The leaves are falling off of trees, the air smells of pumpkin spice and students are busting out their Canada Goose jackets. With October rapidly approaching its end, it's time to relieve some stress from midterms and take advantage of all the city has to offer. Here’s a list of Instagram-worthy, spooky, and fall-oriented local places to explore during the fall season.
If you are looking to travel into Chicago, stop by the haunted house called 13th Floor. This spooky house on 1940 George Street in Melrose Park features a two-part attraction—Creature Feature, an exploration of the classic monsters of the 20th century, and The Other Side, which is 13th Floor’s morbid take on “Stranger Things.” Make sure to grab some pictures with the actors dressed up as clowns and ghouls before heading in! 13th floor runs until November 9th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and until 11 p.m. on weekends. Depending on the day, tickets are $25 to $29. Visit their website for more information.
Replay Lincoln Park is inviting you to join Pennywise at its “It” Halloween Pop-Up, an event that continues until November 1. This arcade bar is a recreation of the house on Neibolt Street from the movie “It.” Replay is hosting trivia events, costume contests and a Derry Afternoon Day Party all Halloween weekend. This event also sports many photo opportunities with its Derry-funhouse-themed decor. Replay Lincoln Park is located at 2833 N Sheffield Ave and is open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. every day. Visit their website for more information.
If you are looking to do something slightly less spooky, look no further than Jack’s Pumpkin Patch Pop-Up. Open until November 3, this two-acre corn maze also features axe throwing, food trucks, gypsy caravans, music and carnival games. Since this corn maze is easily accessible by train, Jack’s Pumpkin Patch Pop-up is a great alternative to traveling to the suburbs. The beautiful scenery of the pumpkin patch also makes it the perfect place to take fall-themed pictures with friends. The pumpkin patch is located at 1467 N Elston Ave and is open from 4 p.m.to 10 p.m. on weekdays or 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. General admission is $19 and includes entry into the corn maze. For more information, visit their website.
With Día de Los Muertos approaching on October 31, learn more about the holiday's rich history by exploring the “A Matter of Life” exhibit at The National Museum of Mexican Art in the Pilson neighborhood. This display continues through December 8 and is centered around contemporary and traditional ofrendas to the dead. The museum is located at 1852 W 19th St. The National Museum of Mexican Art is free admission and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day but is closed on Mondays. To learn more, visit their website.
These are my top accessible destinations for the fall! For more autumn adventures check out Sophia Haloulos’ article, Fall To-Do’s