“‘Spirit of Peoria’ was our first trip with R&J Tours and it was wonderful! We really enjoyed meeting new friends and hearing about the number of fun-filled trips they had gone on previously. We definitely knew we made a great choice in R&J Tours. Thank you!” Joe & Patty Cronin, Milaca
Day 1 – Home to Davenport, IA
All aboard for a wonderful adventure tour! Enjoy getting to know your traveling companions as we travel today, with several stops along the way until our final arrival in Davenport this evening. Once we’re checked into our hotel, we’ll freshen up and head over to the Circa 21 Playhouse for a comedy rendition of “The Savannah Sipping Society.”
Included Meals: Dinner
Hotel: Hampton Inn
Day 2 – Davenport to Peoria, IL
Following breakfast at our hotel, we’ll board the motorcoach for a short ride to Bishop Hill, the “Utopia on the Prairie.” Bishop Hill is pretty much the same town we would have seen if we came through in a horse and buggy 160 years ago. It is a living, fully functional village with a mayor and a fire department. What makes this town unique, is that the entire town is a registered historic landmark. Community members still farm the countryside just like their Swedish ancestors did. Some of this is for the visitors, but more importantly, they do it because they want to live authentically. Bishop Hill is steeped in history within an area that is less than 5 blocks long and 7 blocks wide! You can easily stroll the downtown Enchanted Mile, taking in more than 40 historic homes, galleries, shops, and museums. Our step-on guide/storyteller will entertain us about the area. Enjoy a Swedish lunch together before we continue on to the Stoney Creek Inn in Peoria. The evening is yours to explore a bit of Peoria.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Stoney Creek Inn
Day 3 – Peoria to Starved Rock State Park, IL
This morning we board the Spirit of Peoria paddlewheel and enjoy a hot breakfast buffet. Our cruise today will be northbound to Starved Rock Lodge. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the river route while we listen to live music and stories of the river. We’ll enjoy a wonderful luncheon onboard the paddlewheel and a hot dinner buffet before disembarking at Starved Rock Lodge. Once we’re all checked into our rooms, an optional evening hike is offered if you’d like to join in!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Starved Rock Lodge (3 Nights)
Day 4 – Starved Rock State Park
Enjoy breakfast at the Lodge today, as well as some free time to explore the State Park if you’d like. Lunch is served right here at the lodge, before we spend the afternoon listening to the Frank Sinatra Tribute Show, live at the lodge. Following the show, we’ll board a trolley for some historic tour stops, including Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center, historic downtown Utica, and the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. Dinner is served in the lodge tonight, then rest up for a fun day planned for tomorrow.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Starved Rock State Park
We’ll enjoy another wonderful buffet breakfast at the lodge before we begin our day of touring the area. We’ll tour the Weber House & Gardens, the Westclox Museum, and finish our afternoon of touring at the Star Union Spirits Distillery. We’ll return to the lodge with some free time to enjoy the park on our own before another wonderful dinner at the lodge, followed by “game night” with your R&J traveling friends.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Starved Rock State Park to Home
After our final breakfast at the Lodge, we bid farewell to Starved Rock State Park. But the tour is not done yet! We’ll make a stop for an opportunity like no other. We’ll take a journey back in time to the mid-1800’s as we coast gently down the canal on a mule-pulled 1840’s replica canal boat. Our period dressed guide will regale everyone with tales of the canal, while the deck hand, mule tender & boat captain guide the boat one mile up the canal to the Little Vermillion aqueduct and back. Tea and scones with Mary Todd Lincoln round out this wonderful morning of stepping back in time, before heading back on the road towards home with grand memories of our time on tour!
Included Meals: Breakfast
Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
13 Meals, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
One Full Day Cruising on the Spirit of Peoria Paddlewheeler with Indoor Comfort & Outdoor Relaxation, Fantastic Food, Live Music, and Stories of the River
“The Savannah Sipping Society” at the Circa 21 Playhouse
Historic Bishop Hill
3 Nights at Starved Rock Lodge including:
“Frank Sinatra Tribute Show”
Trolley Tour
Weber Gardens
Westclox Museum
Star Union Spirits Distillery Tour
Mule-pulled Canal Boat Ride