Autumn offers many nostalgic comforts — for many, the greatest comfort of all is rooted in the harvest season, whether it be the warmth of apple cider or the joy of picking out a pumpkin to carve. 

Get out and experience these pastoral pleasures for yourself this weekend in any of the many farms around Eau Claire.

Ferguson’s

Located south of Eau Claire, Ferguson’s offers a variety of activities, from apple orchards and a pumpkin patch to hay rides, a small haunted house and even a corn pit, and more.

The location also offers a country store with various food items and a concession stand.

According to its website, Ferguson’s has been voted the best pumpkin patch in Wisconsin and “No.1 fall family activity” by Chippewa Valley Family Magazine.

Ferguson’s is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day and charges $15 for a season pass.

The Glass Orchard

Focused more on its apple orchards, The Glass Orchard is based on a fifteen-acre property and offers eleven varieties of apples.

True to its name, The Glass Orchard also offers classes related to fused glass. You can schedule your own class on their website.

According to the website, “our love of the arts and creating objects by hand provided a natural transition to become orchardists in addition to glass artists. We feel that like art, the orchard also demands creativity, passion and perseverance.”

Stop by for apple picking and art lessons alike.

Leffel Roots Apple Orchard

If you are searching for an all-around agricultural experience, look no further than Leffel Roots Apple Orchard, a local business providing a trifecta of apple orchards, a pumpkin patch and a corn maze.

According to the orchard’s website, the corn maze is ten acres, takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete and is open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The corn maze is the only area requiring an admission price. Pumpkins are priced by size and apples are priced by volume.

Flake can be reached at [email protected]