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How To Spend a Perfect Day in Peoria, IL: 6 Local Itineraries

By Amy Antonation on September 23, 2025
A woman rock climbs at First Ascent Climbing & Fitness in Peoria, IL.
Seth Lowe
A woman rock climbs at First Ascent Climbing & Fitness in Peoria, IL.

There’s something for everyone in and around Greater Peoria. Whether you’re looking for outdoor fun, shopping (including some excellent thrifting), sweet and savory eats, or local brews – or, if you’re very energetic, all the above – there’s plenty to keep you occupied from dawn to dusk. Read on for insights from a handful of locals on things to do and places to explore in Greater Peoria. Here are their picks for how they’d spend a perfect day in Peoria, IL. 

Key Takeaways

  • Greater Peoria offers diverse activities including outdoor adventures, shopping, dining, and local brews.
  • Locals share their perfect day plans, such as brunch, thrifting, and scenic drives.
  • Popular spots include Childers Eatery, Bartonville Diner, and the Peoria Flea Market.
  • Activities range from golfing to hiking, dining, and enjoying nightlife at local bars and breweries.
Visitors walk past the Blue Duck at River Station in downtown Peoria, Illinois.
©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins
Visitors walk past The Blue Duck at River Station in downtown Peoria, Illinois.

Dani Kellum, West Peoria 

A peak weekend for me would start off with a Greek skillet from Bartonville Diner in Bartonville before heading back to Peoria for a thrifting adventure at the Peoria Flea Market down at the racetrack. If it’s summer, I’m going to grab fresh produce from the Peoria Riverfront Market, an extra breakfast sandwich from The Blue Duck BBQ Tavern for tomorrow’s breakfast and some Triple Dipple’s cheesecake. 

I’m also going over to Ardor Breads and Provisions for its delicious everything brioche. To end the night, I’ll enjoy a peaceful walk around West Peoria, talking about the day with my partner before we end up at Owls Nest for catfish Friday. 

Ty Burnett, Peoria 

I’d start the day with a nice little scenic drive out to Mayflower Family Restaurant in Dunlap for a classic diner breakfast. I’d love to sneak in 18 holes at WeaverRidge Golf Club, but for the sake of time, I think nine holes on the Kellogg Executive Golf Course is the play. 

I’d have lunch followed by a patio hang at Weaver’s Fresh Food & Drink. Taking a break from the sun, it’s over to The 33 Room in the old Pabst Brewery in Peoria Heights for the coolest of cool-downs. Then it’s time for a quick siesta at home with my dogs. After the nap, we’d rally with dinner at Jonah’s Seafood House and 2601 Oyster Bar and make a pit stop at Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino to test our luck at the tables before calling it a night. 

Lexi Coleman, Peoria 

My perfect day means eating brunch at Childers Eatery and filling my day with either a picnic and walk at Grand View Drive and Park or shopping in Peoria Heights (especially at Generations Candle Co.!). Finally, there’s winding down at Matilda’s Cocktail Lounge with a board game. 

Freshly baked pastries on display at Ardor Breads and Provisions, in downtown Peoria, Illinois.
©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins
Freshly baked pastries on display at Ardor Breads and Provisions, in downtown Peoria, Illinois.

Bre Henderson, East Peoria 

I usually start my morning with pastries from Ardor Breads and Provisions while I walk through the Riverfront Market. Then I am definitely headed to the Heights (aka Peoria Heights), where I’m probably picking up lunch from W.E. Sullivan’s Irish Pub & Fare and then sitting on the patio at Bust’d Brewing. 

Visitors enjoy beers and food at Pour Bros. Craft Taproom in Peoria Heights, Illinois.
©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins
Visitors enjoy beers and food at Pour Bros. Craft Taproom in Peoria Heights, Illinois.

Jordan Nelson, Peoria 

I love to start the day off at Childers Eatery in Junction City Shopping Center. Its bike rider breakfast is my go-to order. Ideally, I would get some friends together for some disc golf. There are too many good courses to name just one. Laura Bradley Park in Peoria, McNaughton Park in Pekin and Northwood Park in Morton are some favorites. 

With the kids, any of these options are great, depending on the weather: Peoria Zoo, Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum, Elevate Trampoline Park, Fon du Lac Farm Park or any local playground. In Peoria, my top-tier meal is an order of my favorite wings of all time at Donnelly’s Irish Pub. 

Peoria Heights has some of our go-to places for the evening. We love Pour Bros. Craft Taproom with friends, The Twelve Bar Lounge or Clink Bar and Events for date-night drinks, or The Daily Scoop for ice cream. 

A toddler pets a donkey at Fon du Lac Farm Park in East Peoria, IL.
Courtesy of Galesburg Register-Mail
A toddler pets a donkey at Fon du Lac Farm Park in East Peoria, IL.

Leslie Williams Seiler, Peoria 

There’s no better way to kick off the weekend than a morning hike on Forest Park’s Pimiteoui Trail. To refuel for an afternoon of antiquing and thrifting, I love the protein cup from Cyd’s Take Away Market. Some of my favorite thrift shops are Two Sisters and a Warehouse in Peoria, Vintique in East Peoria and Jack of All Collective in Washington. To round out the perfect day, it’s seafood and a martini at The Fish House, or Rizzi’s if I need some Italian, followed by a concert at the Peoria Civic Center, which has been killing it lately with amazing acts. 

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