The air is crisp, and the leaves are showcasing their magnificent hues. The subtle hint of pumpkin spice emanates from local scratch bakeries, while pop-up pumpkin stands virtually appear overnight. Fall in Chicago is a magical experience that lifelong residents, and new transplants, look forward to equally. Though Fall 2020 may be a little bit different in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many wonders to check out and appreciate in the Windy City. A staple in Chicago for thirty years, Beal Properties is a leading apartment management giant. Living and working in the midst of Chicago’s unique neighborhoods, the professionals at Beal Properties share their tips for making the most of this fall in Chicago, and adding a festive flair to any Chicago apartment.

Kick Up Some Leaves

For the property managers at Beal Properties, Chicago’s falls are synonymous with the beautiful hues of falling leaves. In late September, the city’s parks and streets are blanketed with crunchy beds of yellow, amber, and brown. This fall, devote some extra time to taking in the natural wonders of the changing trees. In the daily pre-Coronavirus hustle and bustle, nature’s changes have long been ignored by countless busy professionals scurrying along to their intended destinations. Now, with the pace of the world seemingly slowed down, fall foliage welcomes the adoration it deserves.

The professionals at Beal Properties encourage Chicagoans to walk over to their favorite parks, cemeteries, or historic tree-lined streets for a glimpse of the leaves. From the famed Lincoln Park, to the West Side’s Garfield Park, the city offers countless natural escapes that are transformed by fall. While many park installations and group activities may be closed in light of continued social distancing guidelines, Beal Properties’ local experts tout the value of a simple, socially distant, scenic walk.

Turn Apartments Into Fall Havens

The sights and smells of fall elicit memories of friendly grandmothers baking apple pies, toasted marshmallows, and falling acorns. These warm, cozy, and comfortable feelings can be evoked with a few seasonal apartment changes. Committed to providing unparalleled customer service for countless Chicago apartment dwellers for thirty years, the professionals at Beal Properties tout the power of a fall “glow-up”. This season, as individuals spend more time at home, creating a fall haven is more important than ever.

First, to maximize the effect of aromas, the professionals at Beal Properties recommend stocking up on plug-in air fresheners, and linen sprays alike. These are safer alternatives to candles, and create a permanent cozy smell. Other alternative aromatics can include potpourri, and concentrated room sprays. For fans of sweet smells, fall’s offerings include pumpkin spice, apple pie, and even toasted marshmallow varieties. For nature lovers, various companies provide lines that promise to smell like “sweater weather”, and “falling leaves”.

For smaller spaces, Chicago’s Beal Properties experts tout the transformative power of accent pieces. Ceramic pumpkins, plush throw pillows, and seasonal welcome mats create a perfect fall ambiance without requiring a total space overhaul. To stretch out the cozy feelings of fall even further, consider creating decor from naturally sourced objects, or via a group arts and crafts project. Nothing screams “fall” like sipping hot apple cider while creating a wreath out of acorns. 

Sip A Cup Of Fall

When it comes to sipping, Chicago’s quaint coffee shops are revered for their unique fall-in-a-cup recipes. These to-go craft beverages are the perfect accompaniment to a crisp walk in the park, or for late nights crafting seasonal decor. Beal Properties has an extensive apartment building portfolio that spans each bespoke Chicago neighborhood, and staff members visiting varying locations often discover the best local coffee shops during outings. These experts recommend ducking into coffee shops for a sip of fall.

With many local roasteries, Chicago is home to artisan coffee that rivals famed Seattle hotspots. The professionals at Beal Properties remind visitors to check out each shop’s social distancing policies and guidelines to make the most out of every caffeine quest. From Fulton Street’s Metric Coffee Co., to Wicker Park’s ultra-cool Wormhole, the city’s bespoke coffee shops offer something for every fall-aholic’s palette. From pumpkin spice everything, to spicy chai lattes, there is a perfect fall drink for everyone.

Celebrate Oktoberfest

With outdoor dining offering a socially distant compromise, spending a crisp afternoon with a locally brewed beer is the perfect way to celebrate Oktoberfest. Scattered across Chicago, various pop-up beer gardens are offering a safe space for the beloved annual celebration. Whether set up on a scenic patio, or behind the best grungy dive bar, Chicago’s pop-up beer gardens combine the best of outdoor adventures, seasonal ales, and revelry. The professionals at Beal Properties remind visitors to check websites for instructions, and to make reservations ahead of time, as seats will be limited.

In Ravenswood, local hang Fountainhead made the most of vertical space by creating a rooftop beer garden that can’t be missed. At Marz Community Brewing, the extensive parking lot has been magically transformed into an outdoor beer hall, complete with socially distant tables, and safe food ordering methods. The West Loop’s Kaiser Tiger highlights the city’s best micropub offerings under balmy string lights, making it the perfect destination at dusk. 

Bake (Or Order) Up A Pie

While Thanksgiving pies may not be baking quite yet, this transitional time is perfect for whipping up a comforting treat. For those who consider themselves skilled bakers, the aromas of warming ovens can transform an apartment into a fall-centric bakeshop for hours. For everyone else, Chicago’s famed patisseries offer up the taste of fall, without the mess. At Chicago’s Beal Properties, staff members bond over sampling treats from their local bakeries, a tradition that has been aided with the mainstream adaptation of socially distant food delivery services. They recommend ordering online, and enjoying seasonal pies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

No Chicago fall is complete without a pie from Hoosier Mama Pie Company, a staple for fall treats. Now, visitors can enjoy their Hoosier Sugar Cream pies on the patio behind the retro shop, or order pies on-the-go from expanded locations. Open for pick-up orders in Logan Square, Bang Bang Pie’s treats are well worth the walk. From apple cider to chocolate caramel pies, this sweet shop brings fall home.