Enjoy Illinois' Autumn Trip Planner and Fall Colour Report is now live, showcasing the best places across Illinois to see the brilliant colours flourish as the seasons change. Embark on an unforgettable road trip along Illinois' seven scenic byways, stopping to see the beauty of the State Parks, meeting the wonderful makers from the Illinois Made program, and staying in some unique accommodations along the way.

Chicago and Beyond

Chicago's skyline makes for a dazzling display of its own but around the second week of October visitors will see plenty of fall foliage popping up in places like Millennium Park, where elm, hawthorn, and maple trees feature prominently. In Lincoln Park, the largest park in Chicago bursts with autumn colours, as the maple, ash, birch, and elm trees paint the park's picturesque grounds with a palette of red, orange, and yellow.

Starved Rock is a renowned natural region situated less than 100-miles to the southwest of Chicago, and displays seasonal waterfalls, majestic bluffs, and rugged canyons. The hiking trails curve through towering trees and scenic overlooks along the Illinois River with outdoor activities include hiking, canoeing, paddle boat cruises, trolley rides, fishing and picnicking. Visitors can stay at Camp Aramoni, a luxury campground offering 11 safari-style tents, sat on 96 acres of lush forests, that comes alive in the autumn and combines exciting camping experiences with the best hotel amenities.

Extending from the village of Antioch in the north to beautiful Ottawa in the south, the Fox River Valley is a picture-perfect northern Illinois destination, less than an hour from Chicago and home to 32 miles of forest trails that sit under a canopy of reds and oranges at this time of year.

With 1,700 acres and more than 222,000 live plants, The Morton Arboretum in Lisle is a tree-filled landscape and a vibrant hub for nature education, as well as a world-renowned centre for scientific research that sits 30 minutes from Chicago. In the East Woods of the Arboretum, the sugar maple tree steals the show as every autumn, the woods are set ablaze in orange and yellow.

Anderson Japanese in Rockford, 90 miles north-west of Chicago, has been named one of the highest quality Japanese gardens in North America and is inspired by calm and tranquillity. The 12-acre site consists of koi-filled ponds, winding paths, gentle streams, cascading waterfalls, raked gravel gardens, and beautifully trained pines that turn golden in autumn.

Central Illinois

Two-hours south of Chicago, Prairie Fruits Farm in Champaign is Illinois' first farmstead cheese making facility, learn about the cheese-making process in this Goat Dairy while tasting their award winning varieties of cheese and sample some goat milk gelato. Then explore the Eastern portion of the farm along the pasture and pond with the goats themselves. The Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur is a working farm that hosts activities for visitors to test their path-finding skills in several corn mazes, visit the friendly farm animals, wagon rides and pumpkin picking, as well as enjoy the overflowing menu of fall treats, including pumpkin ice cream and their famous iced pumpkin cookies.

The town of Monticello, two and half hours south of Chicago, is home to the Allerton Park & Retreat Centre, built as a private residence by artist and philanthropist Robert Allerton in 1900, it now offers a unique opportunity to experience art, nature, and history with organised programs open to the community and visitors including outdoor concerts, themed dinners and wine tasting along with nature hikes and educational events.

Half an hour further south, the area around Lake Decatur offers 30-miles of shoreline with beautiful wildlife vistas at lakeside parks. Nearby Rock Springs Nature Center is home to a large visitor centre, a museum, a restored farmhouse, nearly nine miles of hiking trails, and a paved bike trail, all of which comes alive this time of the year.

In Peoria, three hours south of Chicago, Grandview Drive offers scenic views of the Illinois River while walking, biking, hiking or just driving through. President Theodore Roosevelt referred to the area as the “world's most beautiful drive,” in a visit to Peoria in 1910, as it offers visitors numerous panoramic scenic views of the Illinois River Valley even more so in autumn, with the ever-changing colours of the leaves.

Southern Illinois

There are numerous trails and lakes near Carbondale, five and a half hours south of Chicago, perfect for exploring in autumn. At almost 44,000 acres and with three lakes (Crab Orchard, Little Grassy, and Devils Kitchen,) at nearby Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge there are endless opportunities for watching wildlife, hiking nature trails, photography, swimming, fishing from the bank or by boat, surrounded by stunning fall foliage.

Six hours south of Chicago, the Shawnee National Forest covers much of southern Illinois between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The area is well suited for an outdoor adventure any time of year, offering a range of activities. Garden of the Gods, renowned for its breathtaking views and walking trails, showcases the famous rock formations and provides a panoramic view of the ancient forest that is a sea of warm colours during autumn.

Giant City is named for its natural landscape of giant sandstone bluffs and narrow corridors framed by sheer cliff faces. With dozens of tree varieties, a walk through the woods surrounded by the autumn colours will transport visitors to a million miles away from the rest of the world. Visitors can stay in the 34 cabins offered at Giant City State Park that sit nestled into the bluffs near the main lodge that offers a full-service restaurant, deck overlooking the autumn colours and an outdoor swimming pool.

The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail features 11 award-winning wineries located along a 35-mile scenic drive, Hickory Ridge Vineyard & Winery, is said to be one of the best views on the trail and is located on the western edge of the forest, its family owned and operated with all their wines made from grapes grown solely on the premises. A stone's throw from the National Forest, the Cabins at Sunrise Hill are three A-Frame cabins set on 25 acres and fully self-contained.

For further autumn travel inspiration read the Fall+Winter Enjoy Illinois magazine, or to plan your visit go to www.enjoyillinois.co.uk 

### 

Getting There:

America As You Like It (www.americaasyoulikeit.com / 020 8742 8299) offer a six-night package to Illinois departing on the 26th of October 2024 and staying two-nights in Chicago at the Doubletree by Hilton Chicago on Magnificent Mile, two-nights in Starved Rock at Camp Aramoni and two-nights in Shawnee National Forest at the Cabins at Sunrise Hill from £1,849 per person based on two adults sharing, or from £1,249 per person based on two adults and two children sharing, including return flights with British Airways direct from London Heathrow to Chicago, 1x checked bag per person and car hire.

About the Illinois Office of Tourism:

The Illinois Office of Tourism leads tourism industry efforts to inspire visitation to, and within Illinois, resulting in significant economic impact and quality-of-life benefits for all Illinois residents. We are committed to making Illinois a model of inclusivity and celebration of diversity.

Illinois is a state that embodies innovation, craft, surprise and creativity. Whether domestic and international visitors are traveling for business or leisure, the Illinois Office of Tourism is their trusted guide in crafting an unforgettable experience.

To learn more, visit EnjoyIllinois.co.uk 

Media Contacts: Barry Johnston barry@goshpr.co.uk or Chloe Mackay chloe@goshpr.co.uk 

Images available HERE