Riverfront

Without a doubt, the Peoria Riverfront is the place to experience all central Illinois has to offer. With continued revitalization efforts and seasonal festivals, concerts, galleries and unique shops and restaurants, the Riverfront is sure to charm visitors of all kinds.

The Peoria Riverfront is a hub of activities, with its art galleries, music venues, dining and shopping experiences—and even horse-drawn carriage rides. Take a leisurely stroll along the water’s edge and enjoy a variety of free public art installations, spend some time shopping, and grab a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant.

Begin your Saturday morning down at the Peoria RiverFront Market, a seasonal venture offering locally grown produce and products alongside local artisans and musicians. Pick up fresh, organic delicacies while enjoying arts programs coordinated by the Peoria Art Guild and entertainment from area musicians.

Check out the Spirit of Peoria riverboat, which docks along the Peoria Riverfront when it’s not on one of its many excursions up and down the river. The Spirit is an icon of the city, representing our ties to the river and a storied past. If you’ve got your own boat, dock it at the RiverFront Marina at the foot of Main Street, come ashore and explore!

On the other side of the river, East Peoria’s 8.5-acre RiverFront Park offers a relaxing view of Peoria’s skyline, hosting numerous concerts, festivals and other events in its delightful riverfront setting.

East Peoria is also home to the EastPort complex, with marina, luxurious riverside residences and options for lodging, shopping and dining. Just down the road is Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, downstate Illinois’ finest gaming and entertainment destination, with four restaurants, 208 luxury guestrooms, a full-service casino boat with more than 1,000 games and a full calendar of activities every month.

Further downstream, plans for the revitalization of Pekin’s riverfront continue to move forward, with exciting designs for a fishing pier, festival plaza, walking trails, playgrounds and recreational areas.

FESTIVAL FEVER!

From spring through the fall, music, entertainment and food make waves as an eclectic series of festivals unfolds in the heart of central Illinois. India Fest, the Fine Art Fair, Rib Fest Cook-off, Erin Feis, Taste of Peoria, River City SoulFest and Oktoberfest are just a handful of the diverse festivals that have found homes on the riverfront.

The Fourth of July would not be the same without the breathtaking pyrotechnics of the Riverfront Sky Concert—now known as Methodist Red White & Boom! In 2007, both sides of the river joined forces to create a new tradition for the biggest show in downstate Illinois—and among the top five percent in the nation. This year’s celebration will expand to include three days of festivities, including two concerts by nationally known acts Cheap Trick and Diamond Rio.

The Steamboat Festival and Classic Sports Festival are internationally known events that take place every June. The Classic Sports Festival includes the Steamboat Classic foot races and the Proctor Cycling Classic, both of which attract top athletes from around the world. The Steamboat Festival combines a carnival, food fair, music, entertainment, motorcycle stunt shows and powerboat races in a family-friendly atmosphere.

In addition to its famed festivals, the riverfront plays host to numerous other unique events throughout the year. Last summer, the LST 325, a restored World War II-era ship and floating museum, docked in Peoria for several weeks. Just weeks later, a replica of the Nina, Christopher Columbus’ favorite ship, also docked at the riverfront, offering daily tours to the public.

PROTECTING OUR RIVER VALLEY

The Illinois River basin, bluffs and wetlands are the lifeblood of our ecosystem and the source of central Illinois’ distinctive personality, so it’s not surprising that area communities have banded together to protect the health of the river. Numerous projects are working to reduce erosion and sediment going into the river and stabilize streambeds. Recent federal legislation will provide for the construction of sediment-fighting islands in Lower Peoria Lake.

The Peoria Lakes Basin Alliance is led by a number of public bodies, including the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, Tri-County Riverfront Action Forum, the Heartland Water Resources Council and The Nature Conservancy. The coalition works with public and private entities to ensure that the abundant Illinois River Valley works its magic for generations to come. PP