Travel & Leisure
Volume 1, Issue 1 - September 2011 - November 2011
Featured Attractions
Morton Pumpkin Festival
September 14-17
For the perfect fall outing at an unbeatable price, head to the 45th annual Morton Pumpkin Festival. With over 20 events and activities, live entertainment, homemade pumpkin foods, a carnival with over 30 rides and Pumpkin Craft Faire, featuring unique items from more than 150 area artists, there's something for all ages, young and old.
Tanner's Orchard
August - November
Central Illinois' most unique farm market offers wagon rides to the orchard to pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, children's playground, giant corn maze and pedal cart race track. Snack on their fresh apple cider donuts and other tasty treats from the Apple Bin Bakery and Tanners Market.
Ackerman Farms
August-November
With hayrack rides, a corn maze, apple orchard, and more than 150 varieties of pumpkins and squash, Ackerman Farms is a one-stop shop to celebrate the harvest season with the entire family. Ornamental corn, corn stalks, mums and a gift shop make fall decorating easy. Keep everyone smiling until next fall by stocking up on sweet jams, jellies, butters and other yummy foods.
Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive
October 1-2, 6-9
To celebrate its history, people, land and the river at its heart, this annual driving tour features more than 100 miles of scenic routes through 15 communities. Visitors from all over the world flock to the drive for the fall scenery, arts, crafts, music, food, produce, historic sites, museums, old-time farming, collectibles and antiques.
Howl-Zoo-Ween
October 14-15
Bring your little ghosts and ghouls to the Peoria Zoo to get their Boo! on this Halloween! Come see the zoo transformed into a family festival filled with trick-or-treating, games, magic and costume contests. New this year is a haunted house that's sure to fright.
Spider Hill at Three Sisters Park
Fridays & Saturdays in October
With a Massacre Mansion haunted house, the Trail of Terror walking trail and the Haunted Express tractor ride, this popular Halloween haunt is for grown-ups and kids. But only if you dare!
Nightmare on Fairgrounds Road
October
Beware of what lurks inside the old wooden barns at the Bureau County Fairgrounds that have become havens for skeletons, vampires and other creepy creatures. Don't miss the haunted hayrack ride, kid's fun fair, bonfire and the new Nightmare Hotel.
Wildlife Scary Park
October 21-23, 28-30
Creatures of the Night animal program, trick-or-treating in Haunted Town, the narrated spooky train ride Scary Park Express, face painting, pumpkin carving, hay rides and more make this the ideal Halloween event for the entire family. Have no fear - it's all kid-appropriate, but just in case, the park offers a Merry-Not-So-Scary portion for preschoolers.
Website
Punkin Chuckin' Contest
October 15-16
Look no further than Morton's Punkin Chuckin' Contest to bring the family for a great weekend! Watch as teams compete to take home the award for longest chuck by shooting pumpkins out of cannons and catapults. With a pumpkin patch, kid activities and a variety of pumpkin-flavored food, there's something for everyone!
Upcoming Events 
Peoria Area holiday events and festivals you won't want to miss!
East Peoria's 27th annual
Festival of Lights
Parade of Lights 5:45 p.m.
November 26
FOLEPI's Winter Wonderland
December 2-31
Polar Express Experience
Wildlife 
Prairie State Park
December 9-11
The Nutcracker
The Peoria Ballet
December 10-11
Candlelight Walk and
Poinsettia Show
Luthy Botanical Gardens
Friday and Saturday nights
November 18-December 31
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Eastlight Theatre
December 2, 3, 7-10 at 7:30 p.m. 
December 4, 11 at 2 p.m.
Santa's Wonderland
Bass Pro Shops
TBA
124th annual Santa Parade and Yule Like Peoria
Downtown Peoria
November 25
Click here for our full Calendar of Events.
Now Playin
g!
Wicked
Something Wicked is coming to the Peoria Area!
So much happened before Dorothy dropped in! Visit the Peoria Area when "Wicked," the Broadway Smash Hit, flies into the Peoria Civic Center Theatre for a three-week engagement October 12-30, 2011. Tickets are on sale now through the Peoria Civic Center Box Office (309) 673-3200, charge by phone (800) 745-3000, Ticketmaster.com/wicked, and all Ticketmaster outlets. There is an eight-ticket limit per patron.
Visit www.peoriaciviccenter.com/event/wicked for information on show dates and times. To complete your visit to the Peoria Area, visit www.peoria.org/wicked for some Wicked savings!
Tourism News
Tourism Doing Well in Illinois
"Illinois' tourism industry generated $29.3 billion in revenue in 2010, an increase of more than $2.2 billion as visitor spending continued to provide a strong economic impact to the state, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs," said the state's tourism deputy director Jan Kostner.
Plan Your Visit
Start planning your visit with great Peoria Area Hotel Packages!
Planning a Peoria Area fall adventure? Click here for more information on Fall Fun in the Peoria Area.
Check out Fall Savings in the Peoria Area! Click for special packages and coupons!
Looking for holiday festivals and events? Be sure to check out the 2011 East Peoria Festival of Lights!
In This Issue
Featured seasonal attractions
in the Peoria Area.
Big upcoming events in
the Peoria Area!
The Peoria Area is rich in culture and the arts - see a show, catch an exhibit - see what's playing in the Peoria Area!
Get caught up on the latest area news featuring travel and tourism.
Quick links to help you plan your next trip to the Peoria Area!
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