Greater Peoria Regional Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

The General Downing Peoria International Airport is about 5-7 miles from both downtown Peoria and the shopping areas to the north of the city, with no real hotel cluster right next to the terminals: the choice depends more on the reason for travel than on the distance. Anyone with a conference at the Peoria Civic Center or who wants the riverfront finds the historic downtown convenient; anyone travelling for work to the big stores to the north stays along Route 91 or War Memorial Drive. Anyone aiming for Costco, the outlets and the casino can instead cross the Illinois River toward East Peoria.

Downtown Peoria and the riverfront

City centre · 15-20 minutes by car or taxi from the terminals; no direct bus to the airport.

Best for: Conferences at the Civic Center and anyone who wants the Illinois riverfront within walking distance of the hotel.

Pros

Connected to the Peoria Civic Center by a climate-controlled walkway
Within walking distance of the riverfront and the restaurants of Main Street

Cons

Always need a taxi for the airport, with no direct shuttle
In the evening, outside events at the Civic Center, downtown is quiet

Recommended hotels in this area

Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette: A historic 1927 building connected to the Civic Center by a climate-controlled walkway; pool and free local shuttle.

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Grand Prairie and Route 91

Neighbourhood · Airport shuttle offered by both hotels; 10-15 minutes by car along Route 91.

Best for: Anyone travelling for work or shopping in the commercial area to the north of the city.

Pros

Airport shuttle included at both hotels in this area
A few minutes on foot or by car from the shops at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie

Cons

An area of shopping centers and parking lots: little to do on foot in the evening
15-20 minutes by car from both downtown and the river

Recommended hotels in this area

Holiday Inn & Suites Peoria At Grand Prairie: In the Grand Prairie complex, with a saltwater indoor pool and an airport shuttle.
Hampton Inn & Suites Peoria at Grand Prairie, IL: Half a mile from the shops at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie, with an airport shuttle and free hot breakfast.

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War Memorial Drive

Neighbourhood · 15 minutes by car from the terminals along Route 150/War Memorial Drive; no direct shuttle.

Best for: The city's main commercial street, convenient for chain shops and restaurants.

Pros

Restaurants and shops of every kind within a few minutes by car
Hotels of comparable quality a few blocks apart from each other

Cons

A busy road built for cars, not great for strolling
A car is always needed for the airport, with no dedicated shuttle

Recommended hotels in this area

Courtyard by Marriott Peoria: On War Memorial Drive with a recently renovated pool and hot tub, plus a small in-house market.
Residence Inn by Marriott Peoria: Suites with a full kitchen just past the Courtyard, with free breakfast and an evening reception with a light dinner.

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East Peoria, across the river

Nearby town · 20-25 minutes by car from the terminals across the Illinois River; no direct public transport.

Best for: Costco, the outlets and the riverside casino, in a different town from Peoria but just minutes away.

Pros

A recently opened hotel (2021), with ratings among the highest in the whole Peoria area
Close to the Par-A-Dice Casino and the outlets on the Illinois River

Cons