For more than a century, the little village of Gays Mills has made a big mark on the apple world. It’s the place to visit if you love crisp and delicious apples and gorgeous hilltop views. The secret is out – thousands of people head to Gays Mills every apple season. The growers here turn out dozens of apple varieties, as well as baked goods and other farm-fresh favorites. It’s all just a short drive away from many Wisconsin cities – here’s why you should make the trip.

Gays Mills, population 407, was first settled by Europeans in the mid-1800s. One of the early settlers grew apples and brought some of the harvest to a World's Fair. The apples were a big hit, and it put Gays Mills on the map and helped spur a long apple-growing tradition here.
Facebook / Turkey Ridge Organic Apple Orchard
Today, the village is home to more than a thousand acres of orchard land, centered on a scenic area known as Orchard Ridge.
Sunrise Apples
The farms here grow everything from strawberries to pumpkins, but the biggest draw is the apples. More than 45,000 people flock here every harvest season.
Gays Mills Orchard Ridge Association

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There are six different orchards to visit. They grow well-known varieties like Cortland and Golden Delicious as well as old heirloom varieties and some organic options.
Facebook / Turkey Ridge Organic Apple Orchard
In late September, Gays Mills celebrates all things apples with a giant apple festival. It’s been going on for more than 60 years and it includes parades, carnivals, arts and crafts, flea markets, music, dancing, and more.
Village of Gays Mills
If you miss the festival, you’ll find every fall weekend is pretty festive here, with apple cider and cider donuts for sale, games for kids, and fall decorations for sale. You can also find any kind of apple you can imagine – pick a peck or two!
Facebook / Turkey Ridge Organic Apple Orchard

The apple season in Gays Mills begins with early season varieties in August and continues until mid-October, although sales may continue longer in some orchards. See details of each orchard here. For more fall fun, check out these beautiful autumn destinations.

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Gays Mills, WI 54631, USA