Looking for ways to get into the fall spirit? Look no further! Here is a collection of fun activities to do this season near Northwestern.
Apple Picking and Farms:
Didier Farms – Lincolnshire, Illinois
Just a 45-minute drive from campus, Didier Farms in Lincolnshire hosts a Pumpkin Fest and a farmstand in October. Be sure to pick up fresh donuts from the bakery!
Cost: $1 admission, or free admission on weekends (activities require tickets)
Apple Holler – Sturtevant, Wisconsin
Apple Holler is one of the largest apple orchards in the area known for its goats, corn mazes, hayrides and pick-your-own apples. There is also a farm-to-table restaurant and bakery!
Cost: Starting at $15, admission and apple picking prices depend on the package
Jonamac Orchard – Malta, Illinois
At Jonamac Orchard you can pick your own apples, sample apple wines and ciders at the cider house, navigate a corn maze and visit Haunted Jonamac at night. This orchard also has barn animals, an apple cannon and weekly events!
Cost: Free admission; $13 for 1/2 peck bag (5 lbs), $26 for 1 peck (10 lbs)
Kuipers Family Farm – Maple Park, Illinois
Kuipers Family Farm offers a wide variety of activities from apple picking and farm games, to a farmstand and pumpkin patch.
Cost: $10.99 apple orchard admission, $17.99 general weekend admission
Displays:
Pumpkin Lights at Navy Pier – Chicago, Illinois
Chicago’s Navy Pier has a pumpkin light display that includes a variety of carving installation and fall-inspired food and drink.
Cost: Free
Jack’s Pumpkin Glow Pumpkin Wonderland – Lisle, Illinois
Jack’s Pumpkin Glow is a giant evening jack-o-lantern display crafted by professional carvers. This attraction also had seasonal food and places for great photos!
Cost: $28.99 (tickets sell fast)
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up – Chicago, Illinois
This dazzling pumpkin display includes a corn maze, carnival games, axe throwing, seasonal food and bars.
Cost: General admission starts at $15
Haunted Houses:
13th Floor – Chicago, Illinois
This spooky Chicago haunted house made USA Today’s top 5 most terrifying haunted houses in the U.S.A. If that’s not enticing enough, this year the two main attractions are “The Other Side” based on Stranger Things and the “Creature Feature.”
Cost: Varies based on day, but cost more at the door
Scream Scene – Skokie, Illinois
This old school haunted house is located less than 15 minutes from campus and includes live-action scares.
Cost: $12 entry
Midnight Terror Haunted House – Chicago, Illiniois
Midnight Terror Haunted House has been a top-rated Chicago for over a decade with notorious creepy live-action features.
Cost: $13 entry
Events:
Downtown Evanston Halloween – Evanston, Illinois
When: October 26
Venture minutes off-campus on the Saturday before Halloween to Trick-or-Treat at local Evanston businesses and watch a costume parade.
Cost: Free
Downtown Evanston Fall Crawl – Evanston, Illinois
When: October 24
Local Evanston business are encouraging community members to sip and shop downtown with free tastes of fall beverages.
Cost: Free
Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns at Chicago Botanic – Chicago, Illinois
When: October 16 – 27
Take a walk down the Boo-Tanical garden trail to see 1,000 carved pumpkins and taste seasonal drinks.
Cost: $16
Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo – Chicago, Illinois
When: Fridays – Sundays until October 27
Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo on October 27 to see a pumpkin display, corn maze and animals.
Cost: $3 entry
Fall Festivities at Chase Park – Chicago, Illinois
Chase Park is hosting three events this fall season including the 4th Annual Chicago Campfire Festival (Oct. 12), The Great Pumpkin Patch (Oct. 12 – 30) and The Attic: Haunted House (Oct. 18 – 28).
Cost: Varies based on event
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade – Chicago, Illinois
When: October 19
This Halloween parade will feature Halloween themed costumes and art design.
Cost: Free
Haunted Halloween Cruise – Chicago, Illinois
When: October 25
The Haunted Halloween Cruise is a booze Cruise with a DJ and costume contest the Friday before Halloween.
Cost: Starting at $30
Halloween Bar Crawl – Chicago, Illinois
When: October 26
Visit downtown Chicago on the Saturday before Halloween for a costume bar crawl hosted by Bar Crawl Live.
Cost: $24.99 crawl single ticket
Nightmare Before Halloween: A Tim Burton Experience – Chicago, Illinois
When: Weekends starting October 17
This spooky bar features drinks and entertainment inspired by Tim Burton.
Cost: Varies based on event
Navy Pier Haunted Halloween Ball – Chicago, IL
When: October 26
The Navy Pier will host its annual costume dance party the weekend before Halloween.
Cost: $9