Experience · Peoria

Family Morning at Peoria Zoo & Childers Eatery

Start your day with an engaging visit to the Peoria Zoo, where kids can marvel at diverse animal species. Follow it up with a satisfying breakfast or brunch at Childers Eatery, known for its family-friendly atmosphere. Conclude your morning with a relaxing stroll at Donovan Park.

A 3.5-hour Peoria morning plan for families — Peoria Zoo, Childers Eatery, Donovan Park.

Duration
3h 30m
Cost
$15–$40
Stops
3 stops
Walking
Light walking · Total 4.3-mile driving route
Best time
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ideal for
Families · Kids
Start Plan
Customize
Family Morning at Peoria Zoo & Childers Eatery

The plan

The plan

  1. 1Peoria Zoo(1 hr 30 min)→
  2. 2Childers Eatery(1 hr)→
  3. 3Donovan Park(1 hr)

Why this plan works

The 3 stops cover about 4.3 miles total, which keeps you in one pocket of Peoria instead of crossing town between them. Peoria Zoo is the main event and takes the biggest block of time; the other stops are built around it. It finishes at Donovan Park — a short, low-effort stop you can skip if you're ready to call it. Best suited to families and families with kids who want a planned Peoria outing without improvising between stops.

The story

Overview

Start your day with an engaging visit to the Peoria Zoo, where kids can marvel at diverse animal species. Follow it up with a satisfying breakfast or brunch at Childers Eatery, known for its family-friendly atmosphere. Conclude your morning with a relaxing stroll at Donovan Park.

The itinerary

3 stops, one great day

  1. Peoria Zoo1
    1h 30m
    Peoria Zoo

    Family

    Historic park with 100+ global species (some endangered), giraffe feeding & African installations.

    What to do — Spend time exploring the various habitats and learning about the animals. Check for giraffe feeding times.

    Scout Side Quest

    Spot the animal that eats, sleeps, or waddles the most like someone in your crew.

    2.1 mi · 8 min drive

    Then Drive south to Childers Eatery, approximately 10 minutes away.

  2. Childers Eatery2
    1 hr
    Childers Eatery

    Food & Drink

    What to do — Order from the menu of classic breakfast and lunch dishes in a comfortable setting.

    2.2 mi · 8 min drive

    Then Take a short drive to Donovan Park, about 5 minutes north.

  3. Donovan Park3
    Optional 1 hr
    Donovan Park

    Outdoors

    Tranquil parkland featuring cross-country skiing in the wintertime & the Northmoor Observatory.

    What to do — Let the kids enjoy the playground or take a relaxing stroll through the tranquil parkland.

    Scout Side Quest

    Look up: find a cloud or tree branch that looks suspiciously like an animal you saw earlier.

Scout Stories

People who did this

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The route

On the map

Open route in Google Maps

Common questions

Planning this outing

Is this a good Peoria itinerary for families?
Yes. It's built for families and families with kids and runs about 3 hr 30 min across 3 stops, starting at Peoria Zoo.
How long does this outing take?
Plan on 3 hr 30 min door to door, including time between stops.
How much does this Peoria itinerary cost?
Roughly $15–$40 per person, before parking and tips. Free and low-cost stops are marked on each card.
Is this itinerary walkable?
Not entirely. The stops cover about 4.3 miles, so you'll drive or rideshare between at least one pair.
Do I need reservations?
No. Every stop on this plan takes walk-ins, though weekends move faster if you arrive early.

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