10 Of The Most Beautiful Fall Destinations In Wisconsin
From the incredible weather to the seasonal festivities, there’s a lot to love about fall. But the best part of all has got to be the vibrant foliage that comes along with it. Seriously, Wisconsin is a leaf-peeper’s paradise. Need some convincing? Read on for 10 of the most beautiful fall destinations in the state.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
Scenic drives are a year-round perk of the Door Peninsula. However, there’s no time like fall to leisurely cruise past the shorelines and forests that have made Door County famous. Though you’ll find wonderful windshield views throughout the peninsula, there are a few routes that are particularly amazing in autumn, including Sister Bay to Northport and Egg Harbor to Ephraim, both via Highway 42, as well as Sister Bay to Bailey’s Harbor to Kangaroo Lake, via Highway 57 and County Roads Q and E.
When seeking out seasonal shades, Holy Hill is a must-visit! Once fall arrives, the basilica, along with the 1,300-foot hill it sits atop, is transformed into a colorful wonderland that’s nothing short of breathtaking. For a real treat, climb to the top of the basilica’s scenic tower and take in the vibrant vistas from above. (The scenic tower is currently closed due to social distancing guidelines. Click here for updates on its status.)
Lapham Peak is a great place for leaf-peeping in southern Wisconsin. Its 45-foot observation tower is the highest point in Waukesha County and provides a breathtaking 360-degree view of the surrounding foliage.
Pike Lake, a spring-fed kettle lake, may be the namesake of the Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, but it’s far from its only notable feature. The property is also home to Powder Hill, a large glacial kame (an irregularly shaped hill or mound), which provides sweeping vistas of the surrounding landscape…and the colorful foliage that fills it in the fall.
Rib Mountain State Park is brimming with seasonal beauty – and one of the best ways to experience the vibrant colors of autumn is a scenic chairlift ride! The rides are offered by Granite Peak Ski Resort, and since the chairlift moves at a leisurely pace, it’s suitable for everyone from senior citizens to children.
The state’s only urban forest, this Milwaukee gem offers a year-round reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life. In the fall, it’s transformed into a leaf-peepers paradise – and you can easily take in the sensational seasonal spectacle thanks to the more than six miles of trails that wind through the park.
Another Milwaukee must-see, Grant Park boasts sandy beaches, miles of wooded trails, and unbe-leaf-able autumn views! Winding through a ravine and over stone paths and various footbridges, Seven Bridges Trail is the park’s most popular trek. It’s also a great way to take in the bold and beautiful leaves that adorn Grant Park during the autumn months.
No stranger to beautiful blooms and greenery, the UW Arboretum is a plant lover’s paradise – and it only gets better in the fall! Miles of trails wind through the 1,200-acre arboretum, making it easy to take in the spectacular sights of the season.
Designated a state natural area in 1967, Lodde's Mill Bluff is brimming with natural beauty, including its namesake 300-foot bluff. Myriad rare and uncommon plants are another notable feature, which means lovely foliage can be found year-round, especially in the fall.
Undeniably enchanting, this 26-mile trail (don’t worry, you don’t have to hike the whole thing) boasts expansive estates, colorful gardens, bridges, stepping stones, and close-up views of seasonal hues, of course.
Did you know about these fall must-visits? Have you visited all of them? Know of another place to take in the colors of the season? Tell us in the comments section.
Looking for more incredible fall views? Click here.
Address: Door Peninsula, Sevastopol, WI 54235, USA
Address: 1525 Carmel Rd, Hubertus, WI 53033, USA
Address: Lapham Peak, Delafield, WI 53018, USA
Address: 3544 Kettle Moraine Rd, Hartford, WI 53027, USA
Address: 4200 Park Rd, Wausau, WI 54401, USA
Address: 6141 N Hopkins St, Milwaukee, WI 53209, USA
Address: 100 Hawthorne Ave, South Milwaukee, WI 53172, USA
Address: 1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, WI 53711, USA
Address: Sauk City, WI 53583, USA
Address: Geneva Lake Shore Path, Fontana-On-Geneva Lake, WI, USA
