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 is 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 Fuji, McIntosh, Gala, Honeycrisps, 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 in Mukwonago hosts Harvest Fest on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 27th. Admission and parking are free. Guests can pick apples directly from the tree, or purchase them in the market. In addition to apples, guests can buy 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 is an organic apple orchard that grows and sells over 35 varieties of apples. The orchard is located in Colgate and is open Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can pick apples straight from the tree or get them from The Barn, which also sells apple cider, donuts, and caramel apples.

Gierach Orchards is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 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, meats, and more. Gierach’s offers pick-your-own sunflowers through September.

Rim’s Edge Orchard is located in Colgate and offers pick-your-own apples on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can purchase over 25 varieties of pre-picked apples, maple syrup, honey, apple cider, donuts, and caramel apples at their store which 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, located in Mequon is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6:30 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, located in Colgate, hosts Pumpkin Fest now through October 31st. Basse’s is 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 is located in Franksville. Guests can pick from thousands of pumpkins placed throughout the farm, or participate in several 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 is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. now through October 31st. Guests can pick their own pumpkins in the pumpkin patch and enjoy 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, is just an hour’s drive from Milwaukee in Juneau. The 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 much more. Guests can shop and dine at the market and Apple Kitchen.

Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Farm is open now through October 29th in Franklin. Visitors can participate in a variety of activities including a corn maze, pumpkin bowling, pedal cars, jump pad, and more. The farm is open Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10. Starting October 4th, visitors can experience Buffalo Bill’s Haunted Trail featuring live actors offering frights, screams, and thrills. The Haunted Trail is recommended for those 16+.

Fall Colors

Holy Hill is 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 is 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 is 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 is 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.

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

Haunted Houses and Experiences

The Hill Has Eyes features over 45 acres and 60 minutes of terror, located in Franklin. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October, 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.

The Haunt, a “scary-good haunted event” is happening Fridays and Saturdays, October 11th through October 26th at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds in Cedarburg. The Haunt lasts about 20 - 25 minutes. They suggest children under 13 be accompanied by an adult. 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.

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