The New River Trail runs through town and offers multi-use paths for running, walking, horseback riding and cycling near the water's edge, while sprawling Lake Pleasant offers more water recreation with houseboats, kayaks and canoes available for rent. If you're more comfortable on the green than on the water, check out Peoria's five golf courses. And in spring, a pair of sports teams gather here: The Peoria Sports Complex is the Spring Training home for the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.

Where old meets new

From locally sourced coffee and wood-fired pizza to sprawling parks and public art, there's something for everyone in Old Town Peoria. Take a tour of historic Peoria in the town square, where buildings like the Peoria Central School and the Peoria Presbyterian Church date back as far as 1899. Stroll through the city's oldest public park, Osuna Park, and enjoy the beauty of its tile mosaics, bronze sculptures and architectural steel trellises. Round out your day in Peoria with a show at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, a 250-seat theater that opened in 2006 and features a catalog of live stage performances and musical productions.

Lake days

Discover a true desert oasis at the aptly named Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, Lake Pleasant is an outdoor enthusiast's dream destination for both adventure and relaxation. With more than 23,000 acres of water and an unblemished desert landscape, the park offers a variety of ways to soak up the region's beauty, from kayaking and scuba diving to hiking and stargazing.

Game time

Home to the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, Peoria Sports Complex welcomes thousands of fans every spring for America's favorite pastime. While baseball is the main draw, local food and craft beer add to the appeal, and younger fans can stay cool in Peoria Cove, a shipwreck-themed playground and water play area.

Above par

Designed by master golf course architect Rees Jones, Peoria's Quintero Golf Club is consistently recognized as one of the country's best public courses. Artistically carved out of a pristine piece of lush Arizona desert, this Peoria golf course is described as the "purest golf experience" in the Southwest, testing players at every level of expertise in the game.