The Elegant Farmer Autumn Harvest Fest

The Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago runs Autumn Harvest Fest as an old-fashioned orchard visit, welcomed by the Smilin' Barn. Pick-your-own apples rotate as varieties ripen, and the farm posts what is ready for eating or baking. Tractor-pulled hayrides travel the orchard to the pumpkin patch and a family-friendly corn maze cut in an apple-orchard design. Pony rides stay on the farm, and the East Troy Electric Railroad boards at the farm's own depot. Smilin' Barn Cafe turns out BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, beef chili, chili dogs, chicken pot pie, orchard-fresh cider, apple pie, and caramel apples. The market's signature is apple pie baked in a paper bag, alongside CIDERBAKED ham and apple cider donuts worth grabbing before heading to the orchard.

Our take: Pick up apple cider donuts at the market before heading to the orchard, then ride the haywagon out to the maze.