Settled in 1691, Peoria, Illinois has the distinction of being the state's oldest European settlement. Prior to that period, the Peoria tribe thrived in the area. Peoria's rich history also includes being the site of Abraham Lincoln's famous message on the Kansas-Nebraska Act and part of Charles Lindberg's notable air mail route. The economy was originally rooted in trade from the Illinois River, and it expanded to include everything from agriculture to whiskey distilleries.
Today, Peoria has more than 113,000 residents and is known for several popular festivals and events. Its Riverfront Farmers Market runs from May to September on Saturdays and features vendors, live music, and more. The annual Summer Camp music festival is held over Memorial Day Weekend. During the holiday season, the East Peoria Festival of Lights is a sight to behold with more than three million twinkling lights. Peoria is also home to 50 miles of trails in the Peoria Park District, the 1,800-acre Wildlife Prairie Park, and the Forest Park Nature Preserve.
With a location between Chicago and St. Louis, Peoria is a great location for fun-filled day trips. If you head northeast to Chicago, you can spend several days touring popular spots like the Skydeck, the Field Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and numerous others. In the opposite direction, the St. Louis Art Museum, the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum, and the World Chess Hall of Fame are interesting places to visit. St. Louis is also home to the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Gateway Arch National Park, and more.
Campgrounds Near Peoria, Illinois
Carl Spindler Campground & Marina is conveniently located in East Peoria and fronts the Illinois River. Of its 81 campsites, 55 are paved sites with hookups. Each site also includes a fire ring and a picnic table. Amenities here include a laundry room, shower facilities, two dump stations, and a marina harbor. Swimming and boat rentals are available onsite. Rates start at $24 per night and $130 per week.
Millpoint RV Park is also in East Peoria and sits on Upper Peoria Lake. There are 80 tree-covered RV sites, including both back-in and pull-through spots. Some of the many amenities include electricity hook-ups, free wireless internet access, fire rings, picnic tables, showers, a private dock, and more. The property connects with the Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, so activities like boating, hiking, fishing, and more are easily accessible. The nightly rate is $44.
Jubilee College State Park is located in nearby Brimfield and is open from April 15 through November 1 each year. The 107 RV sites have gravel pads, grills, electric hook-ups, and either water hydrants or showers. The facilities also include a shower house, flushing toilets, and a dump station. The grounds are stunning with rolling hills, Jubilee Creek, wildflowers, and dense forests. The rates range from $10 to $30 per night.
State Parks Near Peoria, Illinois
Jubilee College State Park is a tranquil destination featuring 3,200 acres, and it is located only 17 miles from Peoria. The grounds feature two ponds and Jubilee Creek, which are great fishing spots. Hunting is available on 2,900 acres. There are also 45 miles of trails winding throughout the park that are suitable for hiking, horseback riding, and biking.
Giant City State Park offers memorable landscapes that feature green forests and impressive sandstone bluffs that were naturally created 12,000 years ago. You can admire these towering rock formations by walking along the Giant City Nature Trail. Other trails take you by waterways that are ideal for fishing. Giant City State Park also offers horseback riding, interpretive displays, rock climbing, and rappelling.
At Lake Murphysboro State Park, you will find a large lake and beautiful woodlands sprawled across 1,022 acres. The lake is stocked with bluegill, sunfish, largemouth bass, and several other species, making it popular for fishing. There is also a three-mile trail that offers great wildlife viewing opportunities. Other possibilities for fun at Lake Murphysboro State Park include archery, picnicking, and boating.
National Sites Near Peoria, Illinois
For almost two decades before Abraham Lincoln took his oath as the 16th President of the United States, he and his family lived in a charming home in Springfield, Illinois. This home is now preserved as the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, and it is open for guided tours at no cost. On a tour, you can learn more about Lincoln's history, view some of his family’s furnishings and belongings and visit many distinctive rooms. Because tours are restricted in size to 15 people, reservations are suggested.
If you take a day trip to the Chicago area, a visit to the Pullman National Monument is a great way to learn about the area's history. This area, which is also referred to as the Pullman Historic District, is a residential and industrial area where George Pullman produced his famous train cars. The Hotel Florence, the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum and a visitors’ center are located on-site.
Located only a short drive beyond the Illinois-Iowa border, you will find the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. This is the location where young Herbert Hoover lived until the age of nine when he became orphaned and moved on. The 31st President of the U.S. was born here, and his schoolhouse is also on the grounds. Other notable points of interest in the area are a historic blacksmith shop and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.
National Forests Near Peoria, Illinois
Situated in an ecologically diverse area between the Ohio River and the Mississippi River, the Shawnee National Forest includes 289,000 acres. The forested areas are accompanied by canyons, waterways, ridges, and even wetlands. Some of the popular areas of interest in the Shawnee National Forest are Cedar Lake, Garden of the Gods, Jackson Falls, High Knob Lookout, and Bay Creek Lake. Fishing, horseback riding, and hiking are a few of the many ways to spend your time here.
A short drive from Peoria to the Iowa-Illinois border gives you the chance to enjoy the natural splendor of Big River State Forest. Across this 2,900-acre natural area, you can enjoy the grandeur of 50-foot-tall pine trees and the rarity of numerous endangered grass species. Water access to the Mississippi River is provided, making this a great spot for boating and fishing. Other possibilities for fun in Big River State Park are scenic drives, backpacking, hiking, picnicking, and winter sports.
If you venture just north of Illinois, you will be well-rewarded by the majesty of the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Sitting on 540,187 acres, this is a stunning area that offers scenic views, ample wildlife viewing, and numerous outdoor activities. Hiking and biking on the Manistee River Trail are great ways to explore the inner depths of the forest. If you ascend to the top of Briar Hill, you will be at the highest point of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Boating, fishing, and hunting are also available in the area.