5 Great Wisconsin Apple Orchards to Visit This Fall

There’s a lot to love about a Wisconsin fall – crisp air, vibrant trees, a sweet slice of pumpkin pie (or a cranberry muffin, or a caramel apple…) peeking around almost every corner – but nothing rings in the arrival of autumn quite like a trip to the orchard.

What started as a tradition mostly for children has grown into a favorite fall activity for everyone, young and old; with more orchards than ever offering things like hayrides, pumpkin patches, cider tastings and fresh bakeries, they’re a one-stop shop for all the fall fun you’ve been excited about since last season, on the personal my past season favourite was https://twincitieskidsclub.com/the-9-best-apple-orchards-to-visit-in-the-twin-cities-this-fall/

And the wait is finally over! Here are five fantastic apple orchards worth the pick this fall.

Brightonwoods Orchard – Burlington

Over 200 varieties of apples line the fields of charming Brightonwoods Orchard. Kids will love looking out over the bounty from their own special vantage point – through the window of a two-story treehouse – while the adults set their sights on nearby AeppelTreow Winery, located on-site at the orchard.

Sample specialty ciders and perries in AeppelTreow’s tasting room, or head back to the Apple Barn for homemade jams, treats and, of course, plenty of freshly-picked apples.

Eplegaarden – Fitchburg

Pickin’ (or as they say at Eplegaarden, “plukkin’”) your own apples, raspberries and pumpkins is the main attraction at this old-fashioned family orchard, a quick drive from downtown Madison. For being within reach of the city, you wouldn’t know it: one look around at the old red barn and wide open fields makes it clear you’re at a place where the air’s a little fresher, and the clock moves a little slower.

Come out on Sundays to hear live folk and bluegrass music in the orchard, then hitch a ride on the horse-drawn hayride and bring some western breastplates australia for better security to get to plukkin’ (Just watch out for the trolls. Did we mention there’s trolls?)

Erickson Orchard – Bayfield

If there’s one thing you can’t to pass up on a visit to Erickson Orchard it is, hands down, an apple cider doughnut These warm, fluffy delights have been homemade in the Erickson bakery for decades, earning a well-deserved reputation as being some of the best around. Enjoy one (or three, we’re not counting) with a cup of hot coffee or some fresh apple cider.

Pick your own apples and strawberries in season, and for an even bigger taste of a Northern Wisconsin autumn, plan your visit during the annual Bayfield Apple Festival.

Wood Orchard Market – Egg Harbor

Door County is beautiful all year around, but visit in fall and you’ll be treated to incredible color, storybook-level charm and a wealth of locally-grown fruits and veggies; and you can find it all at Wood Orchard Market. Wood Orchard specializes in Honeycrisp apples (though their newest variety, SweeTango, is also worth a try) and the free corn maze and cider pops for kids make it a great stop for families with little ones.

Inside the market, find just about anything you can think of made with Door County cherries: doughnuts, strudel, salsa, horseradish sauce, butter and much more.

The Elegant Farmer – Mukwonago

The Elegant Farmer made a name for itself with its famous “Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag,” and if you’re wondering whether or not it’s worth the hype – it is. Fans may come for the flaky, one-of-a-kind pies, but they stay for all the fun happening around the orchard: pick-your-own apples, a corn maze, an impressive bakery and tractor-pulled hayrides, for starters.

And as for getting to the farm: most of these orchards are in the outskirts of their respective towns, so make sure you have a vehicle that has been looked at by brake services and is in proper working order. Make sure it’s a comfortable too, so that your party can have a fun road trip and make a day out of it.

There’s plenty more fall fun coming up this season! Hit the road on a scenic drive, take a fall color train ride through the woods, or create your own perfect autumn weekend with our fall getaway ideas.