Peoria /piːˈɔːriə/ is a city in and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, United States, and the largest city on the Illinois River. Established in 1691 by the French explorer Henri de Tonti, Peoria is the oldest European settlement in Illinois, and is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois (and the third largest outside of the Chicago metropolitan area), with a population of 115,007. The Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 373,590 in 2011.Peoria had a population of 118,943 in 2010, when far northern Peoria was also included. Peoria is the headquarters for Caterpillar Inc., one of the 30 companies composing the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Peoria was discovered by the French settlers in America. From then the town has grown thanks to its river trade culture. Travel to Peoria to check out the Lakeview Museum that has rotating exhibitions centred on arts and science. Most of the businesses in Peoria are centred around the Caterpillar headquarters. There is a visitor centre in the company’s premises for its fans. Close to this building is the Peoria Riverfront Museum that serves as a planetarium. The Peoria Zoo is a great place to take kids with you. Holiday attractions in Peoria begin with the Santa Clause Parade which is the oldest running holiday parade in the U.S. There are mineral springs in just out of town where you can spend some time pampering yourself. Heading out for a long weekend? Opt for a visit to Peoria.