One of the best things about autumn in Chicago is getting a glimpse of the incredible foliage in all its brilliant red, orange and yellow glory. If leaf peeping is your thing, these are the places to be in the Windy City and beyond.
Oglesby, Ill. / Website
Making the drive to Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby, southwest of Chicago, is certainly worth it—especially in autumn. The fall foliage is gorgeous this time of year, and complemented by the park’s landscape, it makes for a perfect photo-op.
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe / Website
This lovely landscape includes more than 30 outdoor displays to explore, displaying millions of plants and flowers in a variety of settings. Stroll through several different environments, including aquatic gardens, a fruit and vegetable garden, bulb gardens and more. The tram tour includes a breathtaking panoramic overview of the main gardens.
See also: The Best Fall Activities In Chicago
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4001 N. Clark St. / Website
The brilliant fall foliage and the crisp autumn weather make strolling through Graceland Cemetery a must-do in the fall. Explore its architectural masterpieces, history and beauty while learning fascinating stories about iconic Chicagoans laid to rest within its walls.
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4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle / Website
With its focus on collecting and studying trees, shrubs and other plants from around the globe, this 1,700-acre southwest suburban green space is an ideal spot to enjoy the season’s majestic foliage. Wander 16 miles of hiking trails, nine miles of roads, a children’s garden and more, where you can take in some of the 222,000 plant specimens representing 4,650 different kinds of plants.
1 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls, Mich. / Website
SkyBridge Michigan may be a bit of a jaunt from the city, but for sheer epic fall foliage peeping, this one has to be on the list. Five hours from the Windy City at Boyne Mountain Resort, it’s the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge and immerses you in 360-degree views of the surrounding vistas between the peaks of McLouth and Disciples Ridge as you walk across.
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Photography by: Starved Rock photo by Mike Reyfman; Chicago Botanic Garden by Solstice Hannan/Unsplash; courtesy of SkyBridge Michigan
