Looking for Good Biking/hiking Places in the Fall - Weekend Trip

Try Brodhead, WI; about 2.5 hours from here. There are bike trails all over the place, and cute little towns (New Glarus especially - like a Swiss town) to explore. There is a bike shop in Brodhead, Earth Rider, that rents bikes and the owner has a bike-themed hotel above the shop. It's very cool, and environmentally friendly. I think there are 2 rooms appropriate for families. We stayed there this summer with our 2 girls (5 & 7) and we all loved it. The bike shop is right at the trail head of one of the trails, and many of them intersect.
Have fun!

We're spending the night out at Illinois Beach next weekend. They have a couple of hiking trails, a bike path (don't know about rental, maybe a bike shop?), camping area, resort, and of course beachline. Even if too cold for the water, we're planning to play volleyball, cook out, relax, then melt marshmallows and tell scary stories :) BTW, they have running water, warm showers, and toilet facilities near the campsites, a must for me, lol! They have fishing spots too. It's only 45min to an hour straight north in Zion IL.

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R2/ILBEACH.htm

There are many, many, preserves and state parks not too far, you can find them on this site as well.

Have fun, enjoy time together wherever you go!!!

Starved Rock State Park in Utica Il. I actually grew up by there. In October they have a Fall Colors weekend when the leaves are at the most beautiful colors...usually about the third weekend. There is a bike rental place in Utica (very small town). THere is also a horse back riding place near there. They just recently opened Grand or Great Bear Lodge which is a waterpark as well. You can also ride the bikes down the path next to the canal. I think the first weekend of Oct they are having the Burgoo in Utica...fall crafts, sales, homemade goods, etc. Awesome hiking paths!!!

Starved Rock State Park--I dont know if they rent bikes, but it is beautiful---& there is a much smaller park very close starts with an M--cant remember the name--if you go to Ottawa you have to check out both. I want to go the third week of October which seems to be the greatest turn weekend of the Fall colors---If you have never been there it is worth the trip.

P.,
My favorite place to go in the fall as the leaves turn is Galena, IL in the first two weeks of Oct, usually no later depending on the weather because the leaves start to change by late Sept till mid-Oct and with the rain and cold they are off the trees if you wait much longer. They have historical sites like Grants home, or several bed and breakfasts, antique stores, but my all time favorite place is Eagle Ridge Resort. Eagle Ridge is on a large lake, they have walking trails, they have a great weekend brunch and it's just breath taking. My next choice would be Starved Rock in Utica, they have a lot of trails, you can stay at the lodge which was recently remodeled or they have cabins you might be able to rent one if you want to stay for the weekend or you can always go to Lake Geneva Wisc for a weekend, all are only a few hrs from Chicago.
Enjoy the fall weather!
M. K