Peoria Heights offers a wide range of housing and plenty of amenities
Peoria Heights is an eclectic suburban village on the Illinois River, which widens and forms Peoria Lake as it flows past the picturesque bluffs on the community’s west side. The village features attractions such as Tower Park and Grandview Drive, home to a collection of stunning properties. While the community offers high-end residential settings, it is primarily made up of modest housing on quiet, tree-filled streets. The village sits adjacent to Peoria, but residents do not have to leave to enjoy an array of amenities, from recreation to retail. “It’s a quaint little area,” says Rebecca Gaetz of Keller Williams Premier Realty, who adds that, “Peoria Heights has really grown immensely in the past 5 to 10 years as far as desirability.”Peoria Heights is an eclectic suburban village on the Illinois River, which widens and forms Peoria Lake as it flows past the picturesque bluffs on the community’s west side. The village features attractions such as Tower Park and Grandview Drive, home to a collection of stunning properties. While the community offers high-end residential settings, it is primarily made up of modest housing on quiet, tree-filled streets. The village sits adjacent to Peoria, but residents do not have to leave to enjoy an array of amenities, from recreation to retail. “It’s a quaint little area,” says Rebecca Gaetz of Keller Williams Premier Realty, who adds that, “Peoria Heights has really grown immensely in the past 5 to 10 years as far as desirability.”
Grandview Drive is a well-known attraction featuring exclusive homes
Part of Grandview Drive runs through the community. Described by Teddy Roosevelt as “the world’s most beautiful drive,” the scenic roadway is a well-known attraction that offers a unique perspective whether visitors are out for a walk or driving through. “It’s overlooking the Illinois River, and the houses are very, very exclusive,” Gaetz says. “Living on Grandview Drive is a status thing.”
Grandview Drive is nestled between the waterfront and the County Club of Peoria. Colonials and Tudors stand out among additional high-value homes on Miller Avenue along the private, 18-hole golf course. Prices of the community’s luxury homes typically range from around $900,000 to well over $1 million, although less-expensive options can be found. Most of the housing here, however, is made up by cottage-style homes, Cape Cods, bungalows and ranch-style homes. Prices of these standard homes typically range from about $50,000 to around $350,000. On the whole, the community is walkable and bikeable. Residents can expect hot, humid summers and cold winters in which snow is fairly common.Part of Grandview Drive runs through the community. Described by Teddy Roosevelt as “the world’s most beautiful drive,” the scenic roadway is a well-known attraction that offers a unique perspective whether visitors are out for a walk or driving through. “It’s overlooking the Illinois River, and the houses are very, very exclusive,” Gaetz says. “Living on Grandview Drive is a status thing.”
Grandview Drive is nestled between the waterfront and the County Club of Peoria. Colonials and Tudors stand out among additional high-value homes on Miller Avenue along the private, 18-hole golf course. Prices of the community’s luxury homes typically range from around $900,000 to well over $1 million, although less-expensive options can be found. Most of the housing here, however, is made up by cottage-style homes, Cape Cods, bungalows and ranch-style homes. Prices of these standard homes typically range from about $50,000 to around $350,000. On the whole, the community is walkable and bikeable. Residents can expect hot, humid summers and cold winters in which snow is fairly common.
Tower Park offers stunning views of the river valley
Tower Park is a regional attraction that features a 200-foot water tower. Visitors can ride an elevator to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding river valley from three observation decks. A pavilion, water fountain and playground are complementary amenities. Illinois Valley Yacht & Canoe Club and Poplar Lane Park are community destinations along the waterfront. Peoria Lake, commonly referred to as the Peoria Pool, has been impacted by sedimentation, but it remains a fishing spot for river bass and sauger. Much of the village’s north side is taken up by the Forest Park Nature Center, which offers miles of hiking trails. The Rock Island Greenway is a multi-use path that connects residents to the Peoria riverfront. The Country Club of Peoria is members-only.Tower Park is a regional attraction that features a 200-foot water tower. Visitors can ride an elevator to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding river valley from three observation decks. A pavilion, water fountain and playground are complementary amenities. Illinois Valley Yacht & Canoe Club and Poplar Lane Park are community destinations along the waterfront. Peoria Lake, commonly referred to as the Peoria Pool, has been impacted by sedimentation, but it remains a fishing spot for river bass and sauger. Much of the village’s north side is taken up by the Forest Park Nature Center, which offers miles of hiking trails. The Rock Island Greenway is a multi-use path that connects residents to the Peoria riverfront. The Country Club of Peoria is members-only.
Bars, restaurants highlight a popular downtown district
Prospect Road is the center of a buzzy downtown district that features a diverse mix of stores, eateries and entertainment destinations. “There’s a wonderful strip of bars and restaurants that is a very popular area for people to go out on the weekends,” Gaetz says. Restaurants serve up a wide range of choices, including classic Italian fare and Mexican favorites. The 33 Room is a taproom at the community’s former Pabst Brewery. More shopping options, including grocers and big-box retailers, are located west of the village. The Peoria Heights Arts Collaborative is housed in the Pabst Building on Prospect Road. The non-profit promotes local art and hosts an annual fine arts fair. The building also hosts the annual Peoria Food + Wine Festival.Prospect Road is the center of a buzzy downtown district that features a diverse mix of stores, eateries and entertainment destinations. “There’s a wonderful strip of bars and restaurants that is a very popular area for people to go out on the weekends,” Gaetz says. Restaurants serve up a wide range of choices, including classic Italian fare and Mexican favorites. The 33 Room is a taproom at the community’s former Pabst Brewery. More shopping options, including grocers and big-box retailers, are located west of the village. The Peoria Heights Arts Collaborative is housed in the Pabst Building on Prospect Road. The non-profit promotes local art and hosts an annual fine arts fair. The building also hosts the annual Peoria Food + Wine Festival.
Two community schools serve students through 12th grade
The community has its own two-school district. Peoria Heights Community Unit School District #325 is rated C-plus by Niche. Peoria Heights Grade School, also rated C-plus, and Peoria Heights High School, rated B-minus, are located next to one another on the community’s west side. The high school offers an array of electives, including career and technical education courses that provide students with hands-on, real-world experience. The community is also home to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School, which offers a private, PK-8 alternative.The community has its own two-school district. Peoria Heights Community Unit School District #325 is rated C-plus by Niche. Peoria Heights Grade School, also rated C-plus, and Peoria Heights High School, rated B-minus, are located next to one another on the community’s west side. The high school offers an array of electives, including career and technical education courses that provide students with hands-on, real-world experience. The community is also home to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School, which offers a private, PK-8 alternative.
Greater Peoria easily accessible by bus or car
CityLink buses provide public transportation to points of interest within the community and throughout Greater Peoria. OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Carle Health Methodist Hospital are within 5 miles. General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport is about 15 miles away. Local roadways have come a long way since East Peoria was the birthplace of the gas-powered car in 1893. Interstate 74 and Interstate 155 provide access to regional destinations. Bloomington, home of Illinois State University, is about a 45-mile drive via I-74. I-155 connects to I-55 for travel to Springfield. The state capital is about 75 miles away.CityLink buses provide public transportation to points of interest within the community and throughout Greater Peoria. OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Carle Health Methodist Hospital are within 5 miles. General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport is about 15 miles away. Local roadways have come a long way since East Peoria was the birthplace of the gas-powered car in 1893. Interstate 74 and Interstate 155 provide access to regional destinations. Bloomington, home of Illinois State University, is about a 45-mile drive via I-74. I-155 connects to I-55 for travel to Springfield. The state capital is about 75 miles away.
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Matt Pallister
