Information
Landmark: Peoria RiverfrontCity: Peoria
Country: USA Illinois
Continent: North America
Peoria Riverfront, Peoria, USA Illinois, North America
Overview
The Peoria Riverfront District sits along the Illinois River in downtown Peoria, where the water glints in the afternoon sun.It’s a lively gathering place where culture, recreation, and community meet, with coffee shops and art galleries nestled beside leafy trails.One.The Peoria Riverfront Museum stands as the city’s flagship cultural hub, where art, science, history, and local achievements meet-sometimes all in the same sunlit gallery.Five main galleries invite you in, each offering something different-from delicate brushstrokes on canvas to the rough texture of ancient fossils.More than 30 smaller display areas feature a mix of rotating shows and permanent exhibits, from vintage postcards to gleaming brass instruments.The 40-foot-wide dome fills with stars, drawing you into immersive astronomy shows that make you feel you’re drifting through space.The 70‑foot Giant Screen Theater boasts one of the biggest, most cutting‑edge screens in the country, immersing you in documentaries and feature films so vivid you can almost feel the rumble of distant thunder.Visitors can wander through hands-on science displays, examine centuries-old artifacts, take in vivid contemporary art, and uncover the stories woven into the region’s past.The Caterpillar Visitors Center is a museum that showcases the world-famous heavy machinery company, Caterpillar, based in Peoria-where you can even stand beside a gleaming yellow bulldozer.You can step into interactive exhibits that let you operate mining trucks and construction gear, complete with the rumble of the engine under your hands.Set up stations where visitors can build and tweak virtual Cat machines, right down to the color of the seat.Simulators that let you grip the controls and feel Caterpillar’s machines rumble to life.It’s perfect for families, for folks who love tinkering with gears, and for anyone curious about the pulse of industrial technology and fresh innovations.Step two’s simple: vary the rhythm with a mix of short bursts and steady, medium-length sentences.The Entertainment and Events CEFCU Center Stage at The Landing is an open-air venue right on the riverfront, where you can hear music drifting over the water.All year long, the venue comes alive with concerts, lively festivals, and neighborhood gatherings where you can smell fresh popcorn and hear music spilling into the street.It’s spacious enough to hold hundreds of people, with the buzz of conversation filling the air and making it the heart of any event.RiverFront Market is a seasonal farmers market that pops up every Saturday from mid-May to September, with stalls piled high with fresh berries and handmade goods.We’ve got fresh, locally grown fruits, crisp vegetables, and fragrant herbs.Fresh bread still warm from the oven, hand‑crafted pottery, bright bursts of garden flowers, and jars of spiced jams.A warm, bustling space where neighbors gather to support local growers and shopkeepers.Visitors can browse baskets of crisp apples, tap their feet to live music, and chat with local farmers and artisans.Every week at the Contemporary Art Center in the district, Live at the Five Spot brings the room alive with music-guitars strumming, voices carrying into the night.We meet every Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., just as the sunset starts to tint the sky orange.Relax after work with live music in a cozy space, where you can drift from smooth jazz to upbeat folk as the lights glow warm around you.Number three.At RiverPlex Recreation & Wellness Center, you'll find indoor pools perfect for a morning workout or a lazy afternoon swim, with clear blue water that smells faintly of chlorine.There’s a basketball court where sneakers squeak on polished wood, and an indoor track perfect for keeping your workouts on track.The clang of weights in the gym and the buzz of energy in group fitness classes.Our purpose is to run a community fitness center that inspires health and wellness in the riverfront district, where the scent of fresh water drifts in through open windows.The walking and biking trail begins at the RiverFront, winds its way to the historic Springdale Cemetery, and is set to eventually connect with the broader Rock Island Trail network.Along the trail, you’ll pass sweeping river views and quiet stretches of green, with downtown cafés and shops just a short walk away-ideal for a lazy afternoon stroll or a brisk workout.RiverFront Park features an outdoor amphitheater, perfect for summer concerts and lively festivals under the open sky.A spot where pet owners can bring their dogs to play, chase balls, and sniff the grass.Spots along the Illinois River where you can slip a kayak into the water and start paddling.Playgrounds buzzing with laughter, sports courts echoing with the thud of a ball, shady picnic spots, and wide stretches of open grass.It’s a lively community park where families spread picnic blankets, hikers pause for fresh air, and visitors mingle no matter the season.Number four.RiverFront Marina offers boat docking just steps from the water, so you can tie up, hop ashore, and stroll straight to the district’s restaurants and shops.Perfect for boaters who want to cruise into downtown Peoria, then linger by the river for dinner or catch a lively waterfront event.The district serves up an eclectic mix of spots to eat, from a cozy corner café with fresh-baked bread to elegant fine dining for special nights.You can choose from American, Italian, seafood, or modern fusion dishes, and many come with a sweeping view of the river glinting in the sun.It’s the ideal spot to unwind after a stroll along the riverfront, or to share laughter with friends while the sunset spills gold across the water.The Peoria Riverfront District buzzes with life, mixing rich culture, riverside trails, lively music, and great food, all along the wide sweep of the Illinois River.It’s a lively gathering place for locals and a must-see for visitors, offering festivals under strings of lights, seasonal events, and activities all year that celebrate Peoria’s heritage and the beauty of its riverside.From browsing museum exhibits to catching a live band, breaking a sweat at the gym, or relaxing by the glittering waterfront, the district serves up a mix of experiences for both locals and visitors.
