Poll Reveals the Top 3 Spots Where Illinoisans Go for Their ‘Fall Fix’.

• 3,021 respondents polled on their favorite autumnal spots in Illinois.
• Do-Rite Donuts (Chicago); All Seasons Orchard (Woodstock) + Intelligentsia Coffee (Chicago) included. 
• Infographic.

Pumpkin spice isn’t just a flavor – it’s shorthand for all the cozy, seasonal stops that make an autumn drive feel complete. From coffee shops to cideries, bakeries to roadside cafés, the question is: when cravings hit, do Illinoisans stick with familiar national chains or seek out local gems along the way? To find out, Gunther Volkswagen Delray Beach surveyed 3,021 respondents and mapped where locals prefer to get their true “fall fix.”

Their top 3 choices were:

#1 Do-Rite Donuts – Chicago
Do-Rite has a way of leaning into fall that feels effortless. The glass cases fill with warm, spiced creations, and the air inside carries that unmistakable mix of sugar and cinnamon. Picking up a box of doughnuts here isn’t just breakfast — it’s a little indulgence that turns an ordinary morning into a seasonal tradition, one bite at a time.

#2 All Seasons Orchard – Woodstock
All Seasons turns into a fall postcard the moment you arrive. The fields stretch out, the trees glow, and the sound of laughter carries across the rows. Walking between the orchards feels like stepping into the rhythm of autumn itself, where time moves a little slower and the simple act of picking apples feels like a celebration of the season.

#3 Intelligentsia Coffee – Chicago
Intelligentsia has that classic urban café feel, and when autumn sweeps through Chicago, it becomes even more inviting. The city bustle hums just beyond the windows, but inside the mood slows with steaming mugs and warm chatter. A latte here in fall feels like a small shield against the crisp air outside, a ritual that makes the season more tangible in the middle of downtown life.

Infographic showing the favorite independent stop in each state for people to get their ‘fall fix’

“As much as pumpkin spice and cider define fall, it’s really the journey that ties it all together,” says Joseph Gunther IV of Gunther Volkswagen Delray Beach. “Whether you’re pulling off at a favorite café or making a detour to a pumpkin patch, those stops become part of the drive itself. Fall isn’t just about where you end up – it’s about enjoying every mile along the way.”