Peru, Illinois: Parks, History, and Ice Sports

If you’re looking for a hotel in Peru, its recreational and cultural offerings provide a concrete framework for choosing a destination. Baker Lake Park offers outdoor activities, the Westclox Museum showcases business history, and Schweickert Arena is for ice skating and hockey. These highlights help you choose Peru based on the interests you want your stay to reflect.

Outdoor Recreation

Baker Lake Park

Baker Lake Park offers fishing, picnicking, a playground, and a disc golf course. There are also shelters and restrooms. A paved walking trail is 1 mile long. Fishing and picnicking differ from disc golf and the paved trail, so the park offers a choice of individual activities as well as a walking route. If you want to accommodate different interests during your time outdoors, the park offers concrete options.

Splash Pad

In contrast to the walking trail or disc golf, the baseball-themed splash pad focuses on water play. The facility is approximately 12,000 square feet and features hundreds of water jets. The splash pad includes features designed to be especially welcoming to children with different disabilities. This design can be a distinct consideration for families choosing a recreational activity.

Business History at the Westclox Museum

The Westclox Museum presents the history of the Western Clock Company. The company was founded in Peru, Illinois, and operated there for almost a century. Peru was therefore both its founding location and the site of its long period of operation. The museum focuses on a specific business history, unlike the park’s recreational offerings. If you’re weighing cultural activities against outdoor recreation, this historical focus is another option.

Ice Skating and Hockey at Schweickert Arena

Schweickert Arena includes a 2,600-square-foot building with restrooms, lockers, a concession area, a skate rental area, and a warming fireplace; it is located next to the existing ice skating and hockey rink. The square footage refers to the building, not the rink. Since seasonal operating details can change, check the arena’s current information before your visit.

Arriving by Charter Flight

Illinois Valley Regional Airport is located in Peru. Charter flights can be arranged directly from there. If you’re considering this option for your trip, confirm the arrangements in advance, as charter arrangements may change.

Explore the Wider Travel Area

In the wider travel area, interpretive CanalTour signs are located along the I&M Canal State Trail from Rockdale to LaSalle/Peru. This regional note broadens the view beyond local offerings to include the canal trail. Sign locations and content may be updated.

Discover more destinations: Ottawa, Oglesby, Utica, LaSalle, Grand Ridge, Mendota, Streator

Go to the broader travel overview: Lasalle.