Looking to spruce up your fall social media feed with some fall colors? Look no further!

Whether you’re seeking some stillness, looking for birds, admiring the colors or just need to get out and about, here are some of the best places in and around Chicago where the fall colors are pooping!

Where to find fall foliage colors near Chicago 

Chicago Botanic Garden

This 385-acre botanic garden is located about 25 miles north of downtown Chicago and is home to a variety of gardens, including a Japanese garden, a rose garden and a native plant garden. In the fall, the Chicago Botanic Garden’s variety of foliage from all over the world changed into stunning shades of golds, yellows, oranges and reds.

Columbus Park

There’s a reason this park is one of the only green spaces officially designated as a National Historic Landmark, and it’s probably because the fall colors in this beautiful park are, quite simply, breathtaking!

Dan Ryan Woods

For a more peaceful and scenic experience, head to the Dan Ryan Woods and spend some time walking up and down the gentle slopes — all 257 acres of them! You’ll get some good height here, too, as several points in the park are over 600 feet in elevation and are great for getting above the canopies and seeing the area’s fall colors from above. 

Douglass Park

This large outdoor complex is popular for sports enthusiasts, what with its tennis courts, basketball courts, mini golf and more, but it’s also a pretty great place to just sit and soak in the fall foliage in this beautiful West Side neighborhood.

Garfield Park Conservatory

Though known for its more popular greenhouse and tropical atrium, the gardens surrounding the conservatory are just as magnificent in the fall. 

Graceland Cemetery

This historic cemetery near Uptown and Wrigleyville is the perfect place to see some fall colors in a peaceful and quiet setting. The old trees, calm ponds, beautiful mausoleums and quiet stillness make this place extremely restful in more ways than one. 

Humboldt Park

Head to Humboldt Park to see the stunning groups of black oak drop their bright yellow leaves each fall. Plus, the pond is a great place to watch ducks and local birds flitter in and out of grasses and reeds set against a backdrop of beautiful fall foliage, 

Jackson Park

In a park where art and nature are already so intertwined, the fall is the perfect time to wander through the Japanese Gardens, alongside the ponds and around the sites of the famous 1893 World’s Fair!

LaBagh Woods

Walk, run or cycle to this park as fast as you can, because it’s one of the best quiet areas around to watch the leaves change colors each fall! Plus, there are over 35 miles of trials winding through the still woods, so you’re not likely to see too many people wandering through these stunning forests. 

Lakefront Trail

Hop on a bike and ride along all 18 miles of this waterfront trail, taking you through some of the city’s best parks and passing under countless canopies colored by the fall. 

Lincoln Park

This easy-to-get-to park is just steps from downtown, but this beautifully-curated park will transport you to a fall paradise in no time at all. Meander through the trails and alongside the ponds for some of the best views of Chicago’s fall colors around!

Millenium Park 

This iconic park in the heart of downtown Chicago is home to a variety of trees that turn beautiful colors in the fall. Be sure to check out the Lurie Garden, which features a variety of native plants that put on a stunning display of changing colors.

Morton Arboretum

This 1,700-acre arboretum is located about 25 miles west of downtown Chicago and is home to over 4,100 species of trees from all over the world. In the fall, the Morton Arboretum is a must-see for leaf peepers, as the trees turn a variety of vibrant colors.

North Park Village Nature Center

This sprawling nature center is located on the North Side of Chicago and is home to a variety of native plants and animals. In the fall, the North Park Village Nature Center is a beautiful place to see the changing colors, especially along the hiking trails passing below towering canopies of golden leaves. 

Starved Rock State Park

This state park is located about 100 miles southwest of downtown Chicago and is known for its dramatic sandstone bluffs and canyons. In the fall, the park's trees turn a variety of colors, creating a stunning display.

Swallow Cliff Woods

This is more out-of-the-way than most, but this drive out of town and short hike up a limestone cliff will reward you with some of the most tranquil and peaceful views of fall colors you could ever hope for this close to the city! 

The 606

This elevated pathway allows walkers, runners and cyclists some gorgeous views of neighborhood trees turning into seas of autumn colors. Sunset is the best time to catch the fall leaves turning bright gold all along the trail!

Washington Park

The trees surrounding this historic park are known for their stunning fall colors, and the views from the lagoon make for a perfect fall foliage photoshoot. 

If you live anywhere in or near our luxury Chicago apartments for rent, be sure to check out these parks and gardens this fall to see them in a whole new light! We’re sure you’ll fall in love with them as much as we have. 

Enjoy!

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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/Larisa-K