Peoria
Around Peoria
Photo: Scott Tranchitella from West Peoria, Illinois, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Illinois · 364k people
Peoria
“River City”, “Heart of Illinois”
River city, heartland home.
Bradley cardinal redIllinois River blueCornfield gold
Welcome to Peoria! Whether you're here for the river, the sports, or just the friendly vibe, you'll find a community that's proud of its roots. Grab a gondola and enjoy the view.
Clubs for Peoria
No clubs for Peoria yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Peoria. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Peoria. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Peoria Riverfront Along the Illinois River with trails, parks, and views.
- Peoria Civic Center Hosts concerts, sports, and conventions.
- Dozer Park Home of the Peoria Chiefs.
- Peoria Zoo Located in Glen Oak Park, family favorite.
- Peoria Riverfront Museum Art, science, and history exhibits.
- Glen Oak Park Large public park with gardens and the zoo.
- Outdoors Hike at Forest Park
- Outdoors Kayak on the Illinois River
- With kids Visit the Peoria Zoo
- With kids Explore the Peoria Riverfront Museum
- Evenings Live music at the Peoria Civic Center
- Evenings Bar-hop along Water Street
- Locals love Riverfront bars and restaurants
- Locals love Farm stands and orchards
Through the year
- Steamboat Classic June Annual road race in June.
- Heart of Illinois Fair July County fair with rides, food, and livestock.
- Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair September Juried art show in September.
- Peoria Riverfront Market May–October Farmers market with local produce and crafts.
- Peoria Chiefs home games April–September Minor league baseball at Dozer Park.
Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Best outdoors in spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal with mild temperatures.
Talk like a local
- “P-town”
- Nickname for Peoria.
- “Gondola”
- The Avanti's sandwich, a local staple.
- “The River”
- The Illinois River.
- “Dozer”
- Dozer Park, home of the Chiefs.
Getaways
- Canton Spoon River Scenic Drive and charming downtown.
- Bloomington College town with Illinois State University and the Corn Crib.
- Springfield State capitol and Lincoln historic sites.
- Ottawa Gateway to Starved Rock State Park.
Local flavour
Teams
- Peoria Chiefs High-A (MiLB)
- Peoria Rivermen SPHL
- Bradley Braves NCAA Division I
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich Breaded and fried, served on a bun with pickles and onion – a Midwest staple
- Fried catfish Often from the Illinois River, served with hush puppies
- Avanti's gondola sandwich A local Italian-style sub from the Avanti's chain, a Peoria institution
Where people go
- Riverfront parks and trails Walking paths along the Illinois River, like the Riverfront Trail
- Historic neighborhoods Tree-lined streets with older homes, such as the Uplands or Mossville
- Cornfields and farmland Vast agricultural fields surrounding the metro
- Grain elevators Tall structures that dot the landscape, symbols of the region's grain trade
Heritage and traditions
Peoria is proud of its riverfront heritage, its role as a quintessential American city (the phrase 'Will it play in Peoria?' reflects its status as a test market), and its industrial legacy with Caterpillar.
This time of year in Peoria
- Chillicothe Halloween Parade October A massive Halloween parade that draws crowds from across the region.
- Chillicothe Halloween Parade October One of the largest Halloween parades in the country, with floats and marching bands.
Say it like a local: “Supper” — The evening meal.
Festivals
- Chillicothe Halloween Parade October One of the largest Halloween parades in the country, with floats and marching bands.
- Pekin Marigold Festival September Celebrates the marigold flower with a parade, craft fair, and food vendors.
- Peoria Italian-American Festival August Celebrates Italian heritage with food, music, and cultural displays.
- Peoria Greek Fest June Hosted by St. George Greek Orthodox Church, featuring Greek food, dancing, and music.
- Peoria German-American Society Oktoberfest September Celebrates German heritage with beer, brats, and polka music.
- Peoria St. Patrick's Day Parade March A downtown parade celebrating Irish heritage with green attire and floats.
Landmarks with a story
- Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Mother church of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, known for its architecture and stained glass.
- Grandview Drive A historic scenic drive along the bluffs overlooking the Illinois River, once called the 'world's most beautiful drive' by Theodore Roosevelt.
- Pettengill-Morron House Museum A Victorian-era home preserved as a museum, showcasing Peoria's 19th-century life.
- Jubilee College State Park Ruins of a 19th-century college, now a state park with hiking trails and picnic areas.
- Peoria County Courthouse A historic courthouse with a distinctive dome, located in the city center.
Food traditions
- Lenten fish fries Many Catholic parishes host Friday fish fries during Lent, featuring fried fish, coleslaw, and baked potatoes, a tradition brought by German and Irish immigrants.
- Morton pumpkin treats Morton, the Pumpkin Capital of the World, celebrates the harvest with pumpkin donuts, pies, and pumpkin-flavored everything at the annual Pumpkin Festival.
- River catfish dinners Fried catfish from the Illinois River is a local staple, often served with hush puppies and coleslaw at riverside restaurants.
Music and arts
- Peoria Symphony Orchestra A professional orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Peoria Players One of the oldest community theaters in Illinois, producing a variety of plays.
- Contemporary Art Center of Peoria A venue for contemporary art exhibitions and events.
A little history
- 1691 Founded by French explorers
- 19th century Major steamboat port
- 1925 Caterpillar founded
- 20th century Test market fame
Rivalries
- Bradley Braves vs. Illinois State Redbirds College basketball rivalry.
- Peoria Chiefs vs. Quad Cities River Bandits Minor league baseball rivalry.
- Peoria Rivermen vs. Quad City Storm SPHL hockey rivalry.
- Peoria High vs. Manual High Historic high school football rivalry.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Tailgating at Bradley Braves basketball
- Outdoors Picking pumpkins in Morton
- Outdoors Walking Grandview Drive
- With kids Riding the Spirit of Peoria riverboat
- With kids Attending the Morton Pumpkin Festival
People in Peoria speak with a neutral Midwestern accent, often using 'pop' for soda and 'you guys' for a group.
Only here
- The phrase 'Will it play in Peoria?' originated from vaudeville, referring to Peoria as a test market for new acts.
- Grandview Drive was called the 'world's most beautiful drive' by Theodore Roosevelt.
- Chillicothe hosts one of the largest Halloween parades in the nation.
- Morton is the self-proclaimed 'Pumpkin Capital of the World.'
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for changeable weather, especially tornadoes in spring and hot, humid summers.
- Try a pork tenderloin sandwich at a local diner—it's a regional specialty.
- Take a drive on Grandview Drive for the best views of the Illinois River.
- Learn to say 'ope' when you bump into someone—it's a Midwestern thing.
- Get involved in community festivals like the Morton Pumpkin Festival or Chillicothe Halloween Parade.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Part of Peoria area
Nearby
Every areaCantonIllinoisWhere the prairies meet the riverBloomington–NormalIllinoisHeart of the Corn Belt, home of the RedbirdsLincolnIllinoisWhere Lincoln's legacy meets the prairieGalesburgIllinoisA prairie town with a big railroad heart.De Witt CountyIllinoisSmall towns, big skies, and friendly faces.PontiacIllinoisPrairie roots, Route 66 spiritMacombIllinoisPrairie warmth, Leatherneck pride.OttawaIllinoisWhere the river meets the bluffs
Peoria, IL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.