School is starting soon, which is always the first sign that Fall is around the corner. To our family that means it is apple picking time and fresh apple cider and flannel and crisp, cool nights. I know it’s hard to imagine with 80 degree days, but it’s time for apple picking in Lake Country and South Eastern Wisconsin! How about you?
Apple picking is a great way to get outside yet this fall and stay in your own space, while grabbing fresh, local fruit! Plus, there are so many local varieties to try as the season goes on – make a goal with your family to try at least 3 different varieties of apples!
Here is a round up of verified farms that have u-pick (or you-pick) apples. Orchards open their you pick (u-pick or PYO) all at different times. Please check the website link and verify that there are still apples left to be picked, and/or the season is open, before you drive all the way there and learn that there are none left!
Go out and make some fabulous memories with the ones you love! We hope you enjoy our South East Wisconsin Apple Picking Guide.
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PLEASE GIVE A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR
SOUTH EAST WISCONSIN APPLE PICKING GUIDE SPONSOR:
PECK & BUSHEL ORGANIC FRUIT COMPANY
Hope to see you at the orchard!
Lake Country Family Fun always enjoys our apple picking experience at Peck and Bushel. We go every year! See our first fun on Facebook HERE from 2016.
Amazon Affiliate Links:
- Our favorite apple peeler and corer – a must!
- Our favorite apple slicer – even the kids can use, with supervision.
- Our favorite easy to use apple corer.
- The cutest fedora to wear to the apple orchard.
- Two tier fruit basket to display all the picked apples and keep them handy for snack time.
16 SE WISCONSIN U-Pick APPLE ORCHARDS:
1. PECK & BUSHEL – Colgate 414-418-0336
Apple season begins Fridays through Sundays starting August 16th through the 18th, 2024 from 10am – 4pm through mid-October. Their organic orchard is “pick your own”. Also head back to the apple barn for pre-picked organic apples along with their onsite pressed Organic cider, apple cider doughnuts, homemade bakery onsite and a huge gourmet food and home décor selection! Follow them on FACEBOOK for what’s ripe and more!
2. THE ELEGANT FARMER – Mukwonago 262-363-6770
The Elegant Farmer offers a family fun on the farm experience Saturdays and Sundays from September 7th – Oct 27th from 10-5pm. Everyone is welcome with free admission to the orchard to pick from 12 varieties of apples right from the tree or selecting the prefect pumpkins from the patch. Enjoy beautiful fall colors aboard a tractor-pulled hayride, pony ride or train ride. Pick up a famous “Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag.” The East Troy Electric Railroad’s turn-of-the-century train departs from and returns to The Elegant Farmer Depot. Try their 5-acres, family-friendly farm scene corn maze. While visiting, indulge with their delicious specialty foods including cider, make-your-own caramel apple, cider donuts, pulled pork and chili and more. Hope to see you in the orchard! Note: Their Market is open everyday 9 am to 6 pm and their online store is open 24/7.
3. APPLELAND FARM MARKET – Fredonia 262 692-2560
2024 opening day is Friday, August 16th, 2024!
Fun for the whole family! Appleland Farm Market has many varieties of apples, both U-Pick and Pre-Picked. They have pumpkins of all sizes (mini to giant) with wagon rides to the pumpkin patch. Fresh apple cider donuts and cider slushies available daily. Continue the fun with a playground for the kids featuring an old-fashioned tractor, sand tire pyramid and horse swings. They offer a picnic area overlooking the orchards and beautiful countryside.
Many varieties of U-Pick and Pre-Picked Apples available throughout the season. U-Pick Honeycrisp will be featured during their festival weekends: Sunflower Festival on August 31 & Sept 1 and Appleland’s Fall Festival on Sept 21st & 22nd, 2024. They are open daily in-season from 9 am-4 pm. Follow on Facebook. They also have a corn maze and U-Pick zinnias. No Pets please.
4. BARTHEL FRUIT FARM – Mequon 262-242-2737
Open NOW (August 28, 2024 for the season). Open daily 9 am to 6 pm.
Pick your own apple prices are:
- Peck bag (about 10 pounds)- $18.65 ($18 with the cash discount)
- 1/2 bushel bag (about 20 pounds)- $29 ($28 cash discount)
Barthel does not have an entrance fee, however, if you are going into the orchard you must pay for everything that you pick.
Their bakery is open daily with apple cider donuts, scones, fritters and drinks. More items will be added to the menu after Labor Day weekend.
Their Oktoberfest celebration will be September 21st and 22nd from 12-6.
5. APPLE BARN ORCHARD AND WINERY – Elkhorn 262-728-3266
2024 Details TBD- September
Apple picking lasts 6-7 weekends generally starting in early September. Per their social, ” Apple season 2024 starts after Labor Day.” Open Friday thru Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Sunday 12-4. Please no pets. Follow updates on their FACEBOOK PAGE.
6. SUTTER’S RIDGE ORCHARD – Mt. Horeb 608-832-6445
Sutter’s Ridge Farm is opening Thursday August 15th, 2024 for the Season! Hours are Thurs-Sunday 10am-5pm. They have 25 different varieties, with ripening dates from Mid-August thru October to supply you with delicious apples through the full Autum season. Check the website for ripening chart. The Corn Maze and Activity Area are $10 each (2 and under are free) on Saturday and Sunday and $8 each on Thursday and Friday and will be open seasonally. No pets allowed.
7. APPLE HOLLER – Sturtevant 262-884-7100
Orchard is open for 2024! Apple Holler is a farm-to-table restaurant, bakery, gift shop, orchard and family farm, with pick-your-own apples, peaches, and pears. Visitors will enjoy four seasons of family fun and activities including orchard and farm tours, hayrides, sleigh rides and barnyard animals. Serving breakfast and lunch daily in the rustic and charming Red Barn restaurant. Apple Holler is a perfect indoor/outdoor wedding venue and agritourism destination. Their family farm is conveniently located between Milwaukee and Chicago right off Interstate I-94 at exit 337.
Find more information including activities for the kids, pricing and more HERE
8. DOOR CREEK ORCHARD – Cottage Grove 608-838-4762
2024 Pre-season hours August 10 & 11 from 10 am-2 pm . No reservations needed.
Official & regular office hours will begin Labor Day Weekend 2024. Head to their web page “What’s Ripe” for most up to date status. Tom and Gretchen Griffith of Door Creek Orchard grow 88 varieties of apples, modern and heirloom. Pears, grapes, and fresh apple cider are also available. All produce is sustainably grown with TLC and the absolute minimum of chemicals. They do have a short nature trail that winds through part of the wetland, and you may visit the sheep (they are friendly!) Keep checking their Facebook page for updates!
9. JELLI’S FARM – Helenville 262-593-5133
2024 Season is opening August 19th & 20th from 9 am to 5 pm. Per their social: “Sunrise, Ginger Gold and Zestar apples are ready to be picked. All three of these varieties are eating apples. Our baking apples won’t be ready until mid-September or so. We will have U-Pick available for all three varieties on Saturday and Sunday. We will also have Pre-Picked apples available in the farm store. Price for apples is $2.25/pound.”
Please note they will have u-pick available on Wednesday afternoons from 1 pm to 5 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm. Pre-picked apples are available every day in our farm store.
10. THE APPLEBERRY FARM – Cross Plains 608-798-2780
2024 Season begins August 29th.
Established in 1975, Appleberry Farm has grown to be a local favorite for fresh-picked apples and delicious cider in the Fall. Ready to pick apples September through end of October. Open Thursday through Sunday from 9-5 pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. PLEASE NOTE: They use a reservations system to ensure safe parking and reduce lines & wait times. So many apples! Easy picking! They have fresh cider. Cash is much preferred- credit cards accepted but it slows the line. They allow well-behaved dogs on a leash and of course clean up after.
11. RIM’S EDGE ORCHARD – Germantown 262-509-0090
2024 Apple Dates to be announced in September. Check back soon!
Come to Rim’s Edge Orchard to start your own family tradition of picking the freshest, tastiest apple varieties right from the tree. In addition to the more than 20 apple varieties, they also have several pre-picked varieties, honey, maple syrup, Dutch apple pies, and apple cider donuts available in the store. Orchard store opens mid/ late August.
12. EPLEGAARDEN– Fitchburg (608) 845-5966
2024 season details will be available soon!
Eplegaarden is an old-fashioned orchard featuring selv plukk (U-Pick) apples, raspberries, and pumpkins for lots of old-fashioned rural farm fun right in Fitchburg, WI. Check their website and Facebook often for updates to see what crops are ready to pick and in the farm store.
13. Jacobson Orchards – Waterford (414) 303-6086
Opening day for 2024 is SO CLOSE. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for Opening day Announcement! Jacobson Orchards offers over 40 varieties throughout the apple season. They offer many heirloom varieties, as well as today’s most popular! Jacobson Orchards retail store is open Thursdays thru Sundays 9:30 to 5. Pick your own apples on Saturdays and Sundays. Pick your own Pumpkins each weekend in October. They have a corn maze, opening the end of September. Their retail store and bakery offers fresh made apple cider donuts, homemade pies, turnovers, cookies and other treats. They offer raw cider and pasteurized cider. They have over 50 apple varieties throughout the season in store. They have Fall and Christmas decor in store. Customers can checkout their website and Facebook for current in store apple varieties and pick your own apple varieties.
14. THE ORCHARD STORE – Franksville 262-895-6747
The 2024 apple picking season kicks off on August 31 & September. After that they will be open throughout the fall with apple picking. New varieties open up for picking each weekend during September and October. Per their website: ” We have turned our Antique store into an Artisan and Craft shop filled with local products from local Artisans! We cannot wait to show off their hard work! We will be updating our page with all of their information!”
With grain sandboxes, ride-on toys, repurposed farm equipment climbers, and a poultry zoo we are a complete outdoor destination for all.
Pack a lunch for a picnic at provided tables or pick up fresh brats topped with Chow Chow and shop the Orchard Store for handmade, Wisconsin fare.
15. GIERARCH ORCHARD – Mequon(262) 674-4428
2024 Season Opening dates TBD!
Join us then to pick Paula Red and Zestar. Until then, please stop by our Self-Serve stand. It is located at the bottom of the orchard driveway and will be stocked daily as inventory. Currently, you will find peaches, eggs, and maple syrup. Please prepare exact change. Checks and Venmo are also accepted! Thank you for your honesty!”
They are a family owned and operated farm! Their goal is to provide the public with high quality fruit and a family-friendly picking experience. They are excited to offer pick-your-own daily throughout the fall. Gierach Orchards will open for Pick Your Own apples in early September. We will also have pre-picked apple varieties, bouquets, maple syrup, beef, and apple cider available in the barn! Their farm store has apple pies, syrup from their farm, local honey, beef and more! This year, they will also be selling and taking orders for pasture-raised turkey.
16. HONEY CREEK ORCHARD – Cedarburg –414-788-0765
Opens on September 7 for the 2024 Season. This fruit farm is family owned and operated! Come visit Honey Creek Orchard for Pick your own apples, apple cider donuts, pumpkins, yummy treats and tons of fun for the kids to enjoy, including interacting with some animals on the farm!
check out their Facebook page for more information on hours and events HERE
BONUS: Basse’s Taste of Country is having their 5th Annual Apple and Sunflower Fest in 2024!
- Aug. 31st – Sept. 2nd, Sept. 5th – 8th, & Sept. 12th – 15th Only
(weather permitting) - Thurs.& Fri. : 3pm – 7pm
Labor Day (Sept. 2nd): 10am – 5pm
Sats. & Suns. : 10am – 6pmLast admittance is 30 minutes before closing time daily.
Remember Basses’s Taste of Country is CASHLESS!
$15.95 per experience per person
Children 0-23 months are free.
Online tickets not available for this event
Map of the Apple Picking Farms
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