Luthy Botanical Gardens, a small oasis in the heart of Peoria

It was a birthday celebration for my friend Janna that brought Mom, Janna and I to Peoria. We came to dine at the Obed & Issac’s Microbrewery and Eatery.

Obed & Issacs

The Peoria Obed & Issacs is located in the beautiful former Second Presbyterian Church.  In Springfield Obed & Isaac’s has a successful restaurant in a historic property near the Abraham Lincoln home.  Their reputation and great food were a draw for Janna’s luncheon.  The church was built in 1887. Designed by W.W Boylington, he was also the designer of Chicago’s Water Tower.  When you see the lovely stone design in the Richardson Romanesque Revival style, it’s easy to make the connection.  The church merged with the Federated Church in 1937. Together they remained as a church until 1949 when the building became the home to the Electra Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. The building also housed the Donmeyer Family Monument.

Until 1985 the building remained in the hands of the Order of the Eastern Star. It became several other things over the years. Then in October of 2015, Obed & Issac’s bought the property and opened September of 2016.  I had never been to the new site and was excited, so we set out early and found ourselves in town an hour before the restaurant opened. 

Luthy Botanical Gardens

Luthy Botancial Gardens was named after George Littlewood Luthy, who was president of Peoria’s Commercial National Bank (now part of Commerce Bank) and of the Peoria Park District, which owns the garden. There is a plaque in the garden honoring the man that the property is named after.

Located in Glen Oak Park we were impressed by the lovely setting. The park also includes a zoo, several playgrounds and a children’s museum so this would be a perfect place to bring children and grand children.  Luthy Park itself is set on five acres and was established in 1951 The garden has a maze of trails that encompass an Herb Garden, a Woodland Garden, a Rose Garden and a Hosta Glade and these are just a few of the themed gardens.  We loved the fact that there are benches and sculptures also interspersed throughout.

We visited a few of the greenhouses, but somehow missed the Garden Gift Shop.  On their website they share that the shop “offers a variety of gardening books, accessories and tools, garden-related gifts, unique jewelry and collectibles.”

There are also floral shows that include a Spring Show, Orchid Show, Chrysanthemum Show and Poinsettia Show. The walk through the garden was a great time for taking pictures, strolling away our hour in an amazing setting and letting nature reduce stress and allow the flow of conversation.

The entire Glen Oak Park was lovely and I’d like to go back.  The Luthy Botanical Garden was surley an oasis in the heart of Peoria! Log onto https://www.peoriaparks.org/luthy-botanical-garden/ for more information about this lovely place.

Oh, and by the way, Obed & Isaac’s new restaurant offered wonderful food, and it was in such a lovely setting it was hard not to look up and all around, so we did!  I am so pleased they preserved this property in such a way that the public can enjoy.  Bon apetit! Check ot other things to do in Peoria as well!