Hotels Near Universities and Colleges

Bradley University - - What To Do And See

ATTRACTIONS

For a fun time, you can:

>> Visit the Tower Park, located at East Kingman, where you can see amazing views of the Illinois River from above, by using the glass elevators which will take you as high as 175 feet above ground.

>> See beautiful antique furnishings and historical artifacts at Pettengill-Morrin House, on West Moss Avenue, a Victorian Mansion that was built in 1868.

>> Have fun with the family at the Apple Blossom Farm, on N Rt.91, featuring a country market, a bakery, apple and pumpkin picking activities, a petting zoo for the little ones and many other fun, family activities.

>> Visit Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, on W Lake Avenue, where you will find a planetarium and a children's discovery center, also offering interactive science and art exhibitions.

>> Get your kids and show them a good time at InPlay, on SW Washington, featuring more than 100 arcade and virtual games.

>> Explore the city and start taking advantage of the shopping opportunities available.

Sports & outdoor events

The Steamboat Classic event has been taking place in Peoria since 1974. In 2007, more than 4000 people has participated at this popular annual sporting event, featuring 15k and 4-mile events, as well as a running race.

The Annual Maka Maka 3-mile Run, happening every August, is another popular sporting event that takes place in the City of Peoria, benefiting the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service. In order to participate in the Maka Maka running race, all participants must register before the race and pay an entering fee of $25.

The post-race celebration is filled with fun activities, including live band performances, as well as delicious food and refreshments. In the previous race over 500 people participated, helping to raise an amount of $14.000 for Peoria's Friendship House.

Festivals

The Annual Festival of Lights of East Peoria is considered to be a `one-of-a-kind holiday spectacular`, featuring a sparkling parade with 30 lighted floats, cruising down the streets of East Peoria, as well as a wide array of family attractions and activities, including tasty fast-food cooking and refreshments.

In September, the people of Peoria City celebrate the Annual Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair, featuring art work exhibits of national, regional and local artists, offering their creations either for sale or rent.

The main purpose of the Peoria Art Guild is to educate people of all ages, introducing them in the beautiful world of art, through educational programs and classes offered, as well as seminars and work shops.

Nightlife

Despite the fact that Peoria may not seem as exciting or as large as New York or Madrid, it is the 3rd largest city in the state of Illinois, offering a wide range of fun night-out-opportunities, presenting a diverting nightlife scene, especially in the downtown area, where there are various bars, clubs and restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene of Peoria City offers everything from the usual fast food joints and national chains, to fine restaurants, cooking-up diverse cuisines, from American and Mexican, to Italian and Chinese.

Some of the most popular downtown bars include Sullivan's and Richard's and Sully's Pub & Café, both of them being Irish-style pubs, serving customers delicious food and cold drinks. Located on Main Street, at Hotel Pere Marquette, Carnegie's and Rendezvous Lounge is more of an upscale place, featuring a great, intimate lobby bar and a wide list of alcoholic beverages, often visited by the working crowd in the city, after their program ends.

Offering a list of more than 100 beers and delicious Chicago-style pizza, Old Chicago is very popular among both youngsters and adults and it is usually packed. There is also a full-service bar here and the menu offers tasty pies and pasta dishes to customers. For great live music, people go to The Rhythm Kitchen Music Café, located on SW Water Street, on week-ends, when they can listen to their favorite bands and also enjoy a glass of cold beer. During the week, people only come here to enjoy a relaxing lunch or a long dinner with friends.