While all things pumpkin spice signals that fall has arrived, the anticipation in October stems primarily on Halloween festivities. Chicago Halloween parties, festivals and events give you a chance to soak up the cool fall breeze, the smell of pumpkin spice in the air and even a little fright here or there. If you’re looking for the best ways to celebrate Halloween in Chicago, keep reading for all the details.

Nightmare at Navy Pier

If you are up for a spooky Halloween party in Chicago, then head to Navy Pier for the Haunted Halloween Ball. Hosted each year in the Aon Grand Ballroom overlooking Lake Michigan, this Chicago Halloween party offers live DJs, dancing and beverages the weekend before Halloween. With a variety of packages available, you can enjoy the Monster Mash in style with this Chicago Halloween event.

The Godfrey Haunted Hotel

While there is no shortage of haunted houses in Chicago, you can opt to celebrate the holiday in a haunted hotel instead at the Godfrey Hotel Chicago, located on West Huron Street. The party is housed on the rooftop bar and guests get a chance to tour the 20 haunted hotel rooms on the fifth floor to get a fright and delight.

Halloween Late Night Booze Cruise

Head to Navy Pier and step on board the Halloween Late Night Booze Cruise with Mystic Blue Cruises when looking for fun things to do in Chicago on Halloween. This adventure includes an expansive buffet, dance floors, a costume contest, live DJs, giveaways and plenty of beverages to help you celebrate the spooky holiday with views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. You won’t want to miss this Chicago Halloween event, especially if you enjoy a little glamour with your scare.

Wrigleyville Halloween Crawl

Spend your Halloween in Chicago touring the renovated Wrigleyville neighborhood when taking part in one of the city’s biggest Halloween bar crawls. Costumes are a must and you can show off your gore or creativity while enjoying a dinner buffet, beverages at each bar on the crawl and even get the chance to win a Halloween costume contest in Chicago. The crawl begins on Clark street and is typically scheduled the Saturday evening before Halloween.

Halloween Masquerade Party at the Lyric Opera House

If you want to get all dressed up, don a mask and costume and dance the night away, then the Halloween Masquerade Party at the Lyric Opera House is the obvious choice. This Chicago Halloween event includes live music, dancing, tasty bites from local restaurants and fundraising opportunities for local charities.

Whether you want an experience right out of a horror flick or an elegant evening on the town, Chicago Halloween parties deliver. From masquerade balls and costume contests to Chicago bar crawls and Chicago dinner cruises, you can enjoy Halloween in style. Check back often for ever more spooky Chicago Halloween events.

There’s no doubt that romance is in the air in the windy city. When you’re looking to treat that special someone to a romantic date night or an intimate dinner for two, Chicago tourist attractions offer just what you need. Whether you want to celebrate an anniversary or are just searching for romantic things to do in Chicago, start with these hotspots for couples.

See the City Skyline at Navy Pier

It’s no secret that a walk along the pier hand-in-hand is romantic. But, you can take your romantic date night one step further by hopping on the Centennial Ferris wheel at Navy Pier. Offering rides during the day and evening, this Ferris wheel tops the Chicago date ideas list. See the city’s skyline and view the waves of Lake Michigan crashing to shore while professing your love at one of Chicago’s attractions.

Stroll Through the Chicago French Market

Share your love of food with that special someone by taking a stroll through the Chicago French Market, located between Randolph and Washington on North Clinton. Chicago date ideas often include food, so why not enjoy the culinary delights available from more than 30 vendors at the market? From meatball subs to lobster rolls, you can surely find just the right ingredients and pre-made food to enhance your romantic date night dinner.

Catch a Performance of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Expand your cultural horizon with the one you love when seeing one of the best Chicago attractions. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, rated as one of the top five in the United States, offers concerts at the Symphony Center on South Michigan Avenue approximately 100 evenings a year. Sit side by side surrounded by the most mesmerizing sounds. It doesn’t get any more romantic than that.

Soak in a Hot Bath at Aire Ancient Baths

Head to River West to find romantic things to do in Chicago. Aire Ancient Baths is the perfect spot to pamper yourselves. While this is not a typical Chicago date idea, it is a relaxing way to spend some quality time together. The facility is home to six thermal baths that range from ice and cold plunges, a jet pool, a hot bath and a salt water bath. Rid your body of antioxidants and fall in love all over again when stopping in at this Chicago attraction.

See the Stars at the Adler Planetarium

Is there anything more romantic than star gazing? Not when you plan a romantic date night at the Adler Planetarium. Throughout the year, this Chicago attraction hosts “Adler After Dark” where adults can tour the museum, enjoy live entertainment, admire the skyline views of the windy city and gain unlimited access to sky shows.

Whether you are in a new relationship, moving past the one-year mark or celebrating 25 years of marriage, finding romantic things to do in Chicago doesn’t have to be difficult. Start with this comprehensive list of Chicago date ideas to surprise that special someone anytime of the year.

If you thrive when surrounded by ghosts and goblins, then you’ll love the Chicago Halloween events, festivals and celebrations in October. It’s true that there are plenty of fun things to do in Chicago; however, if you want to ramp up your scare level and venture into some of the best Chicago haunted houses, this list of downtown and haunted venues in neighboring cities is the perfect place to start.

Statesville Haunted Prison

Travel just a bit out of downtown to Crest Hill and you’ll find one of the top haunted houses in Chicago and the state of Illinois. This Chicago haunted house gives you access to a maximum-security prison with 23 cells featuring terrifying haunts at every corner. Not only do you get to explore prison cells at this Chicago attraction, you also have to navigate mass graves, mine shafts and caves before climbing into an Army carrier truck to hunt zombies.

Basement of the Dead

Just a short trip to nearby Aurora puts you right in the heart of Chicago’s best Halloween activities. Basement of the Dead gives you your fill of bloody nuns, killer clowns and a maze that leads you through claustrophobic halls. As an added bonus, you can take part in the Zombie Carnival midway games or opt for the Stabbin’ Cabin escape experience at this treasured Chicago Halloween event.

13th Floor Haunted House

If you want to explore your fear of heights and make it to the 13th floor of hell, then it’s time to reserve a spot at the 13th Floor Haunted House in Melrose Park. As one of the largest haunted houses in Chicago, 13th Floor features two separate haunted houses, detailed sets with blood and gore and witches wandering the floors chanting demonic spells. If you time your trip right near Halloween, you can even take part in the blackout event where this Chicago haunted house is completely dark.

Dungeon of Doom Haunted House

Find doom around every corner when making this Chicago haunted house your destination on Halloween. Located in Zion, near Six Flags Great America, this Chicago attraction offers 60 minutes of ghosts and goblins and even gives you the frightful option of being lowered into a grave. You can’t go wrong if you’re wanting a scare with a stop at this Chicago Halloween venue.

Midnight Terror Haunted House

Head to the South Side for a scary Halloween activity in Chicago. The Midnight Terror Haunted House features creepy characters, demonic workers and ghost cult leaders hiding in the corners. The 30-minute experience ends with a jaunt through Chainsaw Alley to top of your Chicago Halloween haunted house extravaganza.

Whether you want an experience right out of a horror flick or just want a brief scare, Chicago haunted houses deliver. From interactive mazes and dark, dim warehouses to houses that offer ghostly appeal, you can’t go wrong with these October Chicago activities. Check back often for ever more spooky Chicago Halloween events.

While Chicago is not short on entertaining activities, thrilling adventures and windy city festivals, when you want to kick back, relax and enjoy a few laughs, you’re in luck. Chicago is home to several comedy clubs with rich history, vibrant décor and even more flamboyant comedians ready to entertain. If you need to find a reason to laugh until your stomach aches, check out these popular Chicago comedy clubs for a night of entertainment you won’t forget.

The Comedy Bar

Located on North LaSalle Drive in downtown, The Comedy Bar is a popular Chicago comedy club that brings the laughs to you on a nightly basis. Featuring an upper-level stage and a main-level stage, this popular Chicago attraction overlooks Gino’s Brewing company and each stage seats more than 100 people. Enjoy a cocktail, a few laughs and a casual night out in downtown with a trip to this venue, known as one of the best comedy clubs in Chicago. 

Zanies Comedy Night Club

If you’re looking for a comedy club in Chicago with rich, long-standing history, Zanie’s Comedy Night Club is the place to go. Located on North Wells, this comedy club is for the 21 and over crowd and hosts nationally-known headliners on a weekly basis. Listen and laugh with the likes of Jeff Garlin, Doug Benson, Josh Blue and more when stopping in at Zanie’s Comedy Night Club. Choose from an expansive dinner and drink menu to satisfy your thirst and hunger while laughing along with the acts each evening.

Comedians You Should Know

Venture to North Fairbanks Street to get in some giggles at Comedians You Should Know. As one of the best comedy clubs in Chicago, this venue features local talent as well as comedy headliners with a national presence. Laugh along to adult-only humor as the talent entertains at this popular Chicago venue and grab some eats and drinks from the bar food menu.

The Second City

It’s like walking into an extension of Chicago when you plan an entertaining night out at The Second City. This popular Chicago comedy club is known for bringing famous alums to the stage as well as improv and sketch groups. If you enjoy the shows, consider trying out your own form of comedy when signing up for the many classes offered at this venue.

Chicago is home to a plethora of entertainment options, but when you want to enjoy a hearty laugh and a thrilling night out, check out some of the best Chicago comedy clubs. And, there’s more. Each of these spotlighted Chicago venues are adjacent to excellent dining and hotel options for you to explore. Stay tuned for even more fun-filled opportunities in the great city of Chicago.

Fall in the Windy City brings cool breezes and falling leaves. That’s why the fall season is the best time to get out and about and attend some of the best Chicago Fall Festivals. With opportunities to sip on cider and hot chocolate, pick apples and pumpkins and even take part in a bar crawl, you can’t go wrong with this list of fun things to do in Chicago in the Fall.

Harvest Day

Each fall, the Garfield Park Conservatory hosts a Harvest Day to celebrate the autumn harvest. This Chicago event gives you a chance to learn more about the sustainable methods used by local farmers while also learning more about how to care for bees, goats and more. This Chicago festival features demonstrations on how to harvest organic vegetables and fruits, make a compost and feed your family organically. This Chicago attraction is a great spot for families year round, but you won’t want to miss out on the interactive games and activities at Harvest Day.

Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo

From late September to late October, you can see the Lincoln Park Zoo in a new light. This Chicago fall festival offers families a chance to tour the zoo together while also climbing a hay mountain, lounging in the corn pool or riding the Ferris wheel. Featuring inflatables and even a large slide for all ages, the fall fest at Lincoln Park Zoo tops the list of fun things to do in Chicago.

Applepalooza

Satisfy your sweet tooth and sip on warm apple cider when attending the Applepalooza Chicago Fall Festival. Hosted at the Chicago Women’s Park and Garden on S. Indiana Avenue, this Chicago event offers an apple food court with snacks and meals enriched with apples, as well as hay rides, interactive games for the kids and storytelling. As your surrounded by the beauty of this Chicago park and garden, you can also enjoy the live musical entertainment at this Chicago fall festival.

Chicago Wine Fest

What better way to spend the fall in Chicago than to mingle with friends while sipping on sweet wine? You get to do just that at the Chicago Wine Fest, held each year in early December. Known for its ‘elevated wine tasting experience,’ this Chicago fall festival quenches your thirst and gives you an opportunity to sample wines from local and national vendors. Live music and dining options are also available.

The Windy City is home to a variety of fall Chicago events and festivals, but the one thing that remains the same each year is the warm and inviting feel of the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. Dive into the Chicago culture and meet the locals when attending one of these popular Chicago festivals. Check back often for even more Chicago attractions.