You’ll fall in love with Verona regardless of the season you visit but you’ll fall even harder in the autumn months when it’s harvest season. Immerse yourself in iconic fall traditions like picking pumpkins, visiting apple orchards, getting lost in a corn maze, sipping a stein brimming with beer, enjoy a farm-to-table meal and hiking trails exploding with fall colors. Verona is also a very walkable city, teeming with unique, local shops filled with kitsch treasures and cozy vibes. Between the charming downtown shopping scene, the bountiful hiking and biking trails and fall festivals celebrating the season, Verona is an amazing fall getaway destination. Here are our top picks for an unforgettable fall bucket list experience in Verona, Wisconsin. Read on for things to do, places to eat and where to stay.
Classic Fall Things to Do
Eplegaarden Apple Orchard
Grab your favorite pair of boots and a trusty basket. It’s time to set off to pick a bushel of crisp, Wisconsin grown apples at Eplegaarden Apple Orchard. At this local community farm, purchase a 10-pound or 20-pound bag before heading out to the rolling apple orchard for u-picking. There’s a wide variety of apples grown here but depending on when you visit some will be in season and some not quite. They will be able to tell you which rows to focus on for the juiciest, freshest, in season varieties when you purchase your bag(s) to fill. Once you set out for the orchard, you’ll quickly see that the apple tree rows are clearly marked by apple variety. The crop is plentiful and delicious. The overall atmosphere is serene even though the crowds can swell here on the weekends. Overall, at Eplegaarden, apple picking is a memorable and photogenic experience – perfect for sharing a fall tradition with family and friends. You can also u-pick raspberries, flowers and tomatoes at this orchard – best to call ahead to learn what is in season and what is available for u-pick prior to your visit as this varies each year.
After filling up on Golden Delicious, Haralson, Jonathan and/or Macoun apples, be sure to check out the county store where you’ll find delicious homemade donuts, jams, ciders, pumpkins and much more. There’s something everyone can enjoy, even pre-picked apples. You’ll also find homemade donuts that you can purchase individually, and hot cider sold by the cup in the barn. We highly recommend you enjoy at least one apple cinnamon donut before you go!
Sutter’s Ridge Farm
A favorite fall seasonal highlight of ours is visiting a local pumpkin patch for a day of pumpkin picking, wagon rides and maybe a tricky corn maze to round it all out. We love to pick out our own pumpkins to carve and decorate our home with each October. If you’re on the hunt for a great pumpkin patch with locally grown pumpkins and gourds, look no further than Sutter’s Ridge Farm in Mount Horeb. Access the pick your own pumpkin patch on foot or via wagon ride. Spend as much time as you like canvassing the 6-acre patch for the perfect pumpkin. Before or after your pumpkin search, try not to get lost in the 5-acre corn maze on-site. It takes about 1 hour to complete, and a sweet candy reward awaits all who make it out on their own. If you visit the farm with kiddos, be prepared to spend hours enjoying the activity area that has everything from farm animals, mini golf and unique farm-themed interactive activities for all ages.
On the farm you’ll also find a market stocked with jams, jellies, locally harvested goodies, souvenirs, and you guessed it – hot donuts made daily plus, fresh pumpkin cream cheese bars and caramel apples. If you want to visit the apple orchard for u-pick apples, that is also an option. A visit to the Apple Cabin and surrounding area is free but there is a cost to u-pick apples.
Hometown USA Festival Park – Fall Fest
Refueled and recharged, it’s time to celebrate the fall season with an evening full of fun, music, games, and food at Verona’s annual Fall Fest. The festival takes over Hometown USA Festival Park in Verona. Admission is FREE and guests will enjoy autumn inspired activities throughout the day and a half long festival. Family friendly festivities on Friday evening featured a hayride, petting zoo, food trucks, kid-friendly games, bonfires, a magic show, and event an open-air showing of the classic Halloween moving, Hocus Pocus. Day two of the 2023 Fall Fest was during the Wisconsin Badger Homecoming football game and provided attendees with the ultimate Game Day party complete with big screens and a tailgate party. The day was filled with live music, including performances by Zac Matthews Band. Guests could take part in mechanical bull riding, football fling, axe throwing, cornhole and giant beer pong. There was also plenty of food available from a variety of popular vendors including a ton of food trucks down “food truck alley”. If you visit Verona during their annual Fall Fest, be sure to carve out some time check this festival out and get ready to create unforgettable memories.
Military Ridge State Trail
Grab your pedal buddy, it’s time to hit the Military State Trail (trail map). This 40-mile-long trail winds right through the heart of Verona and even slides up next to the ice age trail. The trail at points is gravel and friendly for walking, jogging and biking. It’s open year-round and a beautiful way to take in the best of all four seasons especially in the fall when eye-catching autumnal colors can be spotted while you roll by farmland, forests and swaying prairies.
Hike on the Verona Segment of the Ice Age Trail
A hike on the Verona Segment of the Ice Age Trail is always a good idea but it truly shines in the fall. Immerse yourself in nature and hike against a backdrop of yellow, terracotta, orange and red. It’s a wonderful, suburban segment that will lead you past wetlands and kettle ponds, sand dusted rolling prairies and classic Driftless area landscapes. Beyond the natural beauty you’ll find on this trail, you’ll also get to experience a vibrant Ice Age Trail community. That’s right, this trail takes you straight into the heart of Verona. While you’re trekking along Badger Mill Creek you are hiking parallel to Verona’s Main Street.
Shopping in Verona
If you’ve never explored Main Street in Verona, it’s worth checking out. Main Street is walkable, eye-catching and has plenty of historic charm. It’s a treasure trove filled with one-of-a-kind boutiques and shops including Kismet Books.
Kismet Books
This is not your typical bookstore. It’s a true local gem that is woven into the fabric of the city. It’s a gathering place. A safe place for all. A true, mixed-use space with a carefully curated bookstore on the lower level and an art gallery featuring the works of local artists on the second level. Get lost browsing the shelves and discover a new genre that piques your interest. Be sure to start at the local section at the front. Then, slowly peruse the goods and kitsch gifts in front of the checkout counter. Make yourself a cup of coffee upstairs and discover a new local favorite artist in the gallery space. There’s also a children’s play space upstairs filled with all sorts of magical and wonderful playthings to spark an hour or more of imaginative play.
The Sow’s Ear
This cozy, sunny café serves breakfasts, lunches and dinners made from fresh ingredients. The menu is solid with baked goods, specialty coffees, sandwiches, soups, salads, and even a mean quiche. Daily specials are chalked on a blackboard on the main counter space and the prices are very reasonable. But The Sow’s Ear is much more than a simple café. It provides a unique dining and shopping experience – a first of its kind in the Midwest! Attached to the café is a well-stocked and well-loved yarn shop. In the adjoining space, you’ll find everything you need to get your knit on. Seriously this place is made for fiber art enthusiasts with rooms filled with bold yarns, knitting needles, knitting books and patterns, crochet accessories and more. So, head on over with your friends, load up on some curated knitting gear and then post up at a table in the café with a warm beverage for a couple of hours of chit-chat, good company, and uninterrupted knitting time.
Where to Eat and Drink in Verona
Hodge Podge Coffee + Cocktails
Coffee lovers and connoisseurs, rejoice! Skip a single cup of coffee for a one-of-a-kind caffeinated adventure with a coffee flight at Hodge Podge. Sample a variety of flavored coffee drinks in a single visit. You can’t go wrong with the seasonal flight with flavors like apple picking (caramel apple), crunch leaves (bourbon and maple), café bonbon (marshmallow), and Sleepy Hallow (pumpkin spice). All coffees are prepared with the artistry and craftmanship of a true coffee roaster. Enjoy your flight inside from the seat of a comfy couch or in the outdoor back patio space with ample tables and chairs set with cute October-themed décor.
Be sure to check out the artwork donning the interior walls. This exhibition is made of artwork done by local artists. The art is for sale and is part of the Layered Onion which is a social impact company created to eliminate the stigma of mental health by sharing and promoting works by artists with lived experience. The display makes for an intimate, introspective coffee sipping atmosphere.
Brix Cider in downtown Mount Horeb
At Brix cider it’s all about the ingredients with nearly 70% of ingredients grown on a Wisconsin farm. The owners and their team work closely with local farmers, growers and purveyors with each dish paying homage to the beauty of Wisconsin-grown delights. Savor every bite of lunch as you enjoy the local, fresh and house made menu – crafted to order. There are many vegetable-forward menu items but plenty for meat-lovers and vegans to enjoy as well. Be sure to pair your meal with an artisanal hard cider made in-house or a Jolly Good soda, made in Wisconsin. In addition to an incredible meal, guests can expect a warm atmosphere with large community tables to engage with others if you’d like.
Hop Haus Brewing Company
October in Wisconsin is honestly the best time of the “beer”. And an autumn visit in Verona just wouldn’t be complete without at least a few steins of locally crafted brews. Channel big Oktoberfest energy at Hop Haus Brewing. Order frothy, locally brewed IPAs and the giant soft pretzel. Grab a table on their front patio if the weather is nice or opt for a high boy inside. Be sure to check out rad merch including hoodies and stickers as well as their fully stocked cooler for fresh, local beer to go. Ein Prosit!
Lake Louie Beer – Wisconsin Brewing Company
Lake Louie beer is produced right in Verona making this brewery a must-visit. Plus, it’s just an all-around great brewery with strong roots in the community. Wisconsin Brewing will celebrate its 10th anniversary in November! Find out the weekly specials and events on a giant chalkboard in the main entrance (before the taproom). Trivia, live music, and local fundraising events like a Rotary Club breakfast were planned during the week we visited. The beers hit the spot and sometimes they bring back vintage beers on tap too. The large backyard seating and bar won us over immediately. There was live music, a relaxed vibe and lots of seating options including waterfront dock chairs. The entire place is kid and dog-friendly and while they don’t serve food, food trucks are known to post up on-site and you can always try the hot & spicy cheese bread available inside and out.
Where to Stay
Hyatt Place
End your busy day with some R&R at the Hyatt Place. Think pool time, small bites, a drink at the bar and a hot breakfast in the morning.
A stay here will put you at the heart of things in Verona and with all the lush amenities you could ask for. All guests have access to free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, free Wi-Fi, and an inviting lobby bar open until 11 p.m. most nights. There’s an indoor swimming pool and an adjacent patio with cozy seating and fires turned on in the evening making this a prime spot to pick up your feet and chill.
The bar near the lobby has local tap beers and is next to the small convenience shop area. They serve a select menu including not-to-be-missed cheese curds. “There is something special about the breading,” is what staff will say and they aren’t lying. These curds are good and make for a tasty late-night snack.
The rooms are also spacious, comfortable, and cozy with a smart and modern look. Each room has a mini-fridge, coffee makers, and flat screen TVs.
Final Thoughts
We hope you’ll get a chance to check off your own fall bucket list in Verona, Wisconsin!
– Justin + Alyssa
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Disclaimer: Parks and Planes LLC has taken great care to ensure accuracy of this post as much as possible. However, over time, things like hours of operations, admission policies, even names of things may change. We suggest double-checking details when planning a trip. As always, all opinions, photos and content are our own. We only recommend places, products and experiences we love.
