The leaves are turning, the flannels are emerging and the fall-scented candles are alight. But there is perhaps nothing that looks and feels more like autumn than a weekend outing to one of the following 10 destinations, all of which know a thing or two about fall colors, barnyard animals and apple-flavored everything:
1. Mommsen’s Harvest Hills (Rice Lake)
Located on a 40-acre farm in gorgeous northwest Wisconsin, Mommsen’s Harvest Hills is home to two corn mazes, a petting farm, weekend hayrides, pumpkin artillery, pick-your-own-apples and so much more.
2. The Apple Hut (Beloit)
Open from late August through Halloween, The Apple Hut in Beloit offers fresh apple pies, caramel apples, pumpkin bread, jams, ciders and a whopping 17 varieties of apples! Whatever you do, do not leave this place without trying their to-die-for apple cider donuts.
3. Wood Orchard Market (Egg Harbor)
Door County may be famous for growing another popular red fruit, but for all things honeycrisps and sweetangos, make your way to Wood Orchard Market, a third generation fruit farm in Egg Harbor.
4. Apple Holler (Sturtevant)
What’s unique about Apple Holler in Racine County? For starters, it’s open year-round, which we’re all about! Pick your own apples, peaches, pears and pumpkins, and then make your way to the on-site Red Barn Restaurant to indulge in delicious down-home cooking.
5. Helene’s Hilltop Orchard (Merrill)
Make your way to north-central Wisconsin and you’ll find Helene’s Hilltop Orchard, a gorgeous fall destination where you can stock up on fresh, homegrown apples, pick out your favorite pumpkin, make your way through a tricky maze and devour a mouthwatering baked treat … or two.
6. Shihata’s Orchard (Prairie du Chien)
Nestled in the picturesque bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley, Shihata’s Orchard in Prairie du Chien is known for its large pumpkin patch, fresh pressed cider, wagon rides and plenty of homegrown jams, jellies, cheeses and wines for purchase!
7. Erickson Orchards & Country Store (Bayfield)
Welcome to the “Top of Wisconsin” and the “Berry Capital of Wisconsin”: Bayfield! Erickson Orchards & Country Store is known for its strawberry, raspberry, blueberry and peach picking in the summer but during the fall months, you can bet this orchard is all about the apples and pumpkins!
8. Glacier Rock Farms (Ixonia)
With more than 100 acres and 40 animals, families will have a ball exploring Glacier Rock Farms in the Kettle Moraine area. Kids can kiss the llamas, hold the chinchilla, milk the cows and learn all about how animals live, work, eat and play.
9. Mulberry Lane Farm (Sherwood)
Mulberry Lane Farm in Sherwood is all about providing an ideal country learning environment, where folks of all ages can interact and learn about farm animals. Don’t leave without picking your own free pumpkin!
10. Ski-Hi Fruit Farm (Baraboo)
Just a hop, skip and a jump from Devil’s Lake State Park, Ski Hi Fruit Farm in Baraboo grows an impressive 8,000 apple trees. Pack a picnic, snap an Instagram pic of the vintage tractors, watch the “pie ladies” in action and stroll through the Bassett Family Historic Cabin.
Pack up your weekender bag and enjoy fall the way it was meant to be celebrated!
— Mariah Haberman is the co-host of the nation’s longest-running tourism TV show, “Discover Wisconsin.” Her column is published Wednesdays on Life page in the Times.
