7 Unforgettable Fall Getaways From Milwaukee

The bustling city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a great place to explore year-round, with its location on the scenic shores of Lake Michigan. Although there is a large list of things you can do and see in this fun Midwestern city, it also provides the ideal base camp for fall getaways and adventures. There is an abundance of traditional autumn experiences and beautiful autumn foliage awaiting you within an easy 3-hour drive of the city. So, pack up your car with a few day trip essentials and hit the road for fabulous fall fun.

Beloit

When summer turns into fall, Beloit comes to life with all the warm and cozy delights the season has to offer. About an hour and a half drive from Milwaukee, Beloit offers big-city amenities and conveniences with a small-town feel. It is home to several must-see attractions and historic sites, including the Wright Museum of Art, which features a collection of 6,000 works, and the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra.

Right outside of town, however, are several orchards and farms that just beckon to fall travelers wanting to experience the season. Stop by The Apple Hut, where you can purchase freshly made apple pies, caramel apples, apple cinnamon bread, and other sweet treats. View the pretty fall colors as the Nature at the Confluence, which is located at the point where the Rock River and Turtle Creek meet. Check out the Downtown Beloit Farmers Market on Saturdays, where you can buy autumn flower bouquets, produce, and baked goods.

Appleton

If you are seeking a fall getaway spot just 100 miles north of the city, you can't go wrong with Appleton; even its name calls to mind the quintessential autumn fruit. The town shines as the cooler, crisper air moves in, and its trails and natural spaces turn from green to autumnal hues of gold, rust, red, and orange.

Enjoy local fall delights while taking a walk or bike ride down the Fox Trot Trails, a 2-mile path that runs through downtown Appleton along the riverfront. For those visiting the first week of October, don't miss the Octoberfest celebration. Cuff Farms in nearby Hortonville holds Fall on the Farm events during autumn weekends. Families can pick pumpkins, go on wagon rides, and sample apple cider, homemade doughnuts, and caramel apples.

Oconto

Lovely Oconto is located about 150 miles from downtown Milwaukee but feels a world away, especially during the autumn months. For road trippers wanting to go leaf-peeping, the area's peak time is late September into early October. Depending on how much exercise you want to get during your getaway, take the 2-mile hike to Butler Rock from the historic Mountain Fire Lookout Tower. Take in the cool air while being surrounded by leaves featuring firey hues, as well as local wildlife.

If you are in town at the end of September, stop by the Harvest Fest, a day-long fall celebration in downtown Oconto.

Sheboygan

Approximately 60 miles straight north of Milwaukee, pretty Sheboygan is affectionately called the "Malibu of the Midwest" due to its surfing scene, and its also the perfect place to spend a fall day or two. Sheboygan is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and is home to two observation towers where you can get stunning views of the waterfront and changing autumn leaves. Both the Parnell Tower and the Sheboygan Marsh Park tower rise more than 60 feet above the Kettle Moraine State Forest, where you can take a fall hike or bike ride.

For apple-picking fun, head over to Pigeon River Apple Orchard, which has been offering up family fun since 1951. Bulitz Pumpkin Farm is another must-stop spot during the autumn, as it treats visitors to quaint wagon rides, refreshments, a petting barn, and games for kids.

Elkhart Lake

Although tiny, Elkhart Lake is a village with less than 1,000 residents; it doesn't lack anything when it comes to autumn adventures. Located 60 miles north of Milwaukee, Elkhart Lake calls to fall travelers who seek a relaxing escape from the city. If you are visiting at the very beginning of October, spend time celebrating the region's German heritage at the Annual Elktoberfest. Enjoy a stein of beer at the cozy Siebkens Resort dining area, where a live polka band typically performs.

Other activities include sampling seasonal Oktoberfest beer and cuisine, shopping for handmade goods, and taking part in kids' fall-themed activities. If you prefer a quieter experience while immersed in fall foilage, take a hike or bike ride on a Kettle Moraine State Forest trail, or on the Rocky Knoll Mountain Bike and Hiking Trail Network. Treat yourself to fall delights, such as a bouquet of vibrantly hued sunflowers or pumpkin spice-scented candles, at the local Farmers and Artisans Market.

Lake Geneva

Head an hour south to beautiful Lake Geneva to experience fall in a small lakefront town located just 20 miles from the Illinois border. Lake Geneva is situated on the spring-fed Geneva Lake, making it the quintessential Wisconsin summer getaway spot. It's also the place to be in autumn, when the trees along the waterfront path turn ablaze with red, gold, and orange tones, and the local farmers market sells farm-fresh seasonal produce, cozy candles, and home decor items.

You can see the fall foliage from a different vantage point by signing up for a boat ride with the Lake Geneva Cruise Line. Stop by the Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy, Geneva Lake's biggest watershed, and view the surrounding lush fall colors. Enjoy caramel apples, fresh apple cider, and other sweet treats at Pearce's Farm Stand or the Elegant Farmer (in Mukwonago).

Baraboo

Just 120 miles from the heart of Milwaukee, Baraboo is another Wisconsin fall hotspot. Touristy Wisconsin Dells may draw people into the area from all over, but Baraboo lends a warm and welcoming hometown feel, especially during the autumn months. Relish in fall colors during a hike through Devil's Lake State Park, a 10,000-acre natural oasis featuring 29 miles of scenic trails. Another place to check out is the lesser-known Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area or Mirror Lake State Park.

Go apple-picking at Ski-Hi Fruit Farm, where you can also taste local treats such as cheese curds, freshly baked apple pies, and apple cider. Located atop the Baraboo Bluffs, this local gem offers breathtaking autumn views as well. If you are visiting town at the end of September, add the Baraboo Oktoberfest to your "must-do" list.

No matter what direction you plan on traveling out of Milwaukee, you will find a town where you can cozy up to all of the traditional fall delights, from apple- and pumpkin-picking to riding on a hay wagon less than three hours away. Taking a short trip in the autumn is the perfect way to recharge after a busy summer while slowing down to take in the cooler air and vibrant landscape. You don't have to venture far from the city to be transported into a fall wonderland full of scenic vistas and colorful nature walks.