When most people plan vacations they think of well advertised touristy locations such as Vegas, Disney World, New York, or Washington D.C to name a few. Some may be surprised to discover however that there may be a great vacation spot right in one’s back yard. One does not have to travel across the country to a major metropolitan area to find lots of things to see and do. For those in the Midwest, a place like Peoria, Illinois may have just the right stuff for that perfect getaway.

Located midway between Chicago and St. Louis, Peoria is the perfect spot for a Midwestern to spend an extended weekend. The Visitor and Convention center of Peoria boasts that Peoria has big city assets with a small town lifestyle. The greater metropolitan area in Peoria, IL has a population of nearly three hundred fifty thousand. In addition, there are approximately one million people within a sixty mile radius of the city. Located off of I-74, Peoria is just a car ride away.

Three hundred years ago in Peoria, IL Native Americans and French Traders referred to the area as “fat lake” due to the richness of the Illinois River. Nestled along the Illinois River, there are many scenic sights to behold in Peoria, IL. Taking a drive along Grandview Drive, one will see breathtaking scenes of the river front. At night, the Peoria skyline produces equally beautiful sights. To get a panoramic view of the Illinois River, one could take a trip to Tower Park. In fact, Tower Park is rated the number one thing to do by travel.yahoo.com in Peoria, IL. One can ride the glass enclosed elevator up one hundred seventy-five feet to one of three observation decks. Another way to enjoy the beauty of the Illinois River is to journey down the river on the Spirit of Peoria. This authentic paddle wheeler will transport one back in time as the riverboat cruises to and from Starved Rock.

If one is not yet ready to come back to the twenty-first century, a trip through Peoria, IL on the Historic Trolley will keep one suspended in the past. These narrated tours give riders a better understanding of the history and past events of Peoria, along with more sights of the Illinois River. There are several tour options to pick from and they last approximately two hours.

Other things to see and do in Peoria, IL include various museums such as the Lakeview Museum of Arts and Science, the African-American Museum Hall of Fame, and the Wheels O’ Time Museum. Outdoor outings include the George L. Luthy Memorial Botanical Gardens, taking in a few rounds of golf at one of Peoria’s many golf courses, or spending a day with the family at the zoo.

If one is planning on spending a few days in Peoria, one will require a hotel. Peoria, Illinois has many hotels to pick from. One could stay at the Marriott Peoria, Comfort Suites Peoria, or the Radisson Hotel Peoria just to name a few.

Whether it is for the day, the weekend, or a ten day vacation, Peoria has something to offer for the entire family. Whether one is being transported to the past or remains in the present, the sights and attractions of this city will have one wanting to come back time and again.