{"id":1420,"date":"2016-12-08T21:36:53","date_gmt":"2016-12-09T03:36:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/?p=1420"},"modified":"2016-12-08T22:08:33","modified_gmt":"2016-12-09T04:08:33","slug":"the-best-places-to-visit-in-peoria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/2016\/12\/08\/the-best-places-to-visit-in-peoria\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Places To Visit In Peoria"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Peoria is full of fun activities and attractions that will appeal to people of all different interests. From shopping to dining, there are a number of businesses within Peoria that provide entertainment and recreation to those who inhabit the city. For college students, going away to college can be stressful as they leave the familiarity of the cities and towns they most likely grew up in. For some Bradley students, the task of becoming acquainted with their new surroundings proved to be successful as they accustomed and familiarized themselves with the different places that Peoria has to offer them. These\u00a0are some of the best off-campus locations\u00a0Bradley students like to visit:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Best Places To Visit In Peoria\" width=\"352\" height=\"198\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NHuV7qmcnnA?start=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<strong>Fired Up: Paint Your Own Pottery<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Located at 4532 N. Prospect Rd. in Peoria Heights, the art center allows customers to design and paint their own pottery creations. The business features a wide selection of of ceramics to purchase and paint in the store. Once customers have finished painting their creations, the staff will fire up the kiln to heat the paint and seal the pottery.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1424\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Fired-Up-Gallery.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1424\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1424\" src=\"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Fired-Up-Gallery-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Outside Fired Up \" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Fired-Up-Gallery-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Fired-Up-Gallery.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1424\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Outside Fired Up<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to Rachel Gardetto, a sophomore nursing and psychology double major at Bradley, Fired Up is the perfect location for students who are just trying to burn off a little steam during stressful times.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI went during finals last year, and sitting down to paint [at Fired Up] was the best way to help me relax and destress between exams,\u201d Gardetto said. \u201cI would definitely recommend going there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gardetto said the customer service within the store is friendly and allows for an overall satisfactory experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1429\" style=\"width: 289px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Fired-Up-Gallery-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1429\" class=\" wp-image-1429\" src=\"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Fired-Up-Gallery-2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Inside Fired Up\" width=\"279\" height=\"209\" srcset=\"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Fired-Up-Gallery-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Fired-Up-Gallery-2.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 279px) 100vw, 279px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1429\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Inside Fired Up<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThe customer service is really good,\u201d Gardetto said. \u201c[The employees] help you with everything from picking out the best piece of pottery to which colors would look best, and they are very fast at cooking the pottery too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The location offers various art classes for groups to learn about painting and pottery as well. Groups can make reservations to sit down together for an instructor-led class.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.firedupstudios.biz\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.firedupstudios.biz\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Grand View Drive Park<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For the more outdoorsy and adventurous people, a favorite of Bradley students is Grand View Drive Park. The hilly area offers a scenic route for explorers to go hiking and jogging. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1422\" style=\"width: 268px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Gallery-Grand-View.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1422\" class=\" wp-image-1422\" src=\"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Gallery-Grand-View-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Hiking Trail at Grand View Drive\" width=\"258\" height=\"258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Gallery-Grand-View-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Gallery-Grand-View-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Gallery-Grand-View.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 258px) 100vw, 258px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1422\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hiking Trail at Grand View Drive<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During President Theodore Roosevelt\u2019s visit to Peoria in 1910, he called the hiking route \u201cthe world\u2019s most beautiful drive.\u201d Overlooking 180 acres and spanning 2.52 miles, the drive slopes in and out of hills providing a challenging hike with a beautiful sight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For junior business management and leadership major Molly Paterson, the drive is an attractive opportunity to escape the \u201cBradley bubble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cIt is really easy to get caught up on campus in the Bradley bubble,\u201d Paterson said. \u201cThat\u2019s why I like to take a drive over to Grand View Drive to go hiking. It is a nice change of scenery from campus, and it gets me moving to different parts of the community.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The park was built in 1903 and is located at 3300 N. Grandview Dr. in Peoria. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peoriaparks.org\/grand-view-drive\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.peoriaparks.org\/grand-view-drive\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Blue Duck Tavern<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Peoria has a wide variety of unique dining options, however, among one of the newest is Blue Duck Tavern.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1423\" style=\"width: 196px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Gallery-Blue-Duck-tavern-e1481252666597.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1423\" class=\" wp-image-1423\" src=\"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Gallery-Blue-Duck-tavern-e1481252666597-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Duck Tavern\" width=\"186\" height=\"248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Gallery-Blue-Duck-tavern-e1481252666597-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Gallery-Blue-Duck-tavern-e1481252666597.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 186px) 100vw, 186px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1423\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Blue Duck Tavern<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Located at 212 SW. Water Street at the Riverfront in Peoria, the restaurant provides unique barbeque flavors and food combinations. For example, the Banh Mi sandwich utilizes traditional barbeque brisket meat while incorporating Asian spices and flavors, adding a unique combination to the food.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For Bradley students, the restaurant offers a fun place to eat, try something different and hang out with friends.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cIt was great atmosphere, the service was phenomenal,\u201d Stefan Miller, a senior accounting major, said. \u201cThe drinks were tasty and well-priced and they had wonderful barbeque.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blueduckbarbecue.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.blueduckbarbecue.com\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>The Shoppes at Grand Prairie<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For college students, nothing is better than taking a trip to the mall, where all of one\u2019s needs can be purchased at a convenient location. The Shoppes at Grand Prairie mall does just that. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Located at 5201 W. War Memorial Dr. in Peoria, the outdoor shopping center boasts more than 70 retail stores and restaurants ranging from H&amp;M to Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods to Flat Top<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1426\" style=\"width: 247px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Gradn-prairie-Gallery.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1426\" class=\" wp-image-1426\" src=\"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Gradn-prairie-Gallery-300x162.jpg\" alt=\"Grand Prairie\" width=\"237\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Gradn-prairie-Gallery-300x162.jpg 300w, https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Gradn-prairie-Gallery.jpg 532w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 237px) 100vw, 237px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1426\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Grand Prairie<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">restaurant. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to students, the shopping center is the place to go when in need of a night away from campus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI love going to [the Shoppes at Grand Prairie] because of the quality of shopping there,\u201d Rachel Ehlermann, a senior public relations and political science double major, said. \u201cThe stores are really nice and accommodate to everyone\u2019s unique style.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Carmike Cinemas, the local movie theater, is located within the parking lot of the shopping mall as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.shoppesatgrandprairie.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.shoppesatgrandprairie.com\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Map of locations (all locations are marked by stars)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/@40.760847,-89.5687962,12.27z\">https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/@40.760847,-89.5687962,12.27z<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1421\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Screen-Shot-2016-12-08-at-9.00.29-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1421\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1421\" src=\"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Screen-Shot-2016-12-08-at-9.00.29-PM-300x239.png\" alt=\"Locations are starred\" width=\"300\" height=\"239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Screen-Shot-2016-12-08-at-9.00.29-PM-300x239.png 300w, https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2016\/12\/Screen-Shot-2016-12-08-at-9.00.29-PM.png 363w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1421\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Locations are starred<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Peoria is full of fun activities and attractions that will appeal to people of all different interests. From shopping to dining, there are a number of businesses within Peoria that provide entertainment and recreation to those who inhabit the city. For college students, going away to college can be stressful as they leave the familiarity of the cities and towns they most likely grew up in. For some Bradley students, the task of becoming acquainted with their new surroundings proved to be successful as they accustomed and familiarized themselves with the different places that Peoria has to offer them. These\u00a0are some of the best off-campus locations\u00a0Bradley students like to visit: Fired Up: Paint Your Own Pottery Located at 4532 N. Prospect Rd. in Peoria Heights, the art center allows customers to design and paint their own pottery creations. The business features a wide selection of of ceramics to purchase and paint in the store. Once customers have finished painting their creations, the staff will fire up the kiln to heat the paint and seal the pottery. According to Rachel Gardetto, a sophomore nursing and psychology double major at Bradley, Fired Up is the perfect location for students who are just [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":134,"featured_media":1428,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1420","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/134"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1420"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1420\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1440,"href":"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1420\/revisions\/1440"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1420"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}