Best hotels in Peoria
Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette
501 Main Street, IL, 61602
A beautiful Beaux Arts building is the setting for this superior Marriott hotel. Step inside and you’re staying in a 1920s spot that’s on the National Register of Historic Places. There’s nothing old and dusty about the modern rooms and friendly service – there’s also a pool, fitness center and a variety of dining options.
Mark Twain Hotel
225 NE Adams Street, IL, 61602
A place that has transformed from motel to boutique hotel, the Mark Twain occupies a prime piece of real estate in Downtown, a stone’s throw from the riverfront and Convention Center. Rooms come with complimentary breakfast and coffee, while business travelers will appreciate the work desk.
Embassy Suites by Hilton East Peoria[AE4]
100 Conference Center Drive, East Peoria, IL, 61611
This all-suite hotel sits on the eastern bank of the Illinois River, a popular place for business thanks to its large conference center. There’s also an excellent indoor pool and the complimentary evening reception is great for those looking to network.
Where to eat in Peoria
Jim’s Steak House
110 SW Jefferson Avenue, IL, 61602
Ticking all the classic steakhouse boxes – a clubbable atmosphere with unfussy but attentive service – Jim’s has been a Peoria institution for over 60 years. The aged steaks are the go-to, but the fish and pasta dishes punch above their weight too.
One World Cafe
1245 W Main Street, IL, 61606
A varied menu and a laidback vibe await at this restaurant a few blocks from Laura Bradley Park. Flavors are globetrotting, taking you from hummus to bacon cheese fries, Thai noodle salad to huge burgers. Early risers will love the breakfast specials, where biscuits come slathered in toothsome gravy and the Elvis waffle tempts all.
Hokkaido
3311 N University St, IL, 61604
Hokkaido offers a tour of Asian cuisine, including Japanese, Thai, Korean and Chinese food. Pull up a seat and watch the chefs prepare gleaming sushi in front of you or opt for the theater of Japanese hibachi with your food seared over high heat – all smoke and fire.
What to do in Peoria
Peoria Riverfront Museum
222 SW Washington Street, IL, 61602
There is plenty to discover inside this gleaming riverside building. Fine and folk art, wildfowl carvings, the world’s third largest scale model of the solar system – ‘eclectic’ doesn’t begin to cover it. There’s a state-of-the-art planetarium, a 3D theater and a comprehensive range of fun classes and educational programs for kids.
Caterpillar Visitors Center
110 SW Washington Street, IL, 61602
Caterpillar once had their headquarters in Peoria and this excellent, interactive museum brings to life their story and innovations. It’s kitted out in the company’s trademark black and yellow colors, and kids will love the virtual rides in vast machines.
Spirit of Peoria
100 Northeast Water Street, IL, 61602
While most modern paddleboats are purely for decoration – and don’t actually paddle – the Spirit of Peoria is the real thing. This modern replica of a 19th-century classic offers themed dinners with BBQ food accompanied by ragtime music. You can also take longer overnight cruises along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers.