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On a sunny Saturday in October, I drove through the tiny town of Babcock, passed an Ocean Spray facility, and noticed bright red cranberries lining the roadway. Without a doubt, I was literally on Wisconsin’s Cranberry Highway. Even better, I was on my way to checking off a bucket list dream: wading in a bog surrounded by a floating sea of cranberries.
I slipped into a pair of oversized waders and stepped into knee-deep water teeming with vibrant red berries. It felt like I had wandered into an Ocean Spray commercial – and for a moment, I was the star. On the photographer’s cue, I bent down, scooped up a handful of cranberries, tossed them into the air, and hoped she captured the magic of that moment.
I’ve been obsessed with the Wisconsin’s Cranberry Highway for ages, imagining myself driving its 50 miles and hopping into waist-deep bogs helping with the harvest. Last October, I finally made it happen thanks to Rooted in Red’s Harvest Experience. Well, I drove the highway and hopped in a bog, but I didn’t help with the harvest. The entire weekend was fall perfection: a Saturday full of sunshine and blue skies, warm fall colors, delicious food, and of course, bright red cranberries.
An Unbelievable Float at Apple Holler, Sturtevant
Because I arrived late Friday night, I hit the ground running Saturday with a detour south of Milwaukee to Apple Holler in Sturtevant. It’s the opposite direction of cranberry country, but absolutely worth the trip — months later, I’m still dreaming about it.
I went for the apple cider float and discovered their caramel apples, house-made apple cider donuts, and charming farm. The float is a foodie’s fantasy: fresh, sweet apple cider blended with soft serve vanilla ice cream, served in a cup rimmed with buttery caramel and chopped nuts, topped with an apple cider donut, whipped cream, and a caramel drizzle. If fall had a personality, this would be it. So dang good! I also took home a crisp apple coated in gooey caramel and pecans — a sinfully delicious treat that may lure me back to Wisconsin this fall.
During my visit, I wandered through Apple Holler’s farm area (admission required), complete with a Johnny Appleseed tribute, goats galore, photo ops, and kid friendly activities that are equally delightful for solo adults. (Apple Holler, 5006 S Sylvania Ave, Sturtevant, Wis. 53177; Tel: (262) 884-7100)
Solo Travel Girl Tip: Arrive right at opening. I walked in with no line; by the time I left, people were queued up outside.
Cruising the Wisconsin Cranberry Highway
People often think of New England, like Massachusetts or Maine, when they think cranberries, but Wisconsin leads the world in cranberry production. So it makes perfect sense the state has a designated roadway system winding through cranberry country.
From Apple Holler, I drove about 3.5 hours north to Warrens to visit the now closed Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center, then hopped onto the Cranberry Highway toward Wisconsin Rapids, cruising portions of Highways 54 and 173.
Multi-Generational Farming at Wetherby Cranberry Company
On my way to Rooted in Red, I passed several cranberry farms and pulled into Wetherby Cranberry Company to pick up fresh cranberries and craisins (dried cranberries). This family-owned marsh has been operating since 1905 and now involves six generations. The berries I brought home were delicious; there’s just something special about buying directly from the farm.
Although I missed their official harvest day by a couple of weeks, the kind woman working filled me in on the harvest process and the farm’s history. As I browsed displays and artifacts showcasing generations of cranberry farming, I wondered how many people at Thanksgiving think about where their cranberries come from. (Wetherby Cranberry Company, 3365 Auger Rd., Warrens, Wis. 54666; Tel: (608)-378-4813)
Rooted in Red Harvest Experience (My Whole Trip Evolved Around this Cranberry Experience!)
Next stop: Wisconsin Rapids for the moment I planned the entire trip around — Rooted in Red’s Harvest Experience at Dempze Cranberry Co.. The experience at this fifth generation cranberry farm includes a wagon ride to the marsh, wader use, time in the bog with floating cranberries, and a professional photo session.
Arriving early, I relaxed inside the gorgeous 1939 Harvest Barn, where a bar serves cranberry centric drinks and I ended up chatting with fellow visitors, most of whom were Wisconsin locals. We compared notes on my weekend itinerary and their recommendations.
When my time slot arrived, we climbed into an open air wagon and rode out to the marsh. A guide explained the cranberry growing process. Spoiler: it’s a lot of work! Cranberries float because they’re mostly hollow, which is why farmers flood the marshes during harvest.
At the marsh, waders of all sizes awaited. I grabbed the smallest pair, though I could’ve fit two or three of me inside. Cute? No. Functional? Absolutely. I stepped confidently into the marsh, surrounded by thousands of bright red cranberries, feeling like a commercial star.
The photographer asked me to bite into a fresh cranberry, I had no idea how sour they were. Although I struggled to hide it, my puckered expression said it all. After the photo session, I felt accomplished and grateful for the experience. As a solo traveler, I truly appreciate a photographer was there to capture this experience.
I headed back to the barn, hopped into my rental car, and began the drive toward Milwaukee, but not before stopping for a Wisconsin classic: fried cheese curds. (Rooted in Red, 1060 Center St., Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. 54494; Tel: (715) 544 7438)
Solo Travel Girl Tips: Booking a harvest session about an hour or two before sunset yields that rich golden glow.
Beer Battered Cheese Curds at Bridge Bar & Restaurant. Yes, Please!
I kinda feel like it’s an unwritten rule that when you visit Wisconsin, you must indulge in at least one cheese experience. Back in my tourism career in the 2000s, I visited Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha. Yumola! It’s been decades since I had a proper cheese fix.
Unsure where to find great cheese curds, I asked my AI assistant for suggestions along my route. I landed at Bridge Bar & Restaurant in Fremont, and wowza! Those beer battered cheese curds were magical. Served hot in a wire basket, they were crispy on the outside and ooey gooey inside.
I also ordered a fried fish dinner, because when in Wisconsin, it just feels right. The fish fillets were hot, crispy, and tender, and the battered onion rings were another win. Everything was delicious, however, being on a GLP 1 for Type 2 diabetes, I only enjoyed a few bites before hitting the road for Milwaukee. (Bridge Bar & Restaurant, 101 W Main St., Fremont, Wis. 54940; Tel: 920 446 3300)
Grabbing One Last Taste of Fall at Patterson Orchards, New Berlin
Departure day. Darn! My quick fall escape was ending, and I needed more goodies to bring back to the Sunshine State. Perhaps it was time to go, it was raining. I already had a caramel apple from Apple Holler, dried cranberries from Warrens, and fresh and dried cranberries from Wetherby.
Before heading to the airport, I stopped at Patterson Orchards in New Berlin for another caramel apple, a small bag of Honeycrisp apples, and one last apple cider donut. The apples lived up to their name, crisp, juicy, and perfect for sharing. Patterson Orchards is family owned with an old-fashioned farm market vibe, offering a variety of apples (I had no idea there were so many!) plus seasonal goodies like pumpkins and cider. (Patterson Orchards, 4607 S 124th St., New Berlin, Wis. 53151; Tel: (414) 425-0563)
Thanks for Fall Magic, Wisconsin
While waiting for my flight back to reality, I grabbed and snacked on a bag of squeaky cheese curds from one of the airport shops. It was the perfect sendoff for a whirlwind whimsical Wisconsin visit.
Now the question is, where should I chase fall next?
Where I Stayed in Milwaukee
For my 40-hour visit to Wisconsin, I stayed in two different hotels. Carefully planning all the details beforehand, I secured reservations at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Milwaukee North (7035 N Port Washington Rd, Glendale, Wis. 53217; Tel: 414-446?5900) for the first night.
As for the second, I didn’t book anything, unsure how my Sunday would plan out. I initially mapped up some hikes or thought up running downtown to quickly visit the Fonzi statue and/or Harley-Davidson Museum but decided that was really pushing it. So, I ended up staying at Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Milwaukee Airport (6460 S 13th St, Oak Creek, Wis. 53154; Tel: 414-570?8888.) Both were comfortable and I’d stay with either again.
