Things to Do in Peoria IL (2025)

A wood-fired bakery-restaurant that grew from a farmers market stall into a destination for hearth breads, seasonal plates, and Sunday woodfire brunch. Recognized among USA Today’s Restaurants of the Year, it anchors the riverfront food scene.

Inside the restored Union Depot Hotel, this roastery-café pours direct-relationship coffees by day and polished cocktails by night. Praised by local food writers for elevating Warehouse District coffee culture without losing its neighborhood feel.

A riverfront staple where Texas-style smoking meets playful plates like BBQ poutine and tacos. Frequently highlighted by local media, it’s where Peorians send out-of-towners for brisket, ribs, and a lively tavern vibe.

A certified-organic, grain-to-glass distillery celebrating Whiskey City heritage with tours, tastings, and an inventive cocktail bar. Covered by public radio for its expansion, it’s a proud local standard-bearer for Peoria’s spirits revival.

Peoria’s longtime small-batch brewery pours a rotating lineup steps from the river. Locals love its intimate taproom, classic styles, and the sense of continuity it brings to the city’s storied brewing tradition.

Resident studios, changing exhibitions, and the beloved Live at the Five Spot series make this nonprofit a cultural anchor. First Friday studio tours put you face-to-face with working artists on the riverfront.

An independent Irish-leaning pub that doubles as a serious live-music room, booking national and regional acts across jam, bluegrass, rock, and EDM. Its 2025 calendar confirms why touring bands keep returning.

Founded in 1861 and still family-run, this cherished bakery turns out thumbprint cookies, chiffon cakes, and seasonal breads from a beautifully restored Peoria Heights building. Celebrated by state tourism and regional media.

A fiercely local, LGBTQ- and woman-owned indie bookstore with curated shelves and a lively calendar—poetry nights, author events, and community gatherings. Loved by regulars for its voice-forward selection and welcoming vibe.

A multidisciplinary museum with a giant screen theater and dome planetarium, known for crowd-pleasing film fests and rotating exhibitions. Its 2025 programming underscores how central it is to downtown cultural life.

A producer-only Saturday market May–September with 100-plus vendors: peak-season produce, meats, cheeses, breads, plus local makers and live music. A reliable lens on Greater Peoria’s farms and food entrepreneurs.

A longtime riverfront favorite mixing live weekend music with from-scratch plates—gumbo ya-ya, jerk chicken, and bread pudding. Its eclectic, artsy energy pairs perfectly with a gallery stroll or museum visit next door.