Chicago is a city that reinvents itself with every season, and fall brings its own special kind of magic. As we transition out of Brat Summer and into For the Girls Fall, it’s time to embrace the cool breeze and embrace opportunities for connection and reflection. This season is all about cozy café dates, reflective walks through the park and building real relationships—whether it's through a jump rope workout by the lake or visiting a Wi-Fi-free coffee shop.
To help you fully embrace this energy, we’ve gathered a few spots and experiences that embody the warmth, creativity and sisterhood of For the Girls Fall in Chicago. Bundle up in your favorite scarf, breathe in the crisp air and check out our top recommendations to make the most of this season.
Cool Kids Craft Club
Cool Kids Craft Club blends all the joys of summer camp with the intimacy and girly-pop synergy of slumber parties. Bring any craft you want to create and connect with other like-minded enthusiasts. Founded by Kalli LeVasseur and Cheyenne Livelsberger, the seeds of this club were planted by LeVasseur after her grandmother—an avid quilter and connector of people— passed away. “I felt a strong desire to stay connected to her by investing time into the crafts I love and bringing people together,” LeVasseur said.
The events have grown into something profound. Seasoned and beginner crafters alike come together to swap and create. No matter where the meetups are, LeVasseur and Livelsberger always intend to make space for women to commune, slow down and invest time into their hobbies and connections. “As children, we thrived on imagination and creativity, but as we grow older, we often lose touch with that,” Livelsberger expressed. “We're here to help reignite it.”
This fall, the duo is leaning into the autumnal vibes with themed events that celebrate the season. When they’re not crafting, you can find Livelsberger decorating for Halloweenn and LeVasseur curled up with classics like Hocus Pocus and Gilmore Girls—while crafting, of course.
Stay in the know: Follow Cool Kids Craft Club on Instagram and Eventbrite.
Bueno Days
When was the last time you heard a song so smooth and rich that you had to close your eyes to savor it? That’s the feeling you get when stepping into Bueno Days, a coffee shop that feels like a warm hug. Located in Little Village inside Kiubo, Bueno Days was founded in 2021 by Alma Blancarte-Mora and her husband Cristobal Mora to celebrate their Mexican-American duality and the cultural richness of their community. Everything curated at Bueno Days tells a story, from the Lab Menu—signature blends that share a memory or story with their patrons—to the fact that all of the coffee is sourced from Mexico, some of which are from a collective of female farmers, Cafe de Mjueres. The shop's dedication to true community connection is why it doesn't offer Wi-Fi.
“It is an intentional decision,” said Blancarte-Mora. “We want to encourage people to come in and have great conversations without feeling like they are disturbing the person to their left working and expecting a low-volume coffee shop.” She says she lights up with joy when she sees patrons talking to one another and later coming in together. Whether at the weekly Friendship Friday or during a regular day at the café, Alma wants everyone who enters Bueno Days to know that friendship and true connection can be found at the communal table.
Stay in the know: Bueno Days will have a menu transition this fall season and a few fun events happening before the new year. Follow the shop on TikTok and Instagram to stay current on monthly events, hours and specialty drinks.
Chicago Jump Club
If the colorful and pumped energy of an '80s workout class met and fell in love with the chic and modern-day luxury gym vibe, their kid would be the Chicago Jump Club. Founded by Loren Jones, this workout collective blends her two passions: fitness and competitive jump roping.
“I started the Chicago Jump Club with hopes of bringing a new community into the fitness space here in Chicago,” Jones said. “There’s a club or gym for every machine in most fitness facilities but nothing for jump rope, and I want to change that.”
With the mindset that everyone starts and finishes together, Jones has created the space for women to come together and move together, forging community through sweat. This fall, the collective meets at Belmont Harbor every Saturday at 10am for an intense and electrifying 30-minute jump rope workout, surrounded by the beautiful autumn foliage and the lake. With the city in the background and music hyping them up, it’s hard not to feel like a girl boss doing girl boss things in this environment.
“Creating an inclusive space outdoors, along the beautiful lakeshore, where women of all shades and sizes can connect has been a dream come true,” Jones expressed. “Seeing people who look like you makes all the difference when working out. If we can do it, you can too!”
Although the seasons are changing, the pumped-up vibe of Chicago Jump Club remains the same. There will be a few more outdoor classes before the collective transitions inside for the cooler fall and winter months. In the name of all things fall, RXBAR has supplied the club with pumpkin-flavored recovery bars as a special nod to the season.
Stay in the know: Stay up to date on all things Chicago Jump Club by following the group on Instagram.
Black Girl Playground
Black Girl Playground is a social wellness club that celebrates joy, play and community for Black women. Founded by Aley Arion during the pandemic, the club emerged from a desire to combat feelings of sadness and stagnation, providing a space for women to break free from their solitary routines and form new connections.
“We meet people at a transition period,” said Arion. “Whether they've grown out of a friendship group or just moved to the city looking for community, we bring the girls together.”
Arion loves fall in Chicago, describing it as “the winter’s spring.” She’s excited to host events like fall walks and cozy journaling sessions for reflection. As a South Carolina native, she appreciates how Chicago women embrace a more relaxed pace in fall, opting for ease over hustle.
“I'm finding that a lot of girls in Chicago want an alternative city lifestyle—still the city life, but with more ease,” she said.
Through Black Girl Playground, Arion seeks to build a space for women who may have felt excluded before—those who sat alone at lunch or weren’t invited to parties. She’s all about rebuilding the cool kids' table to ensure everyone feels included.
Whether it’s group walks with coffee in hand or mindfulness-centered Pilates, Black Girl Playground encourages women to prioritize their joy. This fall, Arion has planned a series of cozy, connection-driven events, so be sure to follow along.
Stay in the know: Follow Black Girl Playground on Instagram and subscribe to the newsletter here.