Our first 2026 Trip, Peoria, IL, April 7 - April 10, 2026
We love winter where we live. It's long, cold, and filled with snow. When you think of winter, you think of northern Minnesota, and it doesn't get much more northern Minnesota than Hovland. Like clockwork, we can expect layers of snow and sub-freezing temperatures starting consistently in early November and lasting into April. There are years where that has also started in October and extended into May. As beautiful as it is, there does come a point where we start to get that itch for spring. We start to watch the weather forecasts for those areas south and start to wonder if it's time for a small respite from the winter. This year, that itch came in early March and we started to plan. After some consideration and planning, we decided to head to Peoria, Illinois where Theo was raised and where Jamie completed her undergraduate work at Bradley University.
As soon as the calendar turned over to April, we started to prepare. We got the camper prepped and ready to move. We mapped out our route and itinerary and it started to feel real. The day came, and we were on the road.
The first morning of the trip, we left the driveway with several feet of snow and the temperature gauge reading 8 degrees farhenheit. What a perfect spring morning for a camping trip. We had decided to stay at Evening Star Camping Resort (23049 US Hwy 136, Topeka, IL 61567). The campground was just over 700 miles from our house, and we arrived at the campsite just after 10 pm. After setting everything up, we were finally able to get some much needed rest after such a long travel day.
The campground seemed very empty, except some early arriving seasonal campers. This stop was a nostalgic spot for Theo, and not exactly one we would add as a recommended / must-stay spot, especially since it is quite a ways off the beaten path. Nevertheless, the campground has a pool, shower houses, camp store, a miniature golf course, a fishing pond, basketball and volleyball courts, playgrounds, and a pavilion for events. We stayed at site M11, which was a back-in full hook up site that is normally a seasonal site, but the seasonal renters had not yet arrived. It was very peaceful and we had very nice weather the entire time, even though we did not spend much time at the campground at all. We woke up each morning we were there and walked through the campground. It had been over 30 years since Theo had been there, but it was almost the same, except for the large wooden water slides they used to have were now removed. We saw fat squirrels, 2 beautiful swans, ducks, fish rolling in the weeds, and our first robins, cardinals, and doves of the season.
The first morning we were in Peoria, we drove around the old neighborhoods that Theo lived in and took in the whole area. The area had changed quite a bit, and the house that Theo's grandparents had lived in and his mom was raised in had now been removed and there was a large gas station on the entire block. It's weird to go back and see how things progress and change. After our trip down memory lane, we went and picked up Theo's mom from her work and met all the managers that work under her. It had been about a year since we had seen her, so it was a nice reunion.
The first place we had to stop was a coffee shop. We chose Reverence Coffee (409 Richland Street, East Peoria, IL 61611) Although we did not get any pictures Theo had a cold brew and Jamie got the last of a winter seasonal latte - Hot Smoked Bourbon Molasses. Everything there was so tasty, and the vibe was perfect for a midweek visit. We would definitely recommend the spot if you are in the area there. It's always so great to support locally owned small businesses when possible.
When we left the coffee shop, we drove straight to our lunch spot we had picked out; the highly recommended Slow Hand Craft BBQ (4450 N. Prospect Rd., Suite S-1, Peoria Heights, IL 61616). Speaking of progress and how neighborhoods change, this spot was actually built on the land where Theo's elementary school (Kelly Avenue) was located. He went to this school from 2nd through 4th grades. Slow Hand did not disappoint at all. The food was amazing. We shared a sampler for the entire table which had 5 different meats and 3 sides. There was not a bite that disappointed, and the sampler was big enough for the three of us that we had leftovers. One thing we noticed is that every meat in the sampler was equally amazing. You know how some places the brisket is incredible, but the pork is meh? Not here.
After driving around a bit more, we decided to visit a bakery we had researched, El Mirador en el Rio (110 Northeast Water Street, Peoria, IL 61602). This area is on the waterfront of the Illinois River, and they are definitely working hard to revitalize the area and bring in new businesses and development compared to when we last lived here. They had so many coffees and other beverages, baked goods, and even empanadas. There was seating inside and a very scenic outdoor patio, and the decor was so whimsical. Theo had a limoncello tiramisu, and Jamie had her first Dubai chocolate strawberry cup - she can't stop thinking about it. Dark Chocolate, not too sweet, the strawberries were perfect. We are both still dreaming about this place. Everything was amazing and the service was fast and super friendly.
After early afternoon dessert, we stopped by the George L. Luthy Memorial Botanical Garden (2520 N. Prospect Rd., Peoria, IL 61603). This spot was one of the first places Theo took Jamie to after they met, way back in early 2001. We always love visiting botanical gardens, but we especially love early spring visits after a long winter. This amazing garden offers free admission (donations are welcome and appreciated). We were there pretty early in their season, but there was still some colorful things to look at.
On this day 1 in Peoria, we visited some other small shops, found a new rug for the shed shop, stopped by to have cake with our nephew Wyatt who turned 9, and had dinner at Long Horn Steakhouse in Peoria (ps. the pork chop was VERY good). On the way back to the campsite, we were treated to one of those special farm land and prairie sunsets. If you've never seen one, they are a special treat.
On the morning of the 2nd day in Peoria, we took our morning walk and then went to pick up Theo's mom. We were all very hungry, so we drove straight to our breakfast spot, Ardor Breads & Provisions (301 Southwest Water Street, Peoria, IL 61602). This place had some of the best food we have ever had. The service was great, ingredients were fresh, the seating area was magnificent, and the baked goods in the cases were something special. None of us got pastries or baked goods, but the food we all had was excellent. Jamie recommends the breakfast platter with potato terrine, and don't ask them to change a thing, let them make it exactly how they suggest... it was perfection. The whole place was beautiful, the perfect revitalization of an old building. This is the type of place you could go over and over and never get tired of. It will be on our very shortlist for return visits in the future as well. We could not recommend this place more.
After this amazing breakfast, we went to one of Theo's childhood favorites, Emo's Dairy Mart (3618 N. Prospect Rd., Peoria, IL 61603). This spot is as old-school as it gets with so many choices of food, ice cream, sundaes, and shakes. This was about three blocks from where his grandparents lived, so he would visit it very often in the summer. Everything was exactly as he remembers, even the window decals and menu board. They still only take cash, but there is an ATM next to it now if you need it. Theo got a vanilla cone with crunch coating and Jamie got a banana shake (big chunks of real banana).
In the afternoon, we needed to visit another coffee shop, dar al-coffee (1229 W. McClure Ave. Suite R, Peoria, IL 61604). Although we only grabbed a couple of pictures, this place was a treat also. The menu had many choices, and the bakery did not disappoint either. They had so many unique cakes, desserts, waffles. Theo had a pistachio latte and Jamie had a Nutella bueno latte. Everything was so rich and flavorful, and the espresso was perfect.
Our final food stop of the day and in Peoria, was also perfect, Chef Moussa (201 E. Lake Ave., Peoria, IL 61614). We absolutely love Mediterranean food and could not have been happier with our choice. This spot is located in a small shopping center. The only complaint is that we didn't get more of it. Yum!
We also visited so many more shops and antique stores. Peoria also has an amazing local yarn store, Fiber Universe (305 Southwest Water Street, Peoria, IL 61602). We will highlight this cute shop in a separate blog post. Everything we saw and visited was amazing and this trip was everything we needed. We were only there a short time, but packed so much in. After 2 full days in Peoria, we had one last night at Evening Star and then we would wake up, take down the campsite and prep the camper for travel, and take off for Madison, WI.
We hoped you enjoyed this recap of our trip and we would love to hear from you.... When do you travel? Where do you always enjoy traveling back to? Do you have anything planned soon?
