Apples: Door County's Other Favorite Fruit

When people think of Door County fruit, they often think cherries first. But the region's orchards also bring a bountiful fall harvest of apples.

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.  

You’ll find an abundance of apple-oriented activities—and eating—in the county this 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 or stopping at a local restaurant for a slice of warm apple pie, or meander through the roadside farm markets flush with fall’s harvest.

Here are just a handful of places you can stop for the full orchard experience:

Wood Orchard & Market
8112 Hwy 42, Egg Harbor
(920) 868-2334

Picking Season: Early September thru Mid October
Types of Apples: Gala, McIntosh, Cortland, Honeycrisp, & Sweet Tango

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

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

Picking Season: Late September thru Mid October
Types of Apples: McIntosh, Cortland, & Honeycrisp

Sorens Valhalla Orchards
6491 County Rd J, Forestville
(920) 746-1102

Picking Season: Mid to Late September thru Mid October
Types of Apples: Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold, Cortland, McIntosh, Gala, Zestar, Snowsweet, Blondee, Jonagolds

Lautenbach’s Orchard
9197 Hwy 42, Fish Creek
(920) 868-3479

Types of Apples: Honeycrisp, Gala, Macintosh, Cortland, Macoun, Blondee, Jonagold, & Regency

Seaquist Orchard
11484 Hwy 42, Sister Bay
(920) 854-4199

Types of Apples: More than 30 varieties, including Honeycrisp

Pick-Your-Own Apple Stops

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

Kielar Akers Orchard
S648 Hwy 42, Sturgeon Bay / (920) 856-6978

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

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

Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Farm Market
9197 Hwy 42, Fish Creek / (920) 868-3479

Seaquist Orchards Farm Market
11484 Hwy 42, Sister Bay / (920) 854-4199

Door County Apple Recipes

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

• Door County Apple Crisp
• Maple Cinnamon Apple Sauce
• Cinnamon Apple Pork Chops