Fall Colors Chicago
Explore our guide on where to see the best fall colors in Chicago, including downtown, neighborhoods, and the surrounding area. A hundred shades of fall foliage are about to befall the city. Here are the best spots offering up astounding fall colors in Chicago.
Though it may still feel like summer outside in the Chicago area, days continue to get shorter as the seasons are changing, meaning vivid fall colors will soon be visible. Explore Fall's interactive map reveals the best weeks to take in the city's most stunning autumn colors. According to the Fall Color Report, the peak time for the best fall colors in Chicago is during the second week of October, and the best time for peak fall foliage in central Illinois is late October.
18 Best Places To See Fall Colors in Illinois (2024 guide)
Here are some of the top spots to see the best fall foliage in the Chicagoland area. It's the most beautiful time of the year! Chicago Botanic Garden Photo credit: Chicago Botanic Garden The fall colors are so gorgeous here that the garden offers an actual guide to peak foliage on its website. Beautiful Japanese maples, oak trees, weeping willows and wildflowers set amongst 385 acres of land promise to give quite the autumnal show.
Fall Colors in Chicago Feel the fall vibes in the heart of the concrete jungle at the iconic Millennium Park. The famous Cloud Gate, or "The Bean," is especially enchanting when surrounded by glorious shades of fall. To the north, you'll find Lincoln Park, the largest one in Chicago, with red maples, birches, ashes, and elms aplenty.
Best Places to See Fall Colors in Chicago, IL
For unique backgrounds, head to the University of Chicago. For optimal fall foliage, start in the Harms Woods north lot and connect with the North Branch Trail System, which offers over 20 miles of paved and unpaved paths. Green Bay Trail Sure, this aptly named tree.
Wondering where to see fall foliage in the Windy City and surrounding areas? Here are our top picks for leaf. Fun things to do in Chicago this fall including food, attractions, and events. Plus, where to see the best foliage in the city.
