What’s up, Chicago!
The kids are back to school, and we’re already more than a week into September. It was a great summer for many of us here at the Ben Lalez Team, and we’re looking forward to the autumn season.
We’ve been helping families find homes around Chicago all year, walking through Lincoln Park in February snow and touring Lakeview condos during the summer heatwaves. The fall will bring crisp, cool weather and the opportunity to capture stunning fall foliage photos!
But we find that September and October in Chicago don’t get enough love. Everyone always talks about Vermont or New Hampshire, but those places are too far away. If you know where to look, Chicago gives you some of the best places to take photos of the trees turning color, all within an hour or two of wherever you’re sitting right now.
If you’re thinking about moving to Chicago, or you’ve been here for years and want to show the city off to visiting family, these are the spots we recommend. Some require a full day commitment, others you can hit during a lunch break. But they get you those Instagram-worthy shots that make people comment on your posts.
Here are the best spots (within a 2-hour drive of Chicago) where you can take stunning photos of autumn!
Chicago Botanic Garden
(photo credit to Robin Carlson, Photography Manager at the Chicago Botanic Garden)
The Botanic Garden up in Glencoe is maybe 25 minutes from downtown if you time it right with traffic. This place becomes absolutely stunning once October hits. The maples turn so red you’d think someone was messing with the saturation on your camera. There are these bridges over ponds that reflect the colors perfectly, and enough walking paths that you won’t feel crowded even on busy weekends.
We tell clients who are considering the North Shore that this is exactly why people love living up there. You get easy access to places like this without dealing with tourist buses or fighting for parking spots downtown. The garden charges admission, and they use timed tickets on busy fall weekends, so plan ahead if you’re considering a visit.
If you make the trip, Walker Bros. Pancake House is right down Green Bay Road. Their pancakes are massive, and their menu has something for everyone in the family.
Morton Arboretum
(photo credit to www.mortonarb.org)
Morton is in Lisle, which is about 30 minutes west of the city. This place is enormous, and the fall display here is incredible. The colors show up in different sections at different times, but there’s usually something in peak bloom no matter when you visit in September or October.
You can drive the loop if walking tires you out, but we recommend getting out of the car for at least part of it. The trails are well-maintained, and there are spots where you can see for miles on a clear day. They also do events in the fall, such as pumpkin displays and educational programs.
The Arboretum is divided into East and West sides. The East side is a bit busier because it has the Children’s Garden and more family activities, while the West side is quieter and is better for long walks and getting shots without people in them.
Lincoln Park’s South Pond
If you only have an hour and don’t want to deal with driving long distances, head to the South Pond in Lincoln Park. Stand on that bridge, look south, and you’ll get the skyline behind trees that are bright with fall color. It’s the classic Chicago fall photo everyone should take.
If you have kids, the zoo is conveniently located nearby. Parking is always a challenge, and the lots tend to fill up quickly.
What we like about this option is that you get a combination of nature and city that you don’t find in a lot of places. We’ve had clients from New York tell us they never realized Chicago had this much green space so close to everything else.
After you get your photos, Clark Street has coffee shops and places to grab lunch. Overall, a good outing for the family.
Promontory Point
Promontory Point is on the lakefront in Hyde Park. The trees turn yellow and orange in October, so you get Lake Michigan on one side and the skyline on the other. Late afternoon is the best time to take photos because the light hits everything just right before the sun goes down.
This spot stays quieter than the North Side parks. Parking can be hit or miss on the street, but it’s usually not impossible to find a place to park.
Hyde Park has some great food options nearby. Valois is a casual spot where you can get breakfast all day. Medici has pizza and coffee with that college atmosphere since it’s close to the University of Chicago. It’s a good area to spend a few hours if you want to see a different side of the city.
Busse Woods (The Forest Preserve Experience)
Busse Woods is up in Elk Grove Village, around 30 minutes northwest depending on traffic. This is a forest preserve with old trees and lakes that reflect the fall colors perfectly. There are footbridges that make for good photos and a few good trails to explore.
The paved trail goes for 7 miles around the woods, so you can bike it or push a stroller without any problems. They keep a small elk herd in one section, which kids love seeing, and it’s one of those spots that feels away from the city (even though you’re still pretty close to everything).
If you get hungry afterward, Mitsuwa Marketplace in Arlington Heights has a big Japanese food court where you can enjoy ramen, curry, and all kinds of Japanese desserts. It’s worth the short drive and gives you something different than the usual suburban restaurant chains.
Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area
Edward L Ryerson Woods is about 40 minutes north in Riverwoods and is beautiful in the fall. The trees create a cathedral-like feel as you walk through, and the canopy is so thick that it muffles the noise from outside. It’s a great place to be left with your own thoughts.
If you’ve always wanted to take photos where the sunlight filters down through the trees, this is a good spot. When the leaves turn, you get these shafts of light hitting the ground. Your friends will definitely ask you where you took your photos.
The main trail is about 3 miles, with shorter loops if you don’t want to commit to the full walk. Please note that dogs are not allowed here, so plan ahead of time.
Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve
Fort Sheridan is about 45 minutes north, and what’s really cool about this place is the 70-foot bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. You get fall colors in the foreground, the lake stretching to the horizon, and if you time it right, boats or even the Chicago skyline in the distance.
The inland trails pass through old military parade grounds, which gives you some interesting historical context, but the bluff is where you want to be for photos.
Early morning is the best time to capture the morning mist rising off the lake with the light coming down. It’s one of those spots where you can get a shot that doesn’t look like typical Illinois fall photos.
Dogs are allowed on the main trails, but not on the beach or in certain areas, so check ahead of time.
Swallow Cliff Woods
The main feature here is the limestone stairs. If you climb up, you get a wide view over the trees, and in fall, it’s all shades of orange and yellow spread out below you. Truly a beautiful view of autumn colors.
If stairs aren’t your thing, there are plenty of regular trails at the bottom. The whole area connects into the larger Palos trail system, so you can make this a short visit or turn it into a half-day hike if you have the time to explore.
Make sure to bring water if you’re planning to do the stairs, because they look deceivingly easy from the bottom. By step 75, you might be gasping for breath and for that water. There’s a small café near the parking area for coffee before or after.
Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
(photo credit to www.dupageforest.org)
Waterfall Glen is about 30 minutes southwest near Lemont, and it’s got incredible plant diversity and an actual waterfall. With so much plant life, you’ll get more variety in your fall colors than in some of the other spots.
The main loop trail is 9.3 miles, but there are plenty of inner paths for shorter hikes. If you’re here for the waterfall, the best time to catch it is in the spring or anytime after a rainfall.
The preserve is big enough that you can find quiet spots, especially during the week. Parking is free, and dogs are welcome. If you want to explore beyond the marked trails, the unmarked interior paths are great places to take photos with nobody around.
Kankakee River State Park
Kankakee River State Park is about an hour south of the city, and this is a great place to take photos of autumn colors reflected in the water. The 10.5-mile trail follows the river through the forests, and when those trees turn in October, you get twice the color – once from the trees themselves, and once from their reflection in the river. If you love taking landscape photos, you’ll enjoy it here.
The western section of the trail is paved for 7 miles for easy walking. The eastern part is gravel for another 3.5 miles if you want to keep going. Parking is free, and dogs are welcome.
We highly recommend this place for some really good photo spots.
Lake Geneva
(photo credit to www.visitlakegeneva.com)
Lake Geneva is about 1.5 hours from Chicago, and features a lake surrounded by trees that looks simply magical every fall season. You can walk the shore path for miles or just spend time in town and still see plenty of color.
You can do boat rides, and there are even hot air balloon rides if you want to do something a bit more adventurous. It gets touristy, but in the fall, it’s much quieter than the high season in the summer. The shore path can get muddy after rain, so remember to wear decent shoes.
For food, Popeye’s is right on the lake and is popular and often crowded. The apple orchards just outside town are also worth a stop if you’re looking for apple cider or donuts for the ride back to Chicago.
Lake Geneva is a great option for families who want a weekend getaway that’s close enough for a day trip, but far enough to feel like you’ve actually gone somewhere away from the city.
Starved Rock
Starved Rock is a two-hour drive away, but it’s the most spectacular. This is a state park with canyons, cliffs, and views over the Illinois River. In the fall, the bluffs are covered with red and gold trees, and the overlooks give you these gorgeous shots of the valley that could be featured on those 1,000-piece puzzles.
It gets busy on the weekends, so weekday visits are better if you can make the time. Make sure to wear decent shoes because the trails can be muddy and uneven. Plan at least half a day, because once you’re there, you’ll want to see more than one overlook.
The nearby town of Utica has diners and small shops if you want to grab food before heading back to Chicago. It’s the kind of trip where you remember why you live in the Midwest because you don’t have to fly anywhere to see something this beautiful.
Timing It Right
The fall colors usually peak around mid to late October, but it’ll depend on the weather this next month or so. If this autumn turns out to be cooler, the colors will arrive faster. Warm spells can delay everything. Check a foliage map online before you head out.
Morning and late afternoon give you the best light for photos. You’ll also deal with fewer crowds early in the day. If you’ve only got one free weekend in October, Morton Arboretum is your safest bet for consistent color.
Plan your visit based on how much time you want to spend. Starved Rock and Lake Geneva are full-day commitments. Lincoln Park and Promontory Point can be done in an hour. Morton and Botanic Garden fall somewhere in between.
Close to Home Options
If you don’t want to drive anywhere, you can still see plenty of color without leaving the city. Jackson Park, Humboldt Park, and the 606 trail all have areas that come alive with fall colors in October. Grab a pumpkin-spiced latte, take a walk, and you’ll get that autumn feeling without the trip.
The lakefront between Montrose Harbor and Belmont Harbor is also a good option. The trees along the water turn bright yellow, and you get boats and skyline in the background. Easy walk, good for bringing a dog, and free parking if you’re lucky.
Why This Matters for Chicago Living
One of the nice things about living in Chicago is that you have options. Whether you want a quick walk in the city or a full-day trip to Starved Rock, you’re never far from a good fall backdrop.
If you’re thinking about moving to Chicago, or you’ve been here for years and want to show someone why you love living here, these spots tell the story. This city gives you four real seasons, 26 miles of lakefront, forest preserves an hour away, and small towns worth visiting without flying anywhere.
And if you’re considering moving into the Chicago area (or to a different neighborhood in Chicago), give us a shout! We can help you take advantage of the fall real estate market and find you your next perfect home!
