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Five Fall Must-Dos

Pack up the kids and make a family day of “autumning”

1. Pick pumpkins and apples

Take advantage of the fall harvest and pick your own produce. Peter’s Pumpkin Patch in Kaukauna offers pre-picked squash and gourds and their own raw honey as well as pick-your-own pumpkins. Polly’s Pumpkin Patch in Chilton is another choice with 50 different kinds of pumpkins and a 15-acre corn maze. Star Orchard in Kaukauna features a pick-your-own apple orchard and pumpkin patch. Along with its orchard, Apple Valley Orchard in De Pere also has a walking trail and animal area with sheep, goats and other farm animals.

2. Explore a corn maze

Feeling adventurous? Corn mazes are always a fun experience to take on with friends and family. Meuer Farm in Chilton hosts an annual corn maze for the fall season and also offers hayrides and an activity area for kids. Dairy View Country Store in Sturgeon Bay has a corn maze as well, with three different optional games that involve finding different checkpoints within the maze for those who want an extra challenge. With a train ride, animals and mini golf as well as a corn maze, Sunny Acres Farm in Oshkosh is another great place to visit.

3. Take a stroll through the fall colors

Get some fresh air while taking in the beautiful vibrancy of fall leaves at a local nature preserve or park. Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton has 8.5 miles of scenic trails with two observation towers, perfect for taking in the fall colors from above. Be sure to check out the preserve’s Romp in the Autumn Swamp event with hayrides, a trick-or-treat trail, Halloween-themed activities, face painting and s’mores by the bonfire on October 22 from 3-7 p.m. High Cliff State Park in Sherwood is a popular fall color destination with thick forests and beautiful views of Lake Winnebago. At 1000 Islands Environmental Center in Kaukauna, hikers will find plenty of wildlife and 240 acres of lush forest and scenic views of the Fox River.

4. Go on a hayride 

Enjoy the autumn scenery with a hayride, a fall tradition that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Kill two birds with one stone and get a pumpkin from Hidden Stream Farm’s patch in Oshkosh along with the ride. Cavanaugh Carriages in Neenah also give hayrides through the woods and has farm animals and a pumpkin patch, too.

5. Take a trip on the Great Pumpkin Train 

Take your family to the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay and ride the Great Pumpkin Train to the pumpkin patch to pick out your own pumpkins. The train runs on both Saturday, October 14 and Saturday, October 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. The day will also include music, crafts and games for children of all ages. Visit nationalrrmuseum.org for more information. —KM

Bonus: Make pumpkin mules

Head to Osorio’s Latin Fusion in Appleton for this cocktail that is featured on their special October menu. Co-owner Kimberly Finnell says whipping one up at home is a breeze too. Simply start by filling a copper mule mug with ice. Add 1 1/2 ounces of Revel Stoke pumpkin whiskey, juice from half a lime and 5 ounces Barrett’s ginger beer. Finish with two dashes of ground cinnamon, put your feet up and enjoy.