822 or visit www.peoriacac.org.

Peoria Symphony. Founded in 1897, Peoria Symphony Orchestra is a professional orchestra comprised of 80 musicians. The PSO presents excellent performances of fine music, including a seven–concert classical series, pops performances and student concerts annually at the 2000–seat Peoria Civic Center Theater. The season balances performances by internationally renowned soloists and local artists, popular works and 20th Century compositions as well as unique solo instruments. Peoria Symphony audiences have enjoyed top soloists like Itzhak Perlman, Dudley Moore, Andre Watts, Sarah Vaughan, the Atlantic Brass Quintet and Eroica Trio. Additional pops and chamber concerts are held at settings throughout the community. Visit www.peoriasymphony.org.  [Top]

Peoria Ballet. The Peoria Ballet offers a season of spectacular dance performances featuring the Peoria Ballet Company and guest artists from across the globe, while the Peoria Ballet Academy provides excellent dance education in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and hip hop. Visit www.peoriaballet.com.

Dog Park.  Located in Morton, about 10 minutes away, at Idlewood Park is a large fenced in area to let you dog run free, two separate fenced area allow a space for smaller dogs. [Top]

Spirit of Peoria. Board this turn–of–the–century paddle sternwheeler at the RiverFront for sightseeing, themed dinner cruises, private charters, and overnight excursions to Starved Rock State Park and Père Marquette State Park. Relax, dine and cruise along the Illinois River as you float back in time with live music, gourmet food and historic sounds on the Friday or Saturday night dinner cruises. Many of the Spirit of Peoria's decorative fixtures, including the captain's bell, were from older steamboats. Visit www.spiritofpeoria.com.

Peoria Zoo. Located near the lagoon in Glen Oak Park, Peoria Zoo is home to more than 100 species of animals from around the world, including several which are endangered such as the new Balli myhnahs. Get close to lions, camels, donkeys, zebras, giraffes, a set of twin African crested porcupines, a Dusky leaf monkey, ring–tailed lemurs, giant elephant shrews and lots of unique animals, reptiles and birds. The Zoo also offers a Gift Shop, education programming, family recreation, and conservation based programs. Visit www.glenoakzoo.org  [Top]

Corn Stock Theatre. The first outdoor theatre–in–the–round in Central Illinois, Corn Stock Theatre presents musicals, comedies, dramas, and 6 shows throughout the summer. Enjoy live theatre in the round, in a tent, or in the park, as well as winter shows in the indoor theatre October through March. Visit www.cornstocktheatre.com or call (309) 676–2196.

Peoria Chiefs/O’Brien Field. Come cheer for the Peoria Chiefs, the professional baseball Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, as they round the bases at O’Brien Field The Peoria Chiefs kick off their 25th season in the Midwest League in 2007. Situated on Peoria’s riverfront, the 7000–seat O’Brien Field is an exceptional venue for outdoor concerts, sports and special events, and family entertainment. www.peoriachiefs.com.  [Top]