Travel Midwest Magazine Travel Midwest Digital ReplicaSUM17 | Page 144

If you are looking for a night of fun, check out the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino. With more than 1,000 slot machines and 24 tables, the river- boat casino is great for the serious and casual gambler. If gambling isn’t your thing, Par-A-Dice has a number of amazing dining options. Start with a nice dinner at Boyd’s Steakhouse, which is known for their prime meats and fish. Wash down dinner with a drink at Bour- bon’s Lounge. The Rocks Bar and Restaurant has great drinks and live entertainment nightly. Hop aboard the Spirit of Peoria paddlewheel and enjoy a sight- seeing cruise along the Illinois River! This authentic paddlewheel cruise is a must-do for those wanting to relive Peoria’s yesteryears. Be entertained by live ragtime piano and banjo music, as well as a storyteller sharing river lore, while taking in the Peoria area skyline and the natural hillsides of the river valley. The Spirit of Peoria Area offers daily sightseeing cruises as well as overnight trips farther down the river. Fans of murder mystery will love a number of mur- der mystery dinners on board the boat as well. One trip on the Spirit of Peoria and you’ll feel like you stepped back in time! Zoos are great, but Wildlife Prairie Park takes it to a new level. The 2,000-acre park has more than 50 native Illinois species, including an 80-acre prairie area with bison and elk. You may also see bald eagles, cougars, wolves and much more! Go inside an authentic 19 th century schoolhouse and log cabin. The park even has a train! Take a ride on board the Prairie Zephyr as it takes you through quiet forests and rolls by animals on display. Catch some great baseball at Dozer Park, located in Downtown Peoria! Dozer Park is home to the Peoria Chiefs, the Single-A affil- iate to the St. Louis Cardinals. Great baseball, mouth watering food and fun entertainment makes Dozer Park a must during the sum- mer! Getting here is always an enjoyable time as well, with so many small towns and unique spots to stop off at, following the Great River Road scenic byway is part of an Illinois experience you won’t want to miss.