Things to do this weekend October 21-23

By: Jonathan Jones 10/17/2016

Not a good sports Sunday for Chicago fans, but we have  a lot to look forward to in this edition of things to do this weekend October 21-23. The Cubs are tied with the Dodgers for the pennant, the Bears (sigh) will play on Tuesday, the Blackhawks season is underway and the Bulls start the regular season this month!

Anyway, Lake County and the autumnal atmosphere are still extremely vibrant for your weekend endeavors. You still got your sports games, but breathe in a little bit of nature as there are plenty of opportunities to make this weekend a blast.

Check out our full fall guide for everything autumn, pumpkins, Octoberfest and so much more. Also with Halloween just around the corner, continue here to see Trick or Treat hours for your little dressed up critters. Here are your things to do this weekend October 21-23.

1. Feeling ghoulish? Searching for the scare of a lifetime? Bring the family out to the Ryerson Woods’ tradition of a guided Halloween Hike along a 1.5 mile candlelit trail. These hikes last one-hour and is filled with nature-themed skits. Follow the haunted trail and afterwards, fill your belly with delicious cider and donuts in front of the fire in their log cabin. These one-hour hikes begin every 30 minutes.

Friday-Saturday, October 21-22; 6-9:30 p.m. Residents Admission: $9, Non-Resident Admission: $11. Ryerson Woods, 21950 N. Riverwoods Rd., Riverwoods.

2. CROCtoberfest at the Wildlife Discovery Center is a fun-filled event for all ages in a safe environment to meet live crocodiles. Jim Nesci, Illinois’s lone licensed gator owner, will be attendance and have with him Bubba the world famous American Alligator until noon. The expert staff and members of the Chicago Herpetological Society and the Madison Area Herpetological Society will give short talks about crocodiles and their kids. Take a look at a skeleton of the 24-foot saltwater crocodile – which is the largest-living terrestrial predator.. There will also be here will also be kid-friendly activities, face painting, a story teller, craft vendors, food and refreshments.

Sunday, October 23; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $10 donation. Wildlife Discover Center, 1401 Middlefork Dr., Lake Forest.

3. The Last Man on Earth is not only based on the 1964 Alfred Hitchcock-like film starring Vincent Price, but also there was two other films on the big screen in 1924 and 2011. This Three Brothers Theatre show was roughly based off of Richard Matheson’s novel ‘I am Legend. Since the world has a new pandemic of the plague, creatures now roam the streets and are nothing like their human selves. In order to survive, the protagonist must protect himself at all costs. During the day, he hunts these zombie-like creatures and scavenges for food. But during the night, he locks himself inside his home where there are just as many demons inside as there are outside.

Friday-Saturday, October 21-22; 8 p.m. Adult Admission: $20, Senior and Child Admission: $15. Three Brothers Theatre, 115 Genesee St., Waukegan.

4. Capture a taste of Egypt in Lake County, as the Sunday Tours at the Gold Pyramid House takes you through their last Sunday tour of the year. The tours are usually 1-2 hours long. Visit King Tuts tomb, tour the inside of the pyramid and discover exciting artifacts in the Wadsworth pyramid’s gift shop. Groups of six or more can call for private tours.

Sunday, October 23; 2 p.m. Adult Admission: $15, Children 17 and under or Military ID holders Admission: $10. Gold Pyramid House, 37921 Dilleys Rd., Wadsworth.

5. Ready for an evening of headless horseman staring at you with multiple different expressions? Chicago Botanic Garden is hosting Night of 1,000 Jack-o-Lanterns all weekend. These hand-carved pumpkins will light up the Glencoe Garden with LED lights along the paved pathway starting at the Esplanade. Along the way, encounter entertaining characters, view the ghostly trains in the Model Railroad Garden: Landmarks of America, and indulge in seasonal eats and drinks like apple doughnuts, cider and ale.

Friday-Sunday, October 21-23; 6:30-10:30 p.m. Admission between $10-14. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.