Students who live at LFA may find it difficult to get away from campus. Van runs are always a great option to go out and have some fun, but sometimes they just don’t offer activities that many of the students are interested in. Here are some local places to visit for fun fall activities: 

     Heinz Orchard in Green Oaks offers superior apple picking. It’s only 10 minutes away and there are no admission or parking fees. However, at least one person in your party must buy a $10 bag for apples. 

     Kroll’s Fall Harvest Farm is another great place for a classic orchard experience. It’s 20 minutes away in Waukegan and offers a corn maze, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, and even movie nights. Don’t forget to buy and carve a pumpkin before Halloween!

     Speaking of Halloween, The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival takes place from October 8th through October 10th. They are attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the most pumpkins carved and lit at once! The festival is also a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish foundation in Illinois. 

     Elawa Farm is also an excellent location that is just 7 minutes from LFA. It offers beautiful scenery along with an incredible wildlife discovery center. All of the animals are incredibly well kept and cared for. They also have a garden market that opens on Fridays and Saturdays, which sells produce, herbs, and flowers that are harvested from their garden. Elawa farms also sits next to the Middlefork Savanna which has amazing hiking trails which span across nearly 100 acres of land. 

      On the topic of hiking trails… Forest Preserves can also be found all around the Lake Forest area! Old School Forest Preserve, Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve, and Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve are some common personal favorites.

So with all of these great places in mind there is no reason not to go. Grab some friends, call a taxi, and enjoy the fall!