Autumn shooting in Chicago area?

[jpa66]

Since I'm a relative newcomer to Chicago, I was wondering if anyone knows of a nice place to shoot the autumn colors ( and B&W's ) in and/or around the Chicago area. I'm willing to travel up to a few hours ( maybe even further to Wisconsin ), and would really love to visit a couple small towns, preferably with HILLS ( having come from Pittsburgh, I really miss hills ).

If anyone has any suggestions, they'd be very welcome.

Jan

 

[Cale Arthur]

I'm a bit partial to Humboldt Park, but that's probably because i live there.

If a few hours' drive isn't an issue, i can highly recommend Brown County, IN. One of the most stunning places you'll ever see when the leaves start to turn..

And just so you're not tempted by the name, the Lake in the Hills area has apx. one hill and no lake. But maybe i wasn't looking in the right place.. 😀

 

[MDM]

Morton Arboretum in the west suburb of Lisle. Also, they have usually had a fall fund raising event where they serve the best hand dipped caramel apples 🙂. I would check out their web site. I have also taken some good fall shots around Millennium Park in downtown Chicago. Good luck.

Mike

 

[MDM]

One other idea - Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles are west of Chicago and very charming. They would certainly present many photo opportunities at this time of the year. Guess where I grew up 😀.

 

[jpa66]

St. Charles is a good suggestion. I've been there before, but that was a long time ago. I think they actually have rolling hills there, too.

I'll look into Brown County as well.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

You can take a walk along the Fox River, starting in Geneva... or from St. Charles to Geneva. There's also a nice drive stretch on IL 31 (between these two towns), which allows for nice views and shots.

Then, there's a small state park in Oregon IL, called Lowden State Park, famous for its monumental statue to Indian chief Black Hawk, by Lorado Taft. The trees in that area turn gorgeous around November. I was there once, and found the place full of people taking in the views.

Guess where I live? (Hint, hint, it's below my avatar)

 

[t.s.k.]

Further than St Charles, which is a great suggestion, the sand dunes of Indiana and SW Michigan has some good foliage and, well, sand dunes 🙂. Jotting over to Grand Rapids will provide some more sizable hills. There's also Wisconsin Dells - very pretty up there.

For local flavor, I'm too in the Humbolt park area. It ain't no Central Park but it does have some decent urban "nature".

 

[serpia]

The best hills I've found in Illinois are south and west of Galena. Other good hills, and lots of trails are in Starved Rock state park near Utica, IL.

 

[jpa66]

Thanks for the great suggestions, all. I made it as far as St. Charles, as the wife and I didn't want to venture out as far as Galena just for the day. We went during the Scarecrow Festival ( or something to that effect ). It was a nice day. I had really wanted to make it home to my native Pittsburgh for the Fall, but I just couldn't get it to happen. I'd be off ( with the wife, naturally ) to another part of the state, but we're off to DC in a week ( and I know: no hills there! ). You guys have given me a lot of great ideas for next Fall, though.

Thanks again.