Apple Picking Season is Here! 18 Orchards Within 2 Hours of Waukesha

Fall is calling, and there’s no better way to celebrate sweater season than with apple-picking adventures close to home. Whether you're dreaming of cider donuts, fresh-picked Honeycrisp, or crisp autumn air on the tractor wagon, Southeastern Wisconsin offers some of the best u-pick orchards around.

At The Hupke Team, we love highlighting the communities we serve—and these local orchards are the perfect mix of charm, tradition, and tasty fun. So grab your flannel and a basket… here are 18 of our favorite apple orchards in SE Wisconsin for the 2025 season!

Peck & Bushel – Colgate, WI
Open Fridays–Sundays from 10 am–4 pm, with the last group allowed to start picking at 3:30 pm. Celebrating its 15th apple season in 2025, Peck & Bushel features over 50,000 dwarf apple and fruit trees planted on a trellis system for easier harvest. The orchard is in the running for USA Today’s Best Apple Orchard and has kept prices unchanged for over five years. Treats include apple cider slushies, cream‑puff doughnuts, gourmet caramel apples (Dubai chocolate & turtle), and whimsical items like a “goat float” or apple‑cinnamon doughnut in vanilla ice cream.

The Elegant Farmer – Mukwonago, WI
Open daily, with the Autumn Harvest Festival running Saturdays & Sundays from September 6 through October 26, 10 am–5 pm. Admission and parking are free. Enjoy pick-your-own apples, hayrides, pony rides, train rides, and a corn maze. The Smilin’ Barn Café serves pulled pork, chili, cider‑baked ham, caramel apples, pies, and more. Their “apple pie in a paper bag” is rated the best in America by the Food Network, Wall Street Journal, and Milwaukee Magazine. Every Thursday, the orchard updates its site with what’s ripe for picking that weekend.

Appleland Farm Market – Fredonia, WI
Celebrating its 58th year in business in 2025, this generational family-owned orchard opens its fall season on August 20, with U‑Pick running through October 26 or until the first hard frost. The orchard offers U‑Pick and pre-picked apples, a pumpkin patch, wagon rides, a playground, a corn maze, and U‑Pick zinnias. Festivals include Fall Festival (Sept 20–21) and Jack‑O‑Lantern Jaunt (Oct 17). They grow 15+ apple varieties, including Honeycrisp, Zestar, McIntosh, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Paula Red, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious. U-Pick bags are sold in peck or half-peck sizes, with hand-washing stations and clearly labeled rows. The market features local honey, jams, jellies, salsa, UV-processed cider, and seasonal produce like plums and pears, with peaches returning in 2026. Kids can enjoy a play area with a tractor, sand tire pyramid, horse swings, and a petting horse.

Barthel Fruit Farm – Mequon, WI
Open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. Apple picking starts in September 2025, with a 10 lb peck bag priced at $18.65 ($18 cash) and a ½ bushel at $29 ($28 cash). The bakery offers cider donuts, scones, fritters, and drinks. Oktoberfest on Sept 20–21 features live polka, beer, brats, pretzels, wine, and hammerschlagen. A family-run operation since 1840, Barthel is one of the region’s oldest orchards. Their drive‑through orchard setup includes an attendant who guides you and provides picking bags. Italian plums are available for pick‑your‑own in early September—sweet, freestone varieties that feel straight out of a fairy tale. A corn maze adds extra fun to the visit.

Apple Holler – Sturtevant, WI
This 78-acre farm includes a farm-to-table restaurant, bakery, gift shop, orchard, and pick-your-own apples, peaches, and pears. Visitors enjoy hayrides, sleigh rides, barnyard animals, red barn dining, group tours, goat feeding, and pie & ice cream. Apple-picking admission includes access to the Family Fun Park with ride-on attractions, corn maze, farm animals, a goat bridge, slides, and story trails. Their “Picked for a Purpose” program donates $1 from every pre-picked bag sold in September to charities like Faith, Hope & Love and Safe Families for Children. Peach picking returns in 2025 with varieties like Desiree.

Sutter’s Ridge Orchard – Mt. Horeb, WI
Opening August 14, 2025, and operating Thurs–Sun from 10 am–5 pm, plus Labor Day Monday. The orchard offers 28+ apple varieties, including Honeycrisp, Zestar, Blondée, Ruby Mac, Autumn Crisp, Freedom, and Wealthy. Activities include a corn maze, pumpkin patch, cider donuts, wagon rides (starting Sept 14), and U‑Pick raspberries (~$5/pint) and aronia (chokeberry). Their Fun Pass includes the Corn Maze, Activity Area, and wagon rides—priced at $10 per person on weekends and $8 on weekdays. Pumpkin pricing ranges from $0.40/lb with a $3 minimum to $10 maximum.

Door Creek Orchard – Cottage Grove, WI
The season started Labor Day Weekend. Starting September 6, free time-slot reservations are required for Saturday and Sunday visits; weekdays remain open without reservations. Hours from August 30: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays; open Wednesday–Friday 10 am–6 pm; Saturday–Sunday 9 am–5 pm. The orchard features a short nature trail, sheep, and 88 apple varieties, with “What’s Ripe” updates available online.

Jelli’s Market – Helenville, WI
Apple picking is available every weekend through October, priced at $2.25 per pound. The farm also offers strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, farm-fresh meats, jams, and handcrafted household items—making it a full rural experience.

Appleberry Farm – Cross Plains, WI
Open Thurs–Sun, 9 am–5 pm during apple season. Wednesdays are reserved for school or group tours by appointment. The Brat Stand opens September 13, serving apple cider brats on weekends. Tours run Wednesdays from Sept 3 to Oct 29, 2025, and include an educational talk, orchard or wagon ride, processing tour, and two apples per participant.

Rim’s Edge Orchard – Germantown, WI
Offers 20+ apple varieties including Honeycrisp, Zestar!, EverCrisp, Idared, Strawberry, Cortland, and more. The orchard store features on-site honey, frozen cider pops, caramel apples, and visitors can sample different varieties before purchasing.

Eplegaarden – Fitchburg, WI
Open Monday–Thursday 9 am–1 pm; Friday–Sunday 9 am–5 pm during September & October 2025. Pick-your-own varieties are grouped by ripening season:
• Early (Aug–Mid Sept): Paula Red, Zestar, Akane, GingerGold, McIntosh, Gala, Pristine
• Mid (Sept–Early Oct): Cortland, Honeycrisp, Haralson, Jonathan, Fuji, Empire, Prairie Spy
• Late (October): Macoun, Northern Spy, JonaGold, Melrose, Cameo, Regent, Fortune, Golden & Red Delicious, Golden Russet
No admission or parking fees. PYO requires the purchase of a bag, after which visitors can enjoy hiking trails, tire swings, and farm animals.

Jacobson Orchards – Waterford, WI
Open Thurs–Sun, 9:30 am–5:00 pm. PYO apples available Saturdays & Sundays, with a self-serve stand available Mon–Wed for apples only. They grow over 40 apple varieties and offer a robust bakery lineup, including cider donuts, pies, turnovers, and bread.

Old Homestead Orchard – Franksville, WI
A time-tested family orchard for over 75 years, featuring U-pick apples and sunflowers, a poultry zoo, ride-on toys, and play areas. New for 2025: pony rides and “build your own caramel apple” stations. Artisan goods, picnic tables, sunflowers, cider donuts, and local fare are widely available. Pricing: About $10 per bag (5 lb capacity); additional visitors pay $4, kids 4 & under are free.

Gierach Orchards – Mequon, WI
Offers select apple varieties like Paula Red and Zestar for PYO, and carries pre‑picked fruit, pasture-raised meats, eggs, and other farm products in their Sales Barn.
Location & Atmosphere: Tucked into Mequon, Gierach Orchards sits on a charming 30-acre property at 9616 W Bonniwell Rd., offering a peaceful country escape just minutes from the North Shore.
Hours: Open Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm—perfect for flexible weekend and weekday fall plans.
New for 2025: sunflower maze and cut flower field with a DIY bouquet option (around $5/person; kids under 4 free).
Sales Barn Selections: Inside the charming barn, visitors can find pre-picked fruit, the freshest apple cider, pasture-raised meats, free-range poultry (including chicken and duck), farm-fresh eggs, and other handcrafted farm goods.
Family-Friendly Touches: A rustic chicken coop near parking offers kids a peek at chickens and ducks—without feeding—to start your visit with simple farm charm.
Ambiance & Simplicity: Gierach Orchards ensures a cozy, low-key experience—no crowds, no lines—where the focus is discovering fruit, fresh blooms, and country tranquility.

Honey Creek Orchard – Cedarburg, WI
A family-friendly orchard featuring interactive activities like emus and other farm animals, old-west-style buildings, tractor basketball, and pumpkins. Fresh-up cider donuts are a seasonal favorite, adding a sweet touch to the rustic experience.

Bauer’s Apple Shed – Hortonville, WI
One of the oldest orchards in the region, first planted in 1972. Currently offers 15 apple varieties. The shed sells jams, honey, and apple syrup. Open daily from 9 am–6 pm, and Sundays from 10 am–5 pm. A charming, no-frills destination for traditional apple lovers.

Apple Barn Orchard & Winery – Elkhorn, WI
Apple picking lasts 6–7 weekends, generally starting in early September. According to their social media, “Apple season 2025 starts after Labor Day.” Open Friday–Saturday 10:00 am–4:00 pm and Sunday 12–4 pm. Please note: no pets allowed.
Family-owned and operated since 1985, the orchard features over 20 apple varieties, including Honeycrisp, Gala, Cortland, Empire, Fuji, and McIntosh. They also grow pumpkins and grapes, and produce their own line of country wines—available for sampling in the tasting room. Favorites include Honey Crisp Wine, Apple Cinnamon, Cherry, and Raspberry. The on-site Country Store & Bakery offers homemade pies, caramel apples, cider donuts, and seasonal gifts. Fall Festival weekends include live music and a small petting farm for kids (2025 dates TBD). You’ll also find fall décor, mums, jams, syrups, and locally made canned goods.

Basse’s Apple & Sunflower Festival – Colgate, WI
The 6th Annual Apple & Sunflower Fest runs for three weekends only (weather permitting):

• September 5–7

• September 12–14
  Event Hours:

• Fridays: 3:00 pm–7:00 pm

• Saturdays & Sundays: 10:00 am–6:00 pm
  Included in Admission:

• A ¼‑peck bag of U‑Pick apples (varieties include Honeycrisp, Zestar, McIntosh, Fuji, Cortland, Gayla, Sun Crisp, Candy Crisp, Ida Red, and Ludacrisp)

• Sunflower Maze (weather permitting)

• Zinnia walk-through/photo ops

• Grain train rides to and from the fields

• Bubble Bin for giant bubbles

• Lawn games like bag toss, Connect 4, spun chairs, and a box maze
  Extra-Cost Add-ons include:

• Vintage bucket of sunflowers and zinnias (includes shears and water bucket)

• Lavender bunch (U‑Pick)

• $4.99 – Lavender sachet
  Beer Garden: Located within the Sunflower Patch, featuring wine slushies, craft beers (6 taps), seltzers, and kombucha (must be 21+; last drinks sold 30 minutes before close).

🍎 Thinking About Planting Roots This Fall?
As you fill your basket with apples and soak up the best of Wisconsin’s fall traditions, you might also be thinking about a new chapter. Whether it's upsizing, downsizing, or relocating to a home with more trees than traffic, fall is a perfect time to explore your options. At The Hupke Team, we’re proud to serve the communities we call home—and even prouder to help you find your place in them.

With 121 closings and over $38 million in real estate sales in 2024, plus 100+ five-star reviews on Google, we combine trusted results with a neighborly touch. Let’s make this season not just about apples—but about fresh starts.