9 Top Places To Visit In Wisconsin This Fall
Replete with scenic drives and charming B&Bs, Wisconsin feels made for a fantastic fall getaway. The pilgrimage site, Holy Hill, is a stunning neo-Romanesque architecture, a religious shrine atop a glacial hill with a tower for a 360-degree view to capture an endless sea of vibrant fall colors of the Kettle Moraine area. Take a cooling stroll through the haze in the warm glow of fall lakeside, along a rustling forest trail, or through a cozy town. Blue Mounds is atop the tallest hill in southern Wisconsin's Driftless Area, while Lake Geneva is a hop from Milwaukee, Lake Michigan shoreline, and Chicago.
The small town of Gills Rock juts out into the immense Lake Michigan, the world's largest freshwater body within a single country. Nearby, Newport State Park is one of the least visited in Door County. From adventures to relaxation, you can smell the autumn season with maples on the drive through the Wisconsin countryside. Blue Mounds is home to Havens Petting Farm with baby animals, zebras, kittens, pigs, and more cuddly creatures up for interactive play, while Lake Geneva is surrounded by nature parks, petting zoos, and horseback riding areas, plus adrenaline-fueled ziplining adventures. Find the top places to visit in Wisconsin this fall to make lasting memories.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
While coastal destinations have "summertime" written all over, Apostle's breathtaking autumn specter of colors against the blue shades of Lake Superior is mind-blowing. Offering a unique autumn vibe, low crowds, and lonesome strolls, enjoy the best photoshoot opportunities as if Mother Nature's show is just for your eyes. There's still one last Apostle Island Cruise to catch through early October or glide aboard the Madeline Island Ferry across Lake Superior for a whole other perspective of the lakeshore and other colorful islands, like Basswood, Hermit, Oak, Sand, and Outer Islands. Many enjoy island time on Madeline Island, home to Big Bay State Park with a beach and seven pristine miles of hiking and nature trails.
With towns like Bayfield along the shore, it's easy to find a charming cafe like Mannypenny Bistro after a cooling lakeside stroll, serving whitefish, gyros, and breakfast specials. Don't miss Eckels Pottery and Fine Craft Gallery for unique home decor. Just south of downtown, Pinehurst Inn Bed & Breakfast boasts popularity among holidaymakers and families on a weekend escape. Beaver Hollow is a nature preserve, while Frog Bay Tribal National Park features an elevated boardwalk, and Pikes Bay Marina offers scenic lake views. Play a round at Apostle Highlands Golf Course and stop by Bayfield Winery and Blue Ox Cider.
Blue Mounds
Untouched by the last glacier with its towering bluffs and narrow valleys, photographers and Instagram lovers flock to the dramatic landscape, towering over the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, Baraboo Bluffs, and rolling countryside. The eponymous village of the Blue Mounds State Park sits atop the tallest hill in southern Wisconsin's Driftless Area. The state park provides a swimming pool, hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails, plus a campground. From the West Observation Tower to the Eastern Observation Tower with a selfie stand, both are a short walk from the relative parking areas. North of the park's picnic area, the "windows" offer an impressive, lower-level perspective through the trees.
Families adore the friendly bunch at the aptly named Havens Petting Farm, with baby animals, zebras, kittens, pigs, and more cuddly creatures up for interactive play. Take a one-hour guided Cave of the Mounds tour with stalactites and stalagmites, plus a gift shop, and commemorate your visit by the sign at the historic Fort Blue Mounds. Next door east, Brigham County Park is popular for open landscape views, with trails and bike paths to whizz past the fall colors and catch the spectacular sunset at the horizon. Stay and dine at Hooterville Inn, or enjoy the cozy feel of Casey's. Plan to hit Tyrol Basin, the nearby retreat for downhill skiing and snow tubing, as well as disc golf and summer BBQs.
Copper Falls State Park
Four miles northeast of Mellen, Copper Falls State Park is a year-round nature retreat with gorges and waterfalls offering fishing, biking, and swimming. Straddling nearly nine miles of crystal, fast-flowing rivers and streams through the park, the thundering cascades and waterfalls are showstoppers. The 1.7-mile Doughboys Nature Trail winds through the park's heart right to Copper and Brownstone Falls, at about 30 feet in height, with observation points. Take in the misty views atop the wooden Copper Falls Observation Tower with a staircase plus a selfie stand. Together with the stark Red Granite Falls, formed by the Bad River, the dramatic canyon walls soar 60 to 100 feet skyward.
Wind down at Mellen Motel, highly rated for the weekend, after dinner at Copper Ridge and drinks at the nearby western-themed Dusty's Saloon. Heading south, between Murphy Lake and Loon Lake, the 2.5-mile Red Granite Falls Trail winds past the eponymous waterfall, plus restroom and shower sites in the area, while the Red Rocks River Trail meanders along the wild and scenic part of the river. Enjoy easy access to all this and more via a foliage drive along Highway 169 to the east or the western Highway 13. In addition, the 4,600-mile North Country National Scenic Trail piggybacks onto the Doughboys Nature Trail for the relentless adventurers.
Devils Lake
Devils Lake State Park, the largest in Wisconsin and the state's third oldest is situated along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Only an hour north of Madison, Devils Lake is a great escape from the city and one of the best displays in the fall. Encompassing over 10,000 acres, the large park sprawls over woodlands, meadows, glacial moraines, and talus slopes, with hiking trails for 30 miles to top views. The centerpiece 360-acre lake colludes its menacing name under the graying skies into the vibrant colors—a one-of-a-kind wonder in the fall. Find the best trails to the east through East Bluff State Natural Area, like Devil's Doorway Loop Trailhead, to the eponymous scenic formation.
The West Bluff trail leads to a high ridge with panoramic views of the shimmering woodlands below, with Lake Wisconsin in the distance. Soak up the foliage along the loop trail to Devils Lake, ablaze with yellows and golds. From 500-foot quartzite bluffs, see if you can spot campsites, a white sandy beach, a boat launch, and concessions, plus unique rock formations. From Pride Rock to Bison Rock in the east, Cleopatra's Needle is a scenic spot on the west shore, while Devil's Lake Pet Swim Area is south. Next to South Shore Park, enjoy a picnic by the South Shore Concessions. The state's most popular state park draws nearly 3 million annually.
Gills Rock
Tipping the Door County Peninsula, Gills Rock juts out into the immense Lake Michigan. Attracting outdoor lovers and leaf peepers through early October, the quiet fishing village is the gateway to some of the best foliage in Eastern Wisconsin at Newport State Park, one of the least visited in Door County. From a breezy lakeside bike ride to the state park, Door Bluff Headlands County Park is a quick drive west to spy on the colors along the rugged 155-acre coastal headland with wooded trails and Wisconsin Bay views. Meet the sunrise along the pristine shoreline and browse some gift shops, or head on a day hike to watch the fall's magical transformation. Offering many calm fall time experiences without crowds, plus vibrant attractions, stop by Charlie's Smoke House after a strenuous hike.
Surrounded by pristine bluffs and historic offshore shipwrecks, Gills Rock brings the past into the present. Death's Door Maritime Museum offers the history of the area, including shipwrecks and the fishing industry, with interactive exhibits, artifacts, and displays. Take the Island Clipper for another perspective and a quick trip to Washington Island. South of Hedgehog Harbor, the "downtown," the quaint Mariners Park offers spectacular water vistas. Coastal Byway meanders east between blue lakes and colorful foliage, where the intimate, pet-friendly Wisconsin Bay Park offers a top view platform to spy on the scenery. The hilltop Shoreline Restaurant is popular for its spectacular food and views to share impressions at sunset, and plan to hit the area in the summer for scuba diving.
Holy Hill Basilica
Tucked in the state's southeast corner, Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians is one of the most incredible vistas in Wisconsin any time of the year. Simply incredible; it only gets better when the leaves begin to change. Visit "Holy Hill," with a public 192-foot tower, adding a layer of awe to the region awash with fall tones. Perched atop a large kame, the picturesque shrine was constructed atop the sand and gravel hill, left behind by a receding glacier. Having started as a series of religious and residential structures in the early 20th century, eclectic projects culminated in the final Romanesque Revival church in 1931.
At over 1,300 feet above sea level—one of the highest spots in this part of the state—climb 178 steps to the observation tower for the inspiring views of the Kettle Moraine area. Not far from Hubertus, in Washington County, and the town of Erin, it is a simple 40-minute drive from Milwaukee. Having attracted pilgrims and sightseers from its early days, over 500,000 visit Holy Hill—on both the National and State (Wisconsin) Registers of Historic Places—annually. Come for the views, worship, to meditate, or pray for healing. The tree-shrouded site is a rejuvenating body, mind, and spirit sanctuary for leaf peepers, with several picnic spots and a chance sighting of a wild turkey.
Kettle Moraine State Forest
Boasting numerous hiking trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, this state park offers summertime camping, plus skiing across the highway to the west when winter rolls around. Lined by birch, maple, and oak trees, you can smell the autumn with maple leaves on the drive through the Wisconsin countryside and the colorful forest that brings joy to the soul. The Kettle Moraine Forest is perfect for a breather in nature on a serene walk along the rustling leaves, giving off their distinctly earthy scent. The state forest was voted the state's top fall foliage last year. And no wonder, embracing the Mukwonago River with its mix of oak and maple trees, painting the scenery in hues of gold.
The particularly stunning Ice Age National Scenic Trail through the heart likely has something to do with the accolade. Divided into northern and southern units, it is easy to get your hands on the best hikes for leaf peepers, including overlooks to unparalleled views. With a grocery store in Kewaskum to the north and a fast-food chain right at the intersection, enjoy easy parking right by the Ice Age Trailhead, next to IAT Parking Milwaukee River Segment. The northern unit offers two segments, the Parnell Segment and the Greenbush Segment, with scenic paths through thickets of hickory and oak. The breathtaking 115-mile Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive traverses six counties, passing the Kettle Moraine State Forest Ice Age Trail-Milwaukee River Segment.
Lake Geneva
Boasting over 5,250 acres of crystal Lake Geneva, the eponymous town along the northeastern shore inspires a retreat, just a hop from Milwaukee. The Geneva Lake Shore path is a popular 20-mile journey with views of the calm, pristine waters, reflecting the colorful spectrum, and all kinds of watercraft available. The lively lakefront downtown comes with a laidback feel; from spas to Board & Brush Creative Studio, a do-it-yourself shop, there's a never-ending list of activities during the most beautiful transition in nature, not by day but by hour. Take a rustling stroll to the nearby Lake Como under shimmering canopies in the wind, and spend a lovely evening at Studio Winery over live music and locally grown blends, plus an intimate on-site vineyard.
Nothing beats the picturesque scenery void of the summer crowds, including the most adorable designer boathouses and Gilded Age mansions. Among the beautiful lakeside homes, luxury estates induce real estate envy, like the 19th-century Black Point Estate exuding a luxurious feel of the bygone era, plus observatory views on a mansion tour. Surrounded by nature parks, petting zoos, and horseback riding areas, there's something for the whole family to bond over unique beauty. Take a breezy bike ride or fly over the foliage at high speed on an adrenaline-fueled ziplining adventure. The waterside city in southeastern Wisconsin makes you want to soak up every moment on an escape many city dwellers only dream of, and those living in Chicago enjoy across the Illinois border.
Rib Mountain State Park
Rib Mountain, one of the highest points in Wisconsin, is a year-round destination, but cloaked in autumn's finest colors, it literally shines brightest in the fall. Straddling the Wisconsin River, Rib Mountain State Park boasts an observation tower to the west. Hike to its highest point for breathtaking views, but save your last breath for the 60-foot (18-meter) observation tower, allegedly the best viewpoint in Wisconsin. But that's not all; at nearly two billion years old, you are standing on one of the oldest rocks on Earth, which adds a rejuvenating yet grounding perspective to the whole experience and added push from behind for anyone making the ascent.
Enjoy a quick getaway from the city of Wausau into an incredible falltime embrace of over 1,500 acres of outstanding fall colors come October. The mountaintop offers unobstructed valley views plus blissfully lower crowds along the trails than in the summer or alternative foliage destinations. All around, it is a serene experience to bond with your loved ones, including the four-legged friends, enjoy a picnic, and explore eastward. The Rib Mountain Amphitheater is a spacious photographer's paradise with endless creative possibilities to capture the magic moments, plus a natural venue for weddings. In addition, Granite Peak offers a scenic ski lift that offers easy views of the changing colors on Rib Mountain.
Enjoy some of Mother Nature's best art through the Kettle Moraine Forest or spy on the colors along the rugged 155-acre coastal headland at Door Bluff Headlands County Park. Devils Lake and Kettle Moraine are both on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, while Rib Mountain is one of the highest points in Wisconsin, cloaked in the fall’s finest colors. From trails to breezy lakeside bike rides, tick off Gilded Age mansions in Lake Geneva or take a scenic chairlift atop Granite Cliff.
Apostles Islands blend breathtaking autumn specters of colors against the blue shades of Lake Superior—mind-blowing—with cozy waterfront pursuits in the town of Bayfield. There is still plenty of time to catch the fall colors in Wisconsin through early November, with each destination characterized by brilliantly hued colors. So let the Badger State breathe life into you with scenic vistas and chase away any autumn blues at one of the best places to enjoy this season.
