Play in Peoria, a small city in central Illinois that offers both peaceful outdoor recreation and a vibrant entertainment scene within a stone’s toss of the Illinois River. Peoria has a rich arts and theater heritage; the 125-year-old Peoria Art Guild showcases contemporary art and hosts several annual art festivals. Peoria was also a popular stop on the vaudeville circuit in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The famous phrase “Will it play in Peoria?” was coined during the vaudeville era when a successful show in Peoria—recognized as a city that typified mainstream America—would mean success everywhere. Another area attraction, the Peoria RiverFront, lies on the western shore of the Illinois River and is a popular entertainment district, full of exciting nightlife, antiques shopping and live outdoor music.