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For more spectacular river views take a drive along Grandview Drive and visit Grandview Park. This road, which can be accessed from the top or bottom, features some of Peoria's grandest homes and a variety of truly spectacular views of the river. The best river views have pull-offs and small parking lots so you can take pictures and take your time viewing the scenery. The Park District maintains the overlooks as well as a park at the bottom of the drive.
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in Glen Oak Park
The gardens feature traditional ornamental collections and (increasingly) native plantings on five acres. During holiday seasons, the Gardens host special events.
in Glen Oak Park
in Glen Oak Park
Formerly known as the Glen Oak Zoo after the park in which it's located, the Peoria Zoo has habitats for large animals such as zebras and rhinoceroses, an enclosure for wallabies and emus that visitors can walk through, and some more exotic critters such as takins. There is also an excellent collection of smaller animals, including meerkats, a variety of smaller monkeys, and capybaras.
One of Peoria's oldest city parks, makes a nice all-day or half-day destination. In addition to traditional park activities (grassy and tree-shaded areas, picnic tables, playing fields, tennis courts), Glen Oak Park has an amphitheater used for outdoor concerts and is home to the Luthy Botanical Gardens, the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum, and the Peoria Zoo.
Inside Glen Oak Park (see the listing above), the amphitheatre is used for outdoor concerts, movies, and private events. Free Municipal Band concerts are held each Sunday at 7PM during the summer, movie nights begin at 8PM (50 cent admission), and the venue may also be rented for private events. The amphitheatre seats 500 people, plus many more on the lawn. Check the website for the schedule of events.
In Peoria Heights is a popular attraction with a water tower you can ascend 200 feet and see panoramic views up to 20 miles in clear weather. The river valley is quite lovely. The tower is open from the end of April through October (weather permitting).