Between Michelin star kitchens and Main Street bakeries, the Magnificent Mile and the Great River Road, you’ll find yourself surrounded by every mouthwatering taste and eye-popping color autumn has to offer. It’s Fall in Illinois, the Middle of Everything.

Discover 10 Illinois destinations to fall for this season.

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Fall Colors Trip Planner

Use our interactive fall color tracker and check back weekly for reports on where to find autumn hues in Illinois — and the best places to see the fall colors for yourself.

Discover Fall Colors
  • 10 Autumn Destinations To Fall For

One thing is clear: Fall is here.

The crisp air. The changing foliage. The expanded wardrobe. Fall marks the perfect time of the year to travel. From thrilling forest forays to educational tours and everything in between, you’re spoiled for choice as we’ve assembled a list of the perfect Fall destinations to visit this year. 

  • Matthiessen State Park | An oasis of canyons, streams and beautiful rock formations in central LaSalle County
  • Navarro Canoe | A welcoming stop for floating works of handcrafted art and functionality in Rock Island
  • Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum | The world’s best collection of Lincoln lore and legends in Springfield
  • Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour | An eco-friendly zipline canopy tour exploring the flora, fauna and geology of Makanda
  • Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower | A can’t-miss attraction that features the highest interactive observation deck in the US
  • Galena Trolley Tour | A historically and architecturally narrated tour detailing the wondrous hometown of President Grant
  • Great Wolf Lodge | An all-in-one Gurnee hotspot featuring an enormous waterpark, golf course and bowling alley that’s a howlin’ good time for the whole family
  • Navy Pier Centennial Wheel | An iconic attraction and treasured piece of Chicago history offering a 360-degree view of the fabulous Chicago skyline
  • Garden of the Gods | Dramatic rock formations and spectacular views create a hiker’s wonderland in one of the most visited sites in Shawnee National Forest
  • Grafton SkyTour at Aerie’s Resort | An aerial lift offering a 300-foot-high scenic view of the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers in Grafton
  • The Bean | One of the world’s largest and most beloved permanent outdoor art installations that anchors downtown Millennium Park

Show Us Your Leaves

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