EAT + DRINK
Ardor Breads & Provisions // Ardor is a neighborhood restaurant & bakery focused on simple, ingredient-driven cuisine executed through old fashioned cooking techniques, preservation and fermentation.
Casa de Arte // Escape to a world where authentic Mexican cuisine meets contemporary creativity at Casa de Arte. This restaurant is more than just a dining destination – it's a celebration of culture, flavor, and local artistry. Their menu offers a modern twist on beloved classics that will tantalize your taste buds.
Catrina’s Express // One of downtown’s favorites, Catrina’s has been authentic Mexican cuisine's go-to breakfast and lunch spot. One bite of a carne asada or shrimp taco is enough to warrant a second visit.
Hoops Pub + Pizza // The fresh baked dough and secret made-from-scratch sauce is what makes Hoops pizza so great. Whether you are looking for a light meal or feeding a group, Hoops has you covered with single slices all the way up to 19” pizzas.
Kelleher’s Irish Pub + Eatery // Kelleher’s is located on Peoria’s historic downtown riverfront and is situated in one of its oldest warehouses. They offer traditional Irish fare as well as American-style pub food.
Kenny’s Westside Pub // Located just steps away from the Peoria Civic Center, Kenny's Westside is a local pub specializing in Irish-inspired foods and their signature tater tots. At night, it's one of the best places in town to check out live music with both touring acts and locals taking the stage.
Intuition Coffee and Juice // Specialty coffee + juice bar located in the historic Kickapoo Building - downtown Peoria. Healthy eats including acai bowls, toasts, real fruit smoothies, among others. Wholesale coffee and tea available.
Pop-Up Chicken Shop // The newest restaurant to join the Warehouse District, Pop-Up Chicken Shop offers a variety of fried chicken options from the OG deep fried chicken sando, to the Illinois hot chicken + waffles. Prefer something on the lighter side? They also offer pulled chicken, veggie “chicken”, and a crunchy kale salad. No matter what you order, you can’t go wrong at the new Pop-Up Chicken Shop!
Obed + Issac’s Microbrewery and Eatery // This historic, family-friendly restaurant is set inside a restored 1889 church in Downtown Peoria. Their menu features treasured family recipes. Choose from their variety of burgers, flatbreads and more.
Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe // Excellent home-cooked food, art, live music, and a relaxed, welcoming environment. The food is all made in house by the chef and owner, down to sauces and seasonings, so we can assure you the freshest, healthiest, home-cooked meal whether vegan, gluten free, or allergic we can help!
Sugar Wood-Fired Bistro // Sugar’s menu is inspired by traditional wood fired ovens. Fired by locally-sourced hardwood, the menu features gourmet pizzas, sandwiches and a variety of other delectable dishes. We also offer the tasty sweet treats people have come to know at Travis’ other restaurants, Cracked Pepper, Thyme and Industry Brewing.
The Blue Duck Barbeque Tavern // For delectable smoked meats, sandwiches, wings, and more, stop in the Blue Duck Barbeque Tavern located inside the River Station. This pub also provides a unique selection of draft beers from regional microbreweries.
Thyme Kitchen + Craft Beer // Thyme Kitchen places a huge emphasis on sourcing the very best ingredients that are as local as possible. The end result? Some truly stunning menu items!
Zion Coffee Bar // Zion Coffee Bar’s commitment to farm-direct brews makes your trip, and your sip, worth it. Whether it’s coffee or tea, you’re bound to find something you love in this young and modern location, filled with great company and great coffee.
THINGS TO DO
Archbishop Fulton Sheen Museum // The Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Museum closely cooperates with the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation. His museum is located in the Spalding Pastoral Center on the same historic campus where young Fulton Sheen graduated from the Cathedral grade school and Spalding High School.
Caterpillar Visitors Center // The Caterpillar Visitors Center is a fascinating look at the company, the iron and the people making sustainable progress possible around the world. From the humble beginnings of the first tractor to the company's present-day leadership in building infrastructure and powering the planet—it's all right here on Peoria's beautiful riverfront.
Crafted DIY Studio + Bar // The Warehouse District houses a unique space to let your creativity shine. Let the creative juices flow at Crafted DIY Studio + Bar. Choose one of the 20+ unique jewelry, home decor, leather, or woodworking projects and spend the night crafting.
Contemporary Art Center of Peoria // Peoria's cultural hub featuring art exhibitions, artist studios, art instruction, comedy improv, poetry nights, yoga and tai chi classes, jazz and blues performances.
Dozer Park // Dozer Park, home to the Peoria Chiefs, the St. Louis Cardinals high Class A minor league franchise, plays from April through early September. Dozer Park is booming during the summertime with crowds of fun. Enjoy America’s Pastime, the famous mascot Homer’s dancing skills, and numerous nightly crowd contests. Check the Discover Peoria Calendar of Events for the game schedule.
First Ascent Climbing + Fitness // Built by climbers, for climbers of all ability levels. World-class rock climbing terrain, a full schedule of yoga classes, and state-of-the-art fitness equipment.
Peoria Art Guild // For over 142 years, the Peoria Art Guild has been dedicated to “bringing art to the community and the community to art”. As a visual arts leader, they take pride in our organization's efforts to educate young artists through classes, showcase art diversity, exhibit multidisciplinary art and promote art throughout our community.
Peoria Riverfront Museum // The only multidisciplinary museum of its kind in the nation, the Peoria Riverfront Museum uses art, science, history and achievement to inspire confidence, lifelong learning, and talent. Since opening in 2012, the privately funded museum has provided more than one million experiences through major exhibitions, a permanent collection, interactive galleries, a dome planetarium, giant screen theater and educational programming including curricula-related student visits.
Rambler // This is a man boutique and the perfect spot to shop for those hard-to-buy-for men in your life. Rambler is a moto-outdoors inspired men's specialty shop with a focus on quality, American-made, adventure-ready goods. This boutique is worth a stop to explore the ever-changing gear.
RC Outfitters // RC Outfitters is more than a running store, you’ll find cool + curated finds like the latest in sports apparel, gadgets, and hydration.
Riverplex Recreation & Wellness Center // This 118,000 square foot facility looks onto the Illinois River and includes an indoor and outdoor water playground, indoor pools, a fitness center, gymnasium, locker rooms, multi-purpose classrooms and a babysitting center.
Soulside Healing Arts // Soulside Healing Arts seeks to eliminate barriers to healing, health, and happiness. Nonprofit expanding access to holistic wellness through yoga and mindfulness practices.
Sculpture Walk // Downtown Peoria has a wealth of outdoor art to offer! The Peoria Sculpture Walk is an experience of learning about each art piece and its artist while getting fresh air.
Wheel Art Pottery Studios // Wheel Art offers classes and workshops for all levels of potters. Classes are taught by Master Potter, Jacob Grant, MFA. You will leave the studio with your own hand-made pot or ceramic sculpture. They also participate in Peoria’s First Fridays art studio tours.
