Fall Activity Guide

Apple orchards, pumpkin farms, haunted attractions, and the best places to see fall colors. It’s all here in our Southeast Wisconsin Fall Activity Guide.

Apple Orchards

Barthel Fruit Farm - Located in Mequon, Wisconsin. The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and features a variety of apple types including Ginger Gold, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, and more. In addition to apples, the farm also features pick-your-own pumpkins, a greenhouse with a variety of herbs, vegetables, and perennials, a bakery with apple cider donuts, muffins, and scones, and a corn maze.

Elegant Farmer - Harvest Fest at the Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago runs Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., now through October 22nd. Admission and parking are free. Guests can pick apples directly from the tree, or grab them from the orchard’s wooden bins or market. In addition to apples, guests can purchase pumpkins, gourds, and squash. Families can enjoy train, pony, and hayrides, a corn maze, the Smilin Barn Cafe, and a farmer’s market.

Peck and Bushel - An organic apple orchard that grows and sells over 30 varieties of apples. The orchard is located in Colgate and is open most weekends now through early October. Guests can pick apples straight from the tree or get them from The Barn, which also sells apple cider, jams, jellies, home decor, and more. The bakery features apple pies, apple crisps, caramel apples, and doughnuts.

Gierach Orchards - Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. The orchard, located in Mequon, has close to 20 varieties of apples that can be picked off the tree, or purchased from the barn. In addition to apples, guests can purchase pears, farm-fresh eggs, and more. Gierach’s offers pick-your-own sunflowers through September.

Rim’s Edge Orchard - This orchard, located in Germantown, offers pick-your-own apples on Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At their store, you can purchase over 25 varieties of pre-picked apples, maple syrup, honey, apple cider, apple cider donuts, and caramel apples. The store is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

**Check each site for peak times to pick your desired apple varieties.**

Pumpkin Farms

Creekside Valley Farm - Creekside Valley Farm, located in Mequon, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pick the perfect pumpkin from the pre-picked display, or pick-you-own from the pumpkin patch. There are a variety of other activities at the farm including a corn maze, petting zoo, peddle tractors, games, and a theater playing fall-themed movies. In addition to pumpkins, guests can shop for gourds, squash, straw bales, apples, crafts, and much more.

Basse’s Taste of Country - Pumpkin Fest at Basse’s Taste of Country in Colgate runs through October 31st. The farm will be open on weekdays from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There is no shortage of things to do at Basse’s. Pick your own pumpkins in the pumpkin patch or take part in one of over 65 family activities at the farm, including an 8-acre corn maze, peddle cart race track, a rope course, arcade games, an animal barn, a mirror maze, and more. Parents can enjoy craft beer in the beer barn.

Swan’s Pumpkin Farm - Swan’s pumpkin season is officially underway at the farm in Franksville. Guests can pick from thousands of pumpkins placed throughout the farm, or participate in a number of different activities like tractor-drawn hayrides, a petting zoo, the Witch Hollow maze, and much more. Grab a snack at the Cauldron Cafe, or shop at the Country Market for goodies like caramel apples, jellies, jams, and fall home decor.

Cedarburg Creek Farm - Cedarburg Creek Farm is open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., now through October 31st. Choose from over a thousand pumpkins in the pumpkin patch. Guests can also enjoy free hayrides, a petting zoo, barrel train rides, a corn maze, and live family entertainment. The farm also sells a variety of fall flowers, mums, gourds, Indian corn, and more.

Waldvogel Farm - Wisconsin’s largest pumpkin farm, located in Juneau, is just an hour’s drive from Milwaukee. This pumpkin farm features over 80 attractions spread across 90 acres, including a 9-acre corn maze, 150-foot super-mega slide, The Lost Mine, the world’s largest inflatable pumpkin jump pad, mini golf, and so much more. Guests can shop and dine at the market and Apple Kitchen.

Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Farm - Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Farm, located in Franklin, is open now through October 29th. Visitors can participate in a variety of activities including a corn maze, pumpkin bowling, pedal carts, jump pad, and more. The farm is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10. Starting October 6th, visitors can experience The Haunted Trail on Fridays and Saturdays. The haunted experience, featuring live actors, is recommended for those 16+.

Fall Colors

Holy Hill - One of the highest points in Southeast Wisconsin at 1350 feet above sea level. Its position in the Kettle Moraine Range makes it one of the best places to see fall colors in our area.

Lapham Peak - Located in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Check out fall colors from the 45-foot observation tower at 1,233 feet above sea level.

Grant Park - Over 380 acres in Milwaukee County along Lake Michigan. The two-mile-long Seven Bridges Trail will immerse you in the forest and fall colors.

Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve - A 73-acre park located in Grafton with 90-100 foot bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. The winding trails throughout the nature preserve offer plenty of chances to see fall colors.

North Point Lighthouse - Take in the fall colors around the city, along with views of the Milwaukee skyline and Lake Michigan at the 74-foot tall North Point Light House.

**Check the Wisconsin Fall Color Report for peak viewing times**

Haunted Houses and Experiences

The Hill Has Eyes - Over 45 acres and 60 minutes of terror, located in Franklin. Fridays through Sundays starting September 29th, guests can experience the thrills and chills of four different haunts. Check out Carnivore, Dead End, Failed Escape, and Hunger Hollow. General Admission tickets start at $35. Friday and Saturday nights are recommended for adults and children 13+. Sundays, they produce a not-so-scary version perfect for those 8 and up.

Wisconsin Fear Grounds - Open Fridays and Saturdays, September 29th through October 28th at the Waukesha Expo Center Grounds. There are two haunted experiences at the Wisconsin Fear Grounds; the Compound, and Sketchy’s Chambers. The Wisconsin Fear Grounds also features live music, carnival games, and concessions. The attraction is recommended for those 10 and older. Tickets start at $35.

The Haunt - A “scary-good haunted event” is happening Fridays and Saturdays, October 13th through October 28th at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds in Cedarburg. The Haunt lasts about 20 - 25 minutes and is recommended for those ages 11+. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased online in advance. $15 early bird tickets are available through September 30th. Proceeds benefit Ozaukee County 4-H.

Terror On Rural Street - “Wisconsin’s scariest haunted attraction” is open on Friday and Saturday nights in October in Hartford. The haunted house has 17 terrifying rooms with high-tech effects and over 30 costumed actors. It takes about 20 minutes to go through and is not recommended for children under 10. General admission tickets are $15.

Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on added content and more Fall activities!