Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and has become famous as a representation of the average American city.

The Spirit of Peoria built in 1988 is an authentic paddleboat, which was modeled after those that cruised America’s first highways in the days of Mark Twain and riverboat gamblers.  The boat offers a variety of tours each season, from standard one-hour sightseeing excursions to dinner cruises and romantic overnight cruises.

Contemporary Art Center of Peoria is home to artist galleries, classrooms, studios, and multipurpose spaces that accommodate poetry readings, musical performances, and even small stage productions.

Flanagan House: Peoria Historical Society & Museum built in 1837; the house is authentically decorated with antique furniture, portraits, and china, offering a fascinating glimpse of privileged life in Peoria prior to the Civil War.

Glen Oak Park and Zoo is a multipurpose facility that spreads over some 100 partially wooded acres with tennis courts, a fishing pond, playgrounds, and picnic shelters. The seven-acre zoo is home to more than 175 animals from all over the world, including big cats, a fennec fox, and even a Madagascar hissing cockroach.

George L. Luthy Memorial Botanical Garden a 4.5-acre botanical garden offers a rich array of colorful flowers and lush plants, including award-winning roses and a conservatory that houses exotic tropical flora.

Metamora Courthouse State Historic Site erected in 1845 the historic courthouse served Woodford County until the 1890s. Today the exhibits in the building offer a fascinating glimpse at circuit life prior to the Civil War.

Forest Park Nature Center is the doorway to 500 acres of natural preserve with seven miles of trails that lead through dense forest, along trickling streambeds, and over dramatic hillsides.

Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences offers thousands of exhibits relating to science and nature, along with a state-of-the-art planetarium projection facility.

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