Grandiew Drive is a historic ‘pleasure driveway’ that’s also a favorite place for a run in Peoria. Built in 1903 by Oscar F. Dubuis, a landscape engineer who served an apprenticeship under Frederick Law Olmsted, the scenic, tree-lined 2.5-mile drive features parkland and panoramic views of the Illinois River as it climbs north. It’s also a lovely residential area, with grand homes lining the west side. There’s a good sidewalk the whole way. Running Grandview Dr. is a terrific out & back 5-miler. 

Google Street View

The south end starts 3 miles north of downtown, at Lower Grandview Park. Run north along the road, on the sidewalk along the river side. There’s parkland on the east side, dropping down to the River, and lovely historic homes on the west side (Tudor, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman). The upper portion skirts the Peoria Country Club golf course. Note: gradual uphill headed north. 

Variations and Add-Ons: It’s a 5-mile out & back. If you want a variation for the return, you can connect to the Rock Island Parkway, which is 0.6 miles west of the north end of Grand View, using E Glen Ave. (reconnect to Grand View using E Bishop Ave. at the south end).