Reporting by Daphne Lemke, Fond du Lac Reporter / Fond du Lac Reporter
Fond du Lac County has several opportunities to get local apples, cider, pastries and pumpkins, and some local farms also offer additional activities and areas for kids to play.
Here are seven local apple orchards and pumpkin patches in the area to check out this season.
The Little Farmer
The Little Farmer, N9438 U.S. 151, offers a variety of apples — including pick-your-own — and family-friendly activities, including a playground, corn maze and barnyard, plus hayrides on the weekends.
The Applehouse features the bakery with a rotating variety of muffins and pies, as well as the store, which carries the apples, jams, sauces, soup mixes, housewares and a variety of gifts. Visitors can also check out the Farmhouse for coffee, treats and more.
The Little Farmer is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Kelley’s Farmstead
Kelley’s Farmstead, N4149 Kelley Road, is open on weekends through Oct. 25 with a corn maze, a combine slide, gunny sack slide, pumpkin bowling, rat rollers and more for a range of ages.
Admission is $14 and includes any pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch and most of the farm’s activities — the paintball arcade and apple cannon are an extra charge.
The farm is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Tom Dooley Apple Orchard
Tom Dooley Apple Orchard, W5759 State 49 in Waupun, is known for its fresh apples, apple cider and cider donuts each fall.
The store also features other baked goods and local specialties, while the playground outside offers entertainment for children.
The orchard is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
Airy Point Farms
Airy Point Farms, N7090 Hillview Road in St. Cloud, has opened its pumpkin patch for the season with over 150 different varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds.
The farmstand features straw bales, corn stalks, mums and other fall decor, as well as locally-made treats and goods. The farm advises that pets are not allowed on the property.
The pumpkin patch is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for self-serve on weekdays and full service on weekends. Cash, card and Venmo are accepted.
Spoonlickers Cafe at Armstrong Apples
Spoonlickers Cafe, W853 County Road B in Campbellsport, features fresh apples, apple pie, cider and more from the orchard.
The grounds include play areas for kids, and the cafe menu also includes handcrafted ice cream, a variety of sandwiches, a giant Bavarian pretzel and more.
Spoonlickers is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Redmond’s Apple Basket Orchard
Redmond’s Apple Basket Orchard, N9025 Custer Road in Ripon, has over 30 varieties of apples in its retail store and at area farmers markets and festivals.
The retail store also features apple cider, local honey, maple syrup and seasonal gifts. Baked goods will make an appearance throughout the season.
The store is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.
Petals & Plows Greenhouse
Petals & Plows Greenhouse, 9129 Kaufman Road in Ripon, offers fall perennials and pumpkins from the Kaufman family farm, but is most known for its annual corn maze.
This year’s corn maze theme is America 250 with $10 admission for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 17 — children age 4 and under are free. Night maze dates are Oct. 3, 16 and 17 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. with $10 admission for both adults and children. The haunted corn maze this year is open 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 24.
The farm is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, with extra activities on the weekends. The corn maze is the only activity that requires admission.
Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Check out these 7 Fond du Lac County apple orchards & pumpkin patches
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