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Peoria Shenanigans: A Whimsical 4-Day Family Adventure!

Discover family fun in Peoria - your gateway to memorable adventures in the heartland.

19 July 2023

Peoria, located in the heart of Illinois, offers a fantastic family-friendly trip with a blend of outdoor adventures and cultural experiences. Explore the scenic Peoria Riverfront, where you can take a riverboat cruise and enjoy waterfront dining. Don't miss the Peoria Zoo, offering an up-close encounter with exotic animals, and the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum, with interactive exhibits that engage and inspire young minds.

Travel plan

• Settle into the quirky and family-friendly Peoria PereMarquette Hotel, boasting southern charm and stunning views of the Illinois River.
• Embark on a whimsical journey through the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum, where imagination is the key and play is never in short supply.
• Satisfy your taste buds with a visit to Cracked Pepper Catering & Bakery, home to heavenly pastries and sandwiches bursting with flavor.
• Uncover the weird and wonderful at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, where art, science, and history collide to create a mesmerizing medley of exhibits.
• Indulge in a delightful dinner at Thyme Kitchen + Craft Beer, where farm-to-table goodies and local brews leave you salivating like a squirrel in a nut shop.
• End the day with a stroll along the picturesque Riverfront Trail, letting the tranquil waters and twinkling lights guide your footsteps.

• Rise and shine at the Tom Johnson Campground, nestled within the beautiful Wildlife Prairie Park, where you can awaken to the chirping of birds and a sense of serenity.
• Immerse yourself in wildlife wonders as you explore the sprawling acres of the Wildlife Prairie Park, home to bison, wolves, and even foxes with a flair for the dramatic.
• Savor a picnic amidst nature's glory, courtesy of One World Café's delectable wraps and salads, enjoyed in the shade of towering trees.
• Embark on an enchanting riverboat cruise with Spirit of Peoria, where you can channel your inner pirate while gliding along the mighty Illinois River.
• Dine at Childers Eatery, a beloved local spot where the juicy burgers are as colossal as Sasquatch's footprint and the milkshakes transport you to malted bliss.
• Wind down with a bonfire at the campground, roasting s'mores and sharing tales that make the shadows dance.

• Discover the historical grandeur of the Peoria Grandview Drive, often hailed as the "world's most beautiful drive," offering breathtaking vistas that make your jaw drop like a falling anchor.
• Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the John C. Flanagan House Museum, a Victorian gem that takes you back to a time when corsets were tight and elegance reigned supreme.
• Lunch at The Garlic Press, an eclectic eatery that's part museum, part restaurant, dishing up flavors that will have you saying, "That's amore!"
• Meander through the Peoria Riverfront Market, where the freshest produce, vibrant flowers, and local crafts beckon you to spend your grocery budget on trinkets and treats.
• Satiate your artistic appetite with a visit to the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, where thought-provoking exhibitions and mesmerizing sculptures ignite your creativity.
• Dine at the whimsical Two25, where the menu is a symphony of flavors and textures, leaving you singing like a parakeet with perfect pitch.

• Begin the day by summoning your inner detective at the Peoria Escape Room, where solving puzzles and unraveling mysteries transports you into a world of pure exhilaration.
• Quench your thirst for knowledge (and cocktails!) at the J.K. Williams Distilling, where you can tour the small-batch distillery and sample spirits that make your taste buds dance the tango.
• Treat your senses to a lunch at Rhythm Kitchen Music Café, a culinary haven where exotic spices create a symphony on your palate, accompanied by live music that sets your soul on fire.
• Devote the afternoon to retail therapy at Northwoods Mall, housing a plethora of stores ready to satisfy your desire for new threads, gadgets, and all the latest trends.
• Conclude your Peoria adventure with a feast at Khoury's Cuisine, a hidden gem serving up authentic Lebanese dishes that make your taste buds sing in heavenly harmony.