We can officially say it’s fall in Chicago, also known as our favorite season. Besides frolicking in the perfect weather and watching an autumnal tint sweep through the streets of Chicago, fall activities and events are about to events saturate the city. And you know what? We’re not mad about it. We’re delighted.
Pumpkins begin to populate the city parks and nearly all of Chicago’s bars, patios, museums, and attractions of all kinds embrace the moment with Chicago fall activities across the city. Of course, Halloween is also awaiting around the corner, and many eerie experiences will be explored as October 31 draws closer.
We’ve rounded up the best things to do in fall in Chicago, whether you’re a seasoned local or a curious tourist.
1. Frolic in fall foliage
First and foremost, we have to address the astounding autumn aesthetics that sweep through Chicago this time of year, offering picturesque views all over the city. While many of us will look over our shoulders melancholically at the passing of summer, the glass-half-full type of people will also look ahead at Chicago’s most beautiful months of the year as fall turns the city from green to crimson.
We’ve curated a list of the most enchanting places to revel in the fall foliage, inviting you to embark on an exciting journey to discover the best of fall or simply find the perfect spot for a playful leap into a pile of crackling leaves.
2. Pick out the perfect pumpkin
Fall in Chicago brings an abundance of pumpkins in various shapes and sizes. Although they are often carved and lit up for Halloween, selecting a pumpkin at the beginning of October is a tradition in itself.
Many pumpkin patches in and around Chicago mark the start of fall with fresh produce, baked goods, cocktails, craft beer, rides, and photo opportunities. This makes it one of our favorite fall activities in Chicago for a family day out, a group adventure, or even a wholesome date.
3. Check out the incredible Pumpkins at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Decorating your own pumpkin and giving it creative features is an entertaining activity, but creating pumpkin art can be more difficult than you remember. At the Chicago Botanic Garden’s “Night of 1,000 Jack-O-Lanterns,” you can admire over 1,000 hand-carved pumpkins. These masterfully carved pumpkins include images of Halloween characters, celebrities, and nods to Chicago.
4. Revel in fall fun at Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up
Of all Chicago’s fall activities, one of the most beloved fall pop-ups is Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up on Goose Island. Now open for the season, this fall celebration is extremely popular in the city and is the only one that takes place entirely outdoors.
This year, there will once again be axe throwing, carnival games, food trucks, full bars, the city’s largest corn maze, and much more, all spread out over two acres on Goose Island!
5. Get lost in the world’s largest corn maze
When you visit Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up, you can explore an enormous corn maze in Chicago. For an even bigger adventure, venture outside the city to experience the world’s largest corn maze in Spring Grove, Illinois.
In addition to the 9-10 miles of maze trails, Richardson Farm offers a vast pumpkin patch where you can eat, carve, or smash giant pumpkins and even throw them off a 50-foot observation tower. The farm also provides Halloween activities such as a zip line, zorbing, a petting zoo, a giant slide, and more to ensure a thrilling fall outing.
6. Kick back in a patio or beer garden
As the weather starts to cool down, the sun still shines in Chicago, making it the perfect time for fall activities. You can relax at Chicago’s patios or beer gardens, enjoying the ideal conditions for sipping drinks and soaking up the autumn atmosphere. Many of these spots offer live music, delicious food, and great drinks. To make it easier, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite ones.
7. Go apple picking
As summer comes to a close, it’s time to shift our attention from blooming gardens and sunflower fields to orchards for autumn fruit harvesting. One delightful fall activity in Chicago is apple picking, which is a great way to spend time with friends, family, or a romantic partner. Take a look at our guide to find some of the best orchards near Chicago for apple picking!
8. Head to one of the lovely fall festivals in Chicago
While festivals happen year-round, we love autumn and especially what it brings. You can finally slip on a cozy sweater, sip on apple cider, and have apple-filled weekends. Between Oktoberfest and Halloween, there are a ton of fall festivals to head to this October.
9. Get your fright on at a haunted house
From walking through a dark mansion with virus-stricken zombies to a faceless person with a gory chainsaw, Chicago has scary haunted houses and mansions that will make you let out screams. If you like a good shock, make sure you add it to your things in Chicago this fall.
10. Hunt those Halloween thrills
Ghosts, cackling witches, and ghoulish creatures come out to play as Halloween in Chicago kicks off. It’s the time for horror rooftop movies, haunted house experiences, and all kinds of fake-blood-soaked events.
The spooky season is just around the corner, so it’s time to start planning to experience all the Halloween thrills on offer. Fortunately, we’ve rounded up some of the best Halloween events in Chicago that you shouldn’t miss this year!