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 easily one of the most beautiful places in the US during autumn. Need some convincing? Read on for some of the best places to visit in Wisconsin in the fall – it’s unreal!

1. The Door Peninsula
Door Peninsula, Sevastopol, WI 54235, USA
JanetandPhil/Flickr
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.
2. Holy Hill (Hubertus)
Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Wisconsin, USA
Holy Hill – Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians/Google
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. Be sure to click the link and check the website for the most up-to-date hours and information.
3. Lapham Peak (Delafield)
Lapham Peak, Delafield, WI 53018, USA
katie wheeler/Flickr
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.
4. Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest (Hartford)
Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pike Lake Unit, 3544 Kettle Moraine Rd, Hartford, WI 53027, USA
Maribeth M/TripAdvisor
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.
5. Rib Mountain State Park (Wausau)
State Park Road, State Park Rd, Wausau, WI 54401, USA
Granite Peak Ski Resort/Facebook
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.
6. Havenwoods State Forest (Milwaukee)
Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N Hopkins St, Milwaukee, WI 53209, USA
Vicki Lynn Luebke/Google
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. Havenwoods State Forest is a must-do in Wisconsin during the fall.
7. Grant Park (Milwaukee)
Grant Park Drive, Grant Park Dr, South Milwaukee, WI 53172, USA
Joe Smith/Google
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.
8. University of Wisconsin Arboretum (Madison)
University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, WI 53711, USA
Richard Hurd/Flickr
No stranger to beautiful blooms and greenery, the University of Wisconsin 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.
9. Lodde's Mill Bluff (Sauk City)
Lodde's Mill Bluff State Natural Area, Sauk City, WI 53583, USA
Joshua Mayer/Flickr
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.
10. Geneva Lake Shore Path (Lake Geneva)
Geneva Lake Shore Path, Fontana-On-Geneva Lake, WI, USA
splashcat/TripAdvisor
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. This is one of our all-time favorite lakes in Wisconsin all year, but it's especially awe-inspiring during autumn.

 

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!

Looking for more incredible fall views? Check out this amazing autumn getaway in Wisconsin.

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More to Explore

Best Places to Visit in Wisconsin in the Fall

Tori Jane | August 16, 2022

What is fall in Wisconsin like?  

We would say our favorite time in the whole world to visit Wisconsin is in the fall. Seriously, the weather during fall in Wisconsin is the BEST. Temperatures begin cooling off in September and typically creep downward until November, which is when someone typically slams on the gas pedal and the frigid temps begin to arrive. We’ll go from highs in the upper 70s during September to the 50s in November. By the end of August, most of the throngs of tourists are gone, and as the leaves change, we recommend visiting one of the many amazing state parks in Wisconsin for the ultimate leaf-peeping adventure.  

What are some fun things to do in Wisconsin in the fall?  

This little Midwestern state is nice to visit or live in all year long, but in the fall, we end up with some of our downright favorite things to do in Wisconsin. There are countless fall festivals in Wisconsin, and you can’t miss any of the best pumpkin patches in Wisconsin, either. Enjoy an incredible fall color hiking trail in Wisconsin, or maybe camp at one of the best campgrounds in Wisconsin, which should be awash with color from October to November. It’s the perfect time of year to go and enjoy the Great Outdoors before it gets too cold to do so, so what are you waiting for? Get outside and enjoy beautiful Wisconsin until it all freezes!  

Where can I go for some wonderful Wisconsin fall getaways?  

If you’re like us, sometimes a scenic drive is the perfect getaway, whether we’re flying solo or bringing someone special along. Alternatively, you can rent a cabin in Wisconsin that’s nestled among the foliage (impossibly relaxing), or maybe curl up next to a campfire with your person in one of the best campgrounds in Wisconsin. Seriously, as if our campgrounds weren’t magical enough, in the fall, they become even more so – Wisconsin is one of the best states for viewing fall foliage, hands down!  

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