FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAM

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAM From state parks to museums, fill your fall with outdoor escapades

School might be taking up your kids’ weekdays, but weekends are still fair game! When the homework is finished and the fall weather is too good to be ignored, here are a few familyfriendly activities to fill up your weekend calendar.

By Siobhan Conners

FARM FUN

Blackberry Farm

100 S. Barnes Road., Aurora

Admission price depends on activity. turned playground. From pioneer cookware to a mid-1800s train lobby to a one-room schoolhouse exhibit, this “living history museum” uses demonstrations to teach kids about pioneer life. It also offers fun activities, like a carousel, pony ring and playground. Check online for availability related to COVID-19. Johansen Farms Children’s Zoo and Pumpkin Patch

710 W. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook

Admission: $9.95 weekdays, $14.95 weekends and Columbus Day. Blackberry Farm is a pioneer village

You’re sure to find the perfect pumpkin at Johansen Farms — in the past, they’ve had more than 25,000 to choose from! The fall festival runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31 and offers everything from a pumpkin patch to a petting zoo to games. Plus, parking is free. Dollinger Family Farm

7420 E. Hansel Road, Channahon

Admission is free, but the Battle of Dollinger Farm 1776 has an additional cost.

Like many other public farms, Dollinger Family Farms has a pumpkin patch and expansive gift shop. Unlike other farms, however, it also offers Revolutionary War reenactments on the weekends. The battle begins at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, but all weekends are chock-full of events. The farm opens Sept. 14.

OUTDOOR SPACES & PLACES

Morton Arboretum

4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle

Admission: Adults $15, seniors $13 and children $10, discount prices on Wednesdays; advance timed-entry passes or tickets are required. With over 100 rare and endangered tree species on its campus, the Morton Arboretum is a beautiful place to explore on any day. It’s also offering a mix of in-person and online events throughout fall. If you’re looking to get a breath of fresh air, the Tails on the Trails event on Aug. 30 allows guests to visit with their dogs, and the annual Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum, which runs from Nov. 21 to early January, is perfect if you’re already counting the days until the holiday season. If you want to enjoy the arboretum from the comfort of your living room, check out the Glass Pumpkin Patch to purchase handblown glass pumpkins online Oct. 14-18.

Starved Rock State Park

2688 E. 873rd Road, Oglesby

Starved Rock’s waterfalls, canyons and views of the Illinois River make it a must-visit location. There’s no shortage of things to do: In addition to hiking, fishing and picnicking, you can also take a trolley ride or boat cruise. If you’re looking to stay the night, the Starved Rock Lodge is open for business.

Silver Springs State Park

13608 Fox Road, Yorkville

There’s no better time to experience the great outdoors, and Silver Springs State Park is a great place to do so. The titular silver spring never freezes, making it a great place for fishing and canoeing. If you’re up for a little backpacking, there’s also a camping area off the beaten path.

THE KITCHEN SINK

H.I. Lincoln Building

136 N. Elm St., Franklin Grove

Admission: Free to see the building, $4 for music. Who doesn’t love an open mic? There’s one every third Friday of the month at the H.I. Lincoln Building in Franklin Grove through the rest of 2020. Sign up for a 15-minute set and play the genre of your choice. Refreshments will be for sale during the event.

Illinois Railway Museum

7000 Olson Road, Union

Admission: $11 adults, $9 seniors, $8 children. If you have a future engineer in your family, the Illinois Railway Museum might be the perfect way to spend a Saturday. Executive Director Nick Kallas says about threefourths of visitors are families. In addition to its regular exhibits, the museum also has its Showcase Weekend on Sept. 19-20 and Pumpkin Train on Oct. 24-25. Showcase Weekend is the perfect chance to see and ride rare equipment, while the Pumpkin Train takes your family to a nearby pumpkin patch for some Halloween fun.

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