By The Editors By The Editors | September 19, 2024 | Lifestyle, Feature, Features, Featured, Guides,
Fall foliage at Starved Rock State Park
From museums to comedy shows to spas, here are the best things to do this fall in Chicago.
Oglesby / Website
Making the 90-minute drive to Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby is certainly worth it—especially in autumn. The fall foliage is gorgeous this time of year and, complemented by the park’s landscape, makes for a perfect photo-op. Visitors can explore 13 miles of hiking trails, view picturesque waterfalls and enjoy fishing, boating and stunning fall scenery along the Illinois River.
1130 W. Monroe St. / Website
WNDR is no ordinary museum; high-sensory contemporary art installations allow for completely immersive experiences. Snap some pics in the iconic Infinity Mirror Room by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama or stop by the interactive light floor made from hundreds of motion-sensor LED panels.
2001 N. Clark St. / Website
A free Chicago institution for over a century, the Lincoln Park Zoo is dedicated to animal conservation efforts and home to nearly 200 unique species from around the world. The walkable park includes an aviary, a small mammal house, big cats, a realistic depiction of Africa’s flora and fauna, Farm-in-the-Zoo, a nature path and the peaceful Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. It is attached to the conservatory, whose main garden blooms with more than 40,000 annuals. Visitors can join for the zoo’s annual Fall Fest, a family-friendly free celebration featuring a pumpkin patch, professional pumpkin carvers, fall-themed animal enrichment, musical entertainment and ticketed attractions like a fun slide, a Ferris wheel, inflatable activities and more.
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe / Website
This lovely landscape includes more than 30 outdoor displays to explore, displaying millions of plants and flowers in a variety of settings. Stroll through several different environments, including aquatic gardens, a fruit and vegetable garden, bulb gardens and more. The tram tour includes a breathtaking panoramic overview of the main gardens.
200 S. County Line Road, Hobart, Ind. / Website
A proper Midwest fall is not complete without apple and pumpkin picking, and at County Line Orchard in Hobart, you can do both. Whether you're on the hunt for the most crisp apple on the tree or for the largest pumpkin you can find, a memorable time is sure to be had.
909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove / Website
Richardson Farm in Spring Grove houses one of the world’s largest corn mazes, a pumpkin patch, a zip line and observation tower, a 13-acre sunflower field and picnic areas with campfires. Enjoy fall-themed activities like giant slides, pedal carts and wagon rides or spend countless hours maneuvering through the intricate maze as you take in the scenic autumn sights.
Oz Park, 2021 N. Burling St. / Website
Embark on a tour of the Windy City’s spookiest haunts while learning about the area’s vibrant history and taking in some of its most famous sights, from Prohibition-era pubs to Civil War burial grounds. Visitors can take a standard tour of eight haunted sites or opt for an extended tour featuring four additional locations and another half-mile of Lincoln Park’s most spine-chilling sights.
4001 N. Clark St. / Website
The brilliant fall foliage and the crisp autumn weather make taking a tour of Graceland Cemetery a perfect to-do in the fall. Explore its architectural masterpieces, history and beauty while hearing fascinating stories during the tour.
111 S. Michigan Ave. / Website
This lion-guarded landmark museum on Michigan Avenue makes art accessible and fun for all visitors with themed mini-tours that take a scavenger-hunt approach, making the larger galleries seem less overwhelming by honing in on specific areas of interest. Some of the must-sees at the Art Institute are “Architectural Fragments of Chicago,” a display of culturally or architecturally significant remnants from areas in and around Chicago, from fragments of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings to historical pieces from Bronzeville, and Margaret Honda’s “Double Feature with Short Subject.” Admission is always free for guests 14 and under.
800 W. Superior St. / Website
Occupying a cavernous space in River West, AIRE Ancient Baths Chicago is an experience unlike any other in the city. The serene candlelit space features a series of hot and cold pools to traverse at your leisure, including the Spanish-born spa’s only indoor-outdoor bath. From the 102-degree hot pool to the 50-degree ice pool, the thermal experience promotes tranquility while awakening the senses. A pair of steam rooms, heated marble stones and ultraluxe add-ons—including a red wine bath—complete the picture.
1616 N. Wells St. / Website
This mega-comedy institution in the Piper’s Alley entertainment complex grew out of the Compass Players in 1959 and launched the careers of countless comics, such as Alan Arkin, John Belushi, Bill Murray and Tina Fey. Its topical sketch comedy is showcased in a mainstage revue and a revue by its second company, e.t.c. Theater.
See also: The 5 Best Places To See Fall Foliage Around Chicago
Photography by: From top: photo by Mike Reyfman; By Marisa Barrett/Unsplash; By Solstice Hannan/Unsplash