Fall Foliage Tour of Southeast Wisconsin and Chicago

Oct 24, 2021

A Fall Travel Guide to Autumnal Wonders Abound: Southeast Wisconsin and Greater Chicago Area

We’re hitting the road in search of some of the best Fall Foliage views in the Southeast Wisconsin and Chicago areas. Grab a pumpkin spice latte, a hot apple cider, your camera, some friends, and get on out there to enjoy the crisp autumn weather together! Our Fall Foliage report has some of the best sites to see and visit for optimum seasonal content for your socials or your scrapbooks.

Here are some tips for photographing
autumnal wonders with your smartphone:

Charge your phone before you go!
You don’t want to get to the top of the vista point only to find your prize-winning shot is a miss because you used your last 10% battery on one-to-many selfies!

Bring a portable charging device with you.
Pocket sized travel chargers and fast-charge cables will be your best friend on your trip into the wilderness. Shoot in horizontal orientation. Hold your phone between both hands, with your elbows near to your body for stability.

Aim to shoot your vista points at sunrise or just before sunset.
The “Golden Hour” provides the best light in the autumn, and creates truly spectacular imagery. Softer, waning light is better than the harsh direct light of midday.
Use the “grid” feature to compose your image, and avoid using digital zoom.
To avoid a pixelated picture, resist that digital zoom option on your phone. Move closer to your subject, or utilize the grid to frame the scene within squares to crop the image using a photo app like Snapseed after the fact instead.

Now that you’re ready to go, let’s plan our leaf-peeping trail crawl!

Wisconsin’s State Wide Fall Foliage Report

Kenosha County peak leaf season is the 2nd week in October

Racine Wisconsin area’s peak leaf season is 2nd week of October
Pleasant Prairie area’s peak leaf season is 3rd week of October

Lake Geneva peak leaf season is 3rd week of October

Here are some great places to view fall foliage in the Kenosha, Racine, and Pleasant Prairie vicinities:

Three of the Top Must See Destinations for Fall Foliage in Wisconsin

Holy Hil; Hubertus, WI
Located at 1525 Carmel Road in Hubertus, WI 53033
The church, shrine and grounds are open daily from 5AM through 5PM
Over half-a-million visitors make the trek to come visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary at Holy Hill every year! Although many visitors come to the site for prayer and meditation, it’s absolutely worth the visit for the breathtaking views of fall foliage and hilltop sunset views. In addition, the gorgeous Romanesque architecture of the church is a truly spectacular site against the rich sunset hued treetops. It’s truly a sight to behold. The Scenic Tower is open Sundays from 1:45PM to 4:30PM, and Monday-Saturday from 9AM to 4:30PM; please note that it is not possible to remain socially distanced in the tower due to space constraints, and it is advised you mask up and use caution and enter at your own risk.
Lake Geneva between Milwaukee and Chicago
Located at 201 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva, WI 43147
Enjoy the spectacular fall foliage along the lakeside with a visit to Lake Geneva. Stay at the Abbey Resort and you can snag a truly special view of the fall colours from the water on the Fall Colours Cruise. Perhaps you’re looking for an up-close-and-personal view of the foliage, in which case the Lake Geneva Zipline Adventures will be right up your alley. If you’re more interested in hiking or biking you can try any of the areas trails such as the Lake Geneva Shore Path, Big Foot Beach State Park, Bromley Woods, or the Four Seasons Nature Preserve.

Seven Bridges Trail, Grant Park in South Milwaukee
Located at S Lake Drive & Park Avenue in South Milwaukee, WI 53172
Grant Park, established in 1911, is one of the area’s oldest parks. Seven Bridges Trail is a heavily wooded area that’s just perfect for all you “Autumn leaf peepers!” In addition you’ll find plenty of local fall flora and foliage, including wildflowers and ferns. The 2-mile trail features multiple scenic walkways and bridges along a series of ravines along the shores of Lake Michigan. The forest has a truly enchanting appearance, and you’ll definitely find yourself lost in meditative repose amidst the glorious fall foliage hues.

Fall Foliage in Chicago Area

Get a little taste of the great outdoors in and around the bustling metropolis of Chicago! That’s right, you can find some of the most iconic autumn views in and around the busy cityscape. We’re highly recommending three in particular but we’ve also got a shortlist of additional sites to check out if you’re feeling adventurous.

View the Illinois full fall foliage report here.

Four of the Top Must See Places for Fall Foliage Chicago

Chicago Botanic Garden
Located at 1000 Lake-Cook Road in Glencoe, IL 60022
Walk the path between the Botanic Gardens’s visitor Center and Conservation Science Center and you’ll find a spectacular array of Japanese Maples, Sumac Trees, Fruit-bearing shrubbery, and ample selection of perennial flora. The 285 acre grounds are free admission to roam, making it a great place to bring your family and friends for a group outing.
Morton Arboretum
Located at 4100 IL-53 on Lisle, IL 60532

Established in 1922 by Joy Morton of Morton Salt on just 175 acres, the property has expanded to 1,700 acres of woodland area with wetlands, botanical gardens, and outdoor activities for families. In addition to hiking and outdoor fun, you can elect to sign up for workshops or visit the Museum with an expansive Library on site! Admission ranges from Free for members to $8-14 per individual by age. Interested in the arts? Explore some of the sculptures and art on the grounds, too! There’s something for everyone to enjoy this Autumn!

Graceland Cemetery

Located at 4001 N. Clark Street in Chicago, IL 60613

What could be better for Halloween and October than a fall foliage tour in a graveyard? The Graceland Cemetery is home to numerous local celebrities and notable citizens of Chicago area. You can sign up for a group tour of the grounds via the Chicago Architecture Center, or opt instead for a self-guided tour of the statues and exquisite mausoleums.

Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory
Located at 300 N. Central Park Avenue in Chicago, IL 60624
One of the biggest facilities for botanical conservation and studies in the US, this indoor conservatory showcases exquisite botanical gardens and rare specimens up close and personal. Step inside the tropical rainforest greenhouses, or explore the 10+ acres of outdoor gardens and recreational areas. Tickets are currently available as timed-entry for COVID restrictions, but admission is free or a suggested donation. Explore the gardens all day long or sign up for a special event, educational program, or urban agriculture workshop. It’s a magical way to experience fall colours and autumnal activities!

More Great Fall Foliage Destinations Just a Short Drive Away

Got a favourite place for leaf peeping that we’ve left off the list?
Let us know in the comments below, and your picks might just end up in a future post.