Fall colors.
I was a professional tour guide for almost 20 years, and I must admit, those two words–fall colors–conjure up some of my most unpleasant memories of the job.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I take issue with orange, yellow, and brown hues. Rather, “fall colors” usually meant buses of octogenarians overtaking small towns, buying snowflake paper weights and stocking up on butterscotch fudge, all the while peppering me with questions like “When’s the next bathroom stop?” and “Is it going to rain?”
But there’s a more exciting way to take in some of the season’s most picturesque landscapes–without overstuffed motorcoaches and oversold tour groups.
See it all from the air. For the most intimate views of fall colors, head to the sky with these travel opportunities.
Double-bladed tours
For a whirlybird view of Chicago, head to Schaumburg Airport, where AM Air Service offers five different flight tour packages using a Hughes 369A helicopter (left). The Northwest Tour is billed as a great way to experience fall colors, a 30-minute journey that flies over Barrington Hills, the Fox River, and Grand Victoria Casino. The $350 fee covers up to three passengers. Reservations are required. To learn about other tours and flight instruction, call 847-602-1888 or, after Nov. 1, visit amairservice.com.
Flight plan
For an overview of aviation basics and the chance to gain a birds-eye view of Chicago’s fall colors, Midway Aviators, flying out of Midway Airport, offers 90-minute introductory classes, taught by FAA-certified instructors, that cover pre and post-flight checklists as include a 40-minute flight. The 90-minute class costs $130; there’s a three-hour version that includes a 50-mile flight and costs $235; call 773-767-8100 or visit midwayaviators.com.
Full of hot air
Not interested in managing the controls, preferring instead to indulge strictly as a passenger? Wisconsin’s Majestic Balloons offers weekend hot air balloon flights that provide extraordinary views of fine Midwest scenery. The $175+ sunset cruises, especially popular for couples, last roughly an hour and include transportation to and from the meeting area and refreshments. Reservations are required; call 920-748-3464 or visit wisconsinballoon.com.
