As pumpkin spice takes over and temperatures start to drop, fall is just around the corner.
That means many Wisconsinites and their families will venture out to start their fall traditions, including visiting state apple orchards. Many got an early start this year due warmer and rainier conditions this summer.
Here’s a look at some of the top apple orchards around the state.
Milwaukee-area
The Elegant Farmer. (Spectrum News 1/Rachel Ryan)
The Elegant Farmer
Pick from several different varieties of apples at The Elegant Farmer’s Autumn Harvest Fest. The festival also includes train, pony and hayrides, a corn maze and more. If you’re not in the mood for picking apples, but still want a taste, the marketplace offers pre-picked apples for sale — and their famous “Apple Pie in a Paper Bag.”
Address: 1545 Main St, Mukwonago, WI 53149
Hours: Saturdays & Sundays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Sept. 7 through Oct. 27)
Price: Free parking & admission, $15 for half a peck; $25 for full peck; $45 for half bushel
Apple Holler
With a 78-acre orchard, Apple Holler offers plenty of fun fall activities in their apple-picking package. Those that purchase the package can take part in free tractor rides, apple-tasting and the farm park, which offers access to a kids’ play area, corn maze, farm animals and more.
Address: 5006 S Sylvania Ave, Sturtevant, WI 53177
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Friday-Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Price: Everyone entering the orchard must pay a minimum of $22 for a picking bag; $26 for half a peck; $39 for full peck; $59 for half bushel
Barthel Fruit Farm
Complete with a full bakery, corn maze and greenhouse, Barthel Fruit Farm has a lot to offer besides apple-picking. You can try some of their apple cider donuts and apple cider slush after you’ve picked to your heart’s content. They’ll even have their own Oktoberfest from Sept. 21-22, with live music, warm pretzels and, of course, beer.
Address: 12246 N Farmdale Rd, Mequon, WI 53097
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Price: Free admission to the farm (if you want to enter orchard, you must buy a picking bag), $18.65 for a peck ($18 with cash discount); $29 for half bushel ($28 with cash discount), and $5 for the corn maze
Peck & Bushel Organic Fruit Co.
As a certified organic orchard, Peck & Bushel presses its own organic cider using the apples grown in its orchard. With admission, you can also take a stroll through the nature trail and enjoy some doughnuts or caramel apples. And fun fact, like a vineyard, many of the orchard's apple trees are grown on a trellis.
Address: 5454 County Rd Q, Colgate, WI 53017
Hours: Fridays-Sundays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., last group allowed to start picking at 3:30 p.m.
Price: Free admission, $10 for a quarter peck; $32 for full peck
Madison-area
Eplegaarden
After picking fresh apples at the orchard, enjoy a glass of fresh cider with some doughnuts. Varieties range from gala to honey crisp to golden delicious. The Farmstore also sells pre-picked bags for those not wanting to go it on their own in the orchard.
Address: 2227 Fitchburg Rd, Fitchburg, WI 53575
Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Fridays-Sundays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Price: No admission fee, but required to buy a picking bag before entering orchard
Appleberry Farm
Even though the name suggests otherwise, Appleberry Farm has more than just apples. They also offer raspberry-picking and blueberry-picking earlier in the summer. And like many others, you can stop in their store to get some cider (hard or regular) and caramel apples.
Address: 8079 Maurer Rd, Cross Plains, WI 53528
Hours: Thursday-Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Price: No admission fee; however, pick-you-own apples will have a fee
Sutter’s Ridge Farm
Enjoy a fun-filled day at Sutter’s Ridge Farm by picking your own apples, indulging in a fresh homemade apple cider donut, traveling through the 5-acre corn maze and more.
Address: 2074 Sutter Dr, Mt Horeb, WI 53572
Hours: Thursdays-Sundays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Price: Parking is free but other activities are not. It's $8 during the week and $10 on the weekend for access to the activity area, wagon ride and corn maze; those who want to enter the orchard must pay for a picking bag, $10 for a half peck; $17 for full peck; $28 for half bushel
Eugster’s Farm Market
Marvel at over 2,500 apple trees at Eugster’s Farm Market. While admission isn’t free, your ticket comes with access to a petting farm, the apple orchard, a kids’ corn maze and the bakery filled with fall treats. However, tickets must be purchased online because of high demand, so make sure you prepare before you go.
Address: 3865 WI-138, Stoughton, WI 53589
Hours: Wednesdays-Mondays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Price: Admission prices vary based on entry time and day but start at $10, all apple varieties are $2/pound
Fox Valley-area
Bauer’s Apple Shed
This apple orchard’s first trees were planted in 1972 and currently produce 15 varieties. Besides apple-picking, the Apple Shed has lots of jams, honey and apple syrup for purchase in the shed.
Address: W7763 Wisconsin Ave., Hortonville, WI 54944
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Price: Not listed
The Little Farmer
With a full spread of muffins, Farmhouse drinks and homemade caramel, The Little Farmer is so much more than an apple orchard. Families and friends who visit this spot can enjoy the playground, corn maze, barnyard and hayrides.
Address: N9438 US-151, Malone, WI 53049
Hours: Mondays-Fridays 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Price: Free admission, apple prices not listed
Heritage Orchard
Apples aren’t the only thing on offer at Heritage Orchard. At the bakery, indulge in apple pie roll-ups, apple and cherry turnovers, jams and jellies and more. They’ll also be selling at the Appleton Farmer’s Market through October.
Address: N2963 Lake Shore Dr, Chilton, WI 53014
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (until Oct. 30)
Price: Not listed
Oneida Nation Apple Orchard
This apple orchard comes with a unique mission; it aims to generate an interest in agriculture and encourage children to eat healthy at a young age. There are over 30 acres of orchard to pick from. There are also an additional 10 acres that have been newly added. Apples aren’t the only crop you can pick. Visitors can also pick a variety of vegetables.
Address: 3976 W Mason St, Hobart, WI 54155
Hours: Thursdays noon - 5:30 p.m., Fridays-Sundays 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Price: $1.25/pound, $1.75/pound for honey crisp