Plan Your Visit

 Welcome to the Peoria Area!  You will soon find that our area offers an outstanding collection of interesting experiences that can't be found anywhere else.

The Peoria Area offers the best of both worlds - from downtown hotspots and towering buildings of our picturesque skyline, to quaint parks, charming shops and award-winning golf courses.  You'll experience the culture, entertainment and energy of a metropolis, minus the congestion. 

Conveniently located between Chicago and St. Louis, the Peoria Area is extremely accessible to all parts of the Midwest Region.  We are also a great hub and spoke location, with our close proximity to Bloomington-Normal and Springfield. 

From local wineries to open air shopping, you'll love Playing in Peoria! Outdoor enthusiasts will love our acres of parks, miles of fairway, hiking/biking trails, fishing/camping/birding hot spots and number of choices for entertainment and adventure. Rather be in the stands, sporting events Play in Peoria! Enjoy a Cubs affiliate Peoria Chiefs baseball game at O'Brien Field, it's the stadium surrounded by palm trees in downtown Peoria! Peoria Rivermen hit the ice at the Peoria Civic Center throughout the winter season and don't miss a summer game of af2 arena football league with the Peoria Pirates. Art exhibits, live music and theatre productions are playing in the Peoria area year-round - be sure to check our Calendar of Events page. Add to your itinerary and start planning your weekend getaway or summer staycation!

The Illinois River runs through our eight distinct counties creating the perfect landscape for nature lovers and outdoor fun. With Peoria and Tazewell Counties serving as the metro "hub", housing top-notch accommodations in addition to great dining and shopping hotspots, our region offers something for everyone. From priceless antiques to live theater performances and the open countryside in Bureau County to hunting, fishing and camping in Mason County, there truly are infinite possibilities when it comes to enjoying our region. Have a knack for history? Seek out Stark County, where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas shared famous debates in 1858, or visit Woodford County, home to President Ronald Reagan's alma mater, Eureka College. Are you a nature enthusiast? Fulton County's wildlife thrives at attractions such as The Nature Conservancy's Emiquon Preserve and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Emiquon Refuge. Love to stay at B&Bs? Head to Henry in Marshall County, home to Mission Oak Inn Bed and Breakfast.

In our region, winding roads off the beaten path will lead you to someplace interesting and new. Ready to start your journey? Click here to learn more about each of our eight amazing counties.