SEASONAL FEATURES
With harvest time fast approaching and Mother Nature adding color everywhere you look, autumn in Illinois is truly a season to savor. Now is the perfect time to take a scenic drive on your way to pumpkin patches, corn mazes and local attractions decked out for Halloween.
Scenic
Drives
Fun on
the Farm
Fall
Flavors
Haunted
Illinois
Scenic Drives
Color and can’t-miss sites at every turn.
Watch the colors change with each passing mile as you wind along rivers and down leafy country roads. You may have a destination, but the best stops are the unexpected ones you discover along the way.
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  • Great River Road

    CITY: Fulton

    Towering limestone bluffs meet proud towns eager to share their heritage. Slow down and take it in.

    Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway

    CITY: Alton

    Look over the glittering river (and stop for historic sites and pie) along this 33-mile stretch.

    Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway

    CITY: Springfield

    Add some roadside Americana to the fall colors with a nostalgic trip down the Mother Road.

  • Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive

    CITY: Canton

    Take in the beauty of a scenic valley while stopping at roadside festivals hosted by local towns.

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Fun on
the Farm
Home to everything from pumpkins to pony rides.
Is it possible to squeeze an entire season into a day? The answer might very well be found at one of these farms. You’ll pick pumpkins and apples. Sample warm cider and donuts. And return home with a camera filled with pics of pony rides, corn mazes and petting zoos set against the fall colors.
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  • Richardson Adventure Farm & Corn Maze

    CITY: Spring Grove

    Home to pumpkins galore, zip lining, giant slides and the world’s largest corn maze.

    Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm and Garden Center

    CITY: South Barrington

    Warm cider and donuts start a day filled with everything from hayrides to camel rides.

    Hardy's Reindeer Ranch

    CITY: Rantoul

    Experience hayrides, corn mazes, a pumpkin cannon and a herd of Alaskan reindeer.

  • Jonamac Orchard and Corn Maze

    CITY: Malta

    Pick apples after a ride on the apple train, then explore three miles of trails in a corn maze.

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Fall Flavors
Fresh from the fields and ready for picking.
A chill in the air alerts your taste buds that flavors are changing. The fruits of the harvest—apples and pumpkins—are what you want now. And wine is what to sip. The season is short, but the bounty is delicious.
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  • Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

    CITY: Carbondale

    Visit 12 wineries nestled into the stunning wooded hills of Shawnee National Forest.

    Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery

    CITY: Flossmoor

    Savor seasonal brews and a beautifully restored 1906 railway station in this brewpub near Chicago.

    Kuipers Family Farm

    CITY: Maple Park

    Enjoy a hayride to the orchard on your way to picking from more than 20 varieties of apples.

  • Edwards Orchard

    CITY: Poplar Grove

    Pick apples, enjoy warm cider and donuts, then browse the barn filled with baked goods.

    The 200 Acres

    CITY: Arthur

    Browse 300 varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds, along with made-from-scratch baked goods.
    Oct
    1 - 31

    Bandy's Pumpkin Patch

    CITY: Johnston City

    Tour a pumpkin patch, carve jack o’ lanterns and make your way through an impressive corn maze.

  • Joe Roger's Original Recipe Chili Parlor

    CITY: Springfield

    A local favorite featured on “Man Versus Food” and voted #2 chili spot in America by Bon Appétit.

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Haunted
Illinois
Why settle for haunted houses?
Walking through a haunted house is a nice start. But to really get in the mood for Halloween, think bigger. And spookier. Visit a theme park filled with roaming zombies. Take a ghost walk at twilight. Or tour an entire haunted town.
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  • Sep 27 -
    Nov 3

    Six Flags Great America FrightFest

    CITY: Gurnee

    Walk among zombies who roam the park after sunset in a transformed land of haunted houses.
    Oct
    19 - 27

    Boo! at the Zoo

    CITY: Brookfield

    For more fun than fright, check out the kiddie costume contest, corn maze and “haunted” carousel rides.
    Aug 31 -
    Nov 1

    Alton Hauntings Tours

    CITY: Alton

    Take a guided tour through Alton, with stops inside a haunted mansion, abandoned school and more.
  • Mar 5 -
    Oct 31

    Lincoln's Ghost Walks - Legends and Lore

    CITY: Springfield

    Walk through Springfield while hearing strange stories surrounding Abe’s life and death.
    Mar 2 -
    Nov 3

    Haunted Decatur Ghost Tour

    CITY: Decatur

    Learn Decatur’s colorful history while exploring haunted houses, railroad stations and graveyards.

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Explore More
Discover more travel ideas for fall.
From scenic beauty to spooky attractions, find hundreds of inspiring ways to enjoy this time of year.
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