August is here, and summer is in its third and final act. The “actors” are still on stage: the leaves are green, the flowers are in bloom, the beaches are packed, the kids are still out of school, the sidewalk cafes are jammed with summer revelers, and the sun doesn’t set till around 8 p.m. … Continue reading 14 Things to Do Outdoors in Chicagoland Before Summer Ends
Tag: Red Gate Woods
8 Things to Do Outdoors This Spring in Chicagoland
Spring is here in Chicagoland—at least if you look at the calendar, but not the thermometer. Warmer weather is on the horizon, spring flowers are stirring beneath the ground, migratory birds are heading north, and it will be warm and green in no time. Here are 8 things you should do outdoors this spring in … Continue reading 8 Things to Do Outdoors This Spring in Chicagoland
Celebrating the One-Year Anniversary of Nature in Chicagoland
Today is the one-year anniversary of my blog, Nature in Chicagoland. In the last year, I’ve published more than 40 articles (45,000+ words, I can’t believe it myself) about the great outdoors. I’ve covered everything from eagle watching and views of the mighty Mississippi River at Mississippi Palisades State Park, to remnants of the Manhattan … Continue reading Celebrating the One-Year Anniversary of Nature in Chicagoland
My Personal Ghost Story, Ghosts of Chicago’s Southwest Suburbs, and 13 Spots for Post-Ghost-Tour Fun
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER & AUTHOR OF "NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND" BLOG UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2025 This blog post takes a break from nature to focus on the ghost stories I heard growing up on the South Side of Chicago. Come along with me as I suspend disbelief, momentarily turn my back on science and reason, and … Continue reading My Personal Ghost Story, Ghosts of Chicago’s Southwest Suburbs, and 13 Spots for Post-Ghost-Tour Fun
Red Gate Woods: Hawks and Hills, Sloughs and Snakes, and Ghosts and Buried Nuclear Waste, Oh My!
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER & AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND UPDATED 2023 Where: Red Gate Woods, Forest Preserve of Cook County-Palos Trail System Distance From City-Center Chicago: About 23 miles (Red Gate Woods is located in Lemont, Illinois) Quick Review: Among the highest-quality natural habitat in the Chicago area. Hiking trails that range from paved flat paths, … Continue reading Red Gate Woods: Hawks and Hills, Sloughs and Snakes, and Ghosts and Buried Nuclear Waste, Oh My!