By Ellie Alholm
As the leaves turn colors and the weather becomes cooler, fall activities are just beginning. When looking for festive fall activities around the Chicagoland area, there are various places you and your family/friends can visit to make this beautiful season memorable.
- The Basement of the Dead- Aurora
If you’re looking to get into the spooky spirit, The Basement of the Dead in Aurora is great. Voted the best haunted house in the world by BuzzFeed, this haunted house guarantees a good time, even when waiting in the entertaining line, full of monsters.“It was a super fun experience and it was definitely worth the wait and money,” Overall, The Basement of the Dead is a great place to have lots of fun and get in the Halloween spirit.
- Kuipers- Maple Park
Kuipers Family Farm is a great place for pumpkin and apple picking, a corn maze, or even just some famous apple cider donuts. Kuipers has something for everyone of all ages. The farm also includes hayrides and a petting zoo. The farm opened in 1998 and it has been a great place to form family traditions since then.
- Fright Fest- Gurnee
If you enjoy roller coasters and/or frightening monsters, Fright fest located at Six Flags is the activity for you. Fright Fest is open almost all fall (Mid September- Late October). Fright Fest is a fun way to get into the fall spirit. There are a variety of haunted houses, scare zones, etc., ensuring scares for almost anybody.
- Halloween at Navy Pier- Chicago
Chicago is known for its 3,300-foot pier off the Chicago shoreline, so what better way to celebrate fall than “Halloween at Navy Pier”. Trick-or-treating and free rides are only the starts to this enjoyable windy city event. Year after year, friends and family gather to participate in these fall traditions. The events are even topped off with fireworks.
5. Jonamac Haunted Corn Maze- Malta
Jonamac was started by a three generation, farm family from Illinois. The maze was started in 2000 and Jonamac has been a great place to go if you are looking for friendly staff, good prices, and tons of things to do. The haunted corn maze is full of spooks. Jonamac also includes a pumpkin patch, orchard, and shop. There is also lots of fun to be had. Jonamac is quite affordable, which makes for a great weekend activity with friends.