What to do and see in Peoria, Illinois (IL): The Best Free Things to do

January 15, 2022 Tonie Szymanski

There is nothing average about the average American town of Peoria, where the diverse population and Midwestern vibe has long had entertainment promoters asking, "Will it play in Peoria?" If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere, or so the logic goes. Its scenic skyline, energetic nightlife, lively performing arts scene and miles of mountain bike trails will have you wondering why you would want to make it anywhere else. Will you play in Peoria? Yes, you will!
Restaurants in Peoria

1. Grand View Drive

3210 Grand View Drive Accessible from Prospect Road in Peoria Heights, near Tower Park or from Route 29, near the Route 150 Interchange, Peoria, IL 686-3375 http://www.peoriaparks.org/grand-view-drive/
Excellent
78%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 278 reviews

Grand View Drive

Reviewed By Gsc52 - Peoria, United States

Multi use area you can just take the drive which takes 10 to 15 minutes and it’s beautiful or you can take your bicycle and bike the drive. You can walk the drive You can take your kids to the swing sets at the bottom of the drive you can have a picnic on the picnic tables over looking the river.I live near here I see kids taking wedding pictures families having a picnic and people walking their dogs just enjoying the beautiful view not much you can do for free but you can do it here and you are welcome

2. Forest Park Nature Center

5809 N Forest Park Dr, Peoria, IL 61616-3506 +1 309-686-3360 [email protected] http://peoriaparks.org/places/fpnc/
Excellent
76%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 75 reviews

Forest Park Nature Center

A Peoria Park District facility, Forest Park serves as the doorway to more than 500 acres designated as part of the Illinois State Nature Preserve. The center provides visitors with more than seven miles of trails that lead through dense forest, along trickling stream beds, and over dramatic hillsides. The A-frame trail head features a small natural history museum, nature store, and a room dedicated to bird-watching. Trails and museum are free and open to the public. NO PETS ALLOWED!

Reviewed By pfarrell20 - Chillicothe, United States

I love going to forest park and have been going with members of my family for years. It is one of the best hiking trails that I’ve ever been on!

3. Dan Fogelberg Memorial

100 Morton St Constitution Garden, Peoria, IL 61603-4016 http://www.fogelberg.rocks/dan-fogelberg-memorial
Excellent
58%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Dan Fogelberg Memorial

4. Sculpture Walk Peoria

Washington Street, Peoria, IL 61602 +1 309-676-2787 [email protected] http://www.artspartners.net/swp/
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

Sculpture Walk Peoria

A free and open exhibit beginning at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. 9 Sculptures on exhibit for one year. Free guided tours leave from the Peoria Riverfront Museum Lobby every Saturday at 10am and noon. Tours take place from Mid-May through October and resume in the Spring.

Reviewed By scaleguy

Interesting high quality sculpture art makes for a great walk around one of my favorite parts of the downtown area. I love the concept, I love that the sculptures change

5. Peoria Holocaust Memorial

222 SW Washington St Peoria Riverfront Museum, Peoria, IL 61602-2500 +1 309-689-0063 http://www.peoriaholocaustmemorial.org
Excellent
69%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Peoria Holocaust Memorial

Reviewed By 490irinag - Illinois, United States

In my view, Peoria Holocaust Memorial is excellently designed and perfectly maintained. Despite its small size and a corner location - at the south end of Peoria Riverfront Museum - it accomplishes what it is supposed to: it evokes memories of history, of the last World War, of brutal murder and elimination of millions of Jewish people. Peoria Holocaust Memorial was first installed at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie, but in April 2017 it was rededicated in this new location of SW Washington St, downtown Peoria. Six million buttons in eighteen glass columns in the shape of the Star of David, representing all those killed in concentration camps... and another five million buttons in triangular shaped cases, representing the groups of people who were killed opposing Nazism ... IT IS A MEMORABLE PLACE. Buttons representing awful loss of millions of lives. With recognition and gratitude to the Jewish Federation of Peoria, who developed and brought to life this meaningful project and this unforgettable Memorial.

6. Giant Oak Park

426 W High St, Peoria, IL 61606-1921 http://www.peoriaparks.org/giant-oak-park
Excellent
48%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
26%
Poor
9%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 23 reviews

Giant Oak Park

Reviewed By KatK719 - Peoria, United States

I enjoy every time I drive by to see what different view of the beautiful oak I will admire. I am so happy it is being tended to so lovingly.

7. Peoria Brewing Company

8012 N Hale Ave, Peoria, IL 61615-2050 +1 309-839-0945 http://peoriabrewingcompany.com/
Excellent
23%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
31%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 13 reviews

Peoria Brewing Company

8. Northmoor Observatory

Peoria, IL 61614 http://www.astronomical.org/observatories.php
Excellent
38%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
0%
Terrible
9%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 13 reviews

Northmoor Observatory

9. Richard Pryor Statue by Preston Jackson

Southwest Washington St State Street, Peoria, IL 61602
Excellent
33%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
11%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 9 reviews

Richard Pryor Statue by Preston Jackson

Reviewed By Fcku1

I'm so glad to see Richard Pryor memorialized. It is a great tribute. I took pictures of the statue and with to share with my family out of town.

10. Pitch Karaoke Bar

631 W Main St, Peoria, IL 61606-1455 +1 309-839-2475 [email protected] http://www.pitchpeoria.com
Excellent
22%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
44%
Poor
22%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 9 reviews

Pitch Karaoke Bar

Voted Peoria Areas #1 Karaoke Bar Best of the Best 2016 & 2017. "Merging Mixology and Karaoke Like No One Else." Top of the Line Drinks and Karaoke Technology. With nightly drink specials and great karaoke, Pitch is sure to be a good time any night of the week.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.