Autumn leaf peeping in the Chicago area?
Sep 13th, 2009, 04:42 AM
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Autumn leaf peeping in the Chicago area?
My partner and I will be visiting Chicago for 6 days starting October 20. Although our interests center on museums/architecture we would also like to see some fall color and nature. It is possible to visit the Botanic Garden in Glencoe by train and I would not have to bother with a car. Another idea is to visit Morton Arboretum or Starved Rock Park by car. If I rented a car I would probably keep it for 2 days and use it to visit Oak Park. (Although I know I can reach that destination by train) I have found a rate of $100 for a 2 day car rental but this does not include the $30+ for overnight parking. My companion and I enjoy road trips but perhaps with only 6 days we should stick with public transportation. Any suggestions?
Sep 13th, 2009, 06:45 AM
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If you'd rather not spend the money for a car, you will be able to see the fall colors not only at the Botanical Gardens but at the Lincoln Park Zoo too and in Oak Park. Starved Rock is beautiful but it's a 2-2 1/2 hour drive each way...just a thought..
Sep 13th, 2009, 07:21 AM
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Another thing you might want to take into consideration before you rent a car is that, due to the cooler than normal summer, the leaves may turn earlier this year. (Seems to me I've read here that the leaves are already turning in some parts of New England.) By October 20th, the best of the color may be behind us.
Last year my husband and I took a drive along the Rock River on Columbus Day and it was absolutely gorgeous. I'd say that was probably about peak color. So, if things do start earlier this year...
Last year my husband and I took a drive along the Rock River on Columbus Day and it was absolutely gorgeous. I'd say that was probably about peak color. So, if things do start earlier this year...
Sep 13th, 2009, 02:29 PM
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I concur that October 20 will probably be too late this year. Even southwardly in southern Illinois and Indiana usually have their peak seasons the second to third weeks of October.
BTW, you might consider a trip to Graceland Cemetery, located in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. It can be gotten to very easily via the #22 NB Clark Street bus.
Graceland Cemetery is a Victorian park-like cemetery with beautiful landscaping (lovely color in the fall) and many fascinating (and historically prominent) mausoleums and tombs. The Chicago Architecture Foundation and the Chicago History Museum both lead tours there, but you can pick up a DIY walking tour booklet from the cemetery's office when open.
You can also combine a trip to Graceland Cemetery with a visit of the Andersonville, the N. Southport Corridor, Wrigleyville or Boystown neighborhoods.
But say you wish to visit the south side of Chicago instead of the north side. You could take a trip to the University of Chicago (the Hyde Park neighborhood) with a visit to the Osaka Japanese Garden on Wooded Isle. If the weather is inclement when you plan on visiting, there is the Museum of Science and Industry, the Smart Museum of Art and the Oriental Institute to visit. But sometimes just browsing in a bookstore is a lovely thing to do on a rainy day.
BTW, you might consider a trip to Graceland Cemetery, located in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. It can be gotten to very easily via the #22 NB Clark Street bus.
Graceland Cemetery is a Victorian park-like cemetery with beautiful landscaping (lovely color in the fall) and many fascinating (and historically prominent) mausoleums and tombs. The Chicago Architecture Foundation and the Chicago History Museum both lead tours there, but you can pick up a DIY walking tour booklet from the cemetery's office when open.
You can also combine a trip to Graceland Cemetery with a visit of the Andersonville, the N. Southport Corridor, Wrigleyville or Boystown neighborhoods.
But say you wish to visit the south side of Chicago instead of the north side. You could take a trip to the University of Chicago (the Hyde Park neighborhood) with a visit to the Osaka Japanese Garden on Wooded Isle. If the weather is inclement when you plan on visiting, there is the Museum of Science and Industry, the Smart Museum of Art and the Oriental Institute to visit. But sometimes just browsing in a bookstore is a lovely thing to do on a rainy day.
Sep 14th, 2009, 10:50 AM
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Hmmm, I am a little disappointed that we will be hitting the end of the fall color. I called one of the parks earlier in the year and they suggested the last week in October. I guess the cooler than normal temperatures have caused the early season.
Thanks to all for your learned suggestions. I am sorry that Starving Rock is so far, it looks beautiful. If I were to choose the Botanic Garden or Morton Arboretum which is the better choice for fall colors?
Thanks to all for your learned suggestions. I am sorry that Starving Rock is so far, it looks beautiful. If I were to choose the Botanic Garden or Morton Arboretum which is the better choice for fall colors?
Sep 14th, 2009, 11:10 AM
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Given the fact that it's all trees, my guess is that the Arboretum would be a better choice for color than the Botanic Garden. Though I like the Botanic Garden very much. But, to the best of my knowledge, there's no way to get to the Arboretum without a car. So, again, it would mean renting a car, possibly to see bare, or nearly bare, trees.
Sep 14th, 2009, 04:16 PM
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I think on Oct 20th, there will still be quite a bit of fall color. It won't be peak, but maybe just past peak. Since we have now had a good week of dry & summer like weather, that may delay peak for a few days. The Botancial Gardens and Morton Arboretum both are excellent places, along with Chicago's city parks to see color, but I think Morton Arboretum is the best of the 3, you can really take a nice walk through the various wooded trails there.
Sep 14th, 2009, 04:55 PM
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Well, there's always a chance that you'll see some color. It just won't be at peak, IMHO.
I'm going to take a little time here and tell you why I do hope that you take the trip up to Graceland Cemetery when you are here. First, here's a couple of websites which will give you a little more information on it, if you'd like to review them:
A very abbreviated map with some photos of only a handful of the more memorable grave markers: www.gracelandcemetery.org/pages/maps.html
The Getty tomb, a Chicago historic landmark, was designed by Louis Sullivan, who is also buried at Graceland Cemetery - as are Daniel Burnham, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and John Root. Richard Nickel, who gave his life attempting to preserve and document historic architecture at the long-gone Chicago Stock Exchange Building (except for the room esconced at the Art Institute) - which was designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler - is also buried at Graceland.
Here is another page from Graceland's website which lists some of the various historical personages buried there. Just start with the "Cemetery of Architects" and continue right through to the last hyperlink: www.gracelandcemetery.org/pages/architects.html
BTW, my favorite grave marker is that of Victor Lawson. The "Crusader" by Lorado Taft.
Of course, there are many buried there who weren't so famous in life:
Those who were killed or died during the Civil War (either in battle or at Camp Douglas, Chicago's infamous prison camp). Some of the markers are so weather-worn you can hardly read them.
A whole family killed during the tragic Iroquois Theatre fire (571 people were killed in 20 minutes and the total death-toll of the fire was 602). A whole family, that is, except for the father who didn't attend the theatre performance - but died from grief shortly afterwards and was also buried with his family. This tragedy is the reason why the doors on public buildings now open outwards instead of inwards.
Many of the first employees (both male and female) of Allen Pinkerton. who began the Pinkerton National Detective Agenty. Allen Pinkerton foiled an assassination attempt against Abraham Lincoln and his firm was later hired by Lincoln for their protective services during the Civil War. You may also recall that the company's services were later used by large corporations against pro-union and striking employees.
I have this book myself and have lent it to many, many friends and colleagues throughout the years: "A Walk Through Graceland Cemetery": architecture.org/shop/shop/item.asp?itemid=312&catid=4. I believe you can pick up a copy at either the Chicago Architecture Foundation's ArchiCentre gift shop or at the Graceland Cemetery's office, as well as through bookstores in Chicago in the local interest section.
The historic Music Box Theatre on the N. Southport Corridor is merely 4-5 blocks from Graceland Cemetery. The Music Box Theatre is a mini-movie palace built and opened in 1929. The Music Box Theatre plays foreign, cult, silent, documentaries, classic, as well as other genres of movies.
They also have several special events throughout the year. As an example (for others), in conjunction with the Goodman Theatre's performances of "Animal Crackers", the Music Box Theatre will be showing the original 1930 Marx Brothers' film "Animal Crackers" with a panel discussion on September 21 at 7:00 p.m. and the weekend matinee movies (for several weekends thereafter) are those of the Marx Brothers. See www.musicboxtheatre.com for details.
Perhaps you might even want to make a day of it in that area of the city.
Have breakfast at M. Henry in Andersonville, and do a little exploration in that area.
Take the #22 SB Clark CTA bus to Irving Park and go to Graceland Cemetery (at the NE corner of that intersection) for a visit during late morning to early afternoon.
Then head over to the N. Southport Corridor (walk 2.5 blocks west on Irving Park, and a couple south on N. Southport) for some boutique shopping, or to perhaps catch a movie at the Music Box Theatre, or to have dinner (or lunch, depending on the day) at Tango Sur. Cullen's, an Irish pub, is right next door to Tango Sur and if you would prefer some coffee, a Julius Meinl (Viennese) sits on the corner of N. Southport and Addison.
If you walk even further southwards on N. Southport, there are two historic Schlitz brewery houses which now contain Schuba's Tavern (live music venue) and the Southport Billiards and Lanes (which has in the past been a "tied-house" bar, bookie joint and even an office for ladies of the evening, who advertised their wares downstairs) and where the pins are still set by hand. You can tell immediately from their facades what these buildings used to be.
But if you walk eastwards on Addison 5 blocks, you will be at Wrigley Field. You can catch the Red Line at the Addison station to return downtown.
I'm going to take a little time here and tell you why I do hope that you take the trip up to Graceland Cemetery when you are here. First, here's a couple of websites which will give you a little more information on it, if you'd like to review them:
A very abbreviated map with some photos of only a handful of the more memorable grave markers: www.gracelandcemetery.org/pages/maps.html
The Getty tomb, a Chicago historic landmark, was designed by Louis Sullivan, who is also buried at Graceland Cemetery - as are Daniel Burnham, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and John Root. Richard Nickel, who gave his life attempting to preserve and document historic architecture at the long-gone Chicago Stock Exchange Building (except for the room esconced at the Art Institute) - which was designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler - is also buried at Graceland.
Here is another page from Graceland's website which lists some of the various historical personages buried there. Just start with the "Cemetery of Architects" and continue right through to the last hyperlink: www.gracelandcemetery.org/pages/architects.html
BTW, my favorite grave marker is that of Victor Lawson. The "Crusader" by Lorado Taft.
Of course, there are many buried there who weren't so famous in life:
Those who were killed or died during the Civil War (either in battle or at Camp Douglas, Chicago's infamous prison camp). Some of the markers are so weather-worn you can hardly read them.
A whole family killed during the tragic Iroquois Theatre fire (571 people were killed in 20 minutes and the total death-toll of the fire was 602). A whole family, that is, except for the father who didn't attend the theatre performance - but died from grief shortly afterwards and was also buried with his family. This tragedy is the reason why the doors on public buildings now open outwards instead of inwards.
Many of the first employees (both male and female) of Allen Pinkerton. who began the Pinkerton National Detective Agenty. Allen Pinkerton foiled an assassination attempt against Abraham Lincoln and his firm was later hired by Lincoln for their protective services during the Civil War. You may also recall that the company's services were later used by large corporations against pro-union and striking employees.
I have this book myself and have lent it to many, many friends and colleagues throughout the years: "A Walk Through Graceland Cemetery": architecture.org/shop/shop/item.asp?itemid=312&catid=4. I believe you can pick up a copy at either the Chicago Architecture Foundation's ArchiCentre gift shop or at the Graceland Cemetery's office, as well as through bookstores in Chicago in the local interest section.
The historic Music Box Theatre on the N. Southport Corridor is merely 4-5 blocks from Graceland Cemetery. The Music Box Theatre is a mini-movie palace built and opened in 1929. The Music Box Theatre plays foreign, cult, silent, documentaries, classic, as well as other genres of movies.
They also have several special events throughout the year. As an example (for others), in conjunction with the Goodman Theatre's performances of "Animal Crackers", the Music Box Theatre will be showing the original 1930 Marx Brothers' film "Animal Crackers" with a panel discussion on September 21 at 7:00 p.m. and the weekend matinee movies (for several weekends thereafter) are those of the Marx Brothers. See www.musicboxtheatre.com for details.
Perhaps you might even want to make a day of it in that area of the city.
Have breakfast at M. Henry in Andersonville, and do a little exploration in that area.
Take the #22 SB Clark CTA bus to Irving Park and go to Graceland Cemetery (at the NE corner of that intersection) for a visit during late morning to early afternoon.
Then head over to the N. Southport Corridor (walk 2.5 blocks west on Irving Park, and a couple south on N. Southport) for some boutique shopping, or to perhaps catch a movie at the Music Box Theatre, or to have dinner (or lunch, depending on the day) at Tango Sur. Cullen's, an Irish pub, is right next door to Tango Sur and if you would prefer some coffee, a Julius Meinl (Viennese) sits on the corner of N. Southport and Addison.
If you walk even further southwards on N. Southport, there are two historic Schlitz brewery houses which now contain Schuba's Tavern (live music venue) and the Southport Billiards and Lanes (which has in the past been a "tied-house" bar, bookie joint and even an office for ladies of the evening, who advertised their wares downstairs) and where the pins are still set by hand. You can tell immediately from their facades what these buildings used to be.
But if you walk eastwards on Addison 5 blocks, you will be at Wrigley Field. You can catch the Red Line at the Addison station to return downtown.
Sep 14th, 2009, 04:58 PM
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I agree that's normally the case, Isabellasu. And you may well be right that the weather we've had the past week or so will make a difference.
But if your sole reason for renting a car is to find color, InMiami, I think I'd hold off until I had a better idea of what the situation will be at that time.
But if your sole reason for renting a car is to find color, InMiami, I think I'd hold off until I had a better idea of what the situation will be at that time.
Sep 16th, 2009, 07:11 PM
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I am flying into Chicago October 20th and leaving the 26th. The 24th and 25th are the only weekend days during our trip; I would prefer to drive in and out of the city on a weekend. Thus the days for leaf peeping are pushed back even further. Living in Miami I have not seen autumn colors for years so I will be quite disappointed to find bare trees. I will just have to hope for the best and cancel our car reservations if that aspect of our visit is not possible. I will be hoping all of you Chicagoans will be enjoying a warm Indian summer! Wish me luck!
