Top 5 Insta-Worthy Fall Activities in Cedarburg, Wisconsin

“Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits.”

Samuel Butler’s words can’t be more true of a Wisconsin fall getaway in Cedarburg. The colors of the flowers are fading but are being replaced with even more brilliant hues of red and yellow. The crowds are gone for a more relaxed small town experience, and the area is filled with a bevy of fun festivals and activities that you can’t miss. This is the perfect season to capture those memories and images that will make all of your Facebook and Instagram followers envious. Keep scrolling for five popular activities this fall to get the most out of this gorgeous season.

 

1) Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival

September | Free Admission
Get ready for the ultimate fall festival when downtown Cedarburg transforms into a veritable wonderland of seasonal fun. You’ll want to catch the free hayride to bring you to the further points of interest, like the Quilt Museum. All of your quintessential festival musings will be there including fun live music, amazing art, yummy and unique food, a farmer’s market, a kid’s zone, and local vendor booths. The harvest theme can be witnessed in the pumpkin carving demonstration, floating giant pumpkin regatta, grape stomp, and the popular giant pumpkin weigh-in!

2) Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour

October | Free Self-Guided Tour
If you want to see the fall colors in Wisconsin, then there isn’t a better way to do it than during the Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour. As you drive through the beautiful countryside, you’ll be able to stop into the studios of dozens of artists throughout Ozaukee and Washington Counties. It’s a fantastic way to get a peek inside the private working spaces of these talented artisans, talk with them, or even buy a masterpiece to take home with you. Along your drive, you’ll see local farms, pumpkin patches, the shore of Lake Michigan, small towns that it seems time forgot, and even a Covered Bridge built in 1876, one of the few remaining in Wisconsin. If you’re an art lover or just looking for a magical drive to see the fall colors, then you can’t miss this wonderful event.

3) Oktoberfest in Cedarburg, WI

October | Free Admission
Can’t you just hear the Polka music playing already? Get your Lederhosen out and be ready to do the Slap Dance during this fun German festival. Get out on the wooden dance floor while you enjoy the traditional music from several bands. Grab a seat under the giant tent while you sample specialty beers, wine and a variety of authentic German foods like Bratwurst, Sauerbraten, Schnitzel, and more. If the Glockenspiel Show (Cuckoo Clock) isn’t entertaining enough for you, then take part in the silly contests planned, including; Best Lederhosen/Dirndl Attire, Sauerkraut Eating Contest and a German Spelling Bee. During your stroll around historic Cedarburg, you’ll be able to see the Volkswagen and Porsche Clubs display their feats of German engineering.

4) Holy Hill Basilica

Open Daily | Free Admission, Donations Accepted
Would you like the best bird’s eye view of the surrounding area? Then put the Basilica at Holy Hill on your to-do list. After a scenic drive through the Wisconsin countryside, you’ll arrive at this grand church, poised on the highest point in southeast Wisconsin. Climb the 178 steps to the top of the scenic tower to take in breathtaking panoramic views. Stroll around the 435 acres to experience the true beauty and peacefulness this place offers. Stop into the gift shop or café before you leave.

Before you plan your visit, be sure to check for the latest policies and hours.

5) Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Get outdoors to immerse yourself in nature with these Wisconsin musts!

• Mequon Nature Preserve: Discover six miles of trails that take you through a variety of habitats within their 444 acres. You’ll see forests, wetlands, prairies and agricultural fields that are home to a wide variety of native plants and animals. Admission is free and trails are open from sunrise to sunset.
• Riveredge Nature Center: Hike one of the many trails at this beautiful location and explore the prairies, woods, and wetlands at the natural sanctuary.
• Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve: Get to know one of the last pieces of undeveloped bluff land in the area with hiking, fishing, bird watching, and picnicking.
• Ozaukee InterUrban Trail: Hop on two wheels and ride through 30 miles of paved trails and bridges. You’ll spot woodlands, wetlands, and views of Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River.

With so much to do this fall in Cedarburg, you’ll want to book your room at our romantic Wisconsin bed and breakfast, Washington House Inn, soon so you don’t miss out! Get out of the city to experience some small town charm, have some classic fall fun, and make memories that will last a lifetime with #nofilter.