
Apple Orchards Are In Full Swing
September is the time of the year when Wisconsin Apple Orchards are in full swing. There are several large orchards around my area, one of my favorites is Helene’s Hilltop Orchard. Helen’s opens their doors to apple pickers mid-September through October. October 1st is pumpkin picking day. So if your in need of fresh apples or pumpkins for Jack-o-lanterns, Helene’s it is!
Pick Your Own
I have taken my kids there since they were very little, so that’s over 20 years. We have gone every year to pick our own apples, pumpkins and eat the baked goodies.
Fun For All
its such a great experience for kids and adults of all ages. Being outside in the fresh fall crisp air surrounded by apple trees, pumpkins and corn mazes.
Tradition
When you first drive up to the apple orchard, you are greeted by the original family’s barn with their famous giant red apple. The farm was established in 1919, many years later in 1979 the farm was turned into and apple orchard. In 1992 they added their famous bakery and the rest is history. Helene’s has grown quite a lot over the years adding new and bigger things.
Giant Corn and Chair at the Apple Orchard
Like the giant yard stick for measuring their giant corn, and then there’s their giant chair! Who wouldn’t want to sit there, I’d claim it all to my own!
Giant Playground
Once you walk in to the main area, you can either go let the kids play in the giant play area filled with fun.
Trucks and Tractors “Oh My”
Everything from old wooden trucks and tractors.
Even For The Bigger Kids
To the Combine Harvester, even the bigger kids can climb up in it. But it doesn’t stop there, there’s even a tunnel they can go through, and fun head boards they can stick their faces through. So they’ll look like an apple or even a sunflower.
Corn Maze Ride or Walk at the Apple Orchard
If your kids aren’t up to playing in the play area, there’s always the corn maze ride. Or the walk through corn maze for the everyone. Yes, you can actually get lost in the walk through maze, ask me I know!
Picking Apples and Learning about Bee’s
Once you’ve had your fun on the playground or through the maze, it’s time to go pick some apples! Helene’s has 5 varieties of apples: Cortland, Macintosh, Riverbelle, Zestar and Macintosh. I love it when the apple orchards are in full swing!
Sunflower Maze When The Apple Orchards are in Full Swing
If you visit the orchard early in September they have a sunflower maze that you can go through, and even buy a few of the sunflowers to take home, if you’d like.
Butterflies and Bees
You may even see a few of the local visitors at the apple orchards in full swing. I saws butterflies and bees all around the flowers and trees. As you walk down the path near the apple trees. There are signs every few feet sharing fun facts about the honey bees.
Pumpkins of every size
As your walking around and picking your apple you’ll also be surrounded by fields of pumpkins of every shape, size and color. But you have to wait till October 1st before you can pick them.
Winter Squash at The Apple Orchard too
After your stroll around the apple picking area. You can head back to the barn and get yourself some yummy treats and some thing to drink. But they also have many different varieties of winter squash you can purchase for a fall at home meal. The Butter and Acorn squash are two of my favorites. They cook great in the Instant Pot and make great soups.
Delicious Bakery
Helen’s sells lots of different baked goods, you can even special order pies for the holidays. The smell of cinnamon, pies, cookies and bread baking is just heavenly. They also sell honey and maple syrup as well as freshly made apple cider from their apples.
While your in there enjoying the atmosphere get yourself some freshly made apple cider and some to go!
Apple Orchards in Full Swing
If you ask me, fall is the loveliest time of the year to visit Wisconsin. Especially when the Apple Orchards are in full swing and fall leaves are in full color. Along with all the wonderful harvest foods you get during this time of the year. With the temps cooling down, the canning and baking begins . I love canning apple pie filling and apple sauce. As well freezing and dehydrating my apples. Sometimes I’ll make a little apple butter or jelly, all depends on my mood.
What’s your favorite fall goody from your favorite apple orchard? Could it be the apple turnovers, apple strudel, doughnuts or maybe the apple bread. I’m thinking about converting my Mom’s Zucchini Bread recipe into an apple breed. I think it would work well, just add in a little cinnamon and maybe some nutmeg. We shall see, if you give it try, I’d like to know.

