65 Things to Do this Fall

1. Enter or just watch the city’s most ferocious (and delicious) pie event— the Bucktown Apple Pie Contest on Oct 18th. Get some tips from the pros before you fire up the oven.

2. Sign up for a Winter CSA share.
There's no need to say goodbye to organic, local produce just because there's a nip in the air. Many CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs offer winter shares, which generally include root veggies (beets, parsnips, carrots) and other cold-weather offerings (brussel sprouts, eggs, cheese). Home Grown Wisconsin, for one, offers a winter share that delivers to Chicago. Check out our list of local CSA programs.

3. Ride your renewed Beatlemania
(via the Remastered catalog and Rock Band game) straight into winter with the primo Beatles cover act Fab Faux at the Vic, November 14.

4. Take the kids to the Spooky Zoo Spectacular
Keep it kid-friendly and safe this year at the Zoo’s free day-out for families, courtesy of the zoo’s Auxiliary Board. The kids can collect goodies, participate in arts and crafts and visit the animals in costume—all in the light of not-so-scary day. Family entertainment begins at noon until 2pm. For a lineup of entertainers, please visit the website. Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St, (312-742-2000, lpzoo.org). Oct 24, 11am.

5. Spice up autumn with the Angel Food Bakery bakery’s maple cupcakes with candied bacon
1636 W Montrose Ave (773-728-1512). Tue–Fri 7am–5pm, Sat 8am–5pm, Sun 9am–2pm; $3.50.

6. Drink hot chocolate at XOCO
The new, casual lunchy spot from celeb chef Rick Bayless is a sensational tribute to the Mexican torta. But its most unique feature is bean-to-cup chocolate, which may not taste much like what the Mayan royals brewed, but is sure to warm one up nicely during this crisp season. We’re fond of cozying up to the Almendrado, a chocolate shot in almond milk.

7. Rock out like (you are battling) Voldemort
When Harry and the Potters (the OG wizard-rockers) play Beverly Arts Center on Halloween, you can wear your Hogwart’s colors and throw the devil’s horns and no one will call you a geek—well, at least, not to your face.

8. Watch the (probable) Chris Chelios farewell tour
Most people can't run up a flight of stairs at age 47, let alone play a game of professional league hockey. But nearly AARP-eligible former Blackhawks star Chris Chelios is not ready to hang up the skates just yet. The Evergreen Park native logged limited action with the Red Wings last year, and failed to score a point. But he's refused to give up the ghost and has signed a deal with Atlanta's NHL squad, putting him in the Thrashers minor league system—right here with with the Chicago Wolves. Hey, at least he didn't fake retire four times. Hopefully he'll bring back Cheli's Chili Bar, too.

9. Learn how to garden with beer
Architects and artists suggest 99 unexpected ways for urbanites to improve their quality of life in “ACTIONS: What You Can Do With the City,” an inspiring show organized by the Canadian Centre for Architecture. Through March 13. (Graham Foundation, Madlener House, 4 West Burton Place, 312-787-4071, grahamfoundation.org. El: Red to Clark & Division. Bus: 22, 72, 151. Wed–Sat, 10am–5pm. Every third Thursday of the month, 10am–9pm. FREE!)

10. Take dining underground
City Provisions' Farm Dinners sold out all summer, but the fall and winter line-up gives you a few more chances to take part in a beer-paired supper with a group of food-loving strangers. The next dinner takes place indoors, Nov 16 at West Loop studios, and all courses will be paired with spirits from Koval, an organic distillery in Ravenswood. $75. RSVP: 773-293-2489.

11. Visit one of the outlying parks at the edge of the city, one with real foliage
Yes, Chicago has a rep for it's parks within the city, some of which are really terrific, but sometimes you just need a walk in the woods, with the autumn leaves crunching underfoot. Real woods, not a grove of trees. Fortunately, the Cook County Forest Preserves has some great trails through the woods. Check out Sauk Trail Woods or North Creek Woods any time in October for a dose of nature.

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