Fall and Autumn Leaves & Activities in Chicago and Suburbs
It’s that time of year when the leaves are changing color and falling off the trees and you want to find the best place to see them and take some pictures. It is also a great time to take a trip to a local apple picking farm and orchard or to a pumpkin farm to pick some pumpkins yourself from their pumkin patch. Autumn is my favorite time of yearand it’s the best season in Chicago for clear weather. So get out and enjoy it while it lasts!
Fall Leaves Viewing and Photography:
Morton Arboretum – Peak fall tree colors usually happen with the trees in the 2nd week of October. They might change color slightly earlier or later if it gets cold earlier or later this year. See the great view of autumn colors while driving on Route 53 going north as it cuts through the arboretum and you have a great view of the trees from I-88 to Roosevelt Road. They also have tours with guides that can tell you about the trees and the plants as well as you can also just walk through the arboretum on your own. It’s the best place in Chicago to see fall.
The Cook County Forest Preserve has a lot of great trees too. If you have a map and know where you are going, check them out too. And for out of towners wanting to know when their peak fall tree colors change call the National Forest Service Fall Color Hotline at 1-800-354-4595.
Apple Picking and Apple Cider – There are a few orchards still around within driving distance from Chicago for picking your own apples in late summer and early fall. See the list of Illinois apple orchards here.
Pumkin Patch Picking – Not many actual pumpkin growing farms are left near Chicago, but here are 2 I found:
31 W175 Butterfield Road, Naperville, IL. 630-898-8500. Directions: On Route 56, one mile west of Route 59. Open October 1-30 – 10 am to 6 pm, Wednesday thru Saturday.
26w055 Plank Road, Naperville, IL 60564. Phone: 630-355-0912. Directions: Coming West in I-88, take Naperville Road exit. Go south to Plank Road. Go east. The farm is on south side of street about one half mile down. Open: September 10 – October 31, 8 am to 8 pm.