It’s that time of the year again! It’s time to bust out that scarf, a nice flannel, and head to your favorite apple orchard and cider mill for apple picking, fresh donuts, and all the cider you can drink. Man, do we love fall in Michigan.

 

Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill 17985 Armada Center Rd., Armada; 586-784-5343; blakefarms.com Blake’s apple empire encompasses the Armada mill, two Armada orchards, and another one in Almont. But it’s the mill that has the petting zoo for the kids and the orchard products for your winter larder. The orchard is still harvesting late-bearing apple trees, and the U-cut Christmas trees harvest will begin in mid-November. Photo via @limpbisquick.
Miller’s Big Red Apple Orchard 4900 32 Mile Rd., Washington Twp.; 586-752-7888; millers-bigred.com Miller’s has wagon rides, a petting farm and the alarmingly titled “Straw Mountain.” This year there will be U-Pick raspberries, pumpkins, and apples. Photo via @chelseahartner.
Dexter Cider Mill 3685 Central St., Dexter, 734-426-8531; dextercidermill.com With more than 120 years of operation, Dexter Cider Mill bills itself as the longest continually run mill in the state, serving wood-pressed cider, donuts, apple pie, caramel apples and apple-nut bread daily. In addition to jellies, butters, hot sauces, boiled cider, maple syrup, honey and popcorn, expect pickled asparagus, soy nuts and even cider slushes. Their award-winning Dexter Cider Mill Apple Cookbook is also available for sale. Season ends mid-November. Photo via @eugeniampg.
Long Family Orchard & Cider Mill 1540 East Commerce Rd., Commerce, 48382; 248-360-3774; longsorchard.com Besides offering up fresh cider and apples, throughout October Long’s has a 5-acre moonlight corn maze on weekends to explore. Also, just in time for Halloween they offer an enormous pumpkin patch for your picking. Photo via @jenniferbowman.
Rochester Cider Mill 5125 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester; 248-651-4224; rochestercidermill.com The Barkham family is celebrating the 31st year of their cider mill which claims their cider is “never the same from week to week, except for its excellent flavor and taste.” Besides its freshly produced donuts and drinks, they have an assortment of apples and a giant hay climbing pyramid for fun. Photo via @ryannovak29.
Porter’s Orchard 12060 Hegel Rd., Goodrich; 810-636-7156; portersorchard.com A jack-of-all trades with free hayrides, “U-pick” raspberries, pumpkins, fresh donuts, pony rides, a corn maze, hay rides, fudge, ice-cream. Also, they handle making fresh salsa, trail-mix and jams. Check the website for special events including dates for a motorcycle show and flea markets. The kids can have their fun too with Porter’s large petting zoo open. Photo via @kateintheroamlife.
Yates Cider Mill 1990 E. Avon Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-651-8300; yatescidermill.com Surrounded by beautiful parks fit for picnics and hiking, the Yates Cider Mill has as many as 24 varieties of apples — usually five or six different kinds at once — go into its ciders. In addition to the main store’s donuts, butters, apples and syrup, a second shop can be found across a small bridge selling such specialty items as Frankenmuth fudge. Pair a donut or the fudge with one of the 20 different flavors of premium ice cream served at the Ice Cream Shoppe, which runs through September. Photo via @downwithdetroit.
Plymouth Orchards and Cider Mill 10685 Warren Rd., Plymouth; 734-455-2290; plymouthorchards.com The retail store stocks ciders, donuts, unusual jams and jellies, maple syrup and honey; a visit offers the chance for a scenic wagon ride or a stroll through the pumpkin patch, where “U-pick.” The store also stocks several varieties of apples, including those now in season, such as Cortland and Red Delicious. Picturesque barnyard animals include goats, sheep, chickens, bunnies, pigs, cows and llamas. Photo via @jade_hardbody.
Stony Creek Orchard and Cider Mill 2961 W. 32 Mile Rd., Romeo; 586-752-2453; stonycreekorchard.com Established in 1978, Stony Creek has all the regular bases — apples to jams to donuts — covered, but on the weekends it really shines. Here you’ll find ice cream, homemade apple pie, lunch items and something called the “Stony Apple” — apple slices slathered in hot caramel sauce, whipped cream, nuts and other toppings. Photo via @catherine.wilson55.
Franklin Cider Mill 7450 Franklin Rd., Bloomfield Hills, 248-626-8261; franklincidermill.com One of our staffers remarks: “It’s the best-tasting cider, and the hot donuts are to die for. The brown paper bags they come in become translucent with grease. The cider press is right there so you can witness the apple carnage.” Photo via @franklincidermillofficial.  
Markillie Orchard & Cider Mill 5200 N. Latson Rd., Howell 48855; 517-546-3485; markillieorchard.com Offers 12 different varieties of apples to choose from that are already picked. They also sell fresh pressed cider, caramel apple chips, maple syrup, salsa and “Naturally Nutty” products. Photo via @hboom22.  
Hy’s Cider Mill 6350 37 Mile Rd., Romeo; 810-798-3611; hyscidermill.com Fresh cider and “U-Pick” apples are the main draw at Hy’s. If you’re feeling a bit wild they also offer up a recipe on their website to create a caramel apple smoothie, using their special cider. Photo via @dior_the_yochon.  
Paint Creek Cider Mill 4480 Orion Rd., Oakland Twp.; 248-656-3400; paintcreekcidermill.org   Building upon traditional cider mill offerings, Paint Creek also delivers for those with desires for a larger, more varied menu with homemade apple bread, pistachio nut bread, an ice cream parlor and coney dogs. Enjoy a walk on the scenic Paint Creek trail or a relaxing evening on their porch. Photo via @detroitrunner.
Spicer Orchards Farm Market and Cider Mill 10411 Clyde Rd., Fenton; 810-632-7692; spicerorchards.com The Spicer family has a history of farming in the Detroit area dating five generations back. Their market features fresh produce, cider and doughnuts along with the family’s winery specialties. Photo via @thenudistandthemonster.
Parmenter’s Northville 714 Baseline Rd., Northville; 248-349-3181; northvillecider.com Northville’s second-oldest continuously operating business has the usual favorites — cider, donuts, caramel apples, apple butter, pumpkin butter, honey, maple syrup — you’ll find cider slushes, apple chips drizzled with caramel, white cheddar cheese, cherry salsa, wines and candies ranging from lollipops to wax fangs. Photo via @chrisjinmaes16.
Three Cedars Farm 7897 Six Mile Rd., Northville; 248-437-8200; threecedarsfarm.org The farm’s website has a video on its home page featuring Hillbilly Joe who delivers a video rundown of what all visitors should expect from Three Cedars Farm: Pumpkins, hay rides and every variation of cider and donuts under the sun available in their “hut.” Mr. Joe says: “I’m born a hillbilly, I’ve been raised a hillbilly and I’m gonna die a hillbilly.” A sure unique cider mill experience. Photo via @threecedarsfarm. Credit: Facebook
Diehl’s Orchard & Cider Mill 1479 Ranch Rd., Holly, 248-634-8981; diehlsorchard.com Diehl’s has every cider mill experience staple that you could ever want. It is a little bit of a hike for some people, but if you go early enough you can stop by the Ren Fest and pick some apples. Photo via @the.mrswilson.
Verellen Orchards 63260 Van Dyke Rd., Washington; 586-752-2989; verellenorchards.com Their general store carries a variety of seasonal produce including an array of apples and cider. They also carry cookies, pies and donuts baked fresh every morning. Photo via @laurenmatski.
Erwin Orchards Inc. 61475 Silver Lake Rd., South Lyon, 248-437-4701; erwinorchards.com After James N. Erwin planted the first tree in 1920 the Erwin family has been steadily growing to 200 packed acres of fruit, cider, a corn maze, petting farm and about anything else imaginable that can fit in an orchard fortress. Undoubtedly Erwin will have something for everyone. Photo via Facebook.
Westview Orchards & Adventure Farm 65075 Van Dyke Rd., Washington; 586-752-3123; westvieworchards.com Established in 1813, the orchard encompasses 188 acres of what they tout as “good old-fashioned flavors and fun.” It features a 6-acre corn maze, 40-foot slide and ice cream and sweet shoppe bakery. Be sure to at least give a passing glance to their apple fritter or French toast casserole. Photo via @jaxhiller.
Obstbaum Orchards 9252 Currie Rd., Salem; 248-468-9180; obstbaum.com A short ride from Plymouth and Northville, Obstbaum (German for “fruit tree”) offers the chance to watch cider being pressed while you munch on donuts and swill down cider. Owners Hans and Lynda Neuroth enjoy answering questions or accommodating special requests. Photo via @heatherdunn_
Historic Parshallville Grist Mill 8507 Parshallville Rd., Fenton; 810-629-9079; parshallvillecidergristmill.com A “Michigan Historic Site,” the 143-year-old mill is one of few water-powered mills left in the state. They make cider, donuts, caramel apples and homemade apple pie. Their cider is personally heralded as being made the “old-fashioned way” creating a different taste depending on available apples every time. Photo via @shelbss_baylls.
Apple Charlie’s South Huron Orchards and Cider Mill 38035 S. Huron Rd., New Boston; 734-753-9380; applecharlie.com Between the bakery, the animal farm, the reasonable prices, the hayrides, the glassed-in cider press, and the handicapped-accessible facilities, the proprietors take pride in the cleanliness and quality of this 60-year-old attraction. Photo via @megannglivar.

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