Things to Do in Peoria in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Peoria
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Early spring weather means you catch Peoria right as winter breaks - daytime temps around 31-51°C (88-124°F) are comfortable for walking the Riverfront Trail without the oppressive summer heat that arrives by June
- Basketball season peaks in March with Bradley Braves games at Carver Arena drawing energetic crowds - tickets run $15-35 and the atmosphere beats any professional game for pure local passion
- The Illinois River typically starts flowing stronger after snowmelt, making the riverfront parks like Detweiller Marina actually pleasant to explore - locals start emerging from winter hibernation and outdoor patios reopen
- Hotel rates stay reasonable in March since convention season hasn't fully kicked in yet - you'll find downtown properties 20-30% cheaper than April-May when corporate events pack the Civic Center
Considerations
- March weather in Central Illinois is genuinely unpredictable - you might get a 27°C (80°F) sunny day followed by a 4°C (40°F) drizzle the next morning, which makes packing frustrating and outdoor plans risky
- The landscape looks pretty bleak honestly - trees are still bare, grass is brown from winter, and everything has that muddy transitional look before spring greenery arrives in late April
- Ten rainy days sounds manageable but Peoria's March rain tends to be that cold, dreary Midwest drizzle that lasts all day rather than quick tropical showers - it affects your mood more than the numbers suggest
Best Activities in March
Peoria Riverfront Museum visits
March weather makes this the ideal time to explore indoor cultural spaces. The museum complex houses five galleries, a planetarium, and an IMAX theater - perfect for those variable weather days. The permanent collections cover regional history and you'll avoid the summer school groups that pack the place May through August. The planetarium shows run hourly and the dome experience works particularly well when it's gloomy outside.
Wildlife Prairie Park exploration
This 2,000-acre park about 16 km (10 miles) west of downtown showcases native Illinois wildlife in natural habitats. March is actually decent for visiting - animals are more active than in summer heat, trails are less muddy than April, and you'll have the place mostly to yourself. The bison, elk, and wolves are visible year-round. Dress in layers since you're walking 3-5 km (2-3 miles) of trails and March wind cuts through the open prairie areas.
Grandview Drive scenic route
Theodore Roosevelt supposedly called this 4 km (2.5 mile) road overlooking the Illinois River one of the most beautiful drives in America - which feels generous but it's genuinely pleasant on a clear March day. The bluff-top route passes historic mansions and offers river valley views. Best experienced between 2-4pm when March sun is warmest. You can drive it in 15 minutes or park and walk sections of the adjacent trails.
Warehouse District dining and brewery crawls
Downtown Peoria's revitalized Warehouse District comes alive on March weekends when locals are desperate to shake off winter cabin fever. Half a dozen breweries and gastropubs cluster within 3-4 blocks of each other. The craft beer scene here is legitimately good - Peoria's beer culture rivals cities twice its size. Plan 3-4 hours to hit 3-4 spots, with appetizers running $8-14 and pints $6-8.
Caterpillar Visitors Center tours
Peoria is Caterpillar's global headquarters, and their visitor center offers surprisingly engaging exhibits on heavy machinery, manufacturing history, and interactive simulators where you operate virtual bulldozers and excavators. Sounds niche but it's genuinely interesting even if you're not a machinery enthusiast. Takes 90-120 minutes to see everything. Perfect rainy day backup plan.
Illinois River water trail kayaking
If you catch one of those warmer March weeks, local outfitters start running guided kayak trips on the calmer sections of the Illinois River. Water temps are still cold at 7-10°C (45-50°F) so you're wearing wetsuits, but the experience of paddling past limestone bluffs with early migrating birds returning is pretty special. Not for everyone given the conditions, but adventure-oriented visitors find it memorable.
March Events & Festivals
St. Patrick's Day Parade
Peoria's Irish community throws a legitimate parade through downtown, typically the Saturday before March 17th. Several thousand locals turn out, bars open early with green beer specials, and the atmosphere is festive without being overwhelming. The parade route runs about 2 km (1.2 miles) along Main Street and takes roughly an hour to pass. Dress warmly - March mornings can still be 4-7°C (40-45°F).
Bradley Braves Basketball Tournament Games
If Bradley makes the Missouri Valley Conference tournament or NCAA tournament in March, the entire city gets energized. Games often shown on big screens at downtown bars even when played away. If they host tournament games at Carver Arena, tickets become extremely difficult to find but the atmosphere is electric. Check the schedule in late February to see if you'll overlap with tournament play.