Whether you’re searching for that picture-perfect pumpkin or spooktacular haunted houses filled with creatures that go bump in the night, Wisconsin knows how to celebrate autumn right. From chilly afternoons apple picking to trick or treating by candlelight in a cave, here’s your guide to all things fall in Wisconsin.
Family Friendly Fall Fun
Celebrate the change of the seasons at Cedarburg Creek Farm. Tucked away in the picturesque Wisconsin countryside in rural Ozaukee County, this farm hosts its annual fall celebration every September and October. Take a ride on the Haunted Hayride, get lost in the corn maze or spend a cool afternoon hunting for a Jack-o-Lantern-worthy pumpkin at the patch. There are even barrel train rides, a petting zoo and delicious fall-inspired goodies to munch on. On select weekends, the farm also hosts antique tractor demonstrations.
Autumn is all about apples at Helene’s Hilltop Orchard. Located in Merrill, Wisconsin, this orchard offers a variety of activities during its Fall Harvest Celebration, September through October. Enjoy an afternoon of apple picking in the crisp fall air. Take a stroll through the vibrant sunflower fields. Or, enjoy a wagon ride around the property. Of course, no trip is complete without trying out Helene’s homemade baked goods. Munch on delectable apple turnovers, ooey and gooey caramel apple pies and fresh-baked apple cider donuts. Ask for a sample of their Honeycrisp wine from the on-site liquor cellar or a warm mug of apple cider.
Scream-worthy Haunted Houses and Attractions
There’s no turning back at the Dominion of Terror, a must-visit for Halloween and an annual Sheboygan tradition for over 50 years. With all proceeds going to charity, this 20-room haunted house scares up quite the crowd, combining fear with philanthropy. While the themes change each year, the experience is always a frighteningly good time, from creepy clowns tormenting you in line to the vortex bridge tunnel where space and time distort. For 2023, the haunt now features a bone-chilling escape room where life and death rely on solving puzzles to gain freedom! If you’re looking for a family-friendly experience, check out the Children’s Matinee – no monsters, lights on and trick or treating for the kiddos!
Danger lurks around every corner at Wisconsin Fearfest, a new thrill park in Plymouth that dials up the terror. Home to three expansive haunted houses, a hayride and miniature escape rooms, you’ll be screaming the night away – if you survive. Attempt to escape the horrors of Hillbilly Hell. Lose your sanity in the 13th Ward Asylum. And fight for your life in the Anarchy haunt. Take a break from the terror at the midway, where DJs play the latest hits on Friday nights, and live bands keep the party going on Saturdays. You’ll also find devilish treats, a paintball shooting gallery, and craft beer vendors.Â
Prepare to run for your life at Screamin’ Acres in Stoughton. Featuring 22,000 square feet of sheer panic, this horror attraction brings frightful scenarios to life that will leave you breathless. Avoid being the latest dish on the menu and face off against demented butchers in Slaughterhaus. Escape the clutches of deformed inmates in Lockup, where there is no bail, just death! At Last Resort, hallucinations and psychological torment await those who dare enter. And if you’re in the mood for some shock therapy, the Death Trap sideshow is electrifying.
Autumn Festivals and Events
An annual tradition for over thirty years, the Great Pumpkin Festival in Whitefish Bay brings the community together through the art of pumpkin carving. Throughout the last week of October, free pumpkins can be picked up at Old School House Park for folks to carve and drop back off. Then, the pumpkins are lit every night until Halloween to celebrate the season. Of course, there’s more to the festival than Jack-O-Lanterns. In the evening, vendors serve craft beer, steaming cups of apple cider and delicious treats while local bands entertain the crowds.
Are you afraid of the dark? Descend into the Cave of Mounds depths by candlelight for a trick-or-treat experience you’ll never forget. Held every night in October, HOLLOween at the Cave takes visitors through the expansive cave system with a Halloween twist. Dress up in your favorite costume and explore the cave with an experienced guide. Along the way, you’ll trick-or-treat for crystals, geodes and fossils instead of candy. It’s a fun event for kids and adults and a unique way to explore the cave.
For three days every October, the Manitowoc Expo Grounds transforms into Wisconsin’s largest Halloween festival. Celebrating freaks, folklore, and all things creepy and kooky, Windigo Fest pulls out all the stops with incredible live performances, celebrity horror guests and a wealth of fright-filled activities. Test your carving skills in the Pumpkin Carving Contest. Watch witches, ghouls and macabre floats during the Halloween Parade. Or, discover your future with the resident psychic. Check out the vendor area for spooky jewelry, art and collectibles. And if you’re hungry, don’t miss out on delicious barbecue, steaks, and sweet treats.
