Fall Weekend
Fall in love with Middleton in just one weekend. Here's how to spend 48 hours soaking up all things autumn.
From colorful trails and cozy coffee shops to pumpkin patches and local boutiques, autumn brings plenty of ways to enjoy a weekend in Middleton.
Falling for Middleton is as easy as dunking an apple cider donut into a caramel latte (don’t knock it ‘till you try it).
That crisp autumn air begs for a warm cup of coffee, preferably paired with one of those apple cider donuts or a morning bun from Clasen’s European Bakery (think sugary cinnamon roll made from pastry), or perhaps a savory croissant from Grace Coffee Co., or Level 5 Vegan donut at Willy Street Co-op.
For a sit-down breakfast, La Pollera Colombiana offers plenty of sweet and savory options. For the perfect fall treat, try “The Monkey,” your choice of pancakes, waffles, or French toast topped with caramel syrup, whipped cream, nuts, and caramelized bananas. Hubbard Avenue Diner serves breakfast all day, so feel free to sleep in.
Chase Fall Colors
Once you’ve fueled up, head outside to experience the fall scenery. Pheasant Branch Conservancy offers 682 acres of protected prairie, creeks, woods and marsh, with trails for walking, hiking and biking.
Check out a list of Middleton's best leaf-peeping spots, sure to offer a burst of color.
Color in Dane County peaks in mid- to late October, but check Travel Wisconsin's fall color report for the current status.
With a chance to spot a new species making a pit stop on its journey south, fall is also a great time for birdwatching. Pheasant Branch Conservancy and Middleton’s ponds can be a temporary home to blue-winged teals, ruddy ducks, great blue herons, wood ducks, green herons, great egrets, palm warblers, double-crested cormorants and more.
With 30 miles of trails throughout the city, there’s no limit to the outdoor space to keep exploring, from scenic paths to peaceful ponds.
Take a Cider Break
Keep the fall flavors going at Hidden Cave Cidery. This locally owned gem makes hard cider with Wisconsin-grown apples in every batch. Open to the public for limited hours on Fridays and Saturdays, the cidery also hosts events, offers indoor seating and allows leashed dogs.
A (Corn) Maze of Options
After a morning surrounded by fall color, keep the autumn fun going with farm-fresh favorites.
Within 30 minutes of Middleton, visitors can enjoy fall fun and grab a pumpkin, pick apples or explore a corn mazes at 13 locations. Choose from small, family-owned spots with conveniently pre-picked pumpkins or larger farms where you can spend the day, roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty searching for the perfect gourd right off the vine. Whatever kind of fall fun you’re looking for, there’s a farm for it.
Some standout spots include:
Learn more about each of these places and explore nearby spots here.
End the Day Deliciously
End the day downtown with dinner and drinks. Pull up a seat at Longtable Beer Cafe and choose from more than 300 types of beer and seltzers, along with a menu that changes with the seasons.
For an Italian dinner in a historic setting, head to Villa Dolce, where the family has been serving Italian dishes for nearly 20 years. Or make plans for a Wisconsin Friday fish fry. Middleton has more than a dozen restaurants serving fish fry year-round, so there are plenty of options for a classic Wisconsin dinner. Tucked away underground, Louisianne’s is the perfect spot if the outdoor weather gets a bit too chilly.
Plan your trip around an event at Stone Horse Green. Pick up dinner from one of the downtown restaurants, spread out a picnic blanket and cozy up around the outdoor fireplace or take a seat on the heated "herd of boulders" sculptures while enjoying live music, movies or other fall entertainment.
Shop Your Way Through Middleton
After a weekend spent outdoors, take some time to wander through Middleton’s shops and find a few things to bring the season home with you. Downtown is a great place to start, with locally owned shops offering everything from fall-ready clothing and accessories to one-of-a-kind gifts.
Browse men’s clothing (like lots of flannel perfect for the crispt weather) at Journeyman Co.,(opens in new tab), find environmentally friendly high-end clothing at Cloth & Metal and discover colorful gifts and home goods at Poppy — Home & Gift. With items from hundreds of artists (many of them from Wisconsin), the Regal Find is a go-to stop for souvenirs and offers free gift wrapping.
Of course, no shopping trip to Middleton is complete without a stop at the National Mustard Museum. Explore more than 7,000 mustards from around the world and stock up on Wisconsin favorites, kitchen gadgets and quirky gifts. Stop by the tasting bar to sample before choosing a few favorites to take home.
Then head to Greenway Station, a 46-acre open-air shopping center with more than 25 name-brand stores. Browse for a new fall wardrobe, pick up something for the upcoming holiday season or simply enjoy an afternoon of shopping beneath the changing leaves of the maple trees surrounding the shops.
And that’s how you spend a fall weekend in and outdoors in Middleton. There are plenty more of the middle things to do during your next visit. We’ll see you soon!
