Places to Visit this October

By VANESSA SKILDUM

Orchards and Halloween-themed activities are popping up everywhere as October and the fall season come into full swing. Below are some popular and fun places to check out. 

Big Hill Park

Big Hill Park is full of vibrant fall foliage. According to Travel Wisconsin, it is one of Beloit’s most scenic sites. The park has an upper and lower level with playgrounds, hiking trails, restrooms, sheltered picnic areas, and more. The hiking trails branch out over the park with beautiful views to fully embrace fall colors. Admission is free, and it is open from dawn until 9 p.m. If hiking isn’t your thing, the Welty Center at Big Hills hosts different events this October. Examples include a Big Hill Park Bonfire on October 12 and the BEE in Beloit! Wisconsin Science Festival. More information can be found at weltycenter.org

Apple Hut 

Just over two miles from Big Hill Park is Apple Hut. This women-owned business offers 21 varieties of apples and baked goods, including Fritz’s Famous Cider Donuts, voted the best donut in the state for 2023. Inside the gift shop, they offer jams, honey, apple cider, and a variety of pumpkins and squash. You can buy pre-picked apples or pick your own in the backyard orchard. 

Apple Hut is located at 1718 W. Walters Road, Beloit, WI 53511, and is open from late August to Halloween. It is a cash-only establishment, but there is an ATM on site. For more information, you can find The Apple Hut on Facebook. 

Skelly’s Farm Market 

Skelly’s farm market hosts many activities for friends and families. There are two corn mazes available, including the six-acre Squashees Adventure Maze, an escape room within a corn maze featuring Skelly’s own characters called Squashees, and the nine-acre Impossible Maze that has a brand new game feature for 2024 where you can play the game Animal Pals: County Fair where you search for food within the maze. If you get a high enough score, you can attain the title of the Fair Grand Champion. 

In addition to corn mazes, Skelly’s offers wagon rides, apple cannons and pumpkin picking. Outside, there is a playground with picnic tables to sit and enjoy the environment. Inside the barn is a bakery full of Danishes, pumpkin donuts, homemade sweet bread and more. 

Skelly’s is at 2713 S Hayner Road, Janesville, WI 53548. They are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Their last day of the season is Oct. 31. For more information about what is available and pricing, you can visit their website skellysfarmmarket.com. 

Forest of Freaks

According to Wisconsin Frights, the Forest of Freaks is Wisconsin’s scariest and longest outdoor haunted trail. There are two haunted trails, with general admission costing $20, while speed through admission is $30. There is live music and food for entertainment as you wait in line, and some of the freaks walk by, scaring unsuspecting people and even taking pictures with you. Where Forest of Freaks is located is usually a paintball range, and they offer shoot-the-freak activity where you get 75 paintballs for $6 to shoot some of the working freaks.

Forest of Freaks is located at 5946 S. U.S. Highway 51, Janesville, WI, 53546 (across from Blackhawk Technical College). Starting in October, it is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Nov. 2 is its last night open. It is a cash-only place, and the minimum age recommended is 13. For additional information, its website is wescaredyou.com. 

Fear Fest

According to gorockford.com, South Beloit’s Fear Fest is “Illinois’ largest and best haunted attraction.” This year, it is celebrating its 26th anniversary. Three haunts are available: the Haunted Hayride, the Haunted Barn, and the Creepy Carnival. General admission is $15 each, or you can buy a triple pass for $40. They also offer Sunday specials, where all three are $30.

Fear Fest is located at 6512 Manchester, R.D., just over the Wisconsin-Illinois border.

South Beloit, Illinois 61080. It is open Friday through Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m., with free parking. It accepts all major credit cards, and its last day open is Nov. 3. More information and videos about the haunts are available on their website, fearfest.info.

5Bar’s Five Nights of Horror

For all the Halloween movie lovers, downtown Beloit’s 5Bar is hosting Five Nights of Horror movie nights. Every Tuesday in October, they will show horror movies from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. (close). It is a surprise theater style, meaning you will know what is playing once you get there. Popcorn, drinks and couches will be available. You can visit 5Bar at 530 E Grand Ave, Beloit, WI 53511.