Face it, your dog has more followers than you. And since Chicago autumns are some of the best in the Midwest, you might as well give the people what they want—more pics of your darling doggo. We’ve sniffed out some of the best fall photo shoot locations in Chicago to keep pup’s fans yappy.
Humboldt Park
With nearly 200 acres of land, you’ll be sure to find the perfect backdrop to kick off your pup’s autumnal content. No matter the vibe you’re trying to capture, there’s a lagoon, inland beach, natural areas, and even a replica of the Chicago Cubs stadium so your dog can really flex their modeling range.
Pilsen Murals
The season doesn’t just mean pretty colors and falling leaves. It also means it’s perfect temperature for a long stroll with your bestie. Stop for lunch at L’Cafecito Jumping Bean on their dog-friendly patio, or take a coffee to go and wander up to 16th Street to admire the many murals. The unique art will give your IG feed some much needed pups of color.
Jackson Park
Plan a whole day around this one, because you’ll need it to explore every nook and cranny of this 550-acre park. You wanna frolic near some meadows? Jackson Park has it. Stroll on the beach? You bet. Seeing your dog in that Japanese-style garden is basically guaranteed to have you racing to retrieve your camera. If you’re looking for a way to reward your pup for a day of good modeling, you’re in luck because Jackson Bark is just steps away. As Chicago’s biggest and grandest fully-enclosed dog park, you’re sure to get some great candids of your doggo and her squad at play.
Lincoln Park
Right next to Lake Michigan, Lincoln Park is a must for quintessential Chicago photo opps. Your furtographer will have his choice of scene because every inch of this park is essentially perfect for the gram; strike a pose under the pavilion on the Nature Boardwalk, capture the skyline along the lake, or go paw naturel in the gardens outside of the conservatory.
Ping Tom Memorial Park
Along the Chicago River, you’re going to get plenty of aesthetics at this park. The pagoda pavilion gives you those gorgeous autumnal colors. There’s a modern fieldhouse and boathouse for your architecture fans, and all of this comes with clear shots of the Chicago skyline. When you’re done with your photo shoot, swing by The Spoke and Bird‘s dog-friendly patio for brunch since your pup told us they’ll accept their modeling rate in dog biscuits.
Northwestern University
Technically, this isn’t Chicago, but the northern suburb of Evanston. While it may be the home of the Wildcats (bleh), your dog will have a million photo opportunities on this campus right along Lake Michigan. We recommend Shakespeare Garden, which is behind the Howes Memorial Chapel and hidden by a double wall of hawthorn hedges. This gorgeous and quiet garden will make it easy for your dog to focus on posing for the camera.
Reminder that every Chicago photo opp requires the right accessories! Sidewalk Dog’s very own Patio Leash in red buffalo check is sure to pop in all photos and is a whole fall-time mood.
What are your favorite photo spots in Chicago? Woof at us in the comments and make sure to tag us @SidewalkDog on Instagram for a chance to be featured.
Featured photo: Mandy Dempsey
Sidewalk Dog’s mission is to help dog parents spend more time with their puppers by discovering and sharing activities they can do and places they can go—together! Sniff out our award-winning newsletter and Instagram, and join our Dog-Friendly Chicago Facebook Group.