So I'm just hanging out looking at the bridge and next thing you know the police are subtly…read moreencouraging me to leave ...and by subtle I mean alley lights and hand-spot light up the car suggesting I move along. hard to blame them though: some guy in a little truck with out of state plates taking pictures of the under-side of the highway bridge at 11:30pm on a Saturday night with the lights off. the signage indicates no parking after midnight but we live in interesting times.... Memorializing Murray Baker, the man responsible for bringing Caterpillar to town, the bridge has been carrying I-74 across 500' of the Illinois River since 1958. The bridge is just over 3000' long (lost about 200 feet while in rehab) and clears the water by some 60 feet give or take. In the finest tradition this bridge doesn't quite measure up to the official Interstate Highway Bridge requirements but there you go. Since 2020 500 LED bulbs light the structure at a reasonable cost. Requests for special lighting schemes need to be submitted to the public works department at least 30 days in advance.

It's alright, I guess. Nothing special, just a place to park your car. It gets the job done, but…read moredon't expect anything fancy. Could use some sprucing up, maybe better lighting? It's kinda dark at night.

My husband and I went to the Peoria Civic Center to watch All Elite Wrestling Collision. There was…read morea large line to get into the building but the line went quickly. Once inside there were plenty of people to help guide us to our seats. The seats were comfortable and I had enough leg room. I had a good view of the wrestling ring. Some of the patrons near me were obnoxiously loud while their parents left them to drink, but I can't blame that on the stadium. My husband and I ate before coming to avoid the high costs of food and drink. Overall, I had a nice time and would come back to watch another show.

ent to the Katt Williams Golden Age Tour in Peoria, IL last night. It was definitely a calmer, more…read moremature version of Katt. The material was a little milder and the laughs were there, but I can't say it had the gut-busting moments like the old days. The show had a full lineup. Opening acts included R&B performances from Lady of Rage and Lil' Mo, plus comedians Mark Curry, Tommy Davidson, Melanie Camacho, Red Grant, Zoo Man, and Corey B. The only downside? Folks in my section were constantly getting up for something -- up, down, up, down all night -- which made it hard to stay focused on the stage. Still, it was an enjoyable night of laughs overall. And a little bonus... I found a free parking meter several blocks away, so I didn't have to pay for parking. Always a win.

Wha a lovely stop on my day trip today! I loved observing the winter phase of the outdoor gardens…read moreas well as the permanent art pieces and sculptures. The real treat was the greenhouse space though! I really love to learn all the names of everything around me and they're all expertly labeled with large font which my group appreciated. And nice that admission is free! Be sure to leave a donation though.

Several websites recommended that my husband and I check out the Luthy Botanical Garden and after…read morevisiting, I can't figure out why this place was recommended. We went there on a Saturday morning. Parking was very difficult to come by. There was no clear entrance. On this Saturday, there were vendors selling their wares. There were too many vendors taking up too much space. I went there to enjoy nature, not feel forced to buy things. There was a singer and guitar player who was too loud and not very good. I enjoyed walking and seeing the flowers and sculptures but there was not enough of that at this garden. Luthy Botanical Garden is too commercial and there is not enough garden.

Beautiful park near Bradley University. Plenty of walking areas, not really many trails, more of an…read moreopen set up. This park has a lot to offer, including a Frisbee golf course, two fenced in dog parks, sand volleyball, picnic areas and tennis courts. Plenty of free parking in multiple lots throughout the park. The dog parks include a smaller, more secluded dog park on the top and a large dog park on the bottom, separated into small and large breed fenced areas. The dog parks are often packed with wagging tails on the weekends. No fee and doggie bags are provided by the people. Each season brings something gorgeous to view in nature's little hideaway.

I love Laura Bradley Park! It holds lots of fond memories for me. There's a playground in the top…read moreand bottom section of the park! Gotta love the dog park if you have doggos. Lots of little attractions to see like the Chinese bridge. Plenty of roadways in the parks for walking and bike riding. Great place to visit year round!

Love this library! Plenty of outlets for doing work, comfy chairs to read, board games to rent…read more There are also art displays by local people. They have a seeds library where you can donate and take seeds for herbs, vegetables, and flowers to attract wildlife. Librarians are always friendly. There's also a walking trail and park nearby which makes it convenient.

The Peoria Park District is good for Peoria's size. But after the tenure of their previous…read moreleadership, the Park District developed an "earn money" position. Fees connected to as much as possible and a serious elimination of non-fee activities.

jubilee day fair sucks no fun events and a boring history class and praying session horrible event…read moreonly fun thing to do is waste money at a vendor that does not have there prices set

Great museum that offers three spaces in one location. Enjoy space, art and history. My tip is…read morewatch a movie be sure to check out what is playing.

The Peoria Riverfront Museum is a really neat place that you should check out while you're in…read morePeoria. Right outside the museum, on the southside of the building is the Peoria Holocaust Memorial. This is a touching tribute from the community to those who died in the Holocaust. We lucked into going on a "community day" where there was a large festival outside celebrating Cinqo de Mayo. The advantage was that admission was free on that day. The downside was that the music from outside could be heard inside the museum. It was also very crowded with many children running around unattended. The museum featured an exhibit on American 250 curated by Ken Burns. The planetarium also has a really cool and interactive show explaining where the stars are in our solar system. The museum also features a variety of rotating exhibits. I highly recommend a visit to the Peoria Riverfront Museum.