We're pretty surrounded by major waterways here in Wisconsin and long before we had cars or workarounds, we were taking to the water to bridge the gaps. The Dairy State is home to six different ferries crossing Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the Mississippi River and the Wisconsin River. Some of them are necessary just to get where you want to go, while others are leftover vestiges of a time gone by. These ferries are an awesome part of living in Wisconsin and offer a great way to see our wonderful state from another perspective.
There are six different ferries in Wisconsin - two across Lake Michigan, one from the tip of Door County to Washington Island, one from Bayfield to Madeline Island, one across the Wisconsin River at Merrimac and one across the Mississippi River at Cassville.
The swankiest of the ferry options, it takes just 2.5 hours to cross Lake Michigan in this high speed ferry. At the height of summer, there are three round-trip options. They leave from Milwaukee at 6 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $93 for adults one way and $103 for a car one way. There are all kinds of upgrade options and parking available at both terminals.
In spring and fall, the ferry only operates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but through the summer, it's a seven-day-a-week operation. It runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. when open and the last boat leaves for Iowa at 7:20 p.m. and returns at 7:40 p.m. There's a push button at either end to signal the ferry of a pick up. Fares are only accepted in cash. Cars are $15 and walk-on passengers are $2.
The Pride of Cassville Car Ferry connects two National Scenic Byways: the Great River Road and the Iowa Great River Road. The ferry served the early settlement as far back as 1833 and it continues today, making the same trip back and forth across the mighty Mississippi. It is the oldest operating ferry service in the state of Wisconsin.
Madeline Island Ferry Line provides passenger, bicycle and car transportation between the picturesque towns of LaPointe and Bayfield. The 25-minute trip provides spectacular views of the Lake itself and several of the 22 Apostle Islands.
This ferry boat is unique because the pilot house is located in the middle of the vessel and there is a screw and rudder at either end. It can be operated in either direction so it is never necessary to turn it around when in the tight quarters of the City Dock in Bayfield.
During peak season, the ferry runs every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with additional runs before and after those times. The docks are in Bayfield and LaPointe.
The S.S. Badger is the last coal-fired passenger steamship in operation in the United States. She has provided a fun, reliable and affordable shortcut across beautiful Lake Michigan for more than 60 years and has transported millions of passengers since her re-birth in 1992.
In 2016 she received the nation’s highest historic honor when the Department of Interior officially designated the Badger as a National Historic Landmark. Fares start at $59 per adult and per car one way, or book in advance and receive two adult fares and a car for $177 one way.
Originally designed primarily to transport railroad cars, the 410-ft ship can carry 600 passengers and 180 vehicles. This crossing takes about four hours and the ship has staterooms available for rent for as low as $49, to catch a nap or help you wrangle your kids. For more information about the SS Badger, check out their website here
At the very tip of the Door County peninsula, where Highway 42 ends, is Northport Pier. This is where you can board the Washington Island Ferry, which began running in 1940 and today makes up to 25 round trips a day during high season and two round trips per day in winter.
After vehicles and passengers are safely on board at the Northport ferry dock, the ferry will embark on a 30-minute ride past Plum, Pilot and Detroit Islands.
The passage between the tip of the county and the island was known as Death's Door by the Native Americans who first used it because of the craggy rocks that make it a dangerous crossing.
The Merrimac Ferry, which crosses the Wisconsin River between Sauk and Columbia counties, is Wisconsin's only free ferry. It shuttles WIS 113 traffic between Okee, on the east bank, and Merrimac on the west.
Ferry service has been provided in this area for more than a century. In 1844, four years before Wisconsin became a state, Chester Mattson, the second settler on the site of the village of Merrimac, obtained charters to provide ferry service at this location. The ferry was operated long before the development of a regular roadway.
There's probably not a more beautiful time of year in Wisconsin than autumn: bright foliage reflected in shimmering lakes; leaves crunching underfoot; crisp air; blue skies; and fans packing football stadiums. Autumn also brings plenty of opportunities for activity and adventure in the Badger State. So, to offer you some seasonal inspiration, we've compiled some of our favorite things to do in Wisconsin in the fall. You're sure to find something that'll make your autumn a little more awesome.
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Wisconsin Fall Foliage: Where To Go In Wisconsin For Fall Foliage
Is there a better autumn activity than enjoying all the amazing fall foliage in Wisconsin? We don't think so. Generally, you can expect peak foliage throughout October, with the more northern counties peaking earliest and the southernmost counties peaking in late October and even into the first week of November. A few places in the north, like Forest and Iron Counties, may seek peak foliage as early as the last week of September. And here are a few of our favorite places to go leaf peeping in Wisconsin.
Need to Know: Door County is a popular destination for autumn leaf peeping, but many businesses in the area are seasonal and may have closed after Labor Day. Be sure to keep this in mind when planning your trip to the area.
Door County, is probably the best-known fall foliage destination in Wisconsin. Tucked onto the peninsula that separates Green Bay from the main part of Lake Michigan, Door County is replete with autumn attractions, including apple orchards, pumpkin farms, and wide swaths of hardwood forest that don mantles of gold, red, and orange when the weather starts to turn cooler. Expect the colors to peak between late September and mid-October in this part of the Badger State.
Need to Know: Admission requires a daily permit ($8 residents/$11 out-of-state) or an annual vehicle pass ($28 residents/$38 out-of-state).
Devil's Lake State Park is the largest state park in Wisconsin, and it's also awfully popular. In warmer months, folks flock to the park for camping, water-based recreation on its eponymous lake, and rock climbing. The park's hiking and snowshoeing trails are year-round attractions, but there's something even more special about its trails when they're canopied with colorful fall foliage. Look for peak colors around the third week of October, and if you go on a weekend, plan to arrive early. The parking lots can fill up quickly.
Need to Know: Admission requires a daily permit ($8 residents/$11 out-of-state) or an annual vehicle pass ($28 residents/$38 out-of-state).
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Perched on the bluffs high above the Mississippi River, Wyalusing State Park is another wonderful spot to enjoy the splendor of the autumn season in the Badger State. With sweeping views of the river valley, whose wooded sides are festooned with fall foliage, this park is one of my favorite places to go during autumn in Wisconsin. Look for colors to peak here around the last week of October.
Need to Know: Bayfield is another popular destination in the autumn, so if you plan to visit on a fall weekend, be sure to book accommodations well in advance.
The charming town of Bayfield, located on the Lake Superior peninsula of the same name, is best known as the gateway to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. As crowded as it gets in the summer, it is almost as popular in the fall when people come to the area for leaf peeping and the famous Bayfield Apple Festival. The autumn foliage is striking here, rising up the bluffs from the lake shore and scattering islands of color across the lake like paint on a palette. Expect peak foliage around the third week of October.
Best Pumpkin Patches in Wisconsin
Picking out pumpkins is a perfect autumn pastime in the Badger State. Whether it's quickly sizing up a gorgeous gourd from a roadside stand with an honor-system pay box or visiting a farm with mazes, rides, and food vendors, our state has a wide range of pumpkin picking experience to offer its people. If you're looking for suggestions, here are a handful of our favorite pumpkin patches in Wisconsin.
Need to Know: Pumpkins start at $12 (includes a hayride to the patch on weekends)
Fall season at Meadowbrook Pumpkin Farm and Market is no low-key affair. Oh, you can get pumpkins there, if that's all you're looking for. But there's much more, ranging from scary nighttime cornfield adventures to a daytime petting zoo, and considerably more. You'll find additional information, including detailed event listings, on the Meadowbrook Pumpkin Farm and Market website.
Need to Know: Fall season begins on September 21, 2024
Schuett Farms is a wonderful pumpkin patch that tends to be a little more low key than some of its competitors. The focus is on the product: pumpkins and gourds. Hold your disappointment, though. If agritainment is what you're looking for, you'll be happy to know that Schuett Farms is home to one of the best corn mazes in Wisconsin. A corn cannon, hayrides, and donuts are available on weekends, as well. You can find additional details on the Schuett Farms website.
Need to Know: The season opens on September 14, 2024. Admission charges apply for the activity area but vary depending on age and day of the week.
Waldvogel's Farm is the largest pumpkin patch in Wisconsin, and with this superlative distinction comes great responsibility. Fortunately, Waldvogel's does not disappoint. In addition to its massive selection of pumpkins, you'll find an enormous array of activities and events that last throughout the season. These include more than 80 attractions spread across 90-plus acres. For more information visit the Waldvogel's Farm website.
Need to Know: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., September 28 through October 27, 2024
Each year, Ebert's Greenhouse Village in Ixonia holds its annual Fall Festival on weekends from late September through the end of October. While the star of the festival is the greenhouses selection of mums, you'll also find a wonderful pumpkin patch and festivities that celebrate the autumn season in Wisconsin. Enjoy hayrides, a corn maze, seasonal treats, and much more. Check out the greenhouse's website for more details and full list of activities.
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Best Fall Festivals in Wisconsin
As fun as it is to pick out pumpkins, my favorite thing about fall is the festivals. Summer and spring festivals are all well and good, but they tend to be less thematic than their autumn counterparts (shoutout to the Jim Falls Sturgeon Fest!). Fall festivals also have a little bit of a "last hurrah" edge - i.e., let's get this one in before the snow flies - that make the celebrations feel more joyous and concerted. If you need some thoughts on subjects, here are a few of my favorite fall festivals in Wisconsin.
Need to Know: The festival takes place September 26 - 29, 2024
Every fall, La Crosse plays host to Oktoberfest U.S.A, which is the longest-running Oktoberfest celebration in the Midwest and one of the largest celebrations in the country. Folks flock to the city for a weekend of beer, music, parades, and even auto racing. Many events are free and open to the public, but a few are adults-only and/or require tickets. Check the festival's website for a full schedule and more information.
Need to Know: This year's festival takes place September 27 - 29
Although often referred to as America's Dairyland, Wisconsin also happens to the nation's top cranberry-producing state - and that's worth celebrating! So every year, the town of Warrens, which is the heart of Wisconsin cranberry country, does just that with the Warrens Cranberry Festival. This event, three days of everything cranberry, is the largest of its kind in the world - and it's huge. Each year sees hundreds of art, craft, and food vendors, as well as farmer booths. You'll also find all manner of related activities (guided marsh tours, anyone?) over the course of the celebration. Visit the Cranberry Festival website for detailed information.
Need to Know: The Apple Festival will occur September 27 - 29, 2024
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Tucked into the Kickapoo River Valley of southwestern Wisconsin, Gays Mills is an unassuming little town for most of the year. But when autumn rolls around, it's one of the epicenters for apple picking in the Badger State. The season culminates with the annual Gays Mills Apple Festival, which is easily one of the biggest annual events in the region. The schedule includes a flea market, kids' carnival, tournaments, and, of course, live music. Check out the festival's website for a complete schedule.
Need to Know: Sister Bay Fall Fest takes place October 18 - 20, 2024.
One of the reasons Door County is such an awesome place to be in the autumn is that it plays host to so many wonderful, seasonal events, like Sister Bay Fall Fest. As with many of the peninsula's off-peak season festivals, Fall Fest is a laid back affair that caters more toward locals than visitors. You can expect arts, crafts, and food vendors, as well as music and events like a soap box derby. Keep an eye on the festival's web page for more details.
Free & Cheap Wisconsin Fall Activities
One of the best things many fall activities in Wisconsin is that they don't have to put a dent in your wallet for you to enjoy them. Here are a few bonus suggestions for free or cheap things to do in Wisconsin in the fall.
13. Attend Family Free Day at Milwaukee County Zoo.
Need to Know: These events take place on October 5, November 2, and December 7, 2024.
The Milwaukee County Zoo is the largest facility of its kind in Wisconsin. The zoo stretches across 190 acres and provides a home for hundreds of animals of all varieties. A day at the zoo makes for a fabulous family outing any time of year. But three times during the fall, visiting the zoo is even sweeter, because it's free. The Milwaukee County Zoo Family Free Days occur on one day in each of October, November, and December. Visit the zoo online for details and more information about these events.
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14. Tree Bathe in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Need to Know: There is no fee to recreate in most areas of the forest outside of campgrounds, which may charge a fee.
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest protects large swaths of Wisconsin's Northwoods and offers trails, lakes, and scenic byways so we can get the most out of the forest during the peak of its autumn splendor. I recommend a long walk under the brightly-colored leaves, with fallen foliage crunching under foot. Where you go in the forest will largely depend on where you live - and peak foliage times will vary in different parts of the forest. Visit the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest webpage for more information on recreational opportunities in the fall.
Need to Know: Different apple orchards offer different experiences, and some may charge for parking and/or admission. Be sure to check before you go.
Apple picking is a popular fall pastime in the Badger State. And you can make it as low-key or adventurous as you like. Many orchards in Wisconsin will offer all sorts of activities, entertainment, and even food to their visitors. Others may offer a basket and a pay box. The latter can be a wonderful, laid-back autumn experience that you can enjoy for the price of a few hand-picked apples.
We think you'll find at least a few of these ideas for things to do in Wisconsin in the fall worth experiencing. Have you been to any of these places or experienced any of these activities or festivals. Let us know, and don't forget to share your own favorite autumn activities in Wisconsin.
There's something so charming and nostalgic about fall train rides in Wisconsin. It feels like you've traveled back in time and though they can definitely move, a Wisconsin train ride sort of feel like you've slowed way down and taken a break. We're so lucky in Wisconsin to have multiple trains of various sizes that take you into nature and help you celebrate fall. All across the state, you can hop on a train to enjoy the colors of fall in Wisconsin and pick up a pumpkin. These trains have a wide variety of schedules and prices, and we think that they are some of the best places to visit in Wisconsin in the fall:
The Elegant Farmer is an incredibly popular spot to pick all kinds of fall goodies and from there, you can hop on the East Troy Railroad. Or, start at the East Troy Depot and take the train into the Elegant Farmer to make parking easier. While on your excursion, you can learn more about the Midwest’s railroad history or sit back and enjoy fine dining -- in the height of fall foliage in Wisconsin, there's nothing better!
2. Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad Bed and Breakfast - Spooner
Up in the northwest corner of the state is one of the most unique bed and breakfast experiences you could ever imagine. The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad — also known as the Spooner Train — is the only bed and breakfast of its kind in the country. You'll ride a train overnight, see amazing scenery, have some stellar meals, and have the experience of a lifetime.
Don't let the name fool you - this place is in Osceola and offers an awesome weekend of family pumpkin fun. They offer both a fall colors train ride and a pumpkin express ride.
The museum consists of static displays as well as a seven-mile round trip ride aboard preserved railroad cars. The Mid-Continent Railway Museum also offers a fall color train and a pumpkin train.
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5. Riverside and Great Northern Railway - Wisconsin Dells
These folks have a 15-gauge light railway that runs throughout weekends in October. This is a decidedly family-friendly train ride in Wisconsin, as kids aged 12 and under will receive a free pumpkin or gourd to take home with the cost of admission. Talk about a fall blast!
This vintage amusement park offers an awesome fall experience before it shuts down for the season. During the month of October, visitors of all ages can hop aboard the pumpkin train and fall even more in love with autumn. For riders two and up, any pumpkin that can be carried is included in the admission price.
This Wisconsin railroad museum is an awesome stop no matter the time of year, but in fall you get to ride a pumpkin train rain or shine and head out to a pumpkin patch. There will be indoor live entertainment, crafts, and games for children of all ages, plus the train ride and a pumpkin to take home.
Are you excited to finally stop googling "fall train rides near me?" Have you taken any of these delightful train rides? Let us know about them in the comments!
Another great way to celebrate fall is with fresh apple cider donuts! Check out these 11 spots to get some of the best donuts in Wisconsin. And for even more things to do in Wisconsin in fall, take a jaunt over to Airbnb Experiences for some one-of-a-kind opportunities offered by the locals.
