Chicago has something to offer every season of the year, but fall is particularly magical. The leaves turn golden in Millennium Park, a crisp breeze blows near the lake, and the city is filled with tons of cool activities and events. Whether you want to admire neighborhood architecture, soak in the fall colors, pick a bushel of apples, or hear about the city’s urban legends, fall in Chicago has something for everyone.
Here’s our guide on things to do in Chicago this fall.
- Check out the fall colors
- Plan a fall getaway
- Celebrate Halloween
- Hop on a fall boat cruise
- Take a haunted tour
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Go apple picking
- Admire neighborhood architecture
- Attend a food festival
- Visit a museum
- See a drive-in movie or play
- Take a day trip
- Shop local makers and artisans
Check out the fall colors

This city is gorgeous year round, but it really shines in the fall. Do some leaf peeping at these top places to see fall colors in and around Chicago:
- Lincoln Park, particularly the area around North Pond and South Pond
- Jackson Park and the gorgeous Garden of the Phoenix
- Morton Arboretum just a short train ride away
- Read the full fall colors guide
Plan a fall getaway
Whether you’re a long-time Chicagoan or a first-time visitor, there’s no better way to celebrate the last of the fair weather with a fall getaway in the city. Tons of Chicago hotels are offering exciting deals and packages this fall, so pick a spot and start planning your weekend away.
Celebrate Halloween

Halloween might look a little different this year, but Chicago is still celebrating with plenty of safe and spooky events. So grab your mask and check out these Halloween events around the city:
- Night of 1,000 Jack-o-Lanterns at the Chicago Botanic Garden
- Adults Night Out: The Great Pumpkin Glow at Lincoln Park Zoo
- Music Box of Horrors at Chi-Town Movies Drive-In
- Check back soon for more Halloween events!
Hop on a fall boat cruise
It’s not too late to get out on the water! Chicago’s boat tours are still setting sail through fall, like the Chicago’s First Lady offering classic architecture river tours through Nov. 22 (weather permitting). Tours are led by the experts at the Chicago Architecture Center, and you can even BYOB (bring your own blanket!).
Take a haunted tour
Chicago is a city with plenty of dark history, from the Great Chicago Fire to the sinking of the SS Eastland. These events have led to more than a few urban legends and plenty of alleged hauntings. Decide for yourself on these haunted and ghost tours of the city:
- Chicago Ghost Tour with Free Tours by Foot
- Leopold and Loeb virtual true crime tour by Chicago History Museum
- Chicago Ghost Tour Pub Crawl by Nightly Spirits
- Virtual Haunted History Tours with Lincoln Park Zoo
- Explore our full guide to haunted Chicago tours.
Or create your own DIY walking tour with our list of Chicago’s most haunted places.
Visit a pumpkin patch

Whether you want to carve jack-o-lanterns or bake a pie, these pumpkin patches around Chicago have what you need. Stroll through the new Pumpkin Walk at Lincoln Park Zoo or head out of town for a full day of fall activities at these pumpkin patches:
- Pumpkin Patch and Walk at Lincoln Park Zoo
- Pumpkin patch at Daisies in Logan Square
- Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch in Pingree Grove
- Sonny Acres Farm in West Chicago
- Bengston’s Pumpkin Fest in Homer Glen
- Stade’s Farm & Market in McHenry
Go apple picking
Nothing says fall like walking through an apple orchard. While there aren’t many apple-picking spots within the city limits, these farms are just a short distance outside the city. Stock up on Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, and more at these apple-picking spots around Chicago:
- All Seasons Apple Orchard in Woodstock
- Kuiper’s Family Farm in Maple Park
- Heinz Orchard in Libertyville
- Jonomac Orchard in Malta
Or if you want to stay in the city, fill your basket with apples and other seasonal produce at your nearest farmers market.
Admire neighborhood architecture

Open House Chicago is back with a new, extended event for 2020. The beloved architecture festival will span 10 days this year and focus on architecturally, culturally, and historically significant sites across more than 20 of Chicago’s unique neighborhood. This year’s version also focuses on social distancing and building exteriors, making it the perfect safe fall activity.
Attend a food festival
This fall brings an exciting blend of virtual and IRL dining events to Chicago. Foodies can get their fix at these upcoming events celebrating food, beer, and wine:
- Chicago Gourmet virtual demo series
- Chicago Gourmet in-person dinner series
- Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant Week
- Septemberfest at Eataly
- Virtual Craft Brews at the Zoo
Visit a museum
Fall is typically a busy season for art lovers in Chicago. This year, there’s plenty of must-see exhibits at museums all around the city, from major exhibitions to under-the-radar finds:
- Monet and Chicago at the Art Institute of Chicago
- Artists Run Chicago 2.0 at Hyde Park Art Center
- Balkrishna Doshi: Architecture for the People at Wrightwood 659
- Nine Lives at Renaissance Society
- 4-D Experiences at the Shedd Aquarium
- Explore our guide to open museums in Chicago
See a drive-in movie or play

Drive-in movies are back in a big way, and these nostalgic outdoor theatres are sticking around for fall. Choose from kid-friendly plays to spine-tingling horror films at these drive-in theatres:
- Chicago International Film Festival at ChiTown Movies drive-in
- Drive-In Theatre from Chicago Children’s Theatre, featuring Beatrix Potter and Friends puppet show
- Asian Pop-Up Cinema Season 11 + special Halloween event
- ChiTown Movies in Pilsen featuring Music Box of Horrors
Take a day trip

Sometimes you just need to take a break from the city and explore all the cool places around Chicagoland. Get out of town for a day with these near-by parks and attractions:
- Pullman National Monument
- The Forge: Lemont Quarries
- Indiana Dunes National Park
- Anderson Japanese Gardens
- Explore our guide to day trips around Chicago
Shop local makers and artisans

Get an early jump on holiday shopping or find something nice for yourself with one-of-a-kind goods from Chicago’s talented community of makers and artisans. Check out these local vendors selling hand-crafted products, from custom bicycles to hats that will last a lifetime:
- Dearborn Denim in Hyde Park and Andersonville
- Laudi Vidni in Lincoln Park
- Brown Sugar Bakery in Chatham
- Browse our makers and artisans guide