Peoria to Starved Rock

2 Days, 1 night,  May–October

Enjoy rustic charm and modern conveniences when you step back in time aboard the Midwest's most unique and historic riverboat as it travels the Illinois River valley between Peoria and Starved Rock State Park.

As the Spirit of Peoria gets underway, at the leisurely pace of 7mph, the whistling notes of the calliope fill the air and drift through the valley. Using a delightful mix of riverlore and historical facts, the history of the river comes alive through stories and songs from the riverboat's very own Riverlorian and Master Storyteller and entertainment by world-class ragtime musicians.

No one on the river ever goes away hungry with American classics such as chef-carved bayou prime rib.

After a scenic day on the Illinois River, arrive at Starved Rock Landing and explore some of the 18 canyons formed during the glacial drift. Later that evening, prepare yourself for a visit from Mark Twain himself as he entertains in the Great Hall of Starved Rock Lodge.

Day One

8:00am–8:45am Check-in at the Spirit of Peoria 100 NE Water St
9:00am Spirit of Peoria departs Peoria landing
9:30am Breakfast and coffee available on First Deck
9:45am Live Ragtime Piano Music and Professional Riverlore on Boiler Deck
11:30am Cold Deli Lunch Buffet on Main Deck
1:00pm Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
2:30pm Wine and cheese reception on Boiler Deck
3:00pm Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
5:00pm Prime rib buffet dinner on Main Deck
5:45pm Approximate arrival at Starved Rock Landing

Evening: Starved Rock Lodge in Utica, IL 800-868-7625

Your luggage will be in your room!
8:00pm Guest speaker in the Great Hall

Day Two

Leave your luggage in your room! Our luggage handlers will pick it up for you. Do not leave your luggage on the bed; place it near the door in plain sight.

7:00am–8:00am Breakfast at Starved Rock Lodge
8:00am Shuttle departs Lodge for Starved Rock Historic Site
9:00am Second Shuttle departs Lodge for the Spirit of Peoria
9:00am Snacks and coffee available on Boiler Deck
9:15am Shuttle picks up group from Starved Rock Historic Site
9:30am Live Ragtime Piano Music and Professional Riverlore on Boiler Deck
12:30am Chef Carved Ham Buffet on Main Deck
2:00pm Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
3:00pm Late afternoon snack on Boiler Deck
5:00pm Approximate arrival at Peoria landing

Peoria to St. Louis

3 days, 2 nights

Embark on a journey South from Peoria to the "Gateway to the West," Saint Louis, MO. Day one will take you through 2 locks & dams, the first being just 1/2 hour into your cruise. The second lock & dam is just south of Beardstown, IL. The boat will land in Meredosia, IL. Established in the 1890s, Meredosia boasted 4 button factories. The pearl button business dried up in 1948. Your first evening will be in Jacksonville, IL.

Relax in the sun on one of the Spirit’s peaceful decks, spot river wildlife with Riverlorian and Master Storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis, or visit the pilothouse and learn the rules of the river with your Captain, Alex Grieves.

From Meredosia, the cruise will continue south to Grafton, IL and the Pere Marquette Lodge. Grafton sits at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. The Pere Marquette Lodge which is just 5 miles upstream from Grafton is situated among 8,000 acres making it Illinois' largest state park.

From Grafton, the cruise will continue to St. Louis. The Spirit of Peoria will travel through two more locks on the Mississippi before landing at the Gateway Arch.

The cruise includes all meals, taxes and gratuities, entertainment and lodging. The motor coach will make a stop on the way back to Peoria, if you would like to purchase dinner it will be on your own.

Day one

Check-in any luggage that will not be needed on the boat.

7:00am–7:30am Check-in at the Spirit of Peoria Landing. Light breakfast buffet on Main Deck.
7:45am Spirit of Peoria departs Peoria landing
8:15am Lock through at Peoria Lock & Dam
9:00am Live Ragtime Piano Music and Professional Riverlore on Boiler Deck
12:00pm Cold Deli Lunch Buffet on Main Deck
1:30pm More Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
3:00pm Wine and cheese reception on the Boiler Deck
3:30pm More Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
5:30pm Lock through at LaGrange Lock & Dam
6:00pm Prime rib dinner buffet aboard the boat
7:00pm Approximate arrival in Meredosia and motor coach trip to Jacksonville for the night

Night One, Jacksonville, IL

Hotel information coming soon. Your luggage will be in your room!

Day Two

Leave your luggage in your room! Our luggage handlers will pick it up for you. Do not leave your luggage on the bed; place it near the door in plain sight.

7:45am Shuttle will depart for the Spirit of Peoria
8:30am Hot Breakfast Buffet aboard the Spirit of Peoria on Main Deck
8:30am Spirit of Peoria departs Meredosia Landing
9:30am Live Ragtime Piano Music and Professional Riverlore on Boiler Deck
12:00pm Hot Lunch Buffet on the Main Deck
1:30pm More Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
3:00pm Late afternoon snack on Boiler Deck
4:30pm Approximate arrival at Grafton landing and motor coach to the lodge
6:30pm Dinner at the Père Marquette Lodge

Night Two

Père Marquette Lodge and Conference Center 618-786-2331 Your luggage will be in your room!

Day Three

7:30am-8:30am Breakfast at the Lodge
9:00am Shuttle departs for the Spirit of Peoria
9:30am Spirit of Peoria departs for Saint Louis
10:00am Live Ragtime Piano Music and Professional Riverlore on Boiler Deck
11:30am Lock through at Melvin Price Lock & Dam
12:00pm Hot Lunch Buffet on the Main Deck
1:15pm Lock through at Lock & Dam #27
1:30pm More Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
2:00pm Approximate landing at the Gateway Arch in Saint Louis
2:15pm Free time to visit the Gateway Arch
4:00pm Board coaches for return to Peoria at the riverfront landing
5:30pm Stop for dinner (on your own-this meal not included in overall trip cost)
7:30pm Approximate arrival in Peoria

*Arrival times may vary due to delays (weather or boat traffic).

Main Deck First deck: dining
Boiler Deck Second Deck: entertainment and snacks, open-air seating
Texas Deck Third Deck: open-air seating

If the weather is nice and you don’t want to miss anything please feel free to take your meals on either the Boiler or Texas Deck. We will gather your dishes and utensils.

Notes

Remember that your luggage will not be traveling with you! Bring a small bag (on the boat) with any medicine you might need. Please make sure your name is on your luggage. Do not remove the luggage tags that our crew places on your bag. They will be needed until you pick up your luggage at the dock upon the boat's or bus' return to Peoria.

Don't forget to bring

• Binoculars
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Hat
• Light jacket for May/June and September/October trips

Dress is casual. Shorts and sandals are more than appropriate for our cruises. You will not be required to "dress-up" for dinner.

Boarding is at 7am. Passengers will not be allowed to board before that time. Luggage handlers will begin checking in luggage at 6:45am.

The Spirit of Peoria is located at the intersection of Water and Main Sts. You can use exit 93 east or westbound from I-74 or take Routes-24 or 29 to Main St.

Parking is located in the RiverFront Village Parking Lot. Parking is free to Spirit of Peoria passengers with parking passes. You will need to obtain a parking pass from the luggage handlers when you check your bags. This pass MUST be hung from your rearview mirror or you will be ticketed. Parking tickets are not our responsibility.