People tend not to visit their hometown’s attractions, unless they have out-of-town visitors. You be the tourist this weekend! Peoria has some great attractions!
Forest Park Nature Center and Trails: Kids will love the live critters- spiders, snakes, turtles, and caterpillars. And, the dead critters- the displayed insects, stuffed animals, and animal bones. Forest Park has easy walking trails for kids to get excited about nature. You may spot the turkeys out there. Don’t forget your camera!
Wildlife Prairie State Park: This is OUR FAVORITE local attraction. My family enjoys everything- the native Illinois animals, the trails, Adventure Trek, the playgrounds, the visitor center, and the train area. A membership is highly recommended!
Wheels O’Time Museum: Kids will love the fire trucks, trains, cars, and all the exhibits that make noise. Many are pleasantly surprised about the size and variety of the exhibits.
Fondulac Farm Park: Kids get to feed farm animals, slide down the silo, play pretend in the school room, and more. Check out Farm Park before it closes for the season on September 5.
Lakeview Museum: The Moneyville exhibit is ending on September 11. It’s a great exhibit for kids to learn about credit, banks, stock markets, budgeting, and more. Plus, the Discovery Center at the museum is always a favorite. FYI: The next free admission day is September 6.
Peoria Zoo: There are still some who haven’t seen the Africa exhibit. What are you waiting for?!? Check it out! It’s an awesome improvement!
Cruise on Grandview Drive: I’ll be cheesy and say this is the “World’s Most Beautiful Drive.” If you haven’t heard that phrase, Teddy Roosevelt said that about Grandview. At the end of the drive, let the kids play at Grandview Drive Park.
Luthy Botanical Gardens: Our family hasn’t been to the garderns yet. I guess we’re going there this weekend. It should be beautiful.
Spirit of Peoria: This is another one on our to-do list. The kids will love a paddlewheeler on the Illinois River.