Me, the hubby, the baby and Peoria! REC's needed

Hello everyone,
My husband has a meeting for work in the bustling metropolis that is, Peoria. I love to go with him to these things... Free hotel and housekeeping for 3days... I'm all over it.

Anyhoo just wondering if you could give me some places to visit while we are there. One year-old will be in tow... Typically I just room service it up but I know that you wise LTH-er's might be able to help me have a grand old time! Thank you in advance.

I don't recall how the food is, but you and your child will love it here:
http://www.wildlifeprairiestatepark.org/
We went many years ago when our kids were really little and it's really an amazing place, especially since it's smack in the middle of Illinois. I do remember having lunch, or dinner, someplace where they have a overlook over a huge meadow -- and watching the elk wander in from the woods while we ate. Just beautiful.

You didn't mention where you will be staying, hopefully in one of the downtown hotels that has room service. My inlaws are in Peoria so we make the trip there 5 to 6 times a year. Wildlife Prairie Park is great but not so sure with a 1 year old, the trails to the exhibits are kind of up and down as you are viewing the animals in a "natural" setting. I have gone to Sunday brunch there but not so sure they serve food on a daily basis. You might enjoy the Botanical Gardens on North Prospect, they have some neat displays inside the Conservatory and a nice gift shop, there is a traditional zoo, Glen Oak, at the other end of the parking lot. Lakeview Museum on West Lake Street at University Street might be fun, they have a great kids hands on area, a good display of Central Illinois art and artifacts and they are part of the Smithsonian's traveling exhibits circuit. RiverPlex Recreation and Wellness Center on East Lake has water slides, a floating river and other water park like things besides being a gym.

One nice thing about Peoria is that it is't very big and you can get around town pretty quickly. Every hotel I have stayed in in Peoria has a nice collection of maps for dining, shopping and attractions at the front desk, they're 11"x17" and you can take them with you. The Visitor's Bureau website should be a big help!

http://www.peoria.org/

Thanks so much for the ideas... I just looked into the prarie park and it looks like on the days that we will be there Monday thru Wednesday the food is a no go for us... It looks like the baby and I will be making our way to the lakeview museum and posibly the zoo. Thank you so much

I was hoping to stay away from the room service this time though and eat some down homie or just fabulously delicious type place.. Have either of you or anyone else have any ideas on food specifically?

Whenever I'm in Peoria on business I try to make it to the Hofbrau on N. E. Jefferson at least once.
Good German food and lots of imported beers.

Peoria is a chaincentric town and what isn't a chain is connected with the casino or part of one of the big hotels, original or unique is pretty hard to find. The Riverwalk area on the west bank of the Illinois River has some new things that I have not explored but it also has Joe's Crab Shack and the like. I don't think Jumer's is like the old when it was still run by the Jumer family, very German with beautiful, heavy woodwork. It's now part of the Radisson chain. One indie that is popular is Vonachen's Old Place (called VOP) on North Knoxville, standard American fare but part of the restaurant is in 2 old railroad cars and the place has a railrod theme in general. The Lariat Steakhouse and The Fish House are also 2 long time indies but both are rather expensive and are considered "special" places. I've also been told that around Bradley University there are some good ethnic places, maybe the hotel can help you here. Sadly my visits down there involve trips to the Olive Garden, Famous Dave's or Red Lobster, as a matter of fact, we're going there Monday to take MIL to Red Lobster! (her choice, she says the ads on TV look good). Please check out that Visitor's Bureau website because it does list all the restaurants and their addresss.

I've also been told that around Bradley University there are some good ethnic places, maybe the hotel can help you here.

Was in Peoria yesterday with a group - I *think* the place we went to was near Bradley (only have an address which I shall list below).

The place was called "Sizzling India" - somebody someone in the group knew is an investor in it IIRC. The caption only says "authentic Indian food" - but, we were told that its really meant to be a restaurant with a bit of an Andhra/Hyderabadi-style-food bent to it (the owners are from that part of India, originally). Its medium-upscale by Indian standards (chicken entrees about 12 bucks, lamb dishes about 13 etc - but are all served with rice and naan included in the price).

We ordered mostly Andhra-style - Chicken Chettinad, Biryani, Chicken Vindaloo etc, and I believe it was ordered spicy. These dishes were really actually very good - not just by presumed-Peoria standards, but in general (probably better than many such restaurants Ive eaten at in Chicago even). The Chettinad and Vindaloo especially were both very solidly good by any standards. And we finished with a Mango Kulfi, which was quite outstanding - one of the best Mango Kulfi's Ive had in a while.

If youre in Peoria and looking for regional Andhra-style food, I'd happily recommend Sizzling India (though again, Ive only been once and eaten only the entrees listed above - I have no idea what their "general" Indian food is like).

c8w

Sizzling India Restaurant and Bar
1209 W. Main Street,
Peoria, IL 61606
Ph: 309-671-9315

They apparently offer a lunch buffet too, but since Ive never been I have no idea what its like (or even what it costs - the menu doesnt say).

My wife spent 6 weeks in the Staybridge Suites in Peoria for a trial. They felt that was the nicest hotel, better then Jumers or the Mark Twain. Happy hour for the businessman everyday in the lobby at 5pm with lots of fried treats!! When I went down to visit we had a very poor meal at Alexander's Steak House which didnt live up to my U of I memories. The food got so bad over the 6 weeks she was there that they wound up having their meals catered every day. When I asked my brother in law who went to Bradley for a dinner ec he mentioned Cheddars as the best restaurant in town Good luck and let us know what you might find, I get down there on business every one in a while and would like some decent meals!

I was never impressed by Alexander's but for some reason the nephews loved it. My in-law family lives on the very northwest edge of Peoria near the Grand Prairie Mall. Their idea of eating out is to one of the many nearby chains. Last trip at Mother's Day we stayed at the Country Inn and Suites, brought a haul of food from Trader Joe's and hosted everyone in our room for Saturday dinner. Mother's Day lunch was at China Dynasty Buffet. Pretty dismal.