Visitors can get the best experience of the city during the months of May through October, when CityLink provides a two-hour historic trolley tour with narration provided by the Peoria Historical Society.
Glen Oak Park is a 100-acre park with a zoo, conservatory, and gardens; zoo animals range from large cats and marsupials to reptiles and amphibians. The Wildlife Prairie State Park is a 2,000 acre zoological park that provides a habitat for animals native to Illinois, including bison, elk, wolves, cougars, bears, waterfowl, and American bald eagles. The park also contains a country store, pioneer farmstead, walking trails, and a miniature railroad that runs through the grounds. Parks along the riverfront host concerts, festivals, and outdoor sports activities.
Aspects of Peoria's agricultural heritage are the focus of tours of the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Linden Hills Farms, Tanners Orchard, Caterpillar Inc., McGlothlin Farm Park, and Wildlife Prairie Park.
The Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences houses permanent collections of Illinois folk art and African art, a planetarium, and a children's Discovery Center. The African American Hall of Fame is devoted to the collection, study, and exhibition of African American life and culture.
Peoria performing arts organizations include the Peoria Symphony, Peoria Ballet Company, Opera Illinois, Peoria Area Civic Chorale, and a chapter of the Sweet Adelines. Theater in Peoria is represented by such organizations as Corn Stock Theatre, Peoria Players, Eastlight Theatre, One World Theatre Company, and Zellmer's Dinner Theater.
Peoria's largest annual event is the Heart of Illinois Fair, which attracts nearly 250,000 people. The celebration of Independence Day is capped by the Fourth of July fireworks display on the riverfront. Oktoberfest, held in September, is a festival that celebrates German culture and food. The century-old Santa Claus Parade, the country's longest running event of its kind, takes place each year on Thanksgiving Day.
The Peoria Chiefs, a Class A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, are league leaders each year in home game attendance. David Lamb, author of Stolen Season, numbers the Chiefs' stadium among his ten favorite places to watch a ball game. The Peoria Rivermen compete in the East Coast Hockey League and play their home games in the modern indoor facility, the Peoria Civic Center. Both Bradley University and Illinois Central College field competitive basketball teams. The annual Steamboat Classic attracts world-class, international middle-distance runners. Racing fans enjoy the Grand National TT Motorcycle Race in August.
The Peoria Pleasure Driveway and Park District consists of nearly 9,000 acres providing facilities for outdoor and indoor sports. Included are 7 golf courses, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and 39 public tennis courts. Also available are two artificial ice-skating rinks, an archery range, a BMX bicycle racing course, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard courts, and a shooting range. Peoria Lake offers fishing and boating. The Par-A-Dice Riverboat Casino, docked in East Peoria, offers high-stakes gambling on the scenic Illinois River.
Peoria shoppers choose from 60 shopping centers and malls located throughout the greater metropolitan area. The Shops at Grand Prairie is an open air mall with retail tenants such as Bergner's, Banana Republic, Borders, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Old Navy. Shops at The Metro Centre include C.R. Cook's Furs and Fashions, Naturally Yours Grocery, and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Northwoods Mall is anchored by department stores Famous Barr, JC Penney, and Sears. Unique, one-of-a-kind shops can be found along the Peoria RiverFront. Peoria is also home to the Illinois Antique Center, with more than 100 both spaces.
The dining choices in Peoria feature ethnic food as well as gourmet cuisine and a variety of well known fast food chains and family-style restaurants. Sushi Popo, the only sushi bar in the Peoria area, serves fine-dining Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Irish Fare can be had at Kelleher's Irish Pub and Eatery. Italian choices include Old Chicago Restaurant, Ponte Vecchio, and Rizzi's Italian Ristorante. German American food and European beers are enjoyed at the Peoria Hofbrau. Regional specialties include barbecued ribs and pork tenderloin sandwiches.
Visitor Information: Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, 456 Fulton Street, Suite 300, Peoria, IL 61602; telephone (800)747-0302