Fall Color Drives from Naperville: Morton Arboretum, Starved Rock, and Why the AWD Buick Envision Fits the Season

Peak color around the western suburbs usually shows up in mid to late October, and you don’t have to go far to catch it. Start close to home at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Make a full day of it at Starved Rock State Park. Or keep it easy with a loop through the Fox River towns. If you’re doing it in a Buick Envision, you’ve got all-wheel drive for damp, leaf-covered roads and room in back for the whole day’s gear.

If you’ve only got a morning, go here. The arboretum in Lisle is just minutes from Naperville and covers about 1,700 acres, with loop roads you can take slow with the windows down. Late October is usually the sweet spot, when the maples, oaks and ginkgos turn.

The roads are easy going, and there are plenty of spots to park, walk a short trail and let the kids run. Bring a thermos, go early on weekends and plan on two laps. The light’s different the second time around.

For a full day, yes. Starved Rock State Park is roughly 90 minutes southwest of Naperville. You get sandstone canyons, bluff overlooks above the Illinois River and seasonal waterfalls that show up after a good rain.

Dress in layers and wear real shoes. The canyon floors stay cool and damp well into the afternoon. Pack water and snacks, get there early to beat the weekend crowds and head back before dark. The highway miles out and back are exactly what a comfortable compact SUV is for.

Geneva, St. Charles and Batavia. The river roads connecting the Fox River towns run under old trees and past historic downtowns, so you can trade a canyon hike for some shopping, a riverside coffee and a slow drive along the water. Start wherever’s closest and turn around whenever you want. On a sunny late October Saturday, it’s the western suburbs at their best.

The Envision is the compact SUV in the Buick lineup, and the things that make it easy to live with every day are the same things that make it good for leaf season.

All-wheel drive, standard on every trim. This is the part worth underlining. Intelligent All-Wheel Drive with an active twin clutch comes standard on Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir alike, so you are not choosing a trim or paying extra to get it. Wet leaves pile up on fall roads, and all-wheel drive helps provide traction on those damp, slick surfaces.

One engine across the range. Every Envision runs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque with a nine-speed automatic, so the trim you pick changes the comfort and styling rather than how it drives.

Available heated seats and heated steering wheel. Crisp October mornings are part of the fun. Available heated front seats and an available heated steering wheel take the edge off an early start. Availability varies by trim.

Cargo room. Picnic gear, muddy boots, a stroller. A color tour asks a lot of the back end, and the cargo area is easy to load with the whole kit.

Cross shopping? If you want something smaller, the Buick Encore GX is the next size down, though all-wheel drive there is an option rather than standard. The Buick Envista is the front-wheel-drive alternative. If you need a third row, the Buick Enclave is the step up. You can browse all of them in our new vehicle inventory. And if your fall plans lean more toward projects and hauling, here’s why the GMC Canyon fits weekend escapes.

When is peak fall color near Naperville?
Usually mid to late October around the western suburbs. Weather moves it a little every year, so keep an eye on the last couple weeks of the month for the arboretum and the Fox River towns.

How far is Starved Rock from Naperville?
Roughly 90 minutes southwest, depending on traffic. It’s the best full day trip on this list when you’ve got the time.

Does the Buick Envision have AWD?
Yes, and it’s standard on every trim. Intelligent All-Wheel Drive with active twin clutch comes on the Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir, which helps provide traction on damp, leaf-covered roads.

Can I test drive an Envision at Woody Buick GMC of Naperville?
Yes. Reach out to set up a test drive and we’ll confirm what’s available.

Don’t let peak color slip by. Come see the Buick Envision at Woody Buick GMC of Naperville, 1585 West Ogden Avenue, Naperville, IL 60540, or contact us to set up a test drive. Check our new vehicle specials for current offers. You can also get pre-qualified online before you come in, and our post on how online pre-qualification works walks you through it. Trading in? Value your trade first.