The Elegant Farmer Autumn Harvest Fest 2025 Guide

The Elegant Farmer’s Autumn Harvest Fest in Mukwonago offers completely free admission to Wisconsin's most beloved fall family destination, featuring apple picking from 12 varieties, a 5-acre corn maze, and the famous "Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag" that Food Network called America's best.

Quick Facts

Dates: September 6 - October 26, 2025 (Weekends Only)
Hours: Market: 9 AM daily / Festival: 10 AM - 5 PM (Sat-Sun)
Location: 1545 Main Street, Mukwonago, WI
Admission: FREE (activities $5-10, apple picking $25/peck)
Parking: Free on-site
Activities: Apple picking (12 varieties), 5-acre corn maze, hayrides, pony rides Train Rides: East Troy Electric Railroad ($12-18) Food: Award-winning apple pie, cider donuts, farm cafe Important
Note: Outhouses only - no indoor restrooms

An Autumn weekend festival

The Elegant Farmer Harvest Fest operates exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays from September 6 through October 26, 2025. The market opens daily at 9 AM, but orchard activities run from 10 AM to 5 PM during festival weekends only. This schedule creates a focused, high-energy atmosphere but requires advance planning since weekday visits won't include the full festival experience.

Apple varieties change weekly throughout the season, with the farm posting "What's Pickin'" updates every Thursday on their website. Early September offers limited varieties, while mid-October provides peak selection from their 12 apple types including Cortland, Granny Smith, Gala, and specialty varieties like Wolf River and Golden Russet.

The corn maze closes at 4 PM with last entry, giving families a one-hour window before the 5 PM festival closure. This timing works well for combining morning apple picking with afternoon maze adventures, but requires careful schedule coordination for families wanting to experience everything.

Admission and prices

Admission and parking are completely free, making this festival accessible to families on any budget. The core apple orchard experience, browsing, and market shopping cost nothing beyond what you choose to purchase.

Activity pricing remains family-friendly: the corn maze costs $7 for adults and children 3+, with kids 2 and under free. Hayrides run $7 for adults and $5 for kids 3-11, while pony rides cost $10 per child. Apple picking follows standard orchard pricing - a peck (quarter bushel) costs $25 and typically serves a family of four for immediate eating and basic baking needs.

The East Troy Electric Railroad offers vintage train rides with separate pricing:

• Adult (Ages 15+): $19.90

• Senior (65+)/Military (with ID): $17.28

• Child (Ages 3-14): $13.60

• Infant/Toddler (Ages 0-2): FREE

• Special Grandparent's Day promotion available

These historic trains run hourly during festival weekends, connecting the farm to downtown East Troy for extended exploration. Tickets are available for purchase online.

East Troy Electric Railroad offers vintage train rides

Apple picking and family activities

Apple picking is the main the family experience with 12 varieties available across the harvest season. Unlike many orchards, the Elegant Farmer encourages tree climbing and provides ladders for children, creating an interactive learning environment. Kids can participate in the "ground apple game" - collecting 25 fallen apples earns a free sugar cookie from tractor drivers.

For more apple-picking options, see our full guide to apple picking in the Milwaukee area.

The 5-acre corn maze features family-friendly design with easy entry and exit points for all ages. Parents report it's challenging enough for older children while remaining accessible for families with young kids. The maze typically takes 20-45 minutes depending on group size and navigation skills.

Hayrides transport families to the rolling pumpkin patch, where pumpkins range from $4 pie varieties to $12 extra-large carving pumpkins. The tractor-pulled rides provide scenic tours of the 150-acre working farm while building anticipation for pumpkin selection. Pony rides offer individual experiences for $10 each, popular with children ages 4-10 who enjoy the hands-on animal interaction.

Food offerings

The Smilin' Barn Cafe serves hearty farm food including BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, homemade chicken pot pie, and beef chili with corn chips. Fresh apple cider and warm cider donuts represent the quintessential fall flavors families expect, while caramel apples provide sweet handheld treats perfect for orchard wandering.

The farm's signature "Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag" has earned national recognition from Food Network, Wall Street Journal, and Milwaukee Magazine as America's best apple pie. This unique preparation method creates an exceptionally flaky crust that families can take home as an edible souvenir of their visit.

The market features CiderBaked ham, Wisconsin artisan cheeses, and seasonal preserves for families wanting to extend their farm experience at home. Make-your-own caramel apples provide interactive food preparation that keeps children engaged while parents shop for specialty items.

Caramel apples

Age-specific activities

Toddlers (ages 1-3) thrive in the low-key orchard environment with supervised apple picking, hay bale sitting areas, and short hayrides. The open spaces allow for natural exploration while parents maintain easy supervision. Plan 1-2 hours for this age group before attention spans wane.

Elementary-age children (4-8) engage fully with all activities including independent corn maze navigation with adult backup, complete hayride experiences, and confident apple picking. Pony rides prove especially popular with this age group, while the train rides create lasting memories. Budget 2-3 hours for comprehensive experiences.

Older children and teens (9+) appreciate the challenge elements like navigating the corn maze independently and learning about different apple varieties. The East Troy Electric Railroad appeals strongly to this demographic, offering historic education and scenic exploration beyond the farm boundaries. Plan 3-4 hours including train experiences.

The farm's only significant limitation involves bathroom facilities - only outhouses are available with no indoor restrooms or accessible facilities for individuals with disabilities. Families with young children, elderly members, or anyone requiring accessible facilities should plan accordingly, potentially visiting nearby facilities before arrival.

Free parking on-site eliminates transportation stress, while the farm's location at Highways ES and J (1545 Main Street, Mukwonago) provides easy access from major routes. GPS navigation works reliably to the address, with clear signage marking the entrance.

Stroller accessibility varies by activity - the market and orchard areas accommodate strollers well, while the corn maze and pumpkin patch (accessed via hayride) present challenges for wheeled equipment. The farm's design encourages walking and hands-on exploration rather than passive observation.

Best visit strategies

Arrive before 10 AM for the optimal strategy - purchase coffee and fresh donuts when the market opens at 9 AM, then position yourself at orchard entrance for the 10 AM opening. This timing avoids peak crowds while ensuring fresh selection of activities and food items.

Check Thursday apple variety updates on the farm's website to match your visit with preferred apple types. Early season emphasizes activities over apple selection, while mid-October provides peak variety availability for serious apple enthusiasts.

Layer clothing and wear comfortable walking shoes for Wisconsin's variable fall weather and extensive walking on natural farm surfaces. Bring hand sanitizer and wet wipes due to limited bathroom facilities, plus camera equipment for numerous photo opportunities throughout the 150-acre property.

The Elegant Farmer Harvest Fest succeeds by combining free admission with modest activity fees, creating an accessible fall tradition for Southeast Wisconsin families. The weekend-only schedule and limited bathroom facilities require planning, but the exceptional value, award-winning food, and comprehensive farm experience justify the constraints. Budget $25-50 for basic visits or $100-150 for full experiences including train rides, while the free admission policy allows families to return multiple times throughout the season to experience different apple varieties and weather conditions. This flexibility, combined with the farm's reputation for quality and authenticity, explains why families return annually to create lasting harvest season memories.