Fun Things to Do in Chicago in the Fall

Fall is right around the corner, and the mugginess of summer will soon dissipate into the crisp exhilaration of cooler temperatures and colorful leaves. Autumn is a great time to enjoy the splendor of Chicago!

Sports Fans, Rejoice!
I speak of Soldier's Field, and of the Bears, who take on the likes of the Green Bay Packers at home this year. And how 'bout them Blackhawks and Bulls? Action for these two teams launches in October. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon will also wind its way through the city on October 9th.

Photo credit: www.richardsonadventurefarm.com

Savor the Outdoors
Heading outside after the stultifying heat of summer is a perk of autumn, coming as it does with bountiful harvests, warm days, and cool nights. Visit a farmer's market to pick up some wonderfully fresh produce.

Feeling more ambitious? Head to a farm on the outskirts of Chicago to pick-your-own apples, pears and plums. For still more fun on the farm, Richardson Farm in Spring Grove offers a massive corn maze, "ORBiting" in an 11-foot-tall ball (only available at 5 places in the entire U.S.!), and a 700-foot zip line.

If you're in the mood for capturing fall color, take your camera along to the Chicago Botanic Garden for the autumnal display of fall-blooming flora and the English Oak Meadow.

Animal lovers will love the fall time at the Lincoln Park Zoo. The zoo is less busy with the onset of school, and the animals are more energetic as the temperature cools down.

Wander through the visual pleasures of Millennium Park, a state-of-the-art collection of architecture, landscape design and art that provides the backdrop for hundreds of free cultural programs including concerts, exhibitions, tours, and family activities.

Culture, and Plenty of It
Such artistic mainstays as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Cultural Center, and the Congress Theater showcase fresh offerings at the change of season. And music lovers can savor a wide range of tastes--glory be!--in a large number of venues.

Jellies at the Shedd Aquarium

Into Each Life, a Little Rain Must Fall
And when those rainy days arrive, Chicago's renowned museums offer a great change of pace. Such (indoor!) luminaries include the Museum of Science and Industry, the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, the Adler Planetarium, the Chicago Children's Museum, and other specialized venues.

Wait... what's that? Did someone say "Magnificent Mile"? But of course! Shopping is, after all, an indoor sport, not to mention a great rainy day activity.

Spooky!!
Come Halloween time, haunted houses crop up across Chicago. But have you ever thought about braving the Haunted Cruise, created by Entertainment Cruises? Or, out in Naperville, author Kevin Frantz hosts Ghost Tours on foot or by trolley.

Here Float the Balloons
In town for Thanksgiving? Be sure to join in the fun of the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, complete with dancers, ethnic performers, singers, and more marching bands than you can shake a baton at. This year's parade (the 78th) kicks off at 8:30 a.m. on November 24 (Thanksgiving Day) on State Street from Congress to Rudolph.

If that's not enough, here are a few more things to do in Chicago.

Heather Johnson writes for Honeymoon Destinations, the best honeymoon research and planning website. Discover some great honeymoon ideas today!