Peoria – Things to do with your Team

With its modern amenities and many unique attractions, you’ll be surprised at just what Peoria has to offer you and your team. Peoria is situated halfway between Chicago and St. Louis, nestled along the banks of the Illinois River. The area offers big city amenities with the flavor of small town hospitality and has something for everyone.

Peoria was established in 1691 by the French explorer Henri de Tonti. It’s the oldest European settlement in Illinois, and is named after the Peoria tribe. If you are bringing your team to play in any of the area’s sports venues, then here are some places to check out during some downtime.

 

Caterpillar Visitors Center

The Caterpillar Visitors Center is far from your average museum! Your visit to this unique Peoria attraction kicks off with a virtual ride in the bed of a ginormous two-and-a-half-story Cat 797F Mining Truck. Afterwards you and your team will learn all about the story behind the world’s leading manufacturer of construction equipment. You might not have known that Caterpillar’s origins can actually be traced back to two separate companies but you certainly will after your visit to the Caterpillar Visitors Center. The aspiring engineers on your team will have a great time as they design their very own Cat machine. While at the Caterpillar Visitors Center you can also test your skills on a simulator to get a firsthand experience of what it’s like to operate equipment the way professional operators do. 110 SW Washington Street, Peoria, IL 61602

 

Magic Dragon Golf & Games

Located in Mineral Springs Park, Magic Dragon Golf & Games is a wonderfully landscaped miniature golf course that’s a great way to spend an hour or two and enjoy some competitive fun with your team. The course features 18 holes, each one more fun than the last. Six holes at Magic Dragon Golf & Games are handicap accessible. A stream runs through Magic Dragon Golf & Games, which serves as a water hazard that keeps golfers on their toes as they move from hole to hole. 210 Recreation Drive, Pekin, IL 61554

 

Luthy Botanical Garden

Peoria - Things to do with your Team - Travel - Hotels4TeamsNo matter what season it is when your team visits Peoria, Luthy Botanical Garden is a great place for you to immerse yourself amidst a veritable bounty of natural beauty. From spectacular displays of blooming bulbs in spring to the blazing color of leaves in autumn, Luthy Botanical Garden offers visitors a serene setting to indulge in the beauty of each passing season.

Established over half a century ago in 1951, Luthy Botanical Garden spans five stunning acres. There you’ll find over a dozen theme gardens in addition to a Conservatory, a garden gift shop, a rotating sculpture exhibit, and magnificent floral displays. Just a few of the theme gardens you’ll come across during your visit to Luthy Botanical Garden include an Herb Garden, a Woodland Garden, a Rose Garden, and a Hosta Glade.

Luthy Botanical Garden regularly hosts educational programming and other fun events, so try to plan your visit to the garden in advance. At the Garden Gift Shop you’ll find everything from gardening books, accessories, and tools to garden-related gifts, unique jewelry, and fun collectibles. Admission to Luthy Botanical Garden is free, but donations are always appreciated. 1125 W Lake Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614

 

Peoria Zoo

Got a team with a wild side? If so, treat them with a trip to the Peoria Zoo! They’re bound to have a fantastic time at this magnificent, 14-acre zoo. Opened in 1955, the Peoria Zoo has remained ever-popular among Peoria locals and visitors alike for more than 50 years. The Peoria Zoo is currently home to a staggering 232 animals representing more than a hundred species. Exhibits at the Peoria Zoo include Africa, Asian Trail, Australian Walk-About, the Tropics, and the Contact Barn. 2320 N. Prospect Road, Peoria, IL 61603

 

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Dozer Park

Whether you’re visiting Peoria with a baseball team or just a team that likes to watch baseball, attending a Peoria Chiefs game at Dozer Park guarantees a few hours of good, old-fashioned fun. As a Class-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Peoria Chiefs bring major league energy to Minor League Baseball. They play in the Western Division of the Midwest League. Tickets are relatively inexpensive, making Peoria Chiefs games as cost-effective as they are entertaining. There really aren’t many better ways for you and your team to spend your free time while in Peoria. 730 SW Jefferson Ave., Peoria, IL 61605

 

World On Wheels Segway Tours of Peoria

If you’ve never gone on a Segway tour before, now’s the time. World On Wheels Segway Tours of Peoria is the city’s only Segway tour experience. Since World On Wheels offers multiple different kinds of tours it couldn’t be easier finding one that best suits your team’s schedule and interests. These include a 30-minute tour of Peoria’s picturesque RiverFront, a one hour tour of downtown Peoria, as well as an extensive two hour tour that focuses on the city’s historical significance. 110 NE Water St, Peoria, IL 61602

 

Wheels O’ Time Museum

Peoria - Things to do with your Team - Travel - Hotels4TeamsDo you have an interest in antique and collector automobiles, trains, airplanes, toys, musical instruments, clothing, bicycles, and family fun? Of course you do! You can enjoy all of that and more with a visit to the Wheels O’ Time Museum in Dunlap.

Established in 1977, this quirky attraction opened to the public in 1983 and has been growing their eclectic collection ever since.  The Wheels O’ Time Museum started with enough artifacts to fill just one display building. Now the museum’s impressive collection spans five large buildings encompassing over 30,000 square feet.

At the Wheels O’ Time Museum, guests of all ages are given the chance to see, hear, and even touch objects representing transportation, industry, farm, home life, and entertainment from days gone by, hence the name “Wheels O’ Time.” The museum features a multitude of exhibits, many of which are interactive, showcasing how life was during the twentieth century. In addition to their extensive indoor displays, the Wheels O’ Time Museum also has outdoor displays featuring locomotive treasures like a Rock Island steam engine, a Milwaukee Road combine car, a TP&W caboose, Pullman railroad cars, a Plymouth switch engine, and more. 1710 W Woodside Drive, Dunlap, IL 61525

 

Mt. Hawley Bowl Family Fun Bowling Center, Landmark Lanes

Promising bowling fun for everyone, Mt. Hawley Bowl Family Fun Bowling Center offers 24 high-quality Brunswick Synthetic lanes with automatic scoring. While there, you and your team can also enjoy their 18-hole outdoor premium mini golf course. Keep an eye out for the epic, 30-foot castle! Another bowling facility you can check out during your stay in Peoria is Landmark Lanes. Located at the state-of-the-art Landmark Recreation Center, Landmark Lanes is an impressive, 50-lane facility that features automatic scoring, synthetic lanes, pop-up bumpers, and more. In addition to bowling, the Landmark Recreation Center is also home to Landmark Cinema, an onsite, multi-screen movie theater that shows newly released films. 8200 N Hale Ave, Peoria, IL 61615; 3225 N Dries Lane, Peoria, IL 61604

 

Planet X Rollerworld

Planet X Rollerworld is a family-friendly entertainment center aimed at providing fun for all ages. They feature an indoor skating rink that occasionally hosts roller derby events with local teams. Skate rental is free with the price of admission. In addition to the skating rink, Planet X Rollerworld also has five personal motion theaters that simulate 360-degree motion. 2075 Edgewater Drive, Pekin, IL 61554

 

Forest Park Nature Center, Grand View Drive

Discover the bounty of natural beauty that this area of Illinois has to offer at the Forest Park Nature Center. Tucked away amidst forested bluffs set along the Illinois River, this breathtaking, 540-acre nature center and preserve allows visitors to experience one of the most scenic areas in the state. You and your team can enjoy seven miles of hiking trails through both forested woodlands and prairie openings, a natural history museum and bird observation room, as well as the Trailhead Nature Store that carries an assortment of nature-oriented and environmentally-friendly items. 5809 N Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights, IL 61616

Grand View Drive is a two and a half mile scenic road constructed in 1903. Dubbed the “World’s Most Beautiful Drive” by President Theodore Roosevelt during a visit to Peoria in 1910, Grand View Drive meanders through some of the city’s most beautiful areas. It offers panoramic views of the Illinois River Valley, as well as the chance to view many historic and remarkable homes lining it. The drive is especially beautiful if you’re visiting Peoria in autumn, with the ever-changing colors of fall leaves. 3210 Grand View Drive, Peoria, IL 61614

 

Enjoy your visits to the Midwestern plains and all of the fun that you will have here. You will remember Peoria for its friendly residents, beautiful scenery, and lot of activities to keep the team and your families entertained throughout the entire trip.