When was the last time you did something for the first time? Greater Peoria is packed with tours, classes, historical sites, and experiences that foster exploration and growth. Read on to learn, try, and discover something new:
The Cookery Inc. {Morton} // Looking to deepen your skills in the kitchen? The Cookery Inc. in Morton takes pride in sharing restaurant and culinary knowledge with the Peoria area. Channel your inner chef and participate in a fun, unique, and technique driven cooking class. The class options range with different themes from baking something sweet to cooking something savory or learning how to make ethnic and cultural dishes. They have events for all ages and skill levels including date night and family events, with their most popular class being their knife skills class that is open to all ages. While you’re there, you have to try out their single serve gourmet to-go meals, they’re delicious!
Princeville Heritage Museum {Princeville} // Calling all history lovers! You won’t regret taking a trip to Princeville Heritage Museum, where you can observe and learn about artifacts related to the history of Princeville and surrounding communities. Take a step back in time and tour many different displays including antique agricultural equipment, genealogy research and steam-powered tractors. The museum also features the Akron Townhouse School, which gives visitors the opportunity to see what it was like to learn in a one-room schoolhouse.
The Golf Learning Center {Peoria} // Not only is Peoria home to a diverse selection of golf courses, but Peoria Park District’s Golf Learning Center presents the perfect opportunity for experienced golfers and beginners to broaden their golf skills. They offer lessons for golfers of all ages and skill sets. With many different practice areas and very friendly staff, their facilities have everything you need to build your game. Take advantage of their indoor putting and heated hitting stations, all-season driving range and par 3 pitch-and-putt course. You’ll be a golf star before you know it!
Bicycle Safety Town {Peoria} // Most kids look forward to the day they will be able to get behind the wheel and out onto the road. Thanks to the Peoria Park District, they don’t need to wait to make this dream a reality! With nearly 4,000 feet of one-way streets, curves and traffic signals, Bicycle Safety Town allows kids to hit the road and practice “driving” on their bicycles. Kids can grab their helmets, and get ready to learn the roads while responding to 70 various traffic signs.
Sky Blue Stables {East Peoria} // It’s never too late to become an equestrian! With Sky Blue Stables located in East Peoria, you don’t have to travel far to strengthen your horse riding skills. Sky Blue Stables offers riding lessons for all ages from amazing teachers that motivate their students while making them feel comfortable and relaxed, encouraging hard work and doing things correctly. Stop horsing around! Saddle up and get ready to master the art of horseback riding.
Peddlers Way Quilt Co. {Washington} // There’s plenty to learn and discover on the Historic Washington Square, and Peddlers Way Quilt Co. is a great place to start. Offering a variety of classes and events including open sew, machine applique classes, quilting classes and more, there’s plenty of opportunities to learn a new skill. Browse their selection of quilting fabrics, sewing machines, embroidery supplies and more. Plus, Peddlers Way Quilt Co. is a certified Judy Niemeyer shop, so you can shop from patterns that you won’t see at normal shops. You will have sew much fun!
Chillicothe Public Library {Chillicothe} // What better place to learn than the library? From snack recipes, to scrapbooking, to computer skills, there’s so much to discover at Chillicothe Public Library. Their calendar of events is packed with opportunities to gain and develop new skills. We recommend you start with their monthly “Curiosity & Cheesecake” event, a great way to explore stories about our world, creatures, science and history while enjoying Triple Dipple’s delicious cheesecake.
Five Points Washington {Washington} // I think we can all agree that Illinois summers are very hot, which makes swimming an important skill to have in the Peoria region. Luckily, Five Points Washington offers private swimming lessons where children ages 2 and older can grow their swimming abilities and work towards becoming confident swimmers. Their wonderful team of trained instructors ensures a positive experience and the development of strong swimming skills, so grab some sunblock and a towel!
Peoria Historical Society Tours {Peoria} // Did you know that Peoria was once the Whiskey Capital of the World? The greater Peoria area is packed with history and stories that have led it to become the region we know and love today. The Peoria Historical Society provides the opportunity to learn about the region with their summer and fall walking and bus tours. Walking tours include destinations filled with adventures, such as Moss Avenue and Grandview Drive. With many options for themed bus tours, you’re sure to find a topic that sparks your interest. Discover Peoria’s most notorious crime, the Bernie Shelton murder, or explore the darker side of the city with the Haunted Peoria tour. Don’t want to leave your home? Check out the Springdale Cemetery virtual tour.
Generations Candle Co {Peoria Heights} // Experience crafting like never before and find your own signature scent at Generations Candle Company located in Peoria Heights. Personalize your own hand-poured candle or another fragranced product from start to finish by creating a unique blend of fragrances from 90 choices, choosing a vessel that matches your style and designing a label for the end product. Generations Candle Co is more than just a candle shop, and encourages you to grab your loved ones and create lasting memories. If you work up an appetite from all that candle pouring, visit one of the charming restaurants located along Prospect road in Peoria Heights. Generations Candle Co will deliver your fresh candle to you when it’s ready!
With plenty of opportunities to learn and discover in the Greater Peoria Area, we challenge you to try something new.
