Every year I fall for football, pumpkins, bonfires, nature walks, lattes, apples and the place that has it all: Wisconsin. So, let’s leave summer evenings behind and get ready for autumn leaves! Allow me to share some Wisconsin Fall Favorites… (P.s. If you do not see one of your must-do’s/must-have’s for the perfect fall weekend, give them a shout-out in the comment section below!)
Cranberry Capital of Wisconsin (Warrens)
Fall is cranberry harvest season and Wisconsin is the nation’s largest producer of the cranberry. So, where exactly is the Cranberry Capital of Wisconsin? Warrens! Mark Sept. 25-27 on your calendar for Warrens Cranberry Festival. Over the three days the festival occurs, you’ll enjoy a parade, marsh tours, plenty of shopping and fabulous food. Be sure to stop by the Discover Wisconsin booth and say hello to the #DWcrew if you see ‘em—we’re filming at the festival all weekend!
Also in Warrens is the Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center and Museum, which provides folks with the unique history of the cranberry. You’ll also visit a test kitchen and ice cream parlor to taste the amazing cranberry creations they have waiting for you.
Turkey Ridge Organic Apple Orchard (Gays Mills)
Autumn is paired with spectacular colors, delicious smells, pumpkin carvings and plenty of apples. There are tons of apple orchards in Wisconsin, but here is one that offers a true connection to the apples you are picking and eating: Turkey Ridge’s goal is to connect the visitors to the apples beyond the harvest season. They offer a spring work party day and a unique “sponsor a tree” program where they can underwrite a tree and visit it throughout the season, which allows them to pick the best apples from that tree. Aside from apples, however, this place offers cider, jam, jellies, pies and graze-fed pork! Are you hungry yet?!
Community First Fox Cities Marathon & Half Marathon (Appleton)
Summer is not the only season for competitive fun. On Sunday, September 20, 2015, more than 4,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair competitors cross the finish line each year at Appleton’s Community First Fox Cities Marathon & Half Marathon Festival of Races. The event is ranked as one of the Midwest’s best marathon and half marathon races and is the perfect way to enjoy a run outside in the crisp fall air. And bonus: There’s a new course this year incorporating paved trails and scenic waterfront and parks.
Door County Wine Trail (Door County)
Fall really is the most wonderful time of the year to experience beautiful wineries in Wisconsin. And when we’re talking Wisconsin wineries, Door County should definitely be on your shortlist of places to visit since the Door County Wine Trail encompasses seven wineries throughout the Door County Peninsula! The Door County Distillery is a must-do on this trail as it is one of the few handcrafted distilleries in the state of Wisconsin and the first in the region to produce vodka and gin! With Door County offering a beautiful backdrop, this is the perfect fall getaway.
Waterfall Capital of Wisconsin (Marinette County)
Everything a person should be doing in autumn should be outside, right? Well, this waterfall tour will most definitely get you out and about in the beautiful fall scenery in Wisconsin! Marinette County is known as the Waterfall Capital of Wisconsin as it is home to 14 breathtaking waterfalls. You can make this a weekend getaway or longer vacation; you can choose an adventurous trek complete with hiking and camping or a relaxing retreat including a picnic near the falls (with Wisconsin Cheese, of course!).
What do you fall in love with during autumn?
