Peoria is a city in Illinois and the county seat of Peoria County. It serves as a regional hub for the primarily rural and agricultural center of the state. Peoria is a small but diverse city of approximately 115,000 people that anchors a three-county metropolitan area of nearly 400,000.

Understand

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Situated on a river bluff with excellent natural resources and easy river access, the area has been settled since prehistory, with artifacts and burial mounds showing settlement as far back as 10,000 B.C. Peoria was first settled by French explorers in 1680 and is one of the oldest continuously-occupied European settlements in what is now Illinois. Thanks to its position on the Illinois River, Peoria enjoyed comfortable growth from shipping business in the 1800s and early 1900s. Like Muncie in Indiana, it became known as an Average American Town, leading to the famous phrase, used by Jack Benny as a radio punchline (and the Nixon administration for political spin): "Will it play in Peoria?"

Residents may rankle at the implied lack of sophistication in the phrase; right or wrong, they take fierce pride in what their city has to offer, and they see the only differences between their city and Chicago as being size and cost-of-living. Today, most of Peoria's economy revolves around Caterpillar, a manufacturer of construction equipment, and business conventions. Illinois high school sports tournaments are also a major draw for visitors. Famous natives include Richard Pryor, for whom a street leading from town to the airport is named, and Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique.

Get in

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By plane
The Greater Peoria Regional Airport provides daily flights to several cities, including the hubs at Chicago O'Hare, St. Louis, Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, and Minneapolis, and more limited flights to leisure destinations including Las Vegas, Orlando, and Tampa.

The Bloomington/Normal Airport is located about 50 miles from Peoria and provides further air options.

Many visitors fly into Chicago or St. Louis and drive to Peoria. Each city is approximately 150 miles from Peoria and the drive takes 2 1/2 to 3 hours, depending on traffic. Indianapolis is 200 miles away and takes 3 1/2 to 4 hours to reach by car.

By car
I-74 is the main interstate that runs through the city. Peoria can also be approached from Interstate 55 (which connects Chicago and St. Louis) by taking a state highway such as IL 116 from Interstate 55 into Peoria, about 50 miles. This provides a somewhat more scenic trip through farming country and small towns.
Get around

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By bus
CityLink is the city's mass-transit system, serving 20 routes in and around the city.

By car
Taxi service is available throughout the city; however, it is recommended you call for a taxi, as it is rare to find a taxi to hail outside the downtown or during odd hours. You can locate taxi companies online, in the phone book, or through your hotel's front desk.

While Peoria's downtown is very walkable and parts of the city are amid a New Urbanist revival, to get around...