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Photo courtesy of Wiard's Orchards
For many Metro Detroit families, fall plans are shaped by familiar traditions: a paper bag of warm sugar-coated donuts, a jug of cider in the car, pumpkins for the porch, and photos taken somewhere between the orchard rows and the farm market. These local cider mills should be on your short list to visit this fall.
Dexter Cider Mill
3685 Central Street, Dexter
The Dexter Cider Mill dates to the 1880s and sits along the Huron River in downtown Dexter, where its small mill setting keeps the focus on cider, warm donuts, caramel apples, and other delicious apple-centered baked goods. Owners Nancy and Marty Steinhauer share, “The Dexter Cider Mill has always been about more than cider. It’s about tradition, family, and being a place people look forward to coming back to every fall. As Michigan’s longest continuously operating cider mill, we feel a tremendous responsibility to preserve the history and character of the mill while continuing to share it with new generations. This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate the mill’s 140th season and our family’s 40th season as owners. We’re proud to continue many of the traditions that have made the mill special for generations, including pressing our cider with an oak rack press and locally grown apples, the same way it was done more than a century ago. We love seeing people who came here as children now bringing their own children and grandchildren, and we hope you’ll come celebrate this special milestone with us and experience the traditions that have made the mill so special for 140 seasons.” Open Wednesday through Sunday, the Dexter Cider Mill is an excellent place to indulge in fall treats or pull up a seat at the Hard Cider Tasting Room and try some of their small-batch hard cider.
Westview Orchards & Winery
65075 Van Dyke Avenue, Washington
Westview Orchards & Winery has roots dating to 1813 and continues to operate as a family farm in Washington Township today. The property combines an orchard market with an on-site winery, giving visitors access to cider, donuts, an extensive list of pies, honey, fresh produce, and wine service without leaving the farm. Westview also lists u-pick fruit during the growing season, with availability changing by crop and harvest season stage. For fall visits, the orchard provides a plethora of weekend entertainment for the entire family, with several climbing mountains, farm animals, a themed corn maze, and more. For the adults, there’s a wine bar in their 1850s barn loft, with small-batch specialty wines and Westview’s hard cider on tap.
Wiard’s Orchards
5565 Merritt Road, Ypsilanti
Wiard’s Orchards traces its farm history to 1837, resulting in 189 years of traditions made possible by the Wiard family. Today, the farm offers fall classics like cider, donuts, apples, and pumpkins, and at the Wiard’s Country Fair, a ticketed area with activities such as wagon rides, play areas, and other family attractions, like corn mazes, mini golf, and more. Another draw is Night Terrors, the highly-rated after-dark haunted attraction operated on the property. The Country Store and Bakery add fresh pies, hand-dipped apples, and other take-home treats, making the food side of the visit substantial enough for families planning around cider and donuts first.
Three Cedars Farm
7897 Six Mile Road, Northville
Three Cedars Farm in Northville is built around several fall features, including the Cider & Donut Hut, a country store, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, train rides, a corn maze, and the Barn Yard Playland. The Donut Hut is a specific draw for visitors coming for cider and donuts, while the pumpkin patch and hayrides make it easy to add a porch pumpkin to the same trip. At the country store, you’ll find old-fashioned candy, farm produce, decor, and more. The 7-acre corn maze presents a challenge, while the 5-acre pumpkin patch provides many options to choose from. Visit the farm animals alongside kids’ activities, sip on some hot cider, and indulge in a donut or two.
Rochester Cider Mill
5125 North Rochester Road, Rochester
Rochester Cider Mill has been family-run for 45 years, now led by the second generation of the Barkham family. With a focus on quality and family involvement, this cider mill uses a 150-year-old leather belt-driven press and, in turn, offers a variety of specialty ciders, ranging from mixes of pear, peach, cranberry, blueberry, and more handcrafted options. Visitors can also choose from a variety of donuts to pair with their cider, pick up handcrafted apple cider vinegar, preserves, apple salsa, and more. Open daily, your family can stop by and visit the petting farm, home of lambs, piglets, chickens, and even a turkey, or burn some energy on the giant straw mountain and slides.
Big Red Orchard
4900 32 Mile Road, Washington
Big Red Orchard in Washington pairs their orchard market in the Main Barn with The Legacy Bar, an on-site bar and restaurant for those who want to make a trip of it. Owned by the Misiewicz family since 2022, the couple has planted thousands of new trees, completed previously started construction endeavors, and revitalized the orchard since. The farm currently offers a variety of u-pick apple varieties, while the market has all of the fresh-baked goods, bottled cider, Michigan-made products, and a boutique section to highlight local small businesses. At The Legacy Bar, you’ll find an extensive menu, ranging from appetizers to share, fresh salads with housemade dressing, sandwiches, and more. For the adults, the bar specializes in craft cocktails and has a curated collection of local beers and wines.
When you’re ready to get outside and enjoy all of the classic fall specialties, make sure your family takes a trip to one of Metro Detroit’s cider mills. Enjoy some cider, split a bag of donuts (or don’t!), let the kids run around, and keep the orchard tradition alive.
