With the abundance of orchards in Wisconsin, it's difficult to know which ones to go to-especially with little ones. Visit any of these five orchards for a fall experience full of entertaining activities for the family.
Mukwonago, 262.363.6770
Besides the 12 varieties of apples available for picking, The Elegant Farmer hosts an Autumn Harvest Festival every weekend through Oct. 31. Bring the whole family to participate in tractor rides, pumpkin picking, caramel apple making. At the end of the day, enjoy a vintage trolley ride around the orchard and relax with a cup of hot buttered apple cider. Also, don't leave without trying the farm's award-winning Apple Pie in a Paper Bag or as the Wall Street Journal calls it: "the best pie in America."
Burlington, 262.878.3000
At this orchard both kids and adults will equally be entertained. For the kids, or curious adult, a two-story tree house is waiting to be investigated along with a half a mile woods trail. When you're finished exploring, take a self-guided tour through the cider operations. Tempted? Buy a few bottles of the award-winning apple cider for yourself. If that isn't enough to choose from already, the orchard also sells fresh-grown grapes and homemade honey. When in season, guests of the orchard can sample from 30 varieties to find the apple that best suits their palate.
Ferguson's Morningside Orchard
Gallesville, 608.539.4239
Owners Tom and Deb like to call their orchard "family fun in the country," and that's precisely what it is. With all the fun activities to choose from, a visit to Ferguson's is likely to be an all day event. Brave the corn maze, spin in the Apple rides, watch your little one race in the mini John Deere pedal tractors and enjoy picking apples and pumpkins from farm's orchard and pumpkin patch. Before you leave, make sure to say goodbye to the goats and cows; they love the attention-as well as food.
Beloit, 608.676.4789.
Family memories await you at this lovely orchard, tucked in Wisconsin's Southeastern corner. Treat yourself to a Chicago style hot dog from Super Dog, every weekend, complete with all the fixings. Let the kids play in the new corn sand box and take your family on a tour of the facility. If you really want to get your child involved, schedule a school tour complete with wagon rides on the Arrowhead Express, apple picking and scrumptious cider and donuts.
Eau Claire, 715.878.4526.
Immerse your family in a fall setting while enjoying traditional autumn activities: picking apples, pumpkins, squash, and gourds and choosing from a selection of delicious preserves. When you're finished picking, walk along the orchard's nature trail surrounded by fall colors. Saturdays take the family for a special treat: a scenic horse-drawn wagon ride through the orchard.