Tourist Attractions And Visit In Pekin, Illinois
There are a lot of great things to do in Pekin Illinois. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure or something more educational, there’s something here for everyone.
Pekin Illinois
Located on the Illinois River, the city of Pekin is an important part of Tazewell County. It is a large, growing community that boasts many amenities including an award-winning park and playground.
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The city is home to a variety of festivals throughout the year. The Marigold Festival, for example, has grown into a major event and attracts over 100,000 visitors each year.
It also features a wide variety of activities, including a Medallion Hunt, 5K run/walk, Carnival, Art in the Park, and a Friday Night Family Fest. It is a non-profit, community-driven festival that is run by volunteers and local businesses.
About Pekin
The history of the city of Pekin began in 1829 when an auction was held for a town site. The land was then awarded to Nathan Cromwell, Isaac Perkins, Gideon Hawley, and William Haines.
Early Residents of Pekin
The first European-American residents of Pekin were farm owners Jonathan Tharp and Thomas Snell. Their log cabins were situated on Gravel Ridge, in northwest Pekin along what is today Pekin Lake.
A few years later, Chief Shabbona of the Pottawatomi tribe established a large village on Gravel Ridge. Several European-American settlers moved in and built homes near the Indian villages.
Religion and Church
The Catholic faith in the early days of Pekin was celebrated at pioneer firesides. Occasionally, a traveling priest would come from Peoria to gather the faithful for mass. The city has a small but active and successful Catholic population, with a parish church, a school, and an auxiliary church society.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity, Mineral Springs Park is the place to go. It has an ice rink, paddle boating and plenty of other activities.
Mineral Springs Park #1
Mineral Springs Park is one of Pekin’s most beautiful parks. It offers a wide variety of features including a lagoon, playground, and picnic areas. It’s also home to the Pavillion on the Lagoon, which is perfect for weddings, birthday parties, and family get-togethers.
It has a large wrap-around porch and windows that overlook the lagoon. The Pavilion on the Lagoon can accommodate 70 people comfortably, and it’s equipped with kitchen facilities and tables. It’s available for rent to groups or individuals.
Located near the entrance of the park, the springs are known for their therapeutic and healing properties. They’re also an attraction for tourists and locals alike. A new proposal from a private partner aims to turn the 21-acre site into a resort, residential area, and restaurant.
That’s a change that neighbors and supporters of Warm Mineral Springs Park want city leaders to reconsider. Several dozen people showed up in front of North Port City Hall last Friday for a protest against that proposal. Those opposed to it said the private partner’s plan isn’t in keeping with what the park was planned to become.
Magic Dragon Golf & Games #2
Located on the grounds of the Mineral Springs Park, Magic Dragon Golf & Games is a miniature golf course specializing in various golf challenges. The golf course features views of the local landscape, a full concession bar and a number of holes that require skill rather than luck.
The Magic Dragon Golf course is a state of the art facility that has some pretty unique holes. Some of the best ones include one that straddles a water tower and one that requires you to navigate a stream.
There are also a few other things to see and do at the Magic Dragon Golf course, including an interactive water fountain, a miniature train, and more. It’s also worth noting that this course is one of the few in Illinois that has a handicap accessible hole.
Pekin, IL is home to a large number of outdoor activities that are fun for the entire family. Whether you want to spend the day hiking, playing Frisbee golf or taking a ride on the dragonland, you’ll be glad you spent some time in this vibrant city.
DragonLand Water Park #3
DragonLand Water Park is a great place to spend the day with your family. You’ll find 3+ acres of pools, waterslides, and beach volleyball courts, along with showers, locker facilities, and lifeguards on duty.
The park is open all summer long and offers plenty of opportunities for families to bond. In addition to the waterpark, the park also offers a sand beach play space with water toys, and a patio. There are several other options for activities at the park, including paddle boats, mini-golf, and baseball fields.
Mineral Springs Park is the park district’s showpiece and consists of 220 acres, with the lagoon, fountains, an adaptive playground, skateboard ramps, and DragonLand Water Park all located in the center of town.
The park also houses Parkside Athletics (an indoor fitness and tennis/pickleball facility), Magic Dragon Mini-Golf, the Miller Senior Center, Veterans Memorial Arena, and Happy Tails Dog Park. The park recently underwent a modernization, with new logos and a revamped brand.
Pekin Farmers’ Market #4
Located in the Miller Center parking lot, Pekin Farmers’ Market is a great place to pick up local fruits and vegetables as well as baked goods, homemade jams, sauces, and other treats. It also features food carts and top-notch entertainment for kids and adults.
The weekly market is held May through September and is a fun activity for the whole family. In case of inclement weather, the event will move indoors at the Miller Center.
One of the biggest changes is that the market moved to a new location on the back half of a city parking lot behind Fast Dragon restaurant. Matthews said the move was driven by several factors, including the increasing popularity of farmers markets and a desire for more space for vendors.
South Pekin Town Twisters President Alberta House said she hopes the new location will be a boon for the market, which she expects to begin in June. In the meantime, she plans to partner with the Speakeasy Art Center for a weekly art event called “First Fridays.”
McNaughton Park #5
There’s plenty of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails throughout the area. The largest of these is McNaughton Park, a 850-acre nature preserve with two lakes, several teepee shelters, an 18-hole professional disc golf course and horse trails.
This remodeled park has everything you need for a fun day out. It features a large bucket spill, spray loops, power volcanoes, aqua domes, water guns and a concession stand. It also has a large picnic area and playgrounds.
You can also go horseback riding at a public ranch on Route 98. Here you’ll find experienced guides who will lead you through the woods and over creeks. Pekin also has several other parks that you can explore on foot, bike or horseback. These include Dirksen Park, Independence Park and Tante Park.
Pekin Riverfront Park #6
The Pekin Riverfront Park is a lovely little urban oasis on the Illinois River, just across the street from the downtown business district. It sits slightly higher than the water’s edge, giving it a lovely view of the bridge and wooded bank on both sides.
The park also features a playground, a large viewing pier and access to the Pekin Bike Trail. It’s a great place to watch the tugboats and barges work the river and enjoy a picnic lunch. A fun activity for the whole family is ice skating at the Pekin Memorial Ice Arena.
They offer everything from public skating and freestyle skating to stick and puck sessions and youth hockey programs. They even have a program that teaches kids the basics of skating, including backward stroking and T-stops. There are different levels for skaters to choose from, with Beta being the most basic.
There are also many other things to do in the area, from a horse riding stable to a vintage 36-lane bowling alley on Court Street that offers discounts every day. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to eat, drink and have fun in this Central Illinois town!
Avanti’s Dome #7
Whether you’re looking for a great meal or a place to hang out with your friends, Avanti’s Dome is the place to go in Pekin. The restaurant is known for its delicious Italian food, which is prepared using family recipes.
The restaurant has been around since 1966, and its menu includes appetizers, entrees, desserts, and beverages. Its prices are also reasonable, so you can enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank. This restaurant is a popular choice for both locals and tourists alike.
Its menu features a variety of tasty dishes, including burgers and ribs. In addition to its great food, Avanti’s Dome is also known for its sports events and tournaments. Its 33-acre dome has a soccer field, four outdoor baseball and softball fields, and in-dome batting cages.
The sports complex has hosted several events and teams, including Bradley University, MLB Play With the Pros, and MMA bouts. The facility can also host conventions, expos, and trade shows. The dome can accommodate 3,000 people.
Pekin Sundial #8
Pekin Illinois is a downriver city that offers residents plenty of recreational and entertainment options. Some of these include professional sports, a zoo, theater, an opera, an art museum, a riverboat casino and concerts. It’s also home to a number of historic sites and buildings.
One of these is the Rupert Park estate, an 11-room colonial-style mansion on Walnut Street. Another is the Washington Intermediate School, which was built in 1929 and features a classic neoclassical architecture. Both are a good place to start when exploring the history of Pekin Illinois.
There are a lot of other fun things to do in the area, too. Check out the symphony, ballet and the city’s thriving local theater troupe. If you’re a fan of sundials, you may want to take a tour of the World’s Greatest Sundial at Mineral Springs Park. It’s a 6 foot high, burnished steel dial with hour marks.
FAQs about Pekin Illinois
What is Pekin Illinois famous for?
Pekin, Illinois is known for several things, including being the site of the first Ford dealership in the United States, as well as being the home of the world’s largest high school gymnasium, the Pekin Community High School. Additionally, Pekin is known for its annual Marigold Festival, which celebrates the city’s history and community spirit.
What are some interesting facts about Pekin Illinois?
1. The name “Pekin” is said to have been inspired by Peking, the former name of Beijing, China.
2. Pekin was once home to the largest alcohol distillery in the world, the Greenhut & Co. Distillery.
3. The city is known for its Mineral Springs Park, which has been a popular destination since the 1800s for its healing mineral waters.
4. Pekin is home to the highest concentration of underwater caves in the world, located beneath the Illinois River.
5. The city is also known for its rich history of Native American settlements and the legendary Pekin dragon.
