October 17th, 2017 at 7:47 AM ^
October 17th, 2017 at 9:41 AM ^
Don't forget the Cider Slushies and the winery right next door.
October 17th, 2017 at 7:31 AM ^
October 17th, 2017 at 7:33 AM ^
We just recently went to Westview Cider Mill in Romeo MI. Everything was really good there. If you have children they have a lot to do like Blake's but not as packed.
October 17th, 2017 at 8:49 AM ^
October 17th, 2017 at 9:06 AM ^
Yates is okay, but no apple picking.
Miller's Big Red on 32 mile in Romeo is very good, but used to be much better before it went "big time"
Rochester Cider Mill is well kept secret -- kind of a laid back version of Yates. Great pies as well.
We've been going to Stony Creek Cider Mill (also on 32 mile) lately. Not a zoo (yet), great donuts, a nice store and good apple picking.
Went to the one in South Lyon that everyone raves about a couple of years ago but the traffic jam to get in was unreal.
Westview Orchards on Van Dyke is also very nice but IIRC they charge to get in now
October 17th, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^
Go organic at Almar Orchards. Looks like more of a drive north, but you won't be giving your kids pesticide juice.
October 17th, 2017 at 10:12 AM ^
I enjoy Verhage's (Kalamazoo) and Crane's (Fennville).
October 17th, 2017 at 10:23 AM ^
but Franklin Cider Mill is one of my favorite places in the whole world.
October 17th, 2017 at 10:26 AM ^
October 17th, 2017 at 10:48 AM ^
I don't think I've ever tried any of them but Franklin's. If you're going there, though, let me know because I live close by and have two kids at home with me.
Of course I'd be remiss if I didn't mention:
CHARRINGTON ORCHARDS
Fisher & Labes, Master Pressers
The neighborhood where I grew up (after moving a few times) was built on an old apple orchard so everyone had apple trees in their yards. There's a big apple tree at the end of our property that dropped apples on the neighbor's lawn, so my dad and neighbor (a Michigan booster) bought a cider presser in 1988.
This became an annual event for the neighborhood. Everyone brought their apples, and we'd supplement by buying a wagonload of fallen ones from Erwin Orchards (which was a mile and a half from the farm he lived on when I was born), and everyone would leave with fresh-pressed apple cider. The trick was we'd throw in a few pears to every batch.
October 17th, 2017 at 10:55 AM ^
I loved going there as a kid. They had it all .... the water wheel with the creek, the donuts coming off the fryer, the cider getting pressed, picnic tables by the creek to sit and eat outside. Franklin is nice but far busier and much less of the old-time feel.
October 17th, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^
and thats why I think it's important to distinguish what type of cider mill experience you're looking for.
No kids, and want something historic your wife might enjoy?
Parshalville
Yates
Franklin
Dexter
Want a larger farm-like experince with more activites for kids then
Blakes
Spicers
etc.
I knock Blakes a bit for turning themselves in to a seasonal amusement park, but kudos to them for finding a market to succesfully exploit. Brewery? lol. Pretty soon they'll have a Leprachaun petting zoo and the Easter Egg bungee jump!
October 17th, 2017 at 11:01 AM ^
I think that the two best cider mills in Michigan are the Dexter Cider Mill and whatever you grew up with.
That said, I grew up with Uncle John's, up north of St. Johns. It's cool to see them distributing hard cider all over the midwest, but I went back last year for the first time in more than 10 years and was honestly pretty disappointed. The cider wasn't as good, the donuts weren't as good as there were people everywhere. It took like 20 minutes just to park. I had to go to different buildings to buy cider and donuts and everything was just so expensive.
My fiancee grew up close to Plymouth Orchards and I have to admit, they're pretty darn good. I'm excited to see some good reviews on Three Cedars, we booked them for the rehearsal dinner (food is coming from Satchel's).
October 17th, 2017 at 12:19 PM ^
Wasem in Ypsilanti Township. It's off of Hitchingham. Smaller, less commercial than Wiards. Their donuts are amazing. Very laidback.
October 17th, 2017 at 1:07 PM ^
You'll be fine either way.
October 17th, 2017 at 6:15 PM ^
October 17th, 2017 at 3:25 PM ^
has the best cider and Ashton's Orchards in Ortonville has the best donuts. I have been all over the thumb, Frankenmuth, Bay City, Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties. Ashton's by far has the best donuts. I have given them as gifts and mailed them across the country to friends and relatives who crave them this time of year. Good pies too!
October 17th, 2017 at 3:26 PM ^
has the best cider and Ashton's Orchards in Ortonville has the best donuts. I have been all over the thumb, Frankenmuth, Bay City, Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties. Ashton's by far has the best donuts. I have given them as gifts and mailed them across the country to friends and relatives who crave them this time of year. Good pies too!
October 18th, 2017 at 8:37 PM ^
Ashton's is tasty and easy in-and-out but they don't sell hot cider or warm donuts. What the hell.
October 17th, 2017 at 4:47 PM ^
Just got back from Alber's in Saline. Just as good as I remember it. No U-Pick apples, tho.
I am also very partial to Erwin's in South Lyon. They are awesome.
October 17th, 2017 at 7:08 PM ^
October 18th, 2017 at 7:50 AM ^