Feeling brave? Get ready to discover the season’s spooky fall events! In today’s blog, we’re featuring the can’t-miss experiences and historic fall fun happening at Wisconsin’s historic sites across the state. Read on and start filling in your calendar with some of the season’s spookiest and most spectacular fall events!
Old World Wisconsin
First up, make your way to Eagle for a memorable visit to Old World Wisconsin! From historic fall fun to winter holiday traditions, this historic site has it all.
Halloween Legends and Lore
Kick off spooky season with Halloween Legends and Lore, happening on six select Fridays and Saturdays throughout October from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Save the dates: October 9-10, 16-17, and 23-24.
Take advantage of this rare opportunity to visit Old World Wisconsin at night. Legends and Lore is a special event where mystery, history, and spooky festivities come together for unforgettable nights and frights! Bring the whole family for spectacularly spooky tales, festive food and drinks, plus more after-dark adventures you won’t want to miss.
More Historic Fall Fun
Even after Halloween ends, there is more historic fall fun to enjoy! On Saturday, November 7, hop aboard one of the accessible trams for A Drive Through History at Old World Wisconsin. This event offers a unique opportunity to see the entire site while hearing the fascinating stories from Wisconsin’s past. Click here to find the tour time that works for you and your crew!
If you love spending time outdoors, come back on Wednesday, November 11, for Hiking at Old World Wisconsin from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This fall event is an amazing way to take in the changing seasons throughout the gorgeous Kettle Moraine. Then, come back on Saturday, November 14, for the Harvest Beer Dinner! From 5 to 8 p.m., the New Glarus Brewing and Old World Wisconsin Historic Brewing teams will guide attendees through an exquisite, four-course historic meal with drink pairings inside the Clausing Barn.
Home for the Holidays
And when the first flurries fall, plan your return for Home for the Holidays, a nostalgic celebration you and your family will cherish for years to come. Leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind to experience Old World holiday traditions, visit Santa’s workshop, make a handmade ornament, and create lasting memories together.
Before you go, get a sneak peek of everything waiting for you at Old World Wisconsin by watching this Discover Wisconsin episode: Old World Wisconsin — Historic Connections, New Adventures
Black Point Estate and Gardens
Next, head south to Lake Geneva, where Black Point Estate and Gardens presents its own lineup of can’t-miss spooky events you’ll definitely want to add to your calendar.
Spiritualism in the Victorian Era
First on the list is Spiritualism in the Victorian Era, a rare evening event happening on select Fridays in October from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mark your calendars for October 2, 9, and 23, then get ready for a night of thrills and chills. Sip a tasty cordial while listening to the fascinating tales of the Fox sisters, credited with launching the spiritualist movement in America, along with Wisconsin’s own connection to Victorian spiritualism.
A Walking Tour of Lake Geneva
On Saturday, October 3 through 17, lace up your walking shoes for Sordid and Scandalous: A Walking Tour of Lake Geneva. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., this guided tour takes you through the city’s historic downtown and the Maple Park neighborhood. It offers a one-of-a-kind chance to discover the spookier side of Lake Geneva’s history and local legends.
Poe at the Point
Finally, from Thursday, October 15, through Saturday, October 17, sail—if you dare—for Poe at the Point! From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., enjoy the spookiest sunset cruise around Geneva Lake before docking at Black Point Estate and Gardens for a night filled with chilling tales of Edgar Allan Poe.
Wade House
To the Wade House we go! Located in Greenbush, Wisconsin, this historic site is the perfect place to enjoy classic fall fun with the whole family.
Autumn Celebration Weekend
If you’re looking for a day filled with all the fall favorites, Autumn Celebration Weekend is just the event for you and your crew! On Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., carve pumpkins, press apples, and enjoy harvest-themed activities throughout the site. And while you’re there, you have to take a horse-drawn carriage ride!
An Evening at Wade’s Tavern
If you love good food, drinks, and live music, come on down for An Evening at Wade’s Tavern, happening on Thursday, October 22 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Step back into the social scene of the 19th century with specialty beers, apple cider, snacks, and music from The Belle Weather, an incredibly talented modern folk and indie rock group from Sheboygan.
Greenbush Cemetery Walk
Wrap up the historic fall fun at the Wade House with the Greenbush Cemetery Walk on Saturday, October 24. Put on your bravest face and take a docent-led tour of the historic Greenbush Cemetery, where you’ll discover some of the area’s spookiest stories. Click here to find the tour time that works for you and your crew!
History Maker Space
Now, we’re heading to the heart of Madison for yet another spectacularly spooky event at the History Maker Space!
Madison Misdeeds: A True Crime Walking Tour
You’re invited to Madison Misdeeds: A True Crime Walking Tour on select dates in October. Choose from Thursday, October 15 or 29, from 5 to 6:45 p.m., or Saturday, October 24 or 31, with tours offered from 10 to 11:45 a.m. and 1 to 2:45 p.m.
Prepare to step into the shadowy past of Wisconsin’s capital city with this true-crime walking tour! Along the way, uncover the spooky secrets of bootleggers, bank robbers, and killers who left their mark on Madison. Keep in mind, this tour is recommended for ages 13 and older.
Stonefield
Cassville is calling! Buckle up and plug in directions to Stonefield for a family-friendly fall event you and the kiddos will absolutely love!
Safe & Spooky Halloween
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 17! From 2:30 to 7:30 p.m., Safe & Spooky Halloween is the perfect event to enjoy a safe-but-spooky fright. Wear your costume, collect candy, and explore the home site of Wisconsin’s first governor, Nelson Dewey. Little ones can also enjoy “Light Fright” until 6 p.m.—but be sure to keep watch for ghosts and ghouls as dusk falls!
Villa Louis
Last but certainly not least, our final stop is Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin’s second-oldest city!
Voices from the Kitchen: Lamplight Servants Tours
On Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7, experience Voices from the Kitchen: Lamplight Servants Tours at 5, 6, or 7 p.m. Go behind the scenes at Villa Louis under the eerie glow of lamplight and explore never-before-seen areas of this historic site that were once used by the servants who lived and worked there. The best part? The tour ends in the kitchen with warm cider and fresh-baked pie from a historic stove!
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Ready to make some historic fall memories you’ll never forget? Start planning your visit to Wisconsin’s historic sites and add these can’t-miss spooky events to your calendar. From spooky stories after dark to family-friendly fun, there’s something for everyone to discover this season. So where will we see you this fall?
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Hailey Marien: Writer for Discover Mediaworks. A born & bred Wisconsinite with a love for fishing, hunting, and enjoying the great outdoors.
