Apples: Door County's Other Favorite Fruit

When people think of Door County fruit, they often think of cherries first. But the region's orchards also bring a bountiful fall harvest of apples. In fact, apples were once more popular in the county than cherries. In 1893, local grower Joseph Zettel even submitted over 20 different varieties of apples from his orchard to the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, winning medals for several.  

Today, you’ll find an abundance of apple-oriented activities — and eating — in the county every fall. Take a jaunt up to Washington Island for the farm museum’s cider pressing party, pick your own apples to craft a batch of applesauce, stop at a local restaurant for a slice of warm apple pie, or meander through the roadside farm markets flush with fall’s harvest. To help you with the latter, we’ve cultivated a list of pick-your-own orchards as well as farm markets to grab pre-picked fruit.

Cherry Lane Orchards

7525 Cherry Lane, Sturgeon Bay
(920) 856-6864

Picking Season: Early September to Late October
Types of Apples: McIntosh, Cortland, & Honeycrisp
Pick Your Own: Yes

With a name like Cherry Lane Orchards, you know you’ll find cherries here. This charming 13-acre orchard in Sturgeon Bay also has apple trees. You’ll have a memorable pick-your-own adventure where you can choose from classic apple varieties like MacIntosh and Cortland. After you’ve filled your bags, take advantage of their unique apple brush machine to shine your apple picks to perfection. Don’t forget to grab a half-gallon jug or two of their unpasteurized apple cider that you can drink now or freeze for later enjoyment. 

Choice Orchards

4594 County Rd HH, Sturgeon Bay
(920) 743-8980

Picking Season: Mid September thru Mid October
Types of Apples: Gala, McIntosh, Fuji, Red Delicious, Ginger Gold, Summer Rambo, Spartan, Snowsweet, Empire, & Others
Pick Your Own: Yes

Choice Orchards have been growing cherries since 1984 in the same orchards that were once part of the world’s largest cherry producer. Come September, these Sturgeon Bay orchards transform into an apple lover's paradise, offering around 20 varieties of apples ripe for the picking. Whether you prefer to handpick your own or choose from pre-picked bushels, the orchard is brimming with fall flavors. While you’re here, enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the tables outside the market, wander through the charming tree maze, and visit the historical "pickers shack" to get a taste of the orchard's storied past. Before you leave, explore the farm market, where you'll find a delightful selection of produce, gifts, and tasty treats that capture the essence of Door County.

Fellner Orchards

4214 Cherry Rd, Sturgeon Bay
(920) 883-1174

Picking Season: Early September thru Mid October
Types of Apples: Many varieties, including Macintosh, Cortlands, Honey Crisp
Pick Your Own: Yes

Fellner Orchards stands as a testament to nearly 100 years of family farming heritage. This fifth-generation apple orchard was established in 1923 and has grown into almost 100 acres of apple trees stretching as far as the eye can see. From the timeless McIntosh to the crisp and sweet Honeycrisp, Fellner Orchards offers a variety of apples that have been carefully cultivated over generations. Known as the originators of bagged apples in Wisconsin, Fellner Orchards continues to uphold its tradition of quality and community.

Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market

9197 Hwy 42, Fish Creek
(920) 868-3479

Picking Season: Early September
Types of Apples: Honeycrisp, Gala, Macintosh, Cortland, Macoun, Blondee, Jonagold, & Regency
Pick Your Own: Yes

Apple picking is more than just an activity at Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market in Fish Creek — it’s a tradition. This family-owned orchard has bred, harvested, and produced award-winning fruit products since 1955. You’re invited to pick your own apples from a variety of crisp, juicy options like Honeycrisp, Gala, McIntosh, and Jonagold; they’ll even provide the bag. If you are not in the mood for picking, select from pre-harvested apples. After you’ve gathered your haul, step inside the market to pick up jams, butters, and syrups, indulge in their famous apple-cider donuts, sample award-winning wines and ciders made on-site, and 
much more.

Wood Orchard Market

8112 Hwy 42, Egg Harbor
(920) 868-2334

Picking Season: Early September to Mid October
Types of Apples: Gala, McIntosh, Cortland, Honeycrisp, & SweeTango
Pick Your Own: Yes

Opening in 1955, Wood Orchard Market has become a beloved family-owned fruit farm in Egg Harbor.  Over 200 acres produce strawberries, raspberries, and, most notably, apples. Their claim to fame is the crisp, sweet SweeTango®, as they are the only Wisconsin grower of this delightful cross between Honeycrisp and Zestar with a lively touch of citrus, honey, and spice. You can pick from a wide selection of apples, including Honeycrisp, Cortland, and McIntosh, and savor the many apple-inspired treats available year-round, such as their famous apple cider, apple and caramel apple nut pies, and hand-dipped caramel apples featuring SweeTango and Honeycrisp apples in premier Midwest caramel.

Kielar Akers Orchard

648 Hwy 42, Sturgeon Bay
(920) 856-6978

Picking Season: Mid to Late September to Late November 
Types of Apples: MacIntosh, Red Courts, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Winesap, Northwest Greenings, Late Golden Delicious and Snowsweet, Jonagold, & Red Delicious.
Pick Your Own: Yes

Located conveniently on State Highway 42, just north of Forestville, Kilear Akers Orchard has been a beloved family-owned orchard in Southern Door County since 1927. While the orchard is well-known for its Montmorency tart cherries, its true autumn allure lies in the wide variety of apples available from Labor Day through the end of the season, which can extend to near the end of November. Carefully handpicked by the family, these apples are sold at their shop along with plums and pears.

Robertson Orchards

2575 S Shiloh Rd, Sturgeon Bay
(920) 743-1351

Picking Season: Late August/Early September to Late November 
Types of Apples: Red Free, Ginger Gold, McIntoshes, Cortlands, Red Delicious, Viking, Yellow Transparent, & lunch box apples.
Pick Your Own: Yes 

In rural Sturgeon Bay is Robertson Orchards, a Door County orchard spanning five generations. This pet-friendly orchard invites you to bring your leashed pooch along for a day of apple-picking in the fall. After picking, visit the self-serve Orchard Store in the barn, which is open every day and stocked with the freshest harvests.

Seaquist Orchards Farm Market

11482 Hwy 42, Sister Bay
(920) 854-4199

Picking Season: Early September to Late October 
Types of Apples: Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold, Cortland, McIntosh, Gala, Zestar, Snowsweet, Blondie, Jonafree or Jonamac.
Pick Your Own: Yes

This multi-generation family farm in Sister Bay cultivates around 30 varieties of apples, with Honeycrisp being Seaquist Orchards Farm Market’s most abundant and popular. Each apple is carefully handpicked by a dedicated crew throughout the fall, sold at their farm market and pressed into apple cider. Beyond apples, the market features a playground, an indoor straw maze in the fall, and over 50 samples to taste daily. You can also explore the nearby Seaquist Production facility, where 72 flavors of jam, jelly, pie fillings, and salsas are made. If you can’t visit in person, their online store offers over 500 products, ensuring you can enjoy Seaquist’s locally grown and processed delights year-round.

Sorens Valhalla Orchards

2912 Idlewild Rd., Sturgeon Bay
(920) 746-1102

Picking Season: Mid to Late September to Late November 
Types of Apples: Red Free, Ginger Gold, Paula Red, McIntoshes, Cortlands, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Ida Red
Pick Your Own: No

The Sorensen family brings their deep-rooted love for farming to Soren's Valhalla Orchards in Southern Door County. Not only do they have two acres of strawberries and 100 acres of cherries, there are 2,500 apple trees, plus pumpkins. Apples and pumpkins are available pre-picked at their self-serve farmstand.

Door County Apple Recipes

Get creative in your kitchen and try these recipes at your next dinner party: