Milwaukee North Shore Guide to Pumpkin Picking 2025
The Milwaukee north shore offers pumpkin picking experiences within a 20-minute drive of most communities, ranging from free admission family farms to comprehensive agritourism destinations featuring over 65 activities. Whether you're seeking budget-friendly fun or educational experiences that combine agriculture with entertainment, the north shore's diverse farm offerings cater to families with children ages 3-14 through unique approaches that distinguish Wisconsin's pumpkin picking scene.
The area's strength lies in its variety of authentic, family-owned operations that have operated for generations alongside newer farms focused specifically on family entertainment. From working dairy farms where children can witness real agricultural operations to destination farms with elaborate corn mazes and entertainment complexes, north shore families have access to distinctly different pumpkin picking experiences within minutes of home.
Cedarburg Creek Farm offers free admission, free hayrides, and free parking while still providing quality family activities. Located at 649 Highway 60 in Cedarburg, this family-owned operation runs September 21 through October 31 with daily 10am-6pm hours. The farm includes a corn maze, petting zoo with barnyard animals, barrel train rides, bounce houses, and weekend entertainment. Individual activities require minimal fees (typically $2-6), making it possible for families to enjoy a full day for under $20 total.
The farm's philosophy centers on making fall activities accessible to all families, with owners who worked with the original Retzlaff family farm continuing traditions of community involvement. Their antique tractor plowing demonstrations and weekend live entertainment create an authentic farm atmosphere. that many larger operations cannot match. Parents consistently praise the relaxed pace and genuine farm feel, noting that children can explore freely without constant admission monitoring.
Silver Spring Pumpkin Farm in Menomonee Falls represents the area's premier "hidden gem," operating since 2001 with a focus on locally grown variety and affordability. Open daily 10am-7pm with no admission fees, the farm specializes in offering Wisconsin's most diverse pumpkin selection, including pie pumpkins, carving varieties, white pumpkins, and unique ornamental types. Most pumpkins cost $5 or less, and the farm's authentic growing operation appeals to families seeking genuine agricultural experiences without commercial distractions.
Creekside Valley Farm in Mequon uniquely combines entertainment with educational goals, operating under the family mission that every visitor should "learn something" during their visit. Located at 13101 N Wauwatosa Road, this farm charges no admission but requests $6 for their 8-acre corn maze featuring agricultural trivia questions that guide visitors toward the exit. The farm operates September 21 through October 31, daily 9am-7pm.
The farm's distinctive features include a theater room with free popcorn and movies, including Packers games on Sundays, plus a giant "Goliath chair" designed for memorable family photos. Their petting zoo features pygmy goats, donkeys, chickens, miniature ponies, horses, beef cattle, peacocks, and turkeys, with free pedal tractors and swings for younger children. The educational component extends to pumpkin games like tic-tac-toe and checkers, plus a scavenger hunt featuring their hidden pony "Socks."
Cozy Nook Farm in Waukesha offers Wisconsin's most authentic working farm experience. among pumpkin picking destinations. This sixth-generation dairy farm maintains 65 registered Brown Swiss and Guernsey cows alongside 40+ pumpkin varieties in unique colors including white, green, tan, and red. Daily cow milking demonstrations at 5pm allow children to witness real agricultural operations, while weekend hayrides ($5 per person, $3 under 10) traverse working farm fields.
The farm's 190-year history connects directly to regional cheese production through Prairie Farms, providing children with complete farm-to-table education. Farm tours available by appointment reveal dairy operations that many children have never experienced, making this location ideal for families seeking authentic agricultural learning combined with pumpkin picking.
Basse's Taste of Country in Colgate operates as the region's most complete family entertainment destination, featuring 65+ fall activities within a single admission price. Located 25 minutes northwest of Milwaukee at 3190 County Line Road, the farm charges $14.78 weekdays and $19.49 weekends but includes virtually everything in admission. The facility operates as completely cashless, accepting only credit, debit, and mobile payments.
The farm's signature "Barncade" features barn-housed vintage arcade games alongside unique attractions like an 8-acre corn maze, pumpkin cannon, jumping pillows, inflatable obstacle courses, duck races, train rides, animal barns, mechanical bulls, and a ropes course with 17 obstacles. Their comprehensive approach appeals particularly to families with older children (ages 8-14) who appreciate arcade games, ropes courses, and competitive activities like giant Connect 4 and pumpkin checkers.
Weekend programming includes pig races, live entertainment shows, and end-of-day candy drops at 5pm. The farm's beer barn caters to adults while children enjoy supervised activities, making it suitable for multi-generational family visits. Parents appreciate the all-inclusive pricing model that eliminates constant individual activity fees.
Barthel Fruit Farm in Mequon represents Wisconsin's longest-operating fruit farm, established in 1839 with seven generations of family involvement. Located at 12246 N Farmdale Road, the farm operates September through October, daily 9am-5pm. While primarily focused on apple picking with 75+ varieties, their fall season includes extensive pumpkin selections and corn mazes.
The farm's on-site bakery produces fresh apple cider donuts daily, and their annual Oktoberfest celebration features live music and beer gardens. The drive-through checkout system accommodates busy families, while their reputation for fruit quality attracts families seeking premium produce alongside fall activities. Their proximity to Mequon makes them easily accessible from most north shore communities.
Honey Creek Orchard in Cedarburg combines traditional orchard experiences with extensive family amenities at 8210 Pioneer Road. Operating September 7 through mid-November with varied daily hours, the farm requires admission covering unlimited access to activities. Their Western Town play area, climbing tractors, and farm animals create comprehensive entertainment beyond apple picking.
The farm's 75+ apple varieties peak during September and October, with fresh apple cider donuts made daily. Children under 3 receive free activities, making it particularly appealing for families with multiple age groups. The farm store offers extensive baked goods and seasonal treats, while their playground equipment accommodates younger children during apple picking expeditions.
Early morning visits (9-10am) provide optimal experiences across all farms, offering cooler temperatures, smaller crowds, and first selection of pumpkins. Weekday visits typically feature significantly less crowding than weekends, though some farms limit activities on weekdays. Mid-October weekends represent peak crowding periods that families with young children should avoid.
Late September through early October offers the sweet spot for pumpkin quality and manageable crowds before Halloween rush periods. Most farms operate weather permitting, making advance phone calls advisable during uncertain weather conditions. Closed-toe shoes are essential for all farms, with boots recommended during wet conditions.
Cost-conscious families can enjoy full pumpkin picking experiences for under $20 per family at free admission farms like Cedarburg Creek Farm and Silver Spring Pumpkin Farm. Mid-range options typically cost $30-50 for families, while comprehensive destinations like Basse's require $60-80 for family admission but include extensive activities that would cost significantly more individually.
The north shore's pumpkin picking locations integrate with broader community fall celebrations, including the Whitefish Bay Great Pumpkin Festival (October 23-26), Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival throughout September weekends, and Port Washington Fall Street Festival in early October. - Many farms coordinate with local businesses to offer combined experiences or special event pricing.
Photography opportunities abound across all locations, with farms providing seasonal decorations, hay bales, and themed displays specifically for family photos. Earth-tone clothing (dark greens, browns) photographs best against autumn backgrounds, while golden hour timing (early morning or late afternoon) provides optimal lighting conditions.
The region's commitment to authentic agricultural experiences distinguishes Milwaukee north shore pumpkin picking from more commercialized destinations, offering families genuine connections to Wisconsin farming traditions while providing entertainment that satisfies children across all age ranges. Whether seeking budget-friendly fall fun or comprehensive family entertainment, the north shore delivers exceptional variety within minutes of home.
Closest to North Shore Communities:
Creekside Valley Farm (Mequon): (414) 852-5752, 13101 N Wauwatosa Road
Barthel Fruit Farm (Mequon): (262) 242-2737, 12246 N Farmdale Road
Cedarburg Creek Farm (Cedarburg): (414) 333-5600, 649 Highway 60
Honey Creek Orchard (Cedarburg): (414) 788-0765, 8210 Pioneer Road
Budget-Friendly Options:
Silver Spring Pumpkin Farm (Menomonee Falls): N56W18884 Silver Spring Drive, daily 10am-7pm, no admission fees
Cozy Nook Farm (Waukesha): (262) 968-2573, S11 W30780 Summit Ave, hayrides $5/$3
Comprehensive Entertainment:
Basse's Taste of Country (Colgate): (262) 628-2626, 3190 County Line Road, cashless facility, $14.78-19.49 admission
Most farms accept credit cards, though cash remains useful for smaller activity fees. All locations provide free parking, and most accommodate strollers on main pathways while requiring walking on uneven terrain for pumpkin patch access.