Apple Picking Near Milwaukee: A Guide for Fall 2026
Few fall traditions are better than wandering through an apple orchard, filling a bag with fresh fruit and rewarding yourself with an apple cider donut afterward.
Milwaukee-area families can choose from simple pick-your-own farms, certified organic orchards, historic farm markets and full-day destinations with playgrounds, mazes, animals and wagon rides.
Typical season: Mid-August through late October
Best overall selection: September
Typical drive from Milwaukee’s North Shore: 20–75 minutes
Expected family budget: About $15–$35 for basic picking or $50–$100 for farms with admission, activities and food
2026 planning note: As of July, several orchards have not released their final opening dates, prices or picking schedules. Apple availability can also change daily. Always check the orchard’s website or social media page before leaving home.
Apple Orchards Near Milwaukee
Explore pick-your-own orchards, family activity farms and apple markets.
Best Apple Orchards Near Milwaukee
Barthel Fruit Farm in Mequon
Best for: North Shore families wanting convenient pick-your-own apples
Address: 12246 N. Farmdale Road, Mequon
Phone: 262-242-2737
Expected season: Apples begin in September
Operating since 1840, Barthel Fruit Farm is one of the closest pick-your-own orchards for North Shore families.
The farm offers one-peck and half-bushel picking bags, with no separate orchard admission fee. Visitors entering the orchard must purchase a bag and pay for what they pick.
Other fall attractions include a pumpkin patch, corn maze, bakery and seasonal beer garden. The farm does not offer hayrides or a petting zoo. Its bakery typically serves apple cider donuts and other fall treats during September and October.
Barthel accepts credit and debit cards, although it offers discounts for cash purchases. Pets, drones and professional photography sessions are not permitted.
Gierach Orchards in Mequon
Best for: A quieter farm experience with apples, flowers and seasonal products
Address: 9616 W. Bonniwell Road, Mequon
Phone: 262-236-5506
Gierach Orchards operates more than 30 acres of orchards and grows apples, pears, peaches, garlic and flowers.
The farm’s self-serve roadside stand is currently open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. It accepts exact cash, checks and Venmo.
The 2026 pick-your-own apple schedule has not yet been announced. The farm lists its broader apple season as late July through November, but specific varieties and picking opportunities will vary.
Visitors may see working farm animals, but Gierach is not a petting zoo.
Honey Creek Orchard in Cedarburg
Best for: Families who want apple picking plus several hours of play
Address: 8210 Pioneer Road, Cedarburg
Phone: 414-788-0765
2026 opening: Not yet announced
Honey Creek Orchard has traditionally offered pick-your-own apples, pumpkins, apple cider donuts and a large children’s activity area.
Past attractions have included slides, a hay maze, playground equipment, a corn-filled play area and an Old West-style animal village. Activities, admission packages and hours can change from season to season, so check for the orchard’s 2026 announcement before relying on exact prices or schedules.
Appleland Farm Market in Fredonia
Best for: Early-season picking without a separate admission charge
Address: 4177 Highway 57, Fredonia
Phone: 262-692-2560
Tentative 2026 opening: Aug. 20
Appleland Farm Market has posted a tentative Aug. 20 opening for its 2026 fall season.
Tentative fall hours:
August: Daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
September and October: Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
November: Daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Thanksgiving
Appleland’s pick-your-own season normally lasts from mid-August through late October. Varieties may include Zestar!, Paula Red, McIntosh, Cortland, Empire, Gala, Fuji and several Delicious varieties.
The market also carries pre-picked apples, cider, donuts, caramel apples, pies, honey, preserves, hard cider and fruit wine. Pick-your-own pumpkins and weekend wagon rides are generally available later in the fall.
Peck & Bushel Organic Fruit Company in Colgate
Best for: Certified organic apples
Address: 5454 County Road Q, Colgate
Phone: 262-444-8988
2026 hours: Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Opening: August 2026; exact date to be announced
Peck & Bushel is a certified organic orchard with more than 50,000 dwarf fruit trees planted across approximately 80 acres.
Its 16th apple season is scheduled to begin in August 2026. Pick-your-own fruit is generally available from mid-August through early or mid-October, depending on the crop.
The orchard is a good choice for families primarily interested in apple quality and the picking experience. The dwarf trees are grown on trellises, making much of the fruit easier for children to reach.
The final picking calendar, varieties and prices will be released closer to opening day.
Rim’s Edge Orchard in Germantown
Best for: A smaller, traditional pick-your-own experience
Address: W220N10540 Amy Belle Road, Germantown
Phone: 262-509-0090
2026 schedule: Not yet announced
Rim’s Edge Orchard grows more than 20 apple varieties, including Zestar!, Honeycrisp, EverCrisp and Idared.
The orchard also sells fresh cider, caramel apples, local honey and Wisconsin maple syrup. Pick-your-own apples have traditionally been available on weekends, but 2026 dates and hours have not been published.
Apple Holler in Sturtevant
Best for: A full-day fall outing
Address: 5006 S. Sylvania Avenue, Sturtevant
Phone: 262-884-7100
2026 pricing: Not yet announced
Apple Holler combines fruit picking with a large family activity park.
Depending on the season and ticket selected, attractions may include tractor-drawn rides, farm animals, play areas, a corn maze and the Enchanted Forest. The orchard contains more than 30,000 dwarf fruit trees and offers apples, pears and peaches at different points in the season.
Apple Holler requires everyone entering the orchard and farm park to pay admission or purchase the applicable picking package. The farm has not yet posted its 2026 apple-picking prices, so the previous $20–$22 estimate should be removed.
Apple Holler accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and mobile payments, but not American Express.
Awe’s Apple Orchard in Franklin
Best for: A smaller orchard close to Milwaukee
Address: 8081 S. Lovers Lane Road, Franklin
2026 schedule: Not yet announced
Awe’s is a smaller orchard that has traditionally operated on fall weekends. It is a good option for families seeking a relatively quick picking trip without the scale of a large agritourism destination.
Past offerings have included pick-your-own apples, donuts and apple juice. Confirm 2026 hours, payment policies and available varieties before visiting.
Brightonwoods Orchard in Burlington
Best for: Rare apple varieties and a scenic walk
Address: 1072 288th Avenue, Burlington
Phone: 262-878-3000
Brightonwoods Orchard is important to distinguish from the other destinations in this guide: it is not a pick-your-own orchard.
Instead, visitors can shop for more than 150 heritage and commercial apple varieties as they are harvested throughout the season. The orchard also offers fresh cider, pumpkins, squash, honey, Wisconsin products and walking trails.
Brightonwoods is adjacent to the AeppelTreow Winery and Distillery tasting room and near Richard Bong State Recreation Area.
More Milwaukee-Area Apple Stops
Other farms and markets worth checking for 2026 include:
Patterson’s Orchard, New Berlin
Auntie Evie’s Apple Orchard, New Berlin
Weston’s Antique Apple Orchard, New Berlin
The Elegant Farmer, Mukwonago
Apple Barn Orchard & Winery, Elkhorn
Jacobson Orchards, Waterford
Old Homestead Orchard, Franksville
Harvest Time Orchards, Twin Lakes
Some of these are farm markets rather than traditional pick-your-own orchards. Confirm that U-pick is available before making the drive.
Choosing the Right Orchard
For the closest North Shore option: Barthel Fruit Farm or Gierach Orchards
For certified organic apples: Peck & Bushel
For a full day of activities: Apple Holler or Honey Creek Orchard
For an earlier start: Appleland Farm Market or Peck & Bushel
For unusual apple varieties: Brightonwoods Orchard or Weston’s Antique Apple Orchard
For a smaller picking experience: Rim’s Edge or Awe’s Apple Orchard
When to Go Apple Picking
Mid- to Late August
Look for early varieties such as Zestar!, Paula Red and Ginger Gold.
This is a good time to beat the biggest fall crowds, although fewer varieties may be available.
September
September generally provides the widest range of pick-your-own choices. McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, Honeycrisp and other popular varieties may be available during different parts of the month.
October
Later varieties can include Fuji, Rome, Northern Spy, EverCrisp and other apples that are particularly good for baking or storage.
Late-season availability depends heavily on the crop. Popular orchards can run out of pick-your-own fruit before their market closes for the year.
Apple-Picking Tips for Families
Check the orchard’s website or Facebook page the morning of your visit.
Arrive near opening time on peak September weekends.
Ask which rows and varieties are open before entering the orchard.
Lift and gently twist apples instead of pulling branches.
Bring both a card and some cash.
Wear shoes that can handle mud, uneven ground and tall grass.
Do not assume pets are permitted.
Remember that many farms do not allow visitors to wander through the orchard unless they are purchasing a picking bag.
Handle apples carefully. Dropping them into the bag causes bruising.
Storing Freshly Picked Apples
Store apples in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer for the longest life. A perforated produce bag helps retain moisture while allowing some airflow.
Keep apples away from strongly scented foods and check the bag periodically for bruised fruit. Use softer or damaged apples first.
Varieties such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, EverCrisp and Granny Smith generally store longer than softer apples such as McIntosh.
Before You Go
Confirm that the orchard is open.
Check which varieties are available.
Verify whether U-pick is operating.
Review admission and picking-bag prices.
Confirm accepted payment methods.
Check pet and photography rules.
Review the weather and field conditions.
Call ahead for large groups.
Apple picking is highly dependent on weather and crop conditions, but Milwaukee families have excellent choices in nearly every direction. Choose the farm that matches your family’s priorities—simple picking, organic fruit, rare varieties or a complete day of fall entertainment—and check for a same-day harvest update before heading out.
More Fall Adventures
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