Sometimes you don’t need to go that far to get in touch with nature. As long as you don’t mind a few tourists, you can see plenty of beautiful fall colors throughout all 39 acres of Grant Park. Try the Lurie Garden and the Rose Gardens in particular for the best plant variety.
Grant Park, 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 742 3918
Red trees in Millennium Park | BuzzFarmers/Flickr
Leave the city’s hustle and bustle and pop up to the close North suburbs to get into the cozy fall spirit. Walk around Northwestern University or Evanston’s main drag for that small-town feel, and then head to Dawes Park or Ladd Arboretum to get your fill of foliage.
Ladd Arboretum, 2024 McCormick Blvd, Evanston, IL, USA, +1 847 864 5181
The neighborhood may be trendy and full of urban charm, but the park alongside Lake Michigan is a quaint nature haven. Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo, open 365 days a year, the Lincoln Park Conservatory or the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum for family-friendly fun.
Lincoln Park, 2391 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 742 7736
The Morton Arboretum | willowbrookhotels/Flickr
If you’re looking for the ultimate nature immersion during the warm or chilly months, make the trek out to Lisle to visit the Lake County Forest Preserve and Morton Arboretum. It’s full of gardens, bike trails and hiking paths across 1,700 gorgeous, green acres.
Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois 53, Lisle, IL, USA, +1 630 968 0074