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!
1. Apple Barn Orchard and Winery
W6384 Sugar Creek Rd., Elkhorn, WI 53121
Website
What’s special?
- Off the beaten path in a beautiful country setting
- 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.
Pro Tip: If you’re lucky, you may catch some live music!
2. Apple Holler
5006 S Sylvania Ave., Sturtevant, WI 53177
Website
What’s Special?
- 78-acre family farm
- Conveniently located right off I-94 south
- More than 30 varieties of apples, plus pick your own peaches, pears and pumpkins
Pro Tip: Your picking package includes a tractor-drawn tour of the orchard, family farm and Enchanted Forest, plus admission to the Farm Park with plenty of kids activities like a corn maze, giant slide, goats, and more.
3. Appleland Farm Market
4177 WI-57, Fredonia, WI 53021
Website: applelandorchard.com
What’s Special?
- Apple cider slushies!
- Playground featuring an old-fashioned tractor, sand tire pyramid, & horse swings.
- Picnic area overlooking the scenic grounds.
- Corn maze open daily
4. Awes Apple Orchard
8081 S. 100th St., Franklin, WI 53132
Website
What’s special?
- Smaller than the others, without the bells and whistles (or crowds).
- Locally famous hot ham and rolls.
- Homemade apple pies, apple cider donuts, apple turnovers and caramel apples, plus apple cider by the pint and half gallon.
Pro Tip: Bring cash or checks, they don’t accept credit card.
5. Barthel Fruit Farm
12246 N. Farmdale Rd., Mequon, WI 53097
Website
What’s special?
- Pick your own apples, pumpkins, plums and pears.
- Corn maze
- 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.
Pro Tip: 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.
6. Elegant Farmer
1545 Main St., Mukwonago, WI 53149
Website
What’s special?
- Smiley Barn
- Apple pies backed in a bag at the Smilin’ Barn Cafe.
- Pony rides and wagon rides
- Corn maze & laser tag
Pro Tip: 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.
7. Gierach Orchards
9616 W. Bonniwell Rd., Mequon, WI 53097
gierachorchards.com
What’s special?
- Colorful garden and chicken coop
- Sprawling fruit trees
- Relatively new location, opened in 2019.
Pro Tip: If you visit early in the season, you can cut your own sunflowers, too. They also sell cider, meat, pre-picked apples and more.
Read about our visit to Gierach Orchards here.
8. Honey Creek Orchard
8210 Pioneer Rd, Cedarburg, WI 53012
Website: honeycreekorchardcedarburg.com
This new family farm offers pick-your-own apples, play areas, animals, and more. It’s very welcoming to families!
9. Peck & Bushel Organic Fruit Co. (Organic!)
5454 County Road Q, Colgate, WI 53017
Website
What’s special?
- Southeastern Wisconsin’s only organic apple farm
- Largest certified organic apple orchard in the upper Midwest
- More than 40,000 apple trees and 30 organic apple varieties.
- New landscaping & Instagram-worthy spots including nature trail with swing and benches
- New porch venue with family restroom overlooking the orchards.
- New flower pollinator plantings including hibiscus, dahlias, antique zinnias, sunflowers and more.
Pro Tip: Arrive early to avoid crowds, and do not leave without trying their apple cider doughnuts.
10. Rim’s Edge Orchard
W220N10540 Amy Belle Rd., Germantown, WI 53022
Website
What’s special?
- 20 apple varieties
- Honey is made onsite by their resident bees.
- Frozen cider pops and caramel apples.
11. Jelli’s Market
N5648 S. Farmington Rd., Helenville, WI 53137
Website
What’s special?
- Pick your own apple, raspberries, grapes, pumpkins, gourds and squash.
- Peaches, pears and plums are available in late August.
- Free fall activities: a selfie scavenger hunt, lawn game, corn box, amazing race, and Angry Birds For Real slingshot game.
Pro Tip: Take a ride around the farm on the Berry Blue Barrel Train!
12. Westons’ Antique Apple Orchard
19760 W. National Ave., New Berlin, WI 53146
(262) 679-1862
Website
What’s special?
- 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.
- 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
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In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place. In 2019, she published "Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids", a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids. She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6's 'Real Milwaukee', B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News. Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.
