Group Friendly Attractions and Events

Build your own itinerary with the following attractions!

Theater - The Peoria Area is the place to be for live theatre. With four major theatres, you will always be able to catch a show suited just to your group's liking. Peoria Players, Cornstock Theatre, Eastlight Theatre, and Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre offer your group the opportunity to see everything from comedies and dramas, to classic musicals and groundbreaking contemporary work and everything in between.

Boutique Shopping - We have plenty of great places to shop in the Peoria Area. For a midtown shopping adventure check out Peoria Heights, the Metro Center, Junction City, or Westlake Shopping Center. Each of these shopping centers is full of unique, one-of-a-kind treasures. And don't miss a stroll through one of our malls including the beautiful outdoor Shoppes at Grand Prairie.

Unique Dining - No matter what your group is craving, we've got just what they need to satisfy their taste buds in plenty of group-friendly hot spots. For casual Italian cuisine try Avanti's, a local favorite and home of the famous Avanti's gondola. Other options include Fairview Farms for home cooking in a converted barn, One World Cafe for an eclectic menu and bohemian atmosphere, or Alexander's Steak House where you can cook your own food on the large pits right inside the restaurant. 

Paddlewheel Riverboat Cruise -The Spirit of Peoria is a turn-of-the-century paddle wheeler available for sight-seeing, themed cruises, private charters, and overnight excursions to Starved Rock State Park and the Saint Louis riverfront.

Peoria City Tour and Historic Homes - The Peoria Historical Society takes great pride in showcasing Peoria's rich history through a variety of city tours.  From visits to historic house museums to trolley rides through Peoria neighborhoods to guided walking excursions in the city, certified PHS guides offer guests a unique view of Peoria's past. 

Museums - The Peoria Area has an array of fascinating museums covering every interest, with exhibits for both the young and the young at heart. See amazing art, science, and historical exhibits at Dickson Mounds State Museum, The Ronald Reagan Museum, Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, and Wheels O'Time Museum.

Popular Group Friendly Events - The Peoria Area is known for being a group friendly destination. There are several events just perfect for large groups that you are sure to enjoy. East Peoria's Annual Festival of Lights celebration is by far our most popular group tour event. It's an ABA (American Bus Association) Top 100 Event for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009. For the first two full weekends in October, there are over one hundred miles of scenic routes on the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive to be enjoyed on this driving tour with beautiful fall colors. The festival includes food, arts, crafts, entertainment and flea markets as well as stops through 17 villages and historic sites.

Wineries - For a quiet escape on your tour, come see the wineries in the Peoria Area. Check out Indian Creek Vineyard, Kickapoo Creek Winery, Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, or Willett's Winery and Cellar for a taste of the local wine scene!

For more information on these itinerary options please contact
Kaci Osborne at kosborne@peoria.org or 309-282-3282.