Top 15 Attractions and Activities in East Peoria, IL

Over the past few decades, this city opposite Peoria on the Illinois River has undergone significant transformations.

In a synergistic relationship with its neighboring locale, East Peoria’s downtown has evolved into a prominent shopping and dining hub along Interstate 74, complemented by an enhanced waterfront ideal for leisurely walks and biking excursions.

East Peoria’s contemporary history is closely tied to Caterpillar, which relocated its operations to the city in 1910.

Across the river, there resides a modern Visitors Center providing comprehensive insights into this renowned heavy machinery manufacturer.

Walking and biking trails extend along the riverfront and inland towards Morton, featuring a variety of family-friendly enterprises and attractions, including a historical farm park, unique roadside landmarks, and beloved food stands, all competing for your attention.

1. Peoria Riverfront Museum

Just across the river lies a multifaceted attraction for visitors in the region, showcased in an architecturally impressive building opened in 2012.

The Peoria Riverfront Museum caters to diverse interests, incorporating interactive exhibits, natural history displays, art collections, local history, the Illinois River Experience, and the RealD Giant Screen Theater and Dome Planetarium.

Exhibit various captivating pieces from the museum’s extensive collections, alongside major traveling exhibitions covering topics as varied as T. rex and Leonardo da Vinci.

The Giant Screen Theater, measuring five by seven stories, features a compelling lineup of classic films and immersive documentaries. Additionally, there are numerous visually stunning shows at the magnificent Dome Planetarium, equipped with a state-of-the-art 6.5K Digistar 7 projection system.

2. Caterpillar Visitors Center

The history of the greater Peoria area has been closely intertwined with the manufacturing behemoth, Caterpillar, since Benjamin Holt moved his agricultural machinery enterprise to East Peoria in 1910.

Although the company’s headquarters are now stationed in Deerfield, IL, Caterpillar continues to be a vital component of the local identity and maintains a high-tech attraction adjacent to the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Here, you will discover information about Caterpillar’s origins, the inception of its distinctive name, and the modern corporation’s formation through a merger in 1925.

The exhibition provides an overview of transformative megaprojects worldwide employing Caterpillar technology and exciting projections of how assembly lines will evolve in the future.

This highly interactive Visitors Center allows you to design your own Cat machine and operate heavy-duty equipment via a simulator, in addition to climbing atop a genuine track-type tractor.

3. East Peoria Riverfront Park

Situated between the elegant Murray Baker Bridge to the east and the Bob Michel Bridge to the west, this delightful riverside park features a bike trail, expansive lawns, benches, and freshly planted flower beds and trees.

This idyllic location offers a perfect opportunity to pause and admire the Illinois River alongside the Peoria skyline, with informative boards situated every few yards highlighting notable landmarks across the water.

During the evening hours, the scenery becomes particularly enchanting, as the sun sets behind Peoria and the Murray Baker Bridge is illuminated with a new array of decorative lights.

Behind the park, you will find a shopping center with various dining options, including Shogun Japanese, Culver’s, Texas Roadhouse, Steak n’ Shake, and Lorena’s Mexican.

4. Levee District

In recent decades, the center of East Peoria has grown into a vital shopping and dining locale for the larger Peoria area.

Central to this is the Levee District, a pedestrian-friendly shopping hub adorned with landscaped areas, featuring numerous big-box retailers such as Target, Costco, Ross Dress for Less, and Ulta.

Dining options abound across the district, catering to a variety of tastes, with establishments ranging from Red Robin to Chipotle, Jersey Mike’s, McDonald’s, Panera, Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks.

The Levee District is part of an extensive array of mixed-use developments extending alongside Interstate 74 to the waterfront, which includes Hilton and Holiday Inn hotels, major retail outlets, and virtually any dining chain you can identify.

5. River Trail of Illinois

A delightful means to explore more of East Peoria and experience the natural beauty of the Illinois River Valley, this five-mile trail meanders through the city heading southeast toward Morton.

Established in 1991 and recently repaved, the River Trail of Illinois follows the former roadbed of the old Illinois Terminal Railway line.

It offers a secure option for family walks or bike rides, as it only crosses quiet residential streets, passing under I-74 near its Morton trailhead.

Along your tranquil journey through wooded hillsides, you will encounter tallgrass prairie, forested areas, and bluff habitats.

6. ROC Ice Cream and Golf

Combining two delightful experiences, ROC Ice Cream and Golf features an ice cream parlor alongside an 18-hole mini golf course.

This budget-friendly and thoughtfully designed course is adorned with vibrant flower beds and shrubs, accompanied by a fountain and stream that flows throughout, capturing any stray shots.

The ice cream is sourced from a dairy in Madison, Wisconsin, offering a wide array of imaginative flavors ranging from strawberry cheesecake to salted caramel, available in various scoop sizes. Additionally, you may opt for sundaes, root beer floats, or indulgent shakes.

7. East Peoria Riverfront Greenway

For a scenic walk or bike ride alongside the Illinois River/Peoria Lake, you might consider exploring this pathway connecting the EastPort and Spindler Marinas.

Approximately two miles in length, the East Peoria Riverfront Greenway leads you through Cooper Park and includes a 1,200-foot segment of raised boardwalk, with observation decks offering views over several wetland areas.

This area features ponds created by beaver dams. During the fall, the trail attracts an abundance of bird species, including loons, grebes, and various ducks.

Throughout your journey, you will enjoy spectacular views of Caterpillar and the Peoria skyline, with lakeside dining options conveniently located, particularly at the trail’s southern end.

8. Fon Du Lac Farm Park

Occupying six acres within Neumann Park in the eastern region of the city, this seasonal educational venue exhibits what rural life was like in Central Illinois during the 1920s.

Families can explore various attractions at Fon Du Lac Farm Park, such as a historic schoolhouse, an antique tractor, a covered bridge, a forge, and a large red play barn with a silo slide.

You can also discover vintage appliances and skills at the country kitchen museum, while children will enjoy the opportunity to hand-feed and pet farm animals such as donkeys and goats.

The Feed Shed concession stand offers a child-friendly menu at reasonable prices.

9. EastSide Centre

One of the premier sports facilities in the Midwest, EastSide Centre has welcomed numerous state championships and finals for softball, baseball, soccer, and track over the past two decades.

This 100-acre complex boasts natural grass fields across its 10 baseball/softball diamonds, four soccer/lacrosse fields, and three indoor basketball courts.

The extensive indoor facility includes a 20,000-square-foot gymnasium, an indoor walking track, and a fitness center equipped with modern strength and conditioning gear.

10. Pleasant Hill Antique Mall

The River Trail of Illinois runs near this antique center, situated off U.S. Route 150 (Meadow Ave) in the southeastern part of the city.

The Pleasant Hill Antique Mall is noteworthy for its location in a repurposed school gymnasium featuring a barrel vault. The spacious building is utilized by multiple antique vendors.

The mall showcases an extensive array of items, encompassing furniture, vinyl records, porcelain, toys, dolls, antique sports equipment, paintings, glassware, board games, clothing, fashion accessories, home appliances, and much more.

11. Festival of Lights

One of the highlights of the holiday season in East Peoria is the spectacular Festival of Lights, featuring a drive-through light exhibition at Folepi’s Winter Wonderland located at the southern end of Veterans Park.

This enchanting celebration, which runs from Thanksgiving to early January, has been a winter tradition since 1984.

The festivities commence annually with the Parade of Lights, where stunning LED-lit floats that span dozens of feet parade along East Washington Street.

Following the parade, visitors can experience Folepi’s Winter Wonderland for a magical drive-through light display.

If you’re curious about Folepi, he’s a wooden soldier serving as the festival’s mascot, with his name being an acronym for Festival Of Lights, East Peoria, Illinois.

12. Grandview Drive

The northern section of East Peoria is situated directly across from a serpentine road hailed as the “world’s most beautiful drive” by Theodore Roosevelt during his visit in 1910.

Beginning near the Illinois Route 29 bridge, Grandview Drive meanders above the river for 2.5 miles, reaching N Prospect Rd in the north.

Laid out in 1903 and recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, this scenic road features palatial residences on one side and breathtaking views of the river valley on the other.

Along the steep valley slopes are the Country Club of Peoria, Hillside Park, Terrace Park, and Grandview Park, providing ample opportunities to step out and marvel at the surroundings.

13. Peoria Zoo

Open all week, except during major holidays, Peoria Zoo spans 14 acres in Glen Oak Park and has been a family attraction since 1955.

The main exhibits feature themed areas such as Africa!, the Asian Trail, Australia Walkabout, the Tropics Building, the Conservation Center, and the Contact Barn.

Visitors can encounter approximately 100 species, including African lions, giraffes, mandrills, Galapagos turtles, Amur tigers, emus, wallabies, boa constrictors, and ring-tailed lemurs.

Thanks to its comprehensive indoor exhibits, Peoria Zoo remains a year-round destination, allowing guests to observe the Amur tigers and Sichuan takins enjoying the winter snow.

14. Giant Rooster in a Top Hat

For those interested in quirky roadside attractions, a charming one awaits at 821 E Camp St in East Peoria.

At Carl’s Bakery, visitors are welcomed by a 10-foot rooster, adorned with a black top hat as per the title.

The bakery’s owners acquired this oversized bird at a Chicago trade show several decades ago, placing it outside to serve as a whimsical advertisement.

This rooster has since become a beloved local landmark, while the adjacent barn-themed eatery continues to provide homemade tenderloin, burgers, Polish sausage, and broasted chicken.

Another distinctive sight nearby at 1207 E Washington St is Twistee Treat, an ice cream and fast food establishment shaped like a giant soft serve cone.

15. Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino

Located right on the lake, this Vegas-style hotel and casino caters to the entire Central Illinois region. Admission is free, and the establishment operates seven days a week with extended weekend hours until 6:00 am on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

With over 520 slot machines and 20 table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, 3-card poker, Mississippi stud, and mini baccarat, there’s plenty of action to enjoy.

Recognized as one of the top casino hotels in the Midwest, the venue features sleek Art Deco-style interiors with picturesque views of the lake and Peoria skyline.

Dining options include four distinctive choices, ranging from light salads and sandwiches at Nelson’s Deli to hearty meals at Boyd’s Steakhouse, which offers prime selections such as ribeye, New York strip, and prime rib.