Fall sure came in with a bang this year, transitioning from unseasonably warm temperatures to needing to pull out the stocking hats and gloves. We’re a couple months away from winter, though, so why not continue to enjoy autumn in Chicago with some of our favorite outdoor spots?

Go ahead and bundle up, enjoy the crisp air, and breathe in the beauty of this time of year. An extra perk? Hot chocolate or cider will taste even better when you come inside to snuggle up with your family and get warm. Here are the places we’ll continue to enjoy as long as possible! The first few are only open for a couple more weeks – so be sure to visit this weekend or next! The second half of the list can be enjoyed on your schedule.

Bengtson’s

13341 West 151st Street, Homer Glen, IL 60491
https://www.pumpkinfarm.com/

Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm has been at the top of our list for a number of years, and for good reason. Their fall fest is a ton of fun, and they have so many attractions at the farm. There are plenty of food options on site, too, so you can plan to spend the whole day there and keep everyone happy. Their Fall Fest runs this year through November 2, so make sure to visit this weekend or next (or during the week if you have kids who are not yet in school or your home school and have flexible scheduling). Tickets aren’t inexpensive, but with all there is to do, it feels well worth it for a day everyone will enjoy.

Keller’s Farmstand

2500 Johnson Rd., Oswego, IL 60543
https://kellersfarmstand.com/

Keller’s has a couple locations – one in Naperville and the other in Oswego. If you’re just looking to get pumpkins, apples, and other goodies, Naperville is a great place to stop. If you want the full Keller’s experience, though, head on over to the main farm in Oswego. If you love corn mazes, Keller’s is a must – it’s a 12-acre maze perfect for lots of exploring. Not into corn mazes or have little ones? They also have a 2-acre grass maze that may be right up your alley.

Their apple cider donuts are some of our favorites, and their kettle corn cookies are truly one-of-a-kind. Their Fall Festivities end this coming weekend (10/26), but the farm is open until October 31 – what a great way to spend Halloween with your kids before heading out trick-or-treating!

Richardson Adventure Farm

909 English Prairie Rd, Spring Grove, IL 60081
https://richardsonadventurefarm.com/

Adventure definitely belongs in the name of this farm. Not only do they have a huge corn maze (28-acres!), they also have a zip line, huge slide, zorbing, gem stone mining, paintball, and so much more. They are even open late (11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 9 p.m. on Sundays), so you can stay and enjoy either a public or private campfire with your group. Richardson Adventure Farm closes for the season this weekend, as well, but the Richardson Christmas Tree Farm opens the day after Thanksgiving! If you miss the Adventure Farm this year, add it to your to-do list for next!

Kuiper’s Family Farm

1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park, IL 60151
https://www.kuipersfamilyfarm.com/

Kuiper’s is another family favorite. Their Pumpkin Fun Farm and apple orchard and store are distinctly separate, which is helpful if you want to go to one and not the other. The Pumpkin Fun Farm has lots of activities (mainly geared toward younger kids) and a pumpkin patch – a great place to get your Halloween pumpkins.

The U-Pic Apple Orchard is a must in the fall – we usually go at least a couple times since the apple varieties change. Kuiper’s has a wide variety of apples in their orchard, and your U-Pic cost includes a quarter peck bag.

While both the Pumpkin Fun Farm and U-Pic Apple Orchard close for the season on November 2, their Orchard Shop and Bakery remains open until November 26 – the day before Thanksgiving. You can continue to buy those late-season apples, apple cider donuts, pies for Thanksgiving, and all kinds of fantastic goods and food until their official closing date. It is well worth the trip, even if you missed the activities.

Morton Arboretum

4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532
https://mortonarb.org/

You’ve seen the Morton Arboretum in our blog before, but we have to mention it again now that we’re talking about fall. You really can’t go wrong exploring any part of the Arboretum. Don’t make the mistake of only staying along the main trails. If you’ve never driven further into the grounds, parked, and hiked some of the paths deeper into the property, fall is absolutely the time to do it. The Arboretum even publishes a weekly fall color report every Wednesday telling you where to find the most spectacular autumn colors. You could feasibly go every single week and have a completely different experience!

Lowden State Park

1411 North River Road, Oregon, 61061
https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.lowden.html

If you’re in Chicago’s western suburbs like we are, you probably are not familiar with Lowden State Park. That being said, you probably are aware of its main attraction – the 50-foot tall statue of Chief Black Hawk. If you have not been to see the statue, this fall is a perfect time to do it. The way this impressive tribute is positioned on the hill along the Rock River valley will give you the chills. While you’ll want to enjoy the hiking trails in Lowden State Park, don’t miss viewing the statue from the other side of the river – along Route 2. Especially with the backdrop of the fall colors, this is a great opportunity to bask in the beauty of nature.

McDowell Grove Forest Preserve

4s500 Raymond Dr, Naperville, IL 60563
https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/mcdowell-grove

We’re closing out our list with one of the preserves that is close to home. McDowell Grove is tucked back off Raymond Dr. in such a way that you wouldn’t necessarily give it a second glance. You’ve probably driven past it plenty of times but never really thought there was a reason to stop. Trust us – there is. McDowell Grove has 7 miles of turf and/or limestone trails, a couple small lakes, and abuts the West Branch of the DuPage River. You may see other hikers, bikers, and even a horseback rider or two, but we usually find that these trails are not too well-traveled. It’s one of those places where you can go to take a big breath and enjoy some time just surrounded by nature. The variety of trees and plants offer beautiful colors in the fall, and this is another place you’ll find yourself returning.

Chicago’s suburbs offer so many beautiful places to visit. Whether you enjoy these family-friendly fall locations right away or add them to your list for next year, you will surely make family memories you won’t soon forget.

Autumn in Chicago: Our Favorite Places to Soak Up the Season