A mid-1800’s architectural wonder helped make Chicago the city it is today. The 96-mile Illinois & Michigan Canal (I&M Canal) connected the Great Lakes in Bridgeport, Chicago to the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru, and amazingly unique towns sprung up that maintain their authentic charm to this date.
Freedom. The Open Road. The American Dream. All are still alive on The Mother Road. The nostalgia of diners, museums, tourist stops and neon lights are there for you to visit as you make the drive from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA. You can still get your Kicks on Route 66!
A visit to Starved Rock State Park consists of many sights to behold, including breathtaking views of its many canyons and awe-inspiring scenes of eagles flying during the winter month.
Are you looking for a specific type of place to visit in the I&M Canal Heritage Corridor? If you're a craft beer fan, you will love the Heritage Corridor Ale Trail? Seeing a thrilling journey or just an escape, check out Adventure Outside Chicago. We've got all the info to unlock your next trip right here.
Please remember to check with each location for the status of each event due to ongoing COVID mitigations.
Thursday, October 29
10:00am to 4:00pm – Spooky Scavenger Hunt at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center
Search for spooktacular items in the forest with your friends, families or scout groups! Some items may be natural, while some items may be SUPER natural! Other items may be unnatural! Can you find them all as you meander through the forest. CLICK FOR MORE INFO
12:00pm - Virtual Cemetery Tour w/ Forest Preserve District of Will County
Join Interpretive Naturalist Jen Guest inside the gates of Vermont Cemetery. Who is buried there? What is growing among the gravestones? How was the land saved from development? Find out more about this State of Illinois Nature Preserve. CLICK FOR MORE INFO
6:30pm to 9:30pm – Harry Potter Trivia & Costume Contest at Quarry Pub & Grill – Lemont A night of trivia dedicated to all things Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. CLICK FOR MORE INFO
Friday, October 30
10:00am to 4:00pm – Spooky Scavenger Hunt at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center
Search for spooktacular items in the forest with your friends, families or scout groups! Some items may be natural, while some items may be SUPER natural! Other items may be unnatural! Can you find them all as you meander through the forest?
3:00pm – 11:00pm – Hatchet Halloween Weekend at Mad Hatchet Brewing
Food Trucks, Bands, and Robert Rolfe Feddersen CLICK FOR MORE INFO
6:00pm and 8:00pm Departures – Ghost Tours at Starved Rock Lodge
Enjoy a scary evening of fun with costumed guides who will escort you to some of the most haunted destinations in the Starved Rock area. CLICK FOR MORE INFO
7:00pm to 9:00pm – Friday Creature Features at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre
Just in case 2020 wasn't scary enough for you, we're bringing you classic horror/ suspense movies outdoors on the big screen every Friday in October CLICK FOR MORE INFO
8:00pm to 10:00pm – Khaos on 9th Street Halloween Costume Party at Ninth Street Pub
Khaos Ordinance, Marks of Gray, Dead and Buried all performing. Costume contest grand prize is $75. 21 and up, $5. CLICK FOR MORE INFO
Saturday, October 31
10:00am to 4:00pm – Monarch Trick or Treats at Goodenow Nature Preserve
Attention all trick or treaters! The nature center is gearing up for Halloween and so are the monarchs. Visit the nature center dressed in your favorite costume and end up with a tasty treat and a packet of milkweed seeds. What a win/win for you and our pollinator friends! CLICK FOR MORE INFO
10:00am to 4:00pm – Spooky Scavenger Hunt at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center
Search for spooktacular items in the forest with your friends, families or scout groups! Some items may be natural, while some items may be SUPER natural! Other items may be unnatural! Can you find them all as you meander through the forest? CLICK FOR MORE INFO
10:00am to 6:00pm – Boos & Booze at Clarks Run Antiques
Join us for a Halloween day-time event for both adults and kids! Trick-or-Treating for the children. A yummy Blood Red Halloween Sangria drink for the adults! Shop the store, enjoy the outside patio, & enjoy the spoooooky day! CLICK FOR MORE INFO
12:00pm to 3:45pm – Halloween Family Fun and Costume Contest at Axe Factor Throwing
Specials for Oct 31. On Saturday Oct 31st you can reserve an entire lane for up to 8 people from noon to 1:45pm or 2-3:45pm. Cost is $100. That will include prizes for bullseyes and best costume. CLICK FOR MORE INFO
12:00pm to 11:00pm – Halloween Costume Contest at River Hawk Brewing Halloween Costume Party & Contest at River Hawk Brewing. Kids 12-3pm / Dogs 3-6pm / Adults 6-11pm. Best costume from each category will win a prize. Food available through Delight Wish 12-11pm & Country Grill Chicken Truck 12-6pm CLICK FOR MORE INFO
1:00pm to 3:00pm – Unhuggable Animals Scavenger Hunt at Isle a la Cache
Put on your favorite costume and head over to Isle a la Cache. A self-guided scavenger hunt will be set up in the preserve. On this adventure, search for animal clues about some of nature's most unhuggable and scary creatures. CLICK FOR MORE INFO
3:00pm – 11:00pm – Hatchet Halloween Weekend at Mad Hatchet Brewing
Food Trucks, Bands, Alex Hofer, and Cheryl Rodey CLICK FOR MORE INFO
4:00pm to 11:00pm – Brews & Boos at Rt66 Old School Brewing
Halloween costume contests and beer pairings! 4pm – Popcorn & flight pairings for $14 per flights. 9pm – Costume Contest with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. CLICK FOR MORE INFO
6:00pm – 7:00pm – Halloween Puttfest at Bolingbrook Golf Club
Halloween putting contest for kids 12 and under. Kids must come in costume to participate in grand prize gift. Kids eat free afterwards with a purchase of an adult meal. No entry fee...just come have a spooky good time! Space is limited...register today! CLICK FOR MORE INFO
6:00pm and 8:00pm Departures – Ghost Tours at Starved Rock Lodge
Enjoy a scary evening of fun with costumed guides who will escort you to some of the most haunted destinations in the Starved Rock area. CLICK FOR MORE INFO
7:00pm to 11:50pm - Punkin Chunkin Axe Tournament at Axe Factor Throwing
Double elimination match play tournament. Cash Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place. Also prizes for Best costume. Costumes encouraged but not required. CLICK FOR MORE INFO
9:30pm to 2:00am – Halloween Party at Lockport Stagecoach
Join us for the best party around. Entertainment by DJ Alex, costume contest, prizes, drink specials and more! CLICK FOR MORE INFO
Sunday, November 1
12:00pm to 2:00pm – Pumpkin Shoot at Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Your family worked hard on that pumpkin to create a Jack O' Lantern masterpiece. After Halloween is over, destroy it together! Bring your pumpkin to Hidden Oaks, we'll teach you to shoot a bow and arrow, then you get to shoot your pumpkin! CLICK FOR MORE INFO
12:00pm to 4:00pm – Stop, Drop, Pumpkin Roll at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
STOP by Plum Creek Nature Center and send off your post-holiday pumpkin with a bang. DROP it off for composting, but not before ROLLING it down Pumpkin Alley. CLICK FOR MORE INFO
5:00pm to 9:00pm – Dia de los Muertos at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre
Entertainment, food and more! CLICK FOR MORE INFO
Due to the COVID-19 virus, organizations may have different hours and services. Events may be rescheduled or cancelled. Please check with the organization/event prior to traveling to ensure hours/status.
FREE VISITORS GUIDE
FREE VISITORS GUIDE
