Whether you're the "plan ahead" type or prefer spontaneity, refer to this list for ideas that will, hopefully, appeal to the entire crew.
Partner Pick
Alsum Sweet Corn’s 3rd Annual Fall Family Fun Day
13001 W. North Ave, Brookfield
allevents.in
Alsum Sweet Corn’s third annual, FREE Fall Family Day takes place Saturday, Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fun includes free pumpkin decorating, face painting, a bounce house, kids games, fresh donuts, caramel apples, door prizes and more. Plus, purchase homegrown pumpkins, mums, fresh produce, canned items and seasonal decor to bring the fall fun back home with you.
Apple Barn Orchard & Winery
W6384 Sugar Creek, Rd, Elkhorn
applebarnorchardandwinery.com
Apple picking, pumpkin patch perusing, fresh pie and cider, live music and – this one's for you, parents – wine tasting. The Apple Barn Orchard & Winery have the entire family in mind when it comes to fall festivities.
Appleland Farm Market
4177 State Road 57, Fredonia
applelandorchard.com
Only 36 minutes outside of Milwaukee, Appleland Farm Market is a family-owned, locally-grown farm. Pick apples (or buy bags of pre-picked fruits), check out the Jack-O-Lantern Jaunt, enjoy the on-site playground, snack on fresh baked sweet treats, slurp cider slushies and more. Guest can also bring a picnic lunch and enjoy views of the countryside.
Apple Holler
5006 S. Sylvania Ave, Sturtevant
appleholler.com
Apple Holler is one of Wisconsin's most popular family-friendly fall destinations. The 78-acre farm offers PYO (pick-your-own) apples, peaches and pears, tractor-drawn hayrides, farm animal rides, corn maze, multiple shopping stands, play areas and an on-site full restaurant. Check the website for hours and times.
Partner Pick
October 19 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Oak Creek Fall Festival is a harvest tradition in Drexel Town Square! It's an outdoor event to celebrate everything autumn. This family-friendly event includes food & drinks, live music, vendors and fun fall activities for everyone! Plus, catch the final day of the 2024 Oak Creek Farmers Market while you're there. Learn more
Barthel Fruit Farm
12246 N. Farmdale Rd, Mequon
barthelfruitfarm.com
The Barthels experience includes a corn maze and a couple other seasonal attractions, but mostly it's focused on spending time in the fields, searching for the perfect pumpkin, and then filling up on scratch-made cider and goodies from the bakery. Wisconsin nature at its best.
Basse’s Taste of Country
3190 County Line Q, Colgate
bassesfarms.com
Only 25 minutes northwest of Milwaukee, Basse's offers pumpkin picking, 8-acre corn maze and more than 65 activities including pig races, farmer "Plinko," pumpkin bowling, a beer barn and more. It's the Disneyland of Wisconsin autumnal events!
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
929 E. Wisconsin Ave.
bbcmkids.org
For a not-so-scary Halloween experience, visit Betty Boo’s Spooktacular on Thursday, Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meet the animals from Tatiana’s Tiny Zoo, enjoy a performance by Kohl’s Wild Theater, watch a guest artist take on a pumpkin carving challenge and craft glow-in-the-dark slime. Tickets available through the link above.
Partner Pick
Boo at the Zoo
10001 W. Bluemound Rd.
milwaukeezoo.org
Boo at the Zoo returns Thursday, Oct. 17 through Sunday, Oct. 20. Enjoy family-friendly activities like a Trick-or-Treat Trail to gather goodies, live pumpkin-carving demonstrations, “Creatures of the Night” talks, and, of course, animals, animals and more animals. Guests of all ages are encouraged to wear costumes. Get tickets via the link above.
Boogie Bash & Costume Contest
5800 N. Bayshore Dr.
thebayshorelife.com
Come in a costume and get ready to BOOgie! Celebrate spooky season at The Yard at Bayshore during this free event that takes place Friday, Oct. 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. The totally-unterrifying itinerary includes The Great Pumpkin Giveaway where the first 500 children will receive a free pumpkin to decorate in the kid zone during the event. Plus, festivities include a costumed dance party at 5 p.m., costume contest by Kid Boogie Down at 6 p.m., face painting, balloon twisters, and goodie bag giveaways while supplies last.
Cedarburg Creek Farm
649 Hwy 60, Cedarburg
cedarburgcreekfarm.com
Cedarburg Creek Farm checks all the boxes for the ultimate autumnal experience. Pumpkins, hayrides, corn mazes, barnyard animals and all-ages entertainment make this free stop a soon-to-be favorite stop.
China Lights 2024: Year of the Dragon
9400 Boerner Dr, Hales Corners
chinalights.org
Wander through the spectacular Boerner Botanical Gardens during this year’s show China Lights: Year of the Dragon. Check out more than 40 larger-than life displays like The Dragon King, flower tunnel and zodiac lanterns along with nightly entertainment, food and drink, stunning photo opps and more. Grab tickets via the above link.
Discovery World
500 N. Harbor Dr.
discoveryworld.org
The Halloween Members Night takes place on Friday, Oct. 25, from 5-8:30 p.m. The magickal night includes projects, trick-or-treat, "mermaid echo" show, underwater pumpkin carving, costume make-up workshop and more. Not a member? Now's the time to join to experience this one-of-a-kind Halloween happening.
The Elegant Farmer
1545 Main St, Mukwonago
elegantfarmer.com
Follow your nose to find The Elegant Farmer where the legendary apple pies baked in a paper bags are waiting for you. The locale also offers a deli, market, old-fashioned farm experience with pumpkin picking, pony and train rides, photo opps and more. Admission and parking are free.
Fall at the Farm
7150 18th St, Kenosha
jerrysmithfarm.com
Fall at the Farm is happening now through Oct. 31 at Jerry Smith Farm in Kenosha. Peep the colors, shop for decorations, pick pumpkins and devour fall treats. Plus, check out the petting zoo, bounce pads, hayrides, corn maze, climbing wall of trees, giant tube play areas, tractors and more.
Fall Festival
361 W. Town Square Way, Oak Creek
oakcreekwi.gov
Bring your family to Drexel Town Square in Oak Creek for Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Revel in not-so-spooky season with a harvest market, hayrides, costume contest, pumpkin decorating, inflatable corn maze, treats, libations and more. Click the link for all the details.
Fall Family Fest/Trunk or Treat
5151 W. Layton Ave.
Fall-Family-FestTrunk-or-Treat
Celebrate Fall Family Fest at Konkel Park in Greenfield on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The spookalicious excitement includes inflatables, haystack play area, games, food, beverages, animal balloons, glitter tattoos, petting zoo and pie eating contest (pre-register via the above link.)
Family Free Day
10001 W. Bluemound Rd.
milwaukeezoo.org
Save the date and live it up at the Zoo during Family Free Day on Saturday, Oct. 5. All guests will receive free admission (though parking and regular attraction fees will remain in effect). Enjoy the animals, the fall colors and more.
Halloween Family Fun Nights
N96W15791 County Line Rd, Menomonee Falls
halloweenfamilyfunnights
The Menomonee Falls Historical Society at Old Falls Village Park invites you to their Halloween Family Fun Nights on Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission includes live performances, pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts, marshmallow roasting by campfire and storytelling.
HalloWings in Gazebo Park
5602 Broad St.
giftofwings.com
Gift of Wings will host HalloWings in Gazebo Park in the Historic Downtown Greendale Village from Oct. 22-27. Carve a free pumpkin and leave it on display through Halloween to watch it glow with the other 500 spook-tacular pumpkins. There will also be games, music, food and beverages, free candy and more.
Honey Creek Orchard
8210 Pioneer Rd, Cedarburg
honeycreekorchardcedarburg.com
Plan a trip to Honey Creek Orchard for pre-picked apples or wander through their 2,500 apple trees with more than 75 varieties for your favorite apples. You can also pick your pumpkins, enjoy seasonal food items, visit the animals and walk through the Western Town buildings.
Jack O’ Lantern Nights
2131 N. Main St, Racine
racinezoo.org
Light it up at the Racine Zoo for Jack-O’-Lantern Nights through Sunday, Nov. 3. Enjoy the intricately designed jack-o’-lanterns, enchanting light displays, a decorating contest, seasonal food and beverages, and more. Go the website for more info.
Jellystone Park Camp-Resort
8425 WI-38, Caledonia
campjellystone.com
Enjoy the fall air, changing leaves, pumpkins and other fall outdoor decor while autumn camping. Choose whether you want to tent camp, bring your RV or enjoy a cabin. Mini-golf courses, game rooms, wagon rides and activities are included.
JJ’s Pumpkins and Petting Zoo
W3334 WI-11, Elkhorn
facebook.com
Check out acres of family-friendly and affordable fun like kids games, pumpkin picking, hay rides, petting zoo and tons o'treats.
Milky Way Drive-In
7035 S. Ballpark Dr.
milkywaydrivein.com
Make your way to the Milky Way Drive-In this fall to see all your favorite spooky flicks. Pack up the car, purchase your tickets and park at the Ballpark Commons at The Rock Sports Complex in Franklin to see family-friendly spooky season favorites like “Hocus Pocus,” “Monsters Inc.," "Casper," "A Nightmare on Elm Street," and more. Click the link for dates and times.
Milwaukee Public Museum
800 W. Wells St.
mpm.edu
The Streets of Old Milwaukee will experience autumn for the first time ever with vintage decorations, candy corn for sale in the Haymarket candy store, Halloween postcards more than 120 years old in the printing shop and - get this - leaves falling from above. Runs through Monday, Nov. 4.
Peck & Bushel Organic Fruit Company
5454 County Rd Q, Colgate
peckandbushel.com
Bring your family to a family-owned and operated organic apple orchard 36 minutes outside of Milwaukee. Wander through the impeccable 80-acre orchard with 40,000 dwarf apple and fruit trees to visit. Plus, it's a great spot to capture perfect fall family photos.
Pumpkin Decorating Brunch Fest
4606 N. Wilson Dr.
littlesproutsplaycafe.com
Have a "gourd" time with your family at Pumpkin Decorating Brunch Fest in Shorewood on Sunday, Oct. 13 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Enjoy scare-free fun like pumpkin decorating, then stick around for a large brunch spread of bagels, donuts, fruit, apple cider, mimosas and more.
Swan’s Pumpkin Farm
5930 Highway H, Franksville
thepumpkinfarm.com
Swan’s Pumpkin Farm offers spectacular pumpkins with delicious sweet treats. Plus, plenty of scary and not-so-scary stuff to do, from friendly pettings zoos to haunted corn mazes and more.
Treinen Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
W12420 WI-60 Trunk, Lodi
treinenfarm.com
Treinen Farm's corn maze is so massive and intricate it may seem like an outdoor escape room. Once you escape, take a walk through the 18-acre pumpkin patch to find a pumpkin, meets goats, climb walls and more.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
