6 Wonderful Wisconsin Agritourism Experiences
Wisconsin is known throughout the world as “America’s Dairyland” thanks to its large production of cheese. And while Wisconsin’s many delicious dairy products are well worth celebrating, the state also makes a great agricultural contribution through commodities like cranberries, ginseng and potatoes. Thanks to its unique diversity of products, Wisconsin is home to a variety of interesting agritourism destinations to visit. Here are some of our top six experiences to get you started.
See more: 9 Cheese Experiences You Need to Have in Wisconsin
Can’t-Miss Wisconsin Agritourism Experiences:
1. Have Dinner at Braise
Known for bringing the freshest possible ingredients to the table, Braise is a hip restaurant in the heart of Milwaukee that promotes the slow food culture by sourcing ingredients from more than 40 local farms and crafting seasonal menus and cocktails that inspire guests to linger around the table a little while longer. They even have a rooftop garden and offer cooking classes where you can enjoy lectures and workshops from food and drink aficionados on everything from wine and coffee to honey and cheese.
2. Pick Produce at Mommsen’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard
Nestled in the gorgeous northern region of Lake Rice, Mommsen’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard provides endless hours of fun-filled adventures for the entire family. Their 40-acre farm includes a petting farm, corn mazes, weekend hayrides, a pumpkin artillery, and a pick-your-own orchard full of five varieties of plump and juicy apples. And when fall rolls around, it’s all about the pumpkins. Even if you don’t want to pick up a pumpkin of your own, you can still enjoy a beautiful autumn day taking in the scenery at this idyllic Wisconsin farm.
See more: Wisconsin Lavender Farms Offer a New Type of Agritourism Experience
3. Visit a Working Dairy Farm at Pagel’s Ponderosa
If you want to see agriculture at work, look no further than Pagel’s Ponderosa. What began as an 80-acre operation with a handful of cattle in the 1940s has since expanded through innovation to include more than 8,500 acres of cropland, 5,000 milking cows and more than 100 employees. It’s an impressive business, and they offer a variety of tours to help visitors better understand what life is like on a modern dairy farm. They only give tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and you must make an appointment in order to reserve a space. But trust us when we say it’s well worth the stop.
4. Go Apple Picking at Apple Holler
Apple Holler is affectionately known as a gathering place for friends and family. And with a farm-to-table restaurant, a bakery, a gift shop, and an orchard, there’s plenty for locals and tourists alike to enjoy here. Whether you want to spend some time exploring the pick-your-own apple, peach, and pear orchards, take a harvest moon hayride, or go on a winter sleigh ride, you can always find something fun and worthwhile to do on this beautiful farm in Sturtevant.
5. Try Farm-Fresh Cheese at Benoit Cheese Haus
No Wisconsin tourism bucket list is complete without at least one cheese shop, and who better to represent the state than Benoit Cheese Haus? This specialty cheese retailer is a cheese enthusiast’s dream come true. They carry more than 150 varieties of cheese, from prepackaged to fresh-cut to order. Whether you want to find some old favorites, like mature cheddar, or something a little more out of the box, like rope string or vacuum sealed curds, this is the place. They also carry an assortment of other goods, like honey, syrups and specialty meats. You can even find a few candles and knick-knacks to take home as a souvenir (in addition to the cheese, of course).
See more: Shop Local: Wisconsin Holiday Gift Guide
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6. Sip Fine Wines From Drumlin Ridge Winery
Drumlin Ridge Winery is a family-owned operation that offers an excellent selection of local wines and ciders. Their wines are top-notch, and their tours are an inexpensive way to spend an afternoon in Waunakee. If you want to linger a little longer, consider checking their event calendar before you arrive. They occasionally offer classes that teach you how to taste wine like a professional and experiences for visitors who want to participate in their on-site grape harvest. At the very least, consider bringing a bottle or two back home to enjoy after your vacation.