Fall is just around the corner in Milwaukee, and that means apple season is in full swing.
Nothing spells autumn like apple picking in the fresh, open air. Here are some of our favorite nearby places to begin your new fall family tradition.
VROOM TIP
This post is sponsored by CTSI of Southeast Wisconsin.
Here’s a brain-building tip to try on your next apple-picking excursion!
5454 County Road Q, Colgate, WI 53017
(414) 418-0336
Hours: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Open Saturdays and Sundays from late August through mid-October, and Fridays through September.
Website
This is hands-down our favorite place to pick apples.
Peck & Bushel now has over 30,000 apple trees and 29 organic apple varieties to choose from.
Pricing is $32 for One Peck, which allows up to 5 people over age 4 in the orchard. (There’s no charge for ages 4 and under.) Additional pickers must purchase another bag. See their website for additional pricing info.
The bakery serves up freshly pressed apple cider, homemade apple pies, apple cider doughnuts, caramel apples and more.
Enjoy your day in the country on the picturesque grounds, or at the barn-side patio.
W6384 Sugar Creek Rd., Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 728-3266
Website
Off the beaten path in a beautiful country setting, Apple Barn has 13 different apple varieties to choose from, including Ginger Gold, Paula Reds and Honey Crisp. Pick-your-own apples are available on a “pay per bag” basis, so you only have to pay for what you’re going to pick.
The store is open Tuesday through Sunday, but pick-your-own is only offered on Saturdays and Sundays. There is no entrance to the orchard or pumpkin patch on weekdays. Follow the orchard on social media for all the latest updates on apple variety availability.
If you’re lucky, you may catch some live music!
5006 S Sylvania Ave., Sturtevant, WI 53177
(262) 884-7100
Website
This popular spot is conveniently located right off I-94 south. In addition to more than 30 varieties of apples, you can pick your own peaches, pears and pumpkins on the 78-acre family farm.
Everyone in the orchard must pay for a picking bag (minimum $20 per person). Your picking package includes a tractor-drawn tour of the orchard, family farm and Enchanted Forest, plus admission to the Farm Park.
The Farm Park includes plenty of fun kids’ activities, including a corn maze, giant slide, corn box, straw mountain, and goats at the Golden Goat Bridge, plus pony rides and pedal carts on the weekends.
Grab a hearty breakfast or lunch at the Red Barn Café, and don’t forget to swing by the Country Store for a refreshing apple cider slushy or hard apple cider!
8081 S. 100th St., Franklin, WI 53132
(414) 425-1426
Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)
Website
This orchard is smaller than the others, without the bells and whistles (or crowds). A family-owned business, their varieties include Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Gala, Gingergold, Zestar and Cortland.
In the bakery you’ll find homemade apple pies, apple cider donuts, apple turnovers and caramel apples, plus apple cider by the pint and half gallon. Bring cash or checks, as they don’t accept credit.
Don’t miss their locally famous hot ham and rolls!
12246 N. Farmdale Rd., Mequon, WI 53097
(262) 242-2737
Open daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (Pick-your-own entrance closes at 5:30 p.m.)
Website
This farm is a well-oiled pick-your-own machine in a pretty country setting. Not only can you pick apples, but you can also pick-your-own pumpkins, plums and pears.
There’s also a corn maze and a bakery food truck that serves up apple cider donuts, apple streusel muffins, apple cinnamon scones, mini pumpkin cheesecakes, mini apple crisp, apple cider slush and more.
Moms and dads will love the beer garden, open from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in September and October (weather permitting). They sell local craft beer, draft beer and soft warm pretzels made by Milwaukee Pretzel Company.
1545 Main St., Mukwonago, WI 53149
(262) 363-6770
Open Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 10 to Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Website
Your kids will love the smiley face barn that welcomes you to the popular Autumn Harvest Fest (Saturdays and Sundays, now through Oct. 23). In addition to pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, there are wagon rides, pony rides, a corn maze and more.
To make your day extra special, ride the East Troy Electric Train from the historic depot directly to the Elegant Farmer.
Pro Tip: The early birds get the apples! To avoid the crowds, arrive earlier in the morning or after 3 p.m. You can grab coffee and donuts in the market when it opens at 9 a.m., then cross the street to the orchard when it opens at 10 a.m.
W220N10540 Amy Belle Rd., Germantown, WI 53022
(262) 509-0090
Pick-Your-Own Hours: Friday-Sunday, September-October, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Website
Rim’s Edge offers more than 20 apple varieties, and honey that is made onsite by their resident bees. The store also stocks maple syrup, fresh apple cider, frozen cider pops and caramel apples.
Head over to their website to find a full ripening schedule and detailed guide to each variety.
N5648 S. Farmington Rd., Helenville, WI 53137
(262) 593-5133
U-pick available on Wednesdays (1-5 p.m.), Saturdays and Sundays (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Website
Up for a drive? Check out Jelli’s Market in Helenville, WI. In additionto 23 different varieties of apples, you can also pick your own raspberries, grapes, pumpkins, gourds and squash. Peaches, pears and plums are available in late August.
Kids will love the free fall activities: a selfie scavenger hunt, lawn games (Connect 4, Jenga, corn bag toss, pumpkin checkers, tic-tac-toe), corn box, amazing race, and Angry Birds For Real slingshot game. Take a ride around the farm on the Berry Blue Barrel Train ($1 per ride on the weekends).
9616 W. Bonniwell Rd., Mequon, WI 53097
(262) 236-5506
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, Noon-5 p.m.
gierachorchards.com
A relatively new location, Gierach Orchards opened for pick-your-own apples in 2019. When you pull in, you’ll be immediately charmed by a colorful garden, sprawling fruit trees, a busy chicken coop, and a large white barn.
You can pick from the fruit trees just outside the barn on the same side as the flower fields, or head over to the other side for a vineyard-style picking experience.
If you visit early in the season, you can cut your own sunflowers, too. They also sell cider, meat, pre-picked apples and more.
We recommend wearing close-toed shoes, especially if it has rained recently. Learn about our visit to Gierach Orchards here.
10. Honey Creek Orchard
8210 Pioneer Rd, Cedarburg, WI 53012
honeycreekorchardcedarburg.com
This new family farm offers pick-your-own apples, play areas, animals, and more. It’s very welcoming to families!
11. Appleland Farm Market
4177 WI-57, Fredonia, WI 53021
applelandorchard.com
Appleland Farm Market a variety of apples, pumpkins of all sizes (mini to giant) with wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, fresh apple cider donuts, cider slushies, a picnic area overlooking the scenic grounds, plus a playground for the kids featuring an old-fashioned tractor, sand tire pyramid and horse swings.
See also: Westons’ Antique Apple Orchard
19760 W. National Ave., New Berlin, WI 53146
(262) 679-1862
Website
While you’re not able to pick your own apples from the antique trees, you can take your children on an orchard tour of this fascinating place, located adjacent to the New Berlin Historical Park.
Don’t miss Applefest on the first Sunday of October each year. It features lots of family-friendly fun, including barrel trains, pioneer homes to tour, apple cider making, pumpkin decorating, corn shelling and more old-fashioned fun! There’s also a beer garden.
This family-owned orchard is owned by Ken Weston. The farm began in 1936 when his grandfather planted apples over 11 acres. They planted varieties that were prevalent in the 1930s but are now antiques. Some varieties go all the way back to 300 AD. According to Ken, some don’t even taste like apples.
The oldest active orchard in Waukesha County (1901), Westons’ has more than 600 trees and 100+ varieties. This historic property looks exactly the way it did in the 1930s, and it’s on the National Register of Historic Landscapes.
Photo Credit: Facebook, @westonapplefoundation
Did you like this article?
Check out “101 Best Things to do in Milwaukee With Kids“.
