Warm weather is forecasted to dawn in the Chicago area this weekend, so soak in the sun and rake in all of the fall staples while you can.
Here are a few orchards, haunted houses, outdoor festivals and more to check out in and around the city:
Pumpkin Patches
Is there anything more fall than hitting up pumpkin patches? It's a good thing the crops are ripe and ready for visitors.
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Fun fact: Illinois may be the best place to hunt for squashes, as the state is one of the biggest pumpkin-producers in the game, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The department said Illinois harvested the largest share of U.S. pumpkins in 2020.
So, if you're looking to get your hands on the plump crop, Illinois sure has plenty of farms to pick from.
Here's a list of pumpkin patches you can visit across the Chicago area.
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Apple Picking
Whether you want to bake, juice or simply snack on apples, you can take home bags upon bags of the crispy fruit — just take your pick.
Here's a list of apple orchards you can visit across the Chicago area.
Haunted Houses
Chicago has its fair share of haunted houses that can help you amp up the spooky vibes just in time for Halloween.
Here's a list of haunted houses you can catch scares at across the Chicago area.
If haunted houses aren't up your alley, maybe the fact that one list put the Windy City as one of the "10 Most Haunted Cities in America" is enough to get you in the mood for the holiday.
Fall Foliage
Pockets of vibrant colors are hitting flocks of foliage in Chicago and its neighboring areas as fall settles in.
According to the Enjoy Illinois, some of the best locations in the state to see the fall foliage include Starved Rock State Park, Forest Preserves of Winnebago County and Millennium Park in Chicago.
Farmer's Almanac also named Pere Marquette State Park in west central Illinois as the eighth best place in the U.S. to check out fall foliage.
As a self-described "nature-lover's paradise," the park will offer sights of the turning leaves against a backdrop of wooded ravines and roadways alongside the Illinois River. Explorers also can take advantage of the land's towering bluffs, which will provide a panoramic view of the lush scenery that engulfs the park's 12-mile trail.
Outdoor Festivals
Halloweek
Halloween preparations are underway, with Chicago releasing a schedule packed with ways the community can safely celebrate the holiday.
The city's third annual Halloweek will run from Oct. 22 to Oct. 31. Here's a series of holiday programs set to kick off this weekend.
Nightmare on Chicago Street
A Halloween event special to Elgin will make its return after the COVID-19 pandemic spurred it into a two-year hiatus.
Nightmare on Chicago Street will transform the city into the scene of a zombie apocalypse, with paid actors and themed decorations to sell the gore from 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 22.
Here's more information on the event.
Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo invites zoogoers to its free fall celebration each year. The festival's eighth rendition will feature pumpkin patches and hay mountains, as well as ticketed attractions like a 65-foot Ferris wheel and a harvest maze.
While the event's hours of operation will vary, it will take place Fridays through Sundays until Oct. 30.
Boo! at the Zoo
Brookfield Zoo will transform its grounds with Halloween-themed décor and events.
A series of programs will run Saturday and Sunday for visitors, who are all encouraged by organizers to show up in costume.
Ticket and time information are available here.
Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns
The Chicago Botanical Gardens will light up the night with more than 1,000 hand-carved pumpkins etched with images of classic Halloween characters, celebrities and nods to Chicago.
Visitors can stroll among the garden's pumpkin-lit trails, partake in live carving demonstrations and sip on drinks. The event will take shape Wednesday through Sunday.
Ticket and time information are available here.
Howlin' at the Moon
From fire dancers to liquid light shows, Halloween-themed attractions and performances will ring throughout Naperville at the Chicago suburb's festival geared toward those over the age of 21.
While walking through the festival grounds, which will feature art galleries and markets, guests can grab a bite at the Food Truck Graveyard or drinks at the Booze Bar.
The event will run Friday and Saturday. Ticket information is available here.
Fright Fest
Fright Fest, Six Flags Great America's spookiest celebration, is back at the Gurnee amusement park for its 31st terrifying season with haunted houses, live performances, spooky scare zones, rides after dark and more.
The event began will run until Oct. 31.
