See peak color in Illinois and the Midwest

As temperatures cool and pumpkin spice everything hits local stores, thoughts turn to fall in the Chicago area.

And what better way to celebrate the vibrant season than to take a trip to see the changing leaves. Since 2013, SmokyMountains.com has used data and feedback from foliage fans around the United States to produce a map that shows a county-by-county view of the best times to visit for peak leaf-peeping.

Just like meteorologists predict the weather, SmokyMountains.com has become the go-to site for localized leafage information. The site combines historical temperature and precipitation information with type of tree by geographic region. The dates given below might not be hard and fast rules but more like guidelines on when to expect the leaves to appear in their full glory. Users are also encouraged to upload photos and details from their area to help improve the predictions.

Northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin could see peak leaf color in mid-October. Want to experience the red, yellow and orange tree canopy sooner? Travel farther north in late September or early October.