Fall is one of the best seasons to visit the Windy City. The leaves are vibrant colors and the weather is crisp—yet it is still warm enough to spend time outdoors. Whether you’re traveling with friends or family, there are several exciting, fall-related activities to do during this season in the city. Here are some of the best fall-related activities to do during the 2021 autumn season in Chicago.

Pick a pumpkin at a local farm

Many people go to pumpkin patches every fall to choose pumpkins to decorate their homes with. There are a variety of pumpkin patches near Chicago to find and pick pumpkins at including Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch in Pingree Grove, Stade’s Farm & Market in McHenry, and Sonny Acres Farm in West Chicago. And don’t forget Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up, located on Goose Island, which not only has pumpkins, but also Chicago’s largest corn maze, carnival games, ax throwing, food and drinks, and more.

Attend a live show at a theater

Live theatre is back in Chicago! This fall, you can buy tickets to view pre-Broadway shows, classic shows, and more. You could see a few of Shakespeare’s iconic shows including Macbeth at Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Tragedy of Othello at Court Theatre, and As You Like It at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Or, you could go see American Mariachi at Goodman Theatre, Paradise Square at Nederlander Theatre, or A Recipe for Disaster at Windy City Playhouse.

Try new cuisine at a food festival

Attending a food festival and sampling new cuisine, beer, and wine is a great way to celebrate the fall season. Upcoming food festivals in Chicago include Chicago Gourmet where you can eat burgers to your heart’s content, Craft Brews at Lincoln Park Zoo where you can try the local beers, and Harvest Wine and Cheese Festa where you can try Eataly’s fall food and drinks. You’ll be sure to have a satisfied—and full—stomach after attending one of Chicago’s food festivals.

See a drive-in movie in Pilsen

This fall, drive-in movie theaters are offering a variety of blockbuster and classic movies to watch. So grab some popcorn and drive to one of Chicago’s drive-in theaters with your friends or family. There are several different drive-in theaters located in Chicago, including ChiTown Movies in Pilsen which is showing movies like A Quiet Place Part II and Mean Girls in October.

Go apple picking at a nearby orchard

There’s nothing better than biting into a crispy, juicy apple, especially one that you’ve picked yourself. There are many apple orchards located near Chicago, which makes for a perfect day trip. Orchards such as All Seasons Apple Orchard in Woodstock, Heinz Orchard in Libertyville, and Kuiper’s Family Farm in Maple Park provide ample opportunity for picking apples.

See fall leaves at Lincoln Park

Red, orange, and yellow hues—experience all of the classic fall colors at Lincoln Park. The entire park is about six and a half miles long and goes from Ohio Street Beach to Hollywood Beach. The most famous attraction within the park is Lincoln Park Zoo, where visitors can experience a 35-acre zoo—one of the oldest zoos in North America—and see 200 unique species from around the world.

Planning your visit

Whether you choose to visit Chicago this fall or in the future, you’ll have a unique and exciting experience. After you’ve selected your travel dates, you’ll need to decide where you’ll stay on your trip. Consider booking a hotel located in the heart of the city, close to many of these activities. Now you’re ready for your upcoming trip to Chicago filled with breathtaking adventures and spectacular sights. Need a place to stay when visiting Chicago? Book your reservation here.