Break out the apple cider, flannels, and pumpkin spice lattes; it’s time for fall in St. Charles! Come see why St. Charles is your fall destination!
1. Have Some Fall Fun at Primrose Farm
There is no better place to experience a crisp fall day than in Illinois. The autumn colors create a beautiful and cozy atmosphere that make for the perfect time to head to a farm. If you want to go on hayrides, attend barn dances, do goat yoga, or even try blacksmithing, look no further than historic Primrose Farm. Owned by the St. Charles Park District, this local farm is a FREE, family friendly facility that embraces autumn all season long. With over 100+ acres of historic land and a variety of activities, it makes for the perfect fall experience.
2. Hot Beverages for Cool Autumn Mornings
While summer calls for iced coffee and cold brew, fall is the perfect time to get cozy with a freshly-brewed cup of coffee. Looking to warm up on a brisk fall morning? Head to Kava Diem to get their organic coffees, try their nutritious menu, and enjoy their patio with incredible views of the Fox River. Arcedium Coffeehouse, named “Best Coffeehouse” for the 5th straight year by the Kane County Chronicle, is a great choice for roasted coffee, teas, fall specialty drinks, and more!
3. Find Those Fall Colors
Photo courtesy of Drew Pertl
As the beautiful shades of orange, red, and yellow become more prominent in fall, it is important to get outside and experience the change of seasons. One of the best spots to catch the myriad of colors is Pottawatomie Park (pictured above). Located along the Fox River, Pottawatomie Park is a great location to experience fall and witness the colors reflecting off the water as you make your way down the Riverwalk.
However, if you want a more nature based experience, Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve is the perfect place. Step away from the busy fall season and stroll through their captivating walking trail to see a serene natural creek. After that, you can stop by their authentic barns near the entrance of the forest preserve. These historic buildings are a great back drop for a fun fall photo shoot.
4. Find your Fall Style!
Fall in love with you fall wardrobe. As the seasons change, so do fashion trends; luckily, Jeans and Cute Top Shop has a wide variety of autumn clothing options that will keep you comfortable without sacrificing your style. From unique color block looks to everyone’s fall favorite – the flannel – their wide variety of inventory will allow you arrange the perfect fall outfit.
One of the easiest ways to get into the fall spirit is through decorating your home. Styling your home to reflect the changes of the seasons help create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The perfect place to find tasteful decorations for this season is trend + relic. They have carefully selected experienced merchants who are artisans, builders, refinishers, and painters who offer the most special items to enhance your home. Their custom items are the perfect way to add a sophisticated touch of fall to your household.
Or if you are in need of great outdoor decorations like mums or pumpkins, take a trip over to Heinz Brothers! They have a fantastic selection of fall and Halloween decorations that will transform the entrance to your home.
5. Try a Homebrewed Cider from Homebrew Shop
Beyond pumpkin spice lattes, another sought after fall drink are ciders. St. Charles is home to Broken Brix, a small production winery and cidery that focuses on making high-quality hand-crafted wine, cider, and mead using fruits and grapes sourced from local farmers. Their unique flavors can’t be found anywhere else! Stop by to grab a flight or purchase a bottle to have a delicious fall cider at home.
6. Shop Till You Drop at the St. Charles Farmer’s Market or Flea Market!
Get outside and shop at local markets that bring homemade goods and items! Stop by the St. Charles Farmer’s Market at Baker United Methodist Church on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon to find locally grown produce, fresh, homemade baked goods, and more! Or if you want to see what treasures you can find, head over to the Kane County Flea Market to find a variety of autumn collectables. The market is on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month only, so you have four full days to get your fall season flea market on!
7. Experience the St. Charles Scarecrow Festival
Don’t miss out on St. Charles’ signature fall event on Oct. 8-10: Scarecrow Fest! This years festival has a range of exciting features such as the Scarecrow Stroll, Family Zone, Scarecrow in a Box, Photo Opportunity, Professional Pumpkin Carver, Live Entertainment, the Autumn on the Fox Craft Show, and more! It’s a great weekend to kick-off the fall season!
8. Take a Cruise, Try Some Brews, and Have a Fun Fall!
Looking to enjoy more of the Fox River? The St. Charles Riverboats have specialty cruises all the way through October 31st! These themed excursions allow you to learn more about the river while enjoying activities like yoga, happy hour, the sunset, and more! After your paddlewheel cruise, you can explore our six diverse craft breweries with our self-guided beer tour and enjoy all of their fall flavors.
With all of these fall options, you are sure to find an autumn activity here in St. Charles that you enjoy. Make the most of this fall, and plan your trip today!