Central Loop
As the first European settlement in Illinois, Illinois River Country is rich in history and even richer in natural beauty. Standing atop Peoria's world-famous Grandview Drive and looking out into the be
autiful river valley,
Peoria is a natural fit for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether it's a scenic drive overlooking the bluffs of the Illinois River, fishing on a tranquil pond, hiking or biking a woodland trail, watching for bald eagles, observing animals at Wildlife Prairie State Park or Glen Oak Zoo, or relaxing on a riverboat cruise, visitors will find endless ways to enjoy their stay. For information about travel packages, dining, shopping, accommodations and more, please contact the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-747-0302 or visit http://www.peoria.org/.
West of the Illinois River bluffs in Peoria, the land levels off into rolling grasslands, occasionally dissected by small rivers and streams. Here, visitors can experience both prairie and riparian woodland habitats at Wildlife Prairie and Jubilee College state parks. Wildlife Prairie State Park also offers excellent interpretive programming, wonderful banquet facilities and overnight accommodations.
Those visiting during the late summer and fall months should consider checking out Apple Blossom Farm, which offers, among many other things, fresh apple cider doughnuts! Rock Island Trail State Park represents one of the best "rails to trails" linear park concepts in the country with numerous access points from Peoria to Toulon.
Central Loop Map
(For a detailed overview of the Central Loop nature sites - click on the numbers on the right side of the map)
Park Symbol Guide
Inside the Central Loop
1. Spirit of Peoria
Docked at Downtown Peoria's Riverfront Park, the paddle wheeler, Spirit of Peoria, embarks on regularly-scheduled cruises to various Illinois River destinations including Starved Rock State Park and Pere Marquette State Park. One-hour public sightseeing cruises are also scheduled on a regular basis, as are various theme cruises such as the Fall Foliage Lunch Cruise, Gospel Dinner Cruise, Festival of Lights Holiday Shows, Big Band, Dixieland and Murder Mystery Cruises. The boat is also available for private Christmas parties, weddings, reunions, formals, retreats and other functions. Please visit www.spiritofpeoria.com for a complete dining schedule.
Site Access: Fee
GPS: n 40.68965; w 89.58728
Site Contact: 1-800-676-8988/ website
Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 and Exit 91/University Street in Peoria, exit onto University St. headed south. Continue for 0.5 miles to Main St. and turn east (left). Travel along Main St. for 1.7 miles to the boat dock.
2. Laura Bradley Park
Established in the late 19th century, the 140-acre Laura Bradley Park is the centerpiece of Peoria's University District. Operated by the Peoria Park District, this large park, located adjacent to Bradley University, traverses a high bluff woodland that grades down into the floodplain of Dry Run Creek.
Along with numerous picnic sites, the park also features a beautiful Japanese bridge over Dry Run Creek, a disc golf course, walking/jogging trails, a cross-country track, tennis, volleyball, shuffleboard and horseshoe courts, and Corn Stock Theatre, a performing arts theater, all strewn through a magnificent oak-hickory urban forest.
Site Access: Free; 7am-11pm
GPS: n 40.70947; w 89.62457
Site Contact: 309-681-2902/ website
Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 and Exit 91/University Street in Peoria, exit onto University Street headed south. Continue for 0.5 miles to Main St. and turn west (right). Continue on Main St. 0.3 miles to the park entrance on the right.
3. Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences
Set like a jewel in Peoria's 40-acre Lakeview Park, the Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences offers a constant stream of exhibits and programming of sterling quality. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute, this facility features both temporary and permanent art and science exhibits and includes an Illinois Folk Art Gallery, a book court, a gift shop and a planetarium housing "The World's Largest Complete Model of the Solar System." The museum maintains a permanent outdoor sculpture exhibit and offers a self-guided tour brochure that allows visitors to leisurely stroll the artistic grounds.
This facility truly caters to citizens and visitors of all ages, hosting regularly scheduled "Senior Mornings" and evening social events for young adults, as well as its own permanent Lakeview Museum Preschool emphasizing "hands-on" learning.
Site Access: Fee; 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday
GPS: n 40.74133; w 89.61042
Site Contact: 309-686-7000/ http://www.lakeview-museum.org/
Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 and Exit 91/University Street in Peoria, exit onto University St. headed north. Continue for 2.2 miles to Lake Avenue and turn east (right). Go 0.2 miles to the museum entrance on the left.
4. Wildlife Prairie State Park
This unique 2,000-acre state park features native Illinois animals such as bison, Elk, wolves, Black Bear, Cougar, River Otter, waterfowl and raptors, as well as various songbirds, butterflies and other native species. Stop by the Park's Visitor Center and see their Animal Nursery and Museum. View the Park from several spotting scopes. Join the Naturalists at various interpretive programs. Ride the Park's train through restored Prairie Habitat, or hike 10 miles of trail. Visit the Pioneer Farmstead Area. Eat at the Prairie View Café, Train Depot or Sunday Brunch. You can talk with the catering department about planning individual banquets and events. The Park also offers several unique lodging facilities, including the Cabin on the Hill, Cottages by the Lake, Prairie Stables and Santa Fe Train Cabooses.
Site Access: Fee
GPS: n 40.73599; w 89.74658
Site Contact: 309-676-0998/ http://www.wildlifeprairiestatepark.org/
Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 and Exit 91/University Street, go west on I 74 for 9.5 miles to Exit 82/Kickapoo-Edwards Road. Turn south (left) onto Kickapoo-Edwards Road and continue 2.2 miles to the stop sign and intersection with SR 8. Continue 0.7 miles down the road to the park entrance on the left.
5. Jubilee College State Park
Jubilee College State Park is a 3,200-acre facility situated in the Illinoisan drift-plan, replete with rolling topography and the meandering Jubilee Creek. Visitors may see deer, rabbits, squirrel, fox, coyote and raccoon throughout the forests, while the creek may offer glimpses of mink, muskrat and beaver or one of over 160 species of birds. While swimming is prohibited in Jubilee Creek, anglers may be interested in the Smallmouth Bass, bluegill, catfish and carp that thrive in the creek. Campground facilities are open from April 15 to November 1, and an equestrian camping area serves as the point of origin for twenty-five miles of horseback riding and bike trails throughout the park. In winter the park also offers cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. While at the park, visit nearby Jubilee College State Historic Site, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Site Access: Free; Fee; fee please call ahead before visiting
GPS: n 40.81026; w 89.81385
Site Contact: 309-446-3758/ website
Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 and Exit 91/University Street in Peoria, go west on I 74 for 9.5 miles to Exit 82/Kickapoo-Edwards Road. Turn north (right) onto Kickapoo-Edwards Road and continue 1.0 mile into the village of Kickapoo to the stop sign and the intersection with US 150. Turn west (left) onto US 150 and travel 3.8 miles to the park entrance on the right.
6. William H. Sommer Park
Owned and operated by the Peoria Park District, William H. Sommer Park is primarily a reservation-only facility for private groups from April through October. However, this secluded 320-acre park also offers a variety of public events throughout the year including Kite Day, Blacksmith Demonstrations, Indian PowWow, Peoria Balloon Fest, Hayrides/Live Music and numerous living history events such as "Pioneer Days" and Civil War encampments. Sommer also offers educational programs in historical interpretation or outdoor education, team building programs on their Teams Course and a summer day camp for children aged 6-15. Habitat-wise, Sommer Park is comprised of ridge top-ravine woodlands, meadows, tallgrass prairie and ponds. Interesting bird species include Eastern Bluebird, Bobolink, Vesper Sparrow and Grasshopper Sparrow. During the warmer months check for numerous species of butterflies and dragonflies.
Site Access: Fee; reservation only
GPS: n 40.76948; w 089.68941
Site Contact: 309-691-8423/ website
Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 and Exit 91/University Street in Peoria, go west on I 74 for 2.2 miles to Exit 89/War Memorial Drive. Merge onto US 150 W/West War Memorial Drive and continue 4.4 miles to the intersection with CR 47/Koerner Rd. (just past Weaver Farm, sign only on left side of road). Turn left on CR 47/Koerner Rd. and travel 0.6 miles to park entrance on right.
7. Apple Blossom Farm
Overlooking the Illinois River Valley just northwest of Peoria, Apple Blossom Farm is packed with features that will interest the whole family. Open from late summer (August) through fall (October), the farm is home to an orchard, apiary (honeybees) and a 10-acre walk-through "corn maze" that changes from year to year.
Visit the farm's gift shop/bakery/produce market to buy apples, apple cider, pumpkins, jams, jellies, country crafts and other products. While visiting the farm, have lunch at the Applewood Grill, and top it off with the farm's famous apple cider doughnuts from the bakery.
For younger audiences, "Hoppity Acres" is a children's petting zoo featuring extra-well-fed rabbits, goats and pot-bellied pigs. The facility's Corn Crib Playground features the "Farmer's Freeway" where kids of all ages can race pedal cars or zip down the giant 80-foot gunny sack slide. Apple Blossom Farm also offers school tours by appointment.
Site Access: Free; Fee
GPS: n 40.80792; w 89.66953
Site Contact: 309-243-5757/ http://www.appleblossomfarm.com/
Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 and Exit 91/University Street in Peoria, go west on I 74 for 2.2 miles to Exit 89/War Memorial Drive. Merge onto US 150 W/West War Memorial Drive and continue 3.3 miles to the intersection with SR (State Route) 91. Turn north (right) onto SR 91 for 2.2 miles to the farm entrance on the left.
8. Rock Island Trail State Park
Established in 1871 the Rock Island Railroad busily carried freight and passengers between Peoria and Rock Island for over 40 years. By 1915, however, rail volume declined and ceased altogether by the mid-twentieth century. Peoria's Forest Park Foundation acquired the abandoned railway in 1965 and deeded it over to the state. Since that time, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has converted a 26-mile segment between Alta and Toulon into a hiking/biking/nature trail system, dedicating it as a state park in 1989.
Running through a mosaic of regenerated forest and tallgrass prairie habitats, the trail offers improved access at its southern terminus in Alta, at the Kickapoo Creek Recreation Area (just north of Alta), at the Williams Street Depot Museum in Wyoming (where the park office is located), and at the trail head in Toulon. Parking-only access is also offered at Dunlap and off of Cedar Bluff Road at the Peoria/Stark county line.
The trail accommodates a wide range of outdoor activities from long-term through-hiking, biking and primitive camping, to shorter day-use outings like bird and butterfly watching, wildflower touring, picnicking and the like.
Site Access: Free; Fee for camping
GPS: n 40.81296; w 089.62976
Site Contact: 309-695-2228/ website
Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 and Exit 91/University Street in Peoria, go west on I 74 for 2.2 miles to Exit 87B/SR (State Route) 6. Merge onto SR 6 west towards Chillicothe. Travel 5.0 miles to the Allen Rd. exit. Turn north (left) onto Allen Rd. and travel 0.9 miles. Follow the curve in the road to the left onto Alta Lane and go 0.7 miles to the parking entrance on the right.
9. Green View Nursery
Founded in 1955, Green View is a multi-site nursery, landscaping and award-winning design firm. Over the years Green View has added 5 locations throughout central and northern Illinois. Along with retail trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals, Green View's central location also houses a garden gift gallery, holiday gift shop, fine garden furniture, statuary and garden tools. Seminars, workshops and other events such as open houses, wine-tastings and Adopt-a-Pet are scheduled on a regular basis.
Site Access: Free
GPS: n 40.84249; w 89.63434
Site Contact: 309-243-7761/ http://www.greenview.com/
Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 and Exit 91/University Street in Peoria, go west on I 74 for 2.2 miles to Exit 87B/SR (State Route) 6. Merge onto SR 6 west towards Chillicothe. Travel 5.0 miles to the Allen Road exit. Turn north (left) onto Allen Road and go 3.2 miles to Cedar Hills Dr. Turn left and go 0.2 miles to the nursery entrance on the left.
10. Forest Park Nature Center
This rugged 540-acre park was acquired in the mid-1950s and later designated as a state nature preserve. The nature center's 7+ miles of hiking trails traverse bluff forestland, an open woodland interspersed with hill prairie openings holding uncommon prairie plant species such as bottlebrush grass, pussytoes and golden Alexander. Chipmunks, squirrels and White-tailed Deer are common inhabitants. Over 100 woodland bird species commonly use the park as migrants, winter visitors or year-round residents. The nature center's bird feeding/watering station is always busy with chickadees, titmice, White-breasted Nuthatch and Downy Woodpecker, as well as warblers, vireos and other neotropical species, particularly during migrations. Please contact the nature center for a schedule of its tours and environmental education programs.
Site Access: Free
GPS: n 40.75701; w 89. 57480
Site Contact: 309-686-3360/ website
Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 and Exit 91/University Street in Peoria, go east on I 74 for 1.5 miles to the Glendale Ave. exit. Go 0.2 miles on Glendale Ave. to Hamilton Blvd. and turn right. Continue 0.1 miles and turn right onto Knoxville Ave. Continue under overpass, veering right and traveling through the hospital drive, which turns into Glen Oak Ave. Keep left on Prospect for 3.4 miles through the intersection with US 150 and the business district of Peoria Heights. Turn east (right) at the stop sign onto N. Forest Park Drive. Follow 0.6 miles to the entrance on the left.
11. Glen Oak Park, Peoria Zoo and Luthy Botanical Garden
Designed by the legendary gardener Oscar F. Dubuis and dedicated in 1896, Glen Oak Park is the focal point of northeastern Peoria and home to the Peoria Park District headquarters. Today, the park hosts daily visitors to its Glen Oak Zoo, Luthy Botanical Garden and various special events. Visitors can take advantage of the hiking/biking trail, fishing lagoon, fitness trail, picnic shelters, amphitheatre, lighted tennis and shuffleboard courts and several
playgrounds. The zoo is equipped with a reptile and primate house, aquatic conservation center, animal adventure center, education room, over 250 animals, numerous exhibits and in-house and outreach programming. The 5-acre Luthy Botanical Garden contains numerous theme gardens (viburnum collection, rose garden, herb garden, Ernest Wilson garden, children's garden, wildlife garden), a gift shop and a conservatory.
Site Access: Free; Fee
GPS: n 40.71707; w 89. 57568
Site Contact: Park 309-681-2902/ website Zoo 309-686-3365 http://www.peoriazoo.org/
Garden 309-686-3362/ website
Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 and Exit 91/University Street in Peoria, go east on I 74 for 1.5 miles to the Glendale Ave. exit. Go 0.2 miles on Glendale Ave. to Hamilton Blvd. and turn right. Continue 0.1 miles and turn right onto Knoxville Ave. Continue under overpass, veering right and traveling through the hospital drive, which turns into Glen Oak Ave. Keep left onto Prospect for 1.7 miles to the intersection with McClure and the park entrance on the right.
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