Wondering when the color of fall leaves will peak in 2022 near Chicago and where best to see them?
David Angotti can tell you. He is a statistical expert and the co-founder of the site SmokyMountains.com. His love for weather, travel, technology, and the autumn season led him to begin developing a nationwide fall leaf map in 2013 after one Smoky Mountains visitor too many inquired with him when the leaves would be at their fall best.
What started as a fun side-project quickly became the most respected nationwide fall leaf map and one of the best fall resources in the country. Now, tens of millions of people use his map each year to plan everything from photography trips to weddings. But the most common users are simply people wondering when the leaves will peak near them, just like you're wondering when leaves will be at their best fall color in Chicago!
While not an exact science, the predictive map uses a complex algorithm that carefully analyzes several million data points and outputs approximately 50,000 predictive data pieces to determine when leaves will peak in each part of the country.
Check out the map below to see when the leaves will peak near Chicago or another part of the country. Simply move the slider along the bottom to see when leaves are expected to reach peak color in Chicago.
Where to go leaf peeping around Chicago.
While at Macaroni KID Chicago we don't use scientific data to determine the best place to go to see fall leaves, we think we have pretty good intel!
Here are my family's favorite places near Chicago to go leaf-peeping:
 Northerly Island by BenKrut |
Garden of the Phoenix and Wooded Island (Jackson Park)
6300 N Cornell Ave
Site of the World's Fair in 1893, this park is nestled in the Woodlawn neighborhood and features the Garden of the Phoenix Japanese gardens and Wooded Island which is a great spot to peep birds AND fall foliage. Often people visit the Museum of Science & Industry, but fail to carve out some time to explore the surrounding park.
Northerly Island/Museum Campus
1300 S Linn White Dr
It is hard to even imagine this man-made sanctuary is on the edge of a city, or that it once was home to an airport. Now part of the Museum Campus, it gives visitors access to fun events, the lakefront, and impressive views of the Chicago skyline and is a great place to explore, especially in the fall. Plan your visit right and you may catch one of the campfire events the Chicago Park District hosts every October!
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park Ave
A favorite amongst locals and visitors alike! The 10 acres surrounding the Conservatory are a wonderful place to take in and enjoy a local dose of fall colors. No visit would be complete without stopping inside to see one of the nation's largest (and most beautiful) conservatories - so be sure to grab a FREE timed-entry ticket before you go!
 Lincoln Park in Fall by Sean Pavone |
Lincoln Park/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N Cannon Dr
All year long this is a wonderful section of Lincoln Park to explore in the changing seasons. We love starting on the north end, near the North Pond and Nature Museum, and taking our time to explore as we head toward the South Pond. If you want to make a day of it, make a plan to spend some time inside Peggy Notebaert because if you haven't been in a while, you just may discover something NEW!
West Ridge Nature Preserve
5801 N Western Ave
This little nugget of nature was one I discovered during the lockdown days of COVID and is a real gem in Chicago! Families will enjoy the self-guided "StoryWalk", the new "Dear Human" audio walk, and the child-directed nature play space is simply wonderful to enjoy as the trees around you light up with fall foliage. d
Winnemac Park
5100 N Leavitt
When we first moved to Chicago we hopped on the Brown line in the Loop and rode it north to Damen where we got off on a whim (this is what happened when your 3-year-old gets to be the tour guide). When I first saw Winnemac Park I thought we must have left Chicago because back then I had only scratched the surface of our parks and had only been as far north as Wrigley Field at that time. Overflowing with hundreds of beautiful trees, a prairie garden, and a small nature trail this is the perfect spot to bring a camera, a book, and a picnic for a little autumn R&R with the family.
Legion Park
3100 W Bryn Mawr Ave
Legion Park is another Chicago Park District treasure I discovered after dropping our son off for a baseball camp a few years ago. I decided to take advantage of the fact our youngest had fallen sound asleep in the stroller and began walking north. Legion is a long narrow park that runs along the North Shore Channel and connects the West Ridge, Lincoln Square, and North Park neighborhoods. It also connects fairly effortlessly to Ronan and River Parks too! If you have a train fan, then our kids always got a kick out of taking the Brown Line to the Francisco station - where the "L" runs on the street.
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If you are feeling adventurous then you could also plan a visit to:
- The Forge: Lemont Quarries for a hike or bike ride on their trails, or get a birds-eye view by ziplining or climbing above the trees
- Morton Arboretum in Lisle (tickets required) which offers trails and trees aplenty PLUS wonderful gardens and sculptures to explore and some even built for play
- Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe is a fun Metra ride and you can start to enjoy the fall foliage as you walk the trail from the station to the entrance of the garden
