Are you looking for the best spots for fall foliage in the Peoria area? We are lucky in the Peoria area to have so many great spots for leaf-peeping! We've listed our family's favorite places to see autumn leaves in Peoria and beyond! We love hiking and visiting parks, so included those in our list of where to see fall leaves in Peoria.
Want to know when fall colors will be at their peak in the Peoria area? Check out this fall foliage prediction map from SmokyMountains.com. Simply move the slider at the bottom of the map to get an idea when leaves will be at peak colors in Peoria and across the United States. No map like this can be 100 percent accurate, of course, but it can give you a good idea of when fall colors will peak.
Ready to go find some beautiful fall leaves in Peoria?
Here are my family's favorite spots for leaf-peeping in the Peoria area:
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Grand View Drive & Park
3210 Grandview Drive, Peoria, IL
Grandview Drive is a two and a half mile scenic road with adjacent park areas through Peoria and Peoria Heights, Illinois. Major portions of the road give a view of the Illinois River and its valley as well as clear views of some of the most prestigious and historic homes in the area.
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Spirit of Peoria
100 NE Water St, Peoria, IL 61602
Spirit of Peoria is a riverboat that normally runs in the Peoria, Illinois area on the Illinois River watershed. The boat participated in the 2004 Grand Excursion. Spirit of Peoria is a true paddleboat, actually using its paddlewheel for propulsion, unlike some modern riverboats with purely cosmetic wheels.
Spirit of Peoria has several Fall Foliage cruises through the season.
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Wildlife Prairie Park
3826 N. Taylor Road, Hanna City, IL 61536
Wildlife Prairie Park wins Best of Peoria 2020 awards for:
Best Hidden Gem AND Best Place For Family Fun!
The Park has been referred to as a jewel in the North American Midwest. We have also been listed as a top 10 destination to visit in Illinois. Located just outside of Peoria, IL, this 1800-acre zoological park is home to 60 different species and over 150 animals that are or were all native to the area
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Forest Park Nature Center
5809 North Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights, IL
Do you enjoy bird watching or hiking? Forest Park Nature Center is for you! Forest Park Nature Center offers seven miles of trails for hiking and nature enjoyment and is home to a gift shop that carries bird feeding and hiking necessities. Interested in learning more about nature and all that it entails? Forest Park Nature Center has classes for adults and children alike, covering topics from bats to bugs and everything in between. Guided hiking tours are also available.
Other places to enjoy fall foliage within 3 hours:
- Funks Grove (50 min.)
- Constitution Trail (50 min.)
- Sugar Grove Nature Center (55 min.)
- Starved Rock State Park (1 hr. 15 min)
- Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center (1 hr. 15 min)
- Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery (1 hr. 30 min)
- Allerton Park & Retreat Center (1 hr. 30 min.)
- Lake Decatur (1 hr. 30 min.)
- Rock Springs Nature Center (1 hr. 30 min)
- Forest Preserves of Winnebago County (2 hr. 25 min)
- The Morton Arboretum (2 hr. 30 min)
- Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve (2 hr. 30 min)
- Big Marsh Park (2 hr. 40 min.)
- Millennium Park (2 hr. 45 min.)
- Pere Marquette State Park (3 hrs)
- Galena (3 hrs.)
If you have other recommendations for places to enjoy the fall foliage, email your suggestion to amandamorgan@macaronikid.com
