Family Friendly Things to Do in Peoria That Won’t Break the Bank

Things to Do in Peoria IL

Now that Illinois will be re-opening fully on Friday plus the fact that kids are out of school and itching to get out and do fun summer things, what can you do with your family in the Peoria area that won’t break the bank?   Below are some places and events that you may not be aware of or are not top of mind, but are great family activities to consider.

Free Activities:

Peoria Park District - Bicycle Safety TownPeoria Park District’s Bicycle Safety Town allows kids to drive around their nearly 4,000 feet of one-way streets, curves, traffic signals, overpasses, and more.  Located at 6518 North Sheridan Road in Peoria from sunrise to sunset, Safety Town is a great way for kids to learn the rules of the road provides a great place for younger riders to learn the rules of the road.  You will need to bring your child’s bike and they’ll need to wear a properly fitted and adjusted helmet at all times.  For more information, visit https://peoriaparks.org

Forest Park Nature Center located at 5809 North Forest Park Drive in Peoria Heights offers seven miles of trails for hiking and is open daily from dawn to dusk.  For more information, visit https://peoriaparks.org

Northmoor Observatory, located in Donovan Golf Course at 5805 N Knoxville Ave. in Peoria offers viewings on Saturday nights from sundown through 11 pm through October.  Volunteers are on hand to guide you in viewing the stars. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/PeoriaAstronomicalSociety

The Peoria Municipal Band performs weekly on Sunday on the lawn at the Noble Center (located in Lakeview Park) every Sunday starting June 20th beginning at 7 pm through August 22 and on Wednesdays on Water Street in front of Kelleher’s Pub at 619 SW Water Street in Peoria beginning at 7 pm beginning June 23 and running through August 18.  Directed by Dr. David Vroman, Director of Band Activities and the Department Chairperson for Music at Bradley University, for more information visit www.peoriamunicipalband.com

Sculpture Walk Peoria 2020-2021The Peoria Sculpture Walk offers docent-led tours every Saturday beginning at 10:30 am to view and learn about the artists who created the 9 sculptures that are on display between State and Fulton every Saturday running through September 25.  The tours will begin at the Peoria Riverfront Museum lobby.  For more information, visit https://artspartners.net

The First Fridays Art Tour takes place at various art galleries throughout the Peoria area on the first Friday of the month from 5 – 9 pm.  Locations include the Peoria Art Guild, the Contemporary Art Center, Casa de Arte, and North Art Studios among others.  For more information and listing of all the locations open during First Fridays, visit http://peoriafirstfriday.com

The Tianguis Mexican Outdoor Market takes place on Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm through September at Casa de Arte (located at 306 Pecan in Peoria).  It features live music, food, and vendors.   For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com

 

Inexpensive Attractions: ($30 or Under  for 2 Adults & 2 Kids)

Fondulac Farm Park is nearly ready to open for 2021 (should be open by mid-June) with renovated ponds with active waterfalls and a babbling brook along with a new playground for kids aged 2-5.  Enclosed within six acres of Neumann Park located at 305 Neumann Drive in East Peoria, the facility offers a variety of activities that let visitors experience a day on the farm with live farm animals to feed, a barn to play in, plus a country kitchen museum, playgrounds, and the silo slide.  Hours are Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday from 9 am – 3 pm and Friday & Saturday from 9 am – 4 pm.  Admission is $4 for ages 16 & up or $3 for ages 1 – 15.  Visit https://www.fondulacpark.com for more information.

The Peoria Park District Golf Learning Center is located at 7815 N. Radnor Rd. in Peoria and is open 9 am – 7 pm daily.   It offers a chipping green, putting greens, as well as a 9-hole USGA-approved skills course.  Cost is $5 for adults or $3 for juniors through age 18 plus juniors play free when playing with a paid adult.  Golf passes are available for $1 which allows juniors to play any PPD golf course as well as the skills course at the Learning Center.  For more information, visit https://www.ppdgolf.org

Wheels of Time - LocomotiveThe Wheels O’ Time Museum located at 1710 W. Woodside Drive in Dunlap is open Wednesdays – Sundays May through October and summer holidays from Noon – 5 pm.  It features antique and collector autos, trains (including the  Rock Island Steam Locomotive 886), airplanes, tools, toys, clocks, tractors, musical instruments, vintage clothes, fire trucks, and bicycles plus an extensively refurbished LeTourneau steel house outfitted with authentic period decor.  Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens, and $4 for kids ages 3 through 8th grade.  For more information, visit https://wheelsotime.org

The Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum, located in Glen Oak Park in Peoria, is now re-opened after being closed due to COVID.  All tickets must be purchased in advance (including members) and are for a two-hour session.  Ticket price for non-members is $8 for ages 1 and up.  Set times that are available to visit the PlayHouse are Tuesday mornings from 9 – 11 am (members only) or Fridays and Saturdays from 9 – 11 am, Noon – 2 pm, or 3 – 5 pm.  For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://peoriaplayhouse.org

Wildlife Prairie Park - Red FoxesWildlife Prairie Park is located at 3826 N. Taylor Road in Hanna City and is open 9 am – 6 pm daily.   The  1800-acre zoological park is home to 60 different species and over 150 animals that are or were all native to the area including wolves, bison, waterfowl, black bears, elk, cougars, otters, badgers, snakes, bobcats, and more.  Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for ages 3 – 12, $7 for senior citizens aged 65+ or free for ages 2 & under, and Park members.  For more information, visit https://wildlifeprairiepark.org

 

A Bit Pricier: (Under $70 for 2 Adults & 2 Kids)

If you’re looking for fireworks this 4th of July, the only real place to see them will be at the Peoria Chiefs game that night after the game.  Field seats are $14 per person or dugout seats are $16 per person for home games.  Their available capacity will be at 100% beginning Friday, June 11 as the state opens back up.  For more information with a complete game schedule and to buy tickets online, visit https://www.milb.com/peoria

Peoria Riverfront Museum - T RexThe Peoria Riverfront Museum‘s T. Rex: The Ultimate Predator is now open through September 6.  The exhibit introduces the entire tyrannosaur superfamily and tells the story of the most iconic dinosaur in the world through life-sized models, fossil casts, interactives, and an immersive shadow theater re-creating an epic battle.   Admission is $18 for ages 18 – 60, $17 for students with ID, or $16 for ages 3 – 17.  For more details about this exhibit, visit http://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org

Kartville located at  919 N Swords Ave. in West Peoria offers go-karts, bumper boats, ATVs, batting cages & mini golf 10 am – 9 pm daily.  They also have a $20 per person unlimited rides and mini-golf deal every evening from 7 – 9 pm.  For more information, visit http://www.kartville.com

The Peoria Zoo located in Glen Oak Park on Prospect Road in Peoria is open from 10 am – 5 pm daily.  Admission is $10.50 for ages 13 – 64, $7.50 for kids aged 2 – 12, free for kids 1 and under for $9.50 for senior citizens aged 65+ and active military.   For more information, visit https://www.peoriazoo.org

Elevate Trampoline Park has a location in Peoria (8800 North Allen Road) and one in East Peoria (105 N Main Street) and runs a Family Night Special on Monday nights from 5 – 8 pm where you get 90 minutes of jumping for $10 per person.  Their $2 “grippy socks” are required too.  For more information, visit https://elevatetrampolineparkpeoria.com for the Peoria location or https://elevateeastpeoria.com for the East Peoria location.

For a full listing of area events, visit the ExplorePeoria.com Events Calendar!