It’s the most wonderful time of the year. That should be a song Â… oh wait. Well, for some of us, and by us, we mean Michiganders, fall is a holy time, and by holy we mean doughnuts, and by doughnuts we mean — well, you get the idea. ItÂ’s fall, yÂ’all, and even if itÂ’s not technically yet, nothing will stop us from adopting a cider and doughnuts diet until Thanksgiving, because this is a free country and nothing fills an aching void quite like autumnal treats. These metro Detroit-area family-friendly orchards, mills, and farms are open for business, all things considered, and theyÂ’re ready for the masked and hungry masses to feast upon their bounty.

Knaebe’s Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm 2621 S. Karsten Rd., Rogers City; 989-351-7868; mmmunchykrunchyapplefarm.com This family-owned cider mill has everything from farm animals to corn mazes. Here you can enjoy an in-person bakery, wood fired pizza, and hard cider orders. Photo via Knaebe’s Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm/Facebook
Alber Orchard & Cider Mill 13011 Bethel Church, Manchester; 734-428-9310; alberorchard.com There’s an award-winning orchard and mill just 30 minutes from Ann Arbor and an hour away from Detroit that has more than 100 varieties of apples, including heirloom varieties. The quaint Alber Orchard & Cider Mill is nestled in Manchester and sells unpasteurized cider and invites guests to pick their own apples and pumpkins. Photo via Alber Orchard & Cider Mill/Facebook
Apple Charlies South Huron Orchards and Cider Mill 38035 S. Huron Rd., New Boston; 734-753-9380; facebook.com/apple-charlies-south-huron-orchards Family-owned and operated Apple Charlie’s offers a cozy atmosphere with fall foods and U-pick apples. In addition to their shop offerings, Apple Charlie’s has hayrides, scenic ponds, and a petting zoo. Did we mention pie? There’s pie. Photo via Apple Charlies South Huron Orchards/ Facebook
Bennett’s Orchard 5647 Consear Rd., Ottawa Lake; 734-854-2523; bennettsorchard.com For more than 60 years Bennett’s Orchard has been active in growing fresh fruit and vegetables. They offer fresh-pressed cider and doughnuts, along with their farm-fresh eggs, hard cider, and baked goods. Photo via Bennett’s Orchard/Facebook
Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill 17985 Armada Center Rd., Armada; 586-784-5343; blakefarms.com Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill is home to an 800-acre working farm and more than 40 different apple varieties. The farm and orchard is home to a cider mill, Funland, tasting room, sunflower picking, and a hard cider facility. Photo via Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill/Facebook
Blake’s Big Apple 71485 North Ave., Armada; 586-784-9710; blakefarms.com At Blake’s Big Apple there is something for the whole family. The farm offers everything from a Zombie Paintball experience to a thrilling wagon ride. Their shop offers hand-dipped caramel apples, kettle corn, doughnuts, and homemade fudge. Photo via Blake’s Big Apple/Facebook
Brookwood Fruit Farm 7840 Bordman Rd., Romeo; 810-798-8312; brookwoodfruitfarm.com Feeling fruity? Look no further than Brookwood Fruit Farm, a 5th generation family farm, which grows 50 varieties of cherries, tarts, apples, and peaches. The farm offers a unique experience with over 100 years of continued fruit farming. Photo via Brookwood Fruit Farm/Facebook
Dexter Cider Mill 3685 Central St., Dexter; 734-426-8531; dextercidermill.com As the oldest operating cider mill in Michigan, the Dexter Cider Mill runs along the Huron River. Visitors can enjoy cider, caramel apples, doughnuts, and other classic fresh fall treats like bourbon barrel hard cider to-go. Photo via The Dexter Cider Mill/Facebook
Diehl’s Orchard & Cider Mill 1479 Ranch, Holly; 248-634-8981; diehlsorchard.com For more than 60 years Diehl’s Orchard & Cider Mill has grown fresh produce. They’re known for their annual Ciderfest, which is slated for Saturday, Sept. 26 in 2020. The orchard also offers different activities such as a corn maze, hay ride, and pony rides. Photo via Diehl’s Orchard & Cider Mill/Facebook
Erie Orchards & Cider Mill 1235 Erie Rd., Erie; 734-848-4518; erieorchards.com Erie Orchards offers more than 70 acres with 15,000 bushels of apples, as well as fresh blueberries and peaches. The orchard also offers wagon rides, a playground, and farm animals. Photo via Erie Orchards & Cider Mill/Facebook
Erwin Orchards and Cider Mill 61475 Silver Lake Rd., South Lyon; 248-437-0150; erwinorchards.com This family-friendly farm offers a pick-your-own raspberry patch, apple orchard, and corn maze. The 200-acre farm grows apples, sweet cherries, raspberries, pumpkins, and asparagus. Photo via Erwin Orchards and Cider Mill
Franklin Cider Mill 7450 Franklin Rd., Bloomfield Twp.; 248-626-2968; franklincidermill.com The Franklin Cider Mill offers freshly pressed cider that’s not filtered and not pasteurized. The mill also offers honey, select cheeses, butters, and doughnuts. Photo via Franklin Cider Mill
Goodison Cider Mill 4295 Orion Rd., Rochester; 248-652-8450; goodisoncidermill.com The Goodison Cider Mill offers old-fashioned apple pressing, making fresh cider for the entire season. The mill also offers breads, doughnuts, jams, and caramel apples. Photo via Goodison Cider Mill
Grainger’s Orchard & Cider Mill 2588 Pinckney Rd., Howell; 517-242-3902; facebook.com/graingers-orchard-cider-mill The Grainger’s Orchard & Cider Mill offers that fuzzy fall feeling with their fresh cider and warm atmosphere. This mill offers family fun for everyone to enjoy. Photo via Grainger’s Orchard & Cider Mill/Facebook
Hy’s Cider Mill 6350 37 Mile Rd., Romeo; 810-798-3611; hyscidermill.com Apples are the name of the game at Hy’s Cider Mill in Romeo. Enjoy hayrides, fresh cider, and 99 cents per pound U-pick apple opportunities. Don’t like doing it yourself? They’ve got apple pies, turnovers, and fresh baked apple bread. Photo via Hy’s Cider Mill/Facebook
Jollay Orchard Farms 1850 Friday Rd., Coloma; 269-438-3075; jollayorchards.com This family-friendly farm has apple picking, hayrides, and fun. The Jollay Orchard Farms is home to the 7th generation of the Jollay family, who continue their family tradition of raising farm-fresh fruit. Photo via Jollay Orchard Farms/Facebook
Lesser Farms Orchard and Cider Mill 12651 Island Lake Rd., Dexter; 734-426-8009; facebook.com/lesser-farms-and-orchard Family-owned and operated, Lesser Farms Orchard and Cider Mill is nothing less than a perfect place to get your autumn on, and that includes grabbing some cider, doughnuts, and pumpkins. Photo via Lesser Farms ORchard and Cider Mills/Facebook
Long’s Family Cider Mill 1540 E. Commerce Rd., Commerce Charter Twp.; 248-360-3774; longsorchard.com Long’s Family Cider Mill has a variety of home-grown vegetables such as asparagus, peas, sweet corn, and garden vegetables. The farm also offers fun fall activities like apple picking and a pumpkin patch. Photo via Long’s Family Cider Mill/Facebook
Markillie Orchard 5200 N. Latson, Howell; 517-546-3485; markillieorchard.com The Markillie Orchard offers a variety of different flavored doughnuts, with everything from pumpkin to cinnamon sugar. They’re known for their cider slush, but they also offer doughnuts, jams, jellies, salsa, and more. Photo via Markillie Orchard/Facebook
Big Red Apple Orchard 4900 W. 32 Mile Rd., Washington Twp.; 586-752-7888; facebook.com/bigredorchard Pick your own fresh apples and pumpkins at Big Red Apple Orchard. You can enjoy the large vegetable selection and the extensive orchard while spending quality time with family and friends. Photo via Big Red Apple Orchard/Facebook
Obstbaum Orchards & Cider Mill 9252 Currie Rd., Salem; 248-468-9180; obstbaum.com The apples are popping at family-operated Obstbaum Orchards and Cider Mill in Salem, which has been serving the community for 40 years. They’ve got hayrides, treats, and pumpkins, too. Photo via Obstbaum Orchards & Cider Mill/Facebook
Paint Creek Cider Mill 4480 Orion Rd., Rochester ; 248-656-3400; facebook.com/paintcreekcidermill Three words: Cider mill bacon. There’s more than meets the eye with this traditional cider mill, which offers cider mill classics as well as a full restaurant offering with an extensive lunch and dinner menu. Visitors can also enjoy their cider mill treats along the scenic Paint Creek Trail. Photo via Paint Creek Cider Mill / Facebook
Paramenter’s Cider Mill 714 Baseline Rd., Northville; 248-349-3181; northvillecider.com This Northville favorite is going full throttle with a drive-thru only situation this year. Though this means there will not be any demonstrations, tours, or feeding of the ducks (don’t worry, they’ll be taken care of!), customers will still have a chance to roll up to get their cider, doughnut, and orchard apple fix. Photo via Paramenter’s Northville Cider Mill/Facebook
Parshallville Cider Mill 8507 Parshallville Rd., Fenton; 810-629-9079; parshallvillecidermill.com The family-owned Parshallville Cider Mill is a Michigan Historic Site. The 136-year-old mill is one of the last water-powered mills left in the state. They offer cider, caramel apples, homemade apple pies, and spiced doughnuts. Photo via Parshallville Cider Mill/Facebook
Rochester Cider Mill 5125 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester; 248-651-4224; rochestercidermill.com Rochester’s has been doing their thing for generations, and specializes in comfort — be it unpasteurized cider, doughnuts, or an inviting atmosphere. In addition to traditional fall treats, they’ve got other homegrown produce for purchase, like ghost peppers, corn, and squash. Photo via Rochester Cider Mill/Facebook
Spicer Orchards 10411 Clyde, Fenton; 810-632-7692; spicerorchards.com The Spicer Orchard offers train rides, a winery, and a corn maze. They offer an assortment of edibles such as funnel cake, bubble tea, and pork barbecue. Photo via Spicer Orchards/Facebook
Stony Creek Orchard & Cider Mill 2961 W. 32 Mile Rd., Romeo; 586-752-2453; stonycreekorchard.com Stony Creek Orchard & Cider Mill offers handmade pies, caramel apples, jellies, and more. Family and friends can enjoy picking out pumpkins, gourds, and a variety of apples. Photo via Stony Creek Orchard & Cider Mill/Facebook
Verellen Orchards 63260 Van Dyke, Romeo; 586-752-2989; verellenorchards.com For more than 100 years the Verellen Orchards have provided farm-to-table produce. The farm’s offerings include tomatoes, bell peppers, fresh pies, and homemade zucchini bread. Photo via Verellen Orchards/Facebook
Westview Orchards & Winery 65075 Van Dyke at 30 Mile, Washington Twp; 586-752-3123; westvieworchards.com The farm, which is more than 200 years old, has fresh baked pies, doughnuts, wine, honey, and more. Want to take in some sights while you chow down on some doughnuts? Enjoy their sunflower field and farm animals. Photo via Westview Orchards & Winery/Facebook
Wiard’s Orchards & Country Fair 5565 Merritt, Ypsilanti; 734-482-7744; wiards.com Established in 1837, Wiard’s Orchards & Country fair has a lot going on. Sure, there’s doughnuts, U-pick apples and a pumpkin patch, and fresh cider, but they also have a corn maze, hay ride, and entertainment park with a variety of activities, including haunted attractions, targeted at families trying to get a one-stop shop full fall experience. Photo via Wiard’s Orchards & Country Fair/Facebook
Yates Cider Mill 1990 E. Avon Rd., Rochester; 248-651-8300; 2375 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion 248-481-9203; yatescidermill.com This 155-year-old mill offers fall treats and fall experiences — all we need is fall weather. Yates has two locations, and both offer similar attractions. The Yates Ice Cream Shoppe invites those with a sweet tooth to make any number of homemade apple-centric baked goods à la mode. They also offer historic mill tours, pony rides, river walks, and cider making. Photo via Yates Cider Mill / Facebook

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