Immerse yourself in nature at Luthy Botanical Garden. Founded in 1951, it is named after George Littlewood Luthy, who was president of the Peoria Park District, which owns the garden. Spanning 5 acres (2 hectares) of meticulously plotted land in the heart of Peoria, the garden is an oasis for visitors of all ages. Explore its gardens, sculpture exhibits and conservatory, and discover beauty around every corner.
Spend time exploring the 15 themed gardens within Luthy Botanical Gardens. At the center of the gardens find the impressive rose garden, with dozens of varieties. Sit by the fountain or enjoy some peace and quiet in Crabapple Cove. Breathe in the aromas of the Herb Garden or rest in the shade of the Woodland Garden. Younger visitors will love the Children’s Garden, which is full of whimsical sculptures, such as supersized chess pieces.
Located at the garden’s entrance, the conservatory is a great place to begin or end your visit. Spend time exploring the airy greenhouse and discover the abundance of plants inside. With a focus on tropical plants, expect to see an array of spectacular flowers and succulents.
Purchase a souvenir in the gift shop, which is adjacent to the conservatory. Browse through its diverse offerings, ranging from practical items for the garden to beautiful ornaments and decorations.
Time your visit to coincide with one of the garden’s seasonal floral shows. These have themes such as spring, orchids, chrysanthemums and poinsettias. Take advantage of one of the many scheduled garden tours and programming. Classes are tailored to both adult and child visitors, and cover everything from the basics of gardening to a garden scavenger hunt.
Visit Luthy Botanical Gardens 7 days a week throughout the year. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. There is plenty of on-site parking, or you can arrive by public transportation via the CityLink bus.
