Wisconsinites know what they're in for when it comes to winter. Sometimes we dread it, but we also know what we signed up for and we love to get out and enjoy the brisk air and snow. We're not afraid of a little of the fluffy white stuff and we know how to enjoy winter here. Here are a few of the ways you and your family can get outside and away from the masses to celebrate and enjoy winter in Wisconsin.
Way up north in Birchwood, about 75 miles north of Eau Claire, you’ll find one of the best sleigh rides you could ever imagine. Far from the simple rides in towns over the holidays, this sleigh ride lasts 90 minutes and heads out into the gorgeous Northwoods area surrounding the small town. This isn’t a novelty ride, but a long and fabulous way to experience this wonderful holiday tradition. To learn more about this awesome ride click here.
Wisconsin has more than 80 wineries and many of them stay open year round. You'll love sampling the wares and taking a few bottles home to cozy up with in front of the fire. To learn more about Wisconsin vineyards in winter click here.
These jaw-droppingly amazing ice castles made their first Wisconsin appearance two years ago in the Wisconsin Dells and this year they return, this time in Lake Geneva. You definitely do not want to miss out. These amazing ice castle structures look like they come straight out of a Disney movie. The structures are fully dependent on the weather and the company says they hope to open in late December or early January. To learn more about Wisconsin vineyards in winter click here.
Minocqua Winter Park has more than 50 miles of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, an outdoor ice skating trail, sledding and more. There's something for everyone and your family will have a blast. To learn more about this awesome winter park click here.
Lake Geneva is home to one of the last mail boats in the country and in the winter, that awesome boat turns into a holiday lights cruise. It's one of the most unique ways to see holiday lights and your family will love it. To learn more about this boat trip click here.
Cedarburg is one Wisconsin's most quaint and beautiful small towns. It's chock full of historical architecture and they know how to do Christmas right. To learn more about this fabulous Christmas town click here.
The same folks that put on the spectacular Christkindl market in Chicago have created a satellite location taking place right here in Milwaukee next to the city’s new Fiserv Forum arena. Opening on November 17 and staying open every night through New Year’s Eve, the market promises to be everything you loved about the Chicago version but much closer to home. To learn more about this German Christmas Market clickhere.
Sometimes the best way to appreciate nature is to get out in it. Winter horseback riding could be just the right way to get out into the wilderness to experience all the winter beauty has to offer. To learn more about this horseback ride through the snow click here.
One great way to spend time with your family and be reminded of the magic of the season is to drive through Oshkosh’s Celebration of Lights. This massive display has more than a million sparkling lights spread out of over more than a mile. It’s a little bit of holiday magic right along the shores of the Fox River and Lake Winnebago and you won’t want to miss the twinkling beauty as it reflects off the water. To learn more about this light display click here.
Lake Geneva's Winterfest is two weeks of wintery events and it's also home to the US Snow Sculpting Championships. You'll love seeing what these artists create and exploring this cute little town. To learn more about this snowy festival in Lake Geneva click here.
One of the best ways to get outside and have a ton of winter fun is to grab a sled and spend some time with the wind in your face as you travel down a hillside. But those lucky enough to be near Stevens Point have an even better option. Tucked into Iverson Park are not one but two 300-foot toboggan runs just waiting for you to come enjoy them. To learn more about this toboggan park click here.
One great, family-friendly way to enjoy the snow is tubing. There are a bunch of great tubing spots across the state, but Badlands Sno Park in Hudson is one of the best. It really is fun for the whole family, from little ones or beginners on up to the biggest daredevils. While other mountains might have tubing runs alongside snowboarders and skiers, Badlands caters to snow tubing. To learn more about this awesome tubing spot click here.
With the three MILLION lights in Rotary Park and the other displays all over town, it's impossible to not get in the holiday spirit in this sparkly, bright town. To learn more about LaCrosse's light displays click here.
What other ways do you love to go out and celebrate winter? Let us know in the comments!
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.
