Location: Washington
Top Things to do in Washington
10 Things to Do in Washington That You Shouldn't Miss
Washington is a city in Tazewell County, Illinois, United States. Washington is on U.S. Route 24 and Illinois Route 8, northeast of East Peoria. The population was 15,134 at the 2010 census, a 39.6 percent increase over 2000.
Restaurants in Washington
1. Grand View Drive
Overall Ratings
5 based on 186 reviews
Reviewed By SFCRambo - Peoria, Illinois
We drove around the whole area to look at the nave's and see the people with their mad look like I am an invader and not be there but the drive along the overlook areas were breath taking. Also taking in the different colors the trees were changing to.
2. Metamora Courthouse
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Taylor B - Chicago, Illinois
For several years, my wife and I drove through Metamora on our way to Peoria to cover or observe the boys state high school basketball tournament finals. As a long-time sportswriter who covered Illinois high school sports for more than 40 years, I am familiar with Metamora's considerable achievements as a high school football power. And as an historian, mostly of the Civil War, I was aware of Metamora's past as a site of one of the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858. And, of course, there is the Metamora Courthouse. I hadn't taken the time to visit it until recently. My oversight. The Metamora Courthouse was built in 1845 and served as the center of county government until the county seat was moved to Eureka in 1896. It is one of two surviving courthouses on the historic Eighth Judicial Circuit traveled by Abraham Lincoln in the 1850s. In 1978, the courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The first floor of the two-story brick structure contains a central hall flanked by two exhibit rooms, one displaying artifacts of early local history, the other with exhibits describing the 1850s court system and Lincoln's life on the Eighth Judicial Circuit. On the second floor, the former courtroom and two small chambers are furnished to represent the era during which Lincoln practiced law. Visitors may take guided tours of the building or view the rooms and exhibits on their own. A 10-minute video history of the building, which includes images and interpretation of the second floor, is available for viewing. Among the artifacts are mid-19th century clothing, old spinning wheels and pianos, items dating to the Civil War and pre-Civil War photographs of the town and the courthouse. For historians who can't get enough of the courthouse, the site where Lincoln and Douglas debated is located in the park across the street. In Metamora, that almost beats a football game on Friday night.
3. Splashdown Water Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By WARSAWRUN - Peoria, Illinois
This is a faculty with all water park basics. A clean, comfortable, and well laid-out environment. There is a water slide, a well executed "treehouse" for climbing children with spilling water features, a pleasant lazy river, lap pool, wading pool, toddler area, and concession stand with a good snack selection.
Even though we attended on one of the last days of the season, we found seating for our group of 8, waits and crowds were modest, and the facility was clean and well-maintained.
Staffing was good with plenty of fixed position and roaming life guards, reception, and concession staff. Locker rooms were clean with plenty if coin operated, large ($0.25) lockers. Parking is abundant.
The facility could be enhanced with one or two more water slides for variety, but, overall, a good place for 2-4 hours if family fun.
4. Tower Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By LeRoyGe - Peoria Heights, Illinois
A great way to spend some time with the family. As one rides the elevator with its glass windows to the top of the water tower a really panoramic view is presented to you. Once at the top of the elevator there are two 360 degree observation decks to look out over Peoria and Peoria Heights as well as the Illinois river valley. A great trip for the kids / family.
5. Ronald Reagan Museum & Peace Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Cubmaster99 - Eastport, Maine
Eureka College has the Reagan Museum and Reagan Peace Garden. For those who are interested in our 40th President, the Reagan Museum is a must see. This free museum contains over 2000 artifacts and documents highlighting Ronald Reagan’s accomplishments during his long life and covering his childhood, school life, Hollywood stardom, and political career.
6. Art at the Bodega
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Art At The Bodega, in Washington, IL, is the area's leading art studio serving Washington, Tazewell county and surrounding areas since 2015. We offer parties, classes, private events, paint, pottery painting, a sip studio and more. Contact Art At The Bodega, in Washington, to sign up for your next art class!
Reviewed By Jennifer W - East Peoria, United States
This place is a painting instruction studio where you can bring your own wine, however we came for a children's birthday party. They had tables set up with multiple tabletop easels for the blank canvases. Everyone got their own sets of brushes and a palette of paint. The instructor walked the kids (ages 3 - 6) through how to make a painting of Olaf and the parents helped the individual children. There were times where a layer of paint needed to dry and we took a break to do other things (in this instance open presents, eat pizza, etc). It was a wonderful party and sparked the interest of many of the adults with the sample paintings on the wall to want to come back with girlfriends, date night or on their own. The instructor was great! Small little studio, but plenty of space for what they were doing and very friendly.
7. Dozer Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By Dan R - Peoria
Dozer Park is a great place to watch a baseball game. The Chiefs are affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals, so there are usually lots of Cards fans. Lots of stuff going on all the time, inter-inning games and contests are always fun. Depending on the seats you select, kids can get very close to the players and players will often give kids a ball as they warm up. Concessions are fairly moderate in price and the selection is also quite good. It's not unusual to see a Major League player doing a rehab stint with the team, as we're only 175 miles from St. Louis. Outfield seating on your own blankets is great for kids, as they can get up and run around without bothering anyone. My only real concern is that the area down the baselines are not protected by netting, and there can be some pretty sharply hit foul balls come whistling right at you... it's important to pay attention. But, all in all, it's a fun place to see a game; good baseball and much more reasonably priced than the major league parks.
8. ROC Ice Cream and Golf
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By LAAEastPeoria_IL - East Peoria,IL
This is a really nice mini golf course. The added bonus of an ice cream shop is really nice. The course is great for kids and adults. The staff is great and very family oriented. The ice cream flavors are awesome and the choices abundant.
9. Caterpillar Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 359 reviews
The Caterpillar Visitors Center is a fascinating look at the company, the iron and the people making sustainable progress possible around the world. From the humble beginnings of the first tractor to the company's present-day leadership in building infrastructure and powering the planet — it's all right here on Peoria's beautiful riverfront. We invite you to experience Caterpillar like never before and plan your visit today.
Reviewed By Big_bro_1_usa - Chicago, Illinois
PROS:clean, close to downtown and the river, tractors.
CONS: $7 fee for an hour's entertainment may be steep, could be boring for some people, only 3 tractors you can sit in, the 10 min movie you see in the beginning is basically an advertisement - would have been better if it started with the history of Best tractors and how it became Caterpillar, instead it promotes their current line up only.
Save your money, if you're into tractors , visit the John Deere museum which is free, its bigger, you can sit on more tractors, it;s better in every way. You may better off checking out Peoria's historic churches. They are all pretty impressive.
10. Par-A-Dice Casino
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 239 reviews
Lively riverboat casino with four decks of gaming including slots, video keno and a variety of table games including blackjack, roulette, craps, Caribbean Stud Poker and Let It Ride.
Reviewed By BiggsTheGoalie - WI
The staff was very nice and friendly, but that's about it. Slots are tight, and it's quite small. Played for maybe 30 mins, lost a lot, and was bored pretty quickly. There's nothing else to do on the boat. No complimentary drinks (not even soda). It was pretty dead, even for a Thursday late morning.
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