Located in Central Illinois, Starhill Forest Arboretum, 12000 Boy Scout Trail, is a private arboretum owned by Sternberg family since 1976. Now serving as the official arboretum of Illinois College, the beautiful outdoor destination is an essential piece of the larger community.

Across its 50 acres, Starhill showcases more than 2,300 woody plants — including one of the country's most impressive collections of oak varieties. More than 750 oaks of different varieties can be found throughout the forest, with some dating back as far as 1850.

The team here does an exceptional job of not only learning about every aspect of their collection, but also hyping it up for the public and other nature lovers to appreciate. World-renowned oak expert Guy Sternberg, who lives at the arboretum and co-founded it with his wife, is one of the most well-known arborists in recent history and has even created hybrid versions of oaks. This oak, known as a Sternberg Oak, was identified in Texas.

In the fall, the giant trees turn into golden towers with a stunning orange and yellow glow.

The arboretum is also known for its landscaping, gardens, and robust roster of flowers, including these gorgeous hydrangeas.

Of course, it's also home to a number of wildlife species, including deer, snakes, birds, reptiles, and insects. Nearly 120 species of birds have been identified in the forest since 1979.

The arboretum's reach extends into the charming small town of Petersburg, where native gardens have been placed to help attract pollinators and monarch butterflies — two crucial actors in keeping the health of our natural environment.

The Lemon Tree Casual Dining restaurant, 1035 State St., is one of the most popular eateries located in the Chicago suburbs — with longtime fans coming from near and far to get helping after helping of their favorite Greek and American dishes.

First opened in 1981, the restaurant offers traditional diner vibes with window-adjacent booths and decorative flora.

As with any good Chicago-area restaurant, diners place their order at the walk-up counter.

Of course, the gyros are among the favorite dishes here, with meat tenderly slow-cooked and freshly sliced to order before being topped with fresh veggies and sauce.

Sub sandwiches are another go-to item here, with plenty of options to choose from like turkey, salami, ham, cheese and veggie, roast beef, tuna salad, hot pastrami, and more. Plus, you can get it served hot or cold — your choice!

Seeking something with a fresh crunch? Grab one of their generously sized salads, or opt for my favorite — a grilled chicken pita.

However, the diner's biggest claim to fame is its beloved butter and garlic fries, known to fans as B&G Fries. Fried to perfection and covered in a succulent garlicky seasoning, these are a must for any regular or visiting customer. And if you're still not full — go up for another helping, this time with dessert! A classic soft-serve twist cone is the cherry on top of a mouthwatering meal here.

Since 1972, Old Fashioned Donuts, 11248 S. Michigan Ave., has been serving up some of the city's best fried doughnuts and creating legions of fans along the way. Located in a classic Chicago storefront, the small-but-mighty bakery turns out dozens of fresh doughnuts each day.

Inside, customers walk up to the counter to choose from the varieties of the day, which include a number of different flavors, toppings, and fillings. You can take your order to-go, or enjoy it at one of the old-school, family-style tables.

Doughnuts come in yeast, cake, Devil's Food cake, and Bismarck styles, with special flavors each week. Regular flavors include blueberry, apple cider, pineapple, strawberry, orange, and coconut, and come glazed in chocolate, sugar, or white frosting.

Each batch comes out warm, soft, and satisfying on the inside with a thin but perfectly sweet and crunchy layer of glaze — the caliber of which just can't be duplicated.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the Doughnut King himself, longtime owner Burritt Bulloch, affectionately known as "Mr. B" or "The Doughnut Man" by those who have visited throughout the years.

The love put into each and every doughnut is evident — even in his 80s, Mr. B still puts hard work and effort into keeping this Chicago mainstay alive and thriving.

For those who (like me) love doughnuts, go for the Texas-sized glazed option for an extra "oomph!" — you won't regret it!

The Village of Riverside is a charming small town located just 9 miles from Downtown Chicago. Nearly the entire town is considered a historic landmark for its incredible architecture.

Formerly known as Aux Plains, it was the first planned community in the United States. Frederick Law Olmsted, also the designer of Central Park in New York, was the architect behind the town's layout in 1869 — which also uniquely incorporates the natural landscape into its design.

Looking at a modern map, it's clear to see how Riverside stands out from adjacent communities that chose the grid-style layout, which is common for the area.

Most of Riverside is included in the Riverside Landscape Architecture District, which was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1970. Its distinctive downtown area features cobblestone walkways, a train station, shops and restaurants, and the city's famous Swiss-inspired water tower.

The water tower was in part designed by William Le Baron Jenney, who also designed the world's first skyscraper in Chicago.

Another distinctive building is the Arcade Building, which was one of (if not the) first commercial buildings in the U.S. designed with the purpose of being part of a residential community, according to the village.

Another magnificent gem is the chateau-style Riverside Town Hall, built in 1895. The massive building is noted for its steep roof with copper ridges, limestone and brick, and decorative stone details.

Its homes showcase a number of architectural styles, including Tudor style, American Four Square, Gothic Revival, Queen Anne style, Italianate style, Victorian style, Prairie style, and more.

One of my favorite pastimes is taking a leisurely drive through the town to admire the gorgeous homes. Any time of year they're spectacular — flower-filled in the summer, festive in the fall, and colorful at Christmas.

Lola's Pizza & Tiki Bar, 1612 E. Rand Road., is located in the northwestern Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights.

The unique restaurant showcases authentic Italian recipes within a tiki-bar-themed diner, complete with bamboo and teak woods, dim, but colorful lighting, and plenty of Caribbean and Pacific decor.

Lanterns hang from the ceiling to provide ambiance while you enjoy your meal.

And while you may expect to be dining on a skewer-roasted pig, the diner actually specializes in mouthwatering Italian favorites like pizza, chopped salads, sausages, and more. Many of the recipes came from the owner's time spent as a teenager cooking with his mother and grandmother

The name "Lola" comes from the owner's beloved Pomeranian dog, who serves as the inspiration behind the kitschy family restaurant.

And what goes great with pizza and homemade Italian fare? Tiki drinks, of course! From Mai Tais to daiquiris to martinis, the drink menu is full of amazing and creative takes on tropical drinks, complete with over-the-top garnishes and presentations.

The popular Taal cocktail blends rum with citruses and passion fruits before being topped off with a flaming lime.

My favorite is this super fun shark drink, which is served not only in a shark glass, but has a shark gummy and maraschino cherries in its jaws.

The Great Pumpkin Patch, part of The 200 Acres farm, is a pumpkin patch and outdoor fall wonderland that's worth a visit no matter where you live in the state.

Located in the Amish community of Arthur in Central Illinois, it's not uncommon for stately horses to be seen striding up and down the highway, or even helping out on the farm.

With ample space in the serene countryside, the property has a massive 63-acre pumpkin patch where you can select your own, or choose from the many pre-picked pumpkins available.

It's a particularly good option for pumpkin lovers who like a variety — the farm grows about 300 different types from more than 20 countries around the globe.

With family-friendly photo ops and pumpkins galore, The Great Pumpkin Patch is an idyllic way to spend a fall day with friends or little ones.

One of the farm's hallmarks is its many artful pumpkin displays — from the Wall O' Squash to the Pumpkin Tree to intricate pumpkin towers, the gourds are truly the star of the show here.

In fact, the pumpkin artistry and appreciation are done so well here that in 2010 the farm's owner, Mac Condill, was invited to create a dazzling pumpkin display at the White House, and has made several appearances on the Martha Stewart Show.

Also of note is the farm's 14 acres of garden displays and grounds for exploring. One thing that's hard to miss is the more than 5,000 colorful hardy mums found everywhere.

Through Oct. 29, you can also take a stroll through the picturesque sunflower maze or corn maze — or stop by to pet the farm animals, catch live music, take a wagon ride, check out historic buildings on site, or shop at one of its markets.

Whatever you do, make sure you get a homemade treat before you leave. Whether it's a scoop of pumpkin ice cream, a cider slushie, or one of the farm's famous cinnamon rolls made fresh in The Homestead Bakery, there are plenty of fall-inspired sweets and snacks to help savor the moment.

For our weekend escape, we visited the historic Deer Path Inn, located at 255 E. Illinois Road, in the lush North Shore suburb of Lake Forest. The inn was designed by noted architect William C. Jones to showcase a half-timbered and stucco manor house inspired by 15th-century homes in one of the oldest villages in England, Chiddingstone in Kent.

Because the quaint hotel offers only 57 rooms, it can offer highly personalized experiences and excels in attention to detail. Amenities, like cookies, candies, and water — staples in English hospitality culture — are offered generously throughout the lobby, and there are complimentary bikes and beach passes available for visitors so they can take advantage of nearby Lake Michigan, which is only a mile away.

The common areas are warm and inviting, with fireplaces, paintings outlined with thick gold frames, candlelit chandeliers, luxurious leathers, and tones of honey, caramel, chocolate, and butterscotch throughout the decor.

Our room was a Manor House King Suite with a wet bar, which had cream and tan furniture complimenting bright white walls and linens against a black stone countertop and dark brown wood.

A detail that I loved was the herringbone wood floor, which zig-zagged between the living room area and bedroom.

We were greeted with a handwritten note, as well as a chilling bottle of champagne and a beautiful display of fresh fruit sushi with chocolate sauce and chocolate shavings, in celebration of our anniversary. This was an unexpected treat, and spoke to the customizable experience potential the hotel could offer.

Our bedroom featured a spacious King bed, as well as another fireplace and TV. With a walk-in closet, full-size dresser, and two nightstands, there was more than enough storage space for all our belongings.

The bathroom offered a spa-like treatment with its marble tile walk-in shower.

I quickly learned that no trip to the Deer Path Inn is complete without an afternoon tea session in the spectacular garden room, which showcases a full wall of windows that look out into the private courtyard. Its black-and-white decor is accented by fresh tabletop bouquets, mosaic floor tiles, and an abundance of healthy green plants.

Our tea experience included a large, but not overwhelming, menu of tea offerings — I opted for the very pink Raspberry Floss and my husband ordered the house 1929 Blend — two fresh scones, and a three-tier tray filled with finger sandwiches, mini-quiches, and an assortment of small pastries. I loved the roast beef sandwich, the fruit tarts, and the Queen Anne cakes.

After a lovely tea lunch, I had to get to the other side of the windows to see the courtyard for myself. Surrounded on all sides by ivy-covered walls, trees, and the European-style hotel exterior, the space feels insular and truly transports you to another place.

In the evening, we headed to the inn's basement level, where the White Hart Pub and The Bar are located. Two different, but complimentary rooms, both places exude a sense of British sensibility. The White Hart Pub embodies a classic English pub, while The Bar offers a slightly more upscale experience with spot-lit framed paintings of hunting dogs, deep navy walls, and warm lighting.

Though everything on the menu looked good, we went for a sharable plate of meatballs, an heirloom tomato salad, and signature gin and tonics (one alcoholic, one alcohol-free). The meatballs were exceptional with the complimentary herbal bread, and the salad was bright and tasty. Both drinks were thoroughly garnished, and several diners asked what we had ordered so they could follow suit.

The Bar is also known for its sushi — a surprising but delightful quirk. Though I'm not usually a sushi fan, we decided to order the Negitoro maki, which featured Toro tuna and scallions. To my amazement, I absolutely loved it and ate several pieces.

The next day, we spent the early afternoon back at The Bar for a private cocktail demonstration and tasting with Chief Spirits Officer and bartender extraordinaire Jorge. Although my husband doesn't drink alcohol, it was no problem for Jorge, who was able to create stunning alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of drinks that both tasted incredible.

With a background in arts, engineering, and mixology, Jorge's creative mind and skill are evident behind the bar — his creations and presentations were as delicious as they were gorgeous.

After that, I was ready for some fresh air! So, we began to embark on our scavenger hunt — part of the Locals Only Package. The adventure consists of exploring the charming Market Square shopping area, which is just a short walk from the hotel.

My favorite stop was Amidei Mercatino, an alleyway market at 235 Southgate that specializes in fresh produce, flowers, and canned goods like pickles, sauces, and jams. Our scavenger hunt yielded us a jar of golden Lake Forest Honey, while we also decided to buy a jar of apple butter and a jar of peach salsa to make sure we fully took advantage of the local flavors.

An array of dazzling flavors and locally sourced ingredients are also on full display on the menu at The English Room, the inn's fine dining option. Just steps away from the hotel's front entrance, the main room is an impressive demonstration of an English manor-inspired dining hall that felt both regal and comfortable without being pretentious.

In the evening, dinner service for The English Room is available on the patio, and with idyllic fall weather, a star-lit sky, and plenty of ambiance, we couldn't resist. Our meal of Caesar salad, steak, and beef tenderloin with mouthwatering potatoes, demi-glaze, and succulent vegetables in the courtyard was a filling and picturesque way to finish the day.

In the morning, we enjoyed a proper English breakfast in our room with eggs Benedict, bacon rashers, beans, sausages, and hashbrowns. With the light filtering in through the windows, and with a hot cup of coffee always within reach, it truly was the perfect way to wrap up our weekend before heading back into the real world.

Beacon Doughnuts is a secret bakery located in the alley at 810 W. Armitage Ave. on Chicago's North Side.

Though it may be hard to spot at first, its alleyway walk-up counter is dressed in bright floral murals that help the shop stand out.

Of course, if the murals don't get you, the sweet smell of the doughnuts wafting through the air will surely lure you in. The bakery specializes in small-batch doughnuts made fresh daily, with a rotating list of flavors.

Starting at 7 a.m., customers can simply walk up to the counter to place an order, though the store also encourages you to place a pre-order online first to make sure your selections are still available for you since this place sells out regularly.

Varieties like Swedish Knot, Chocolate Glazed Brioche, Oreo Old Fashioned, and Birthday Cake Sprinkle compliment classics like Apple Fritter, Boston Cream, and Raised Glazed.

Or, maybe you're of the mind that sharing is caring — in that case, show how much you love others by indulging in some perfectly munchable doughnut holes, which are perfect for the office or group gatherings.

This fan favorite cinnamon swirl pastry has my name written all over it. I'll take a dozen, please!

1. Goebbert's Farm — South Barrington and Pingree Grove

2. Kuipers Family Farm — Maple Park

3. Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm and Fall Festival — Homer Glen

4. Lindberg Pumpkin Patch — Caledonia

5. Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch — Champaign

6. The Great Pumpkin Patch — Arthur

7. Pumpkin Blossom Hill — Red Bud

Frolicking deer, frosty breath, and barren trees — in Illinois, it can only mean one thing: winter! Our coldest season officially kicks off on December 21, though the entire month is expected to be cold and snowy.

After an unusually mild winter in Illinois, the almanac predicts that the Prairie State will see a return to "brrr" spurred on by an El Niño storm that will begin toward the end of 2023 and continue into 2024.

The Great Lakes and Midwest regions should brace for more sleet, ice, and snow than last year — especially in January and February.

Back with a vengeance, winter is also expected to fight tooth and nail to stay. March is predicted to see big swings in temperatures and weather, with possible storms across the country as the cold weather reluctantly yields to spring.

According to the almanac, Illinois is split between a predicted cold and stormy winter on its eastern side, and a cold season with about average snowfall. Either way, we're in for an extra-chilly 3-4 months that's likely to be wetter than usual.

What about a white Christmas? Historically, Illinois has ranged from mild, snowless holidays in its southern tip, to blizzard conditions in the north. The vast majority of the state typically has a 10-50% chance of seeing over an inch of snow at Christmas. Given the cold and stormy conditions expected this year, there's likely a decent chance Illinois could see a beautiful blanket of snow.

Even though we may be in for an extra brutal winter, we Illinoisans are fearless pros. We're a tough bunch that isn't afraid to layer up, help shovel out a neighbor, or make snow angels even on the coldest days. We also love enjoying the stunning winter scenery, and making the most of a cozy day inside.