Living in the Mitten, there are very few things that say “fall” like a trip to the local cider mill. Whether it’s spending time with family picking a bushel of apples from the trees, sipping fresh cider, or indulging in some freshly baked cinnamon and sugar doughnuts (we all know those are the best!) the cider mill holds a special place in nearly every Michigander's heart.
Did you know that Michigan has more cider mills than any other state, except for New York? It’s true. In fact, Michigan’s 87 cider mills account for nearly 10% of the just over 900 cider mills in the entire nation. So it should be of no surprise that we have quite a few fantastic cider mills right here in Metro Detroit! Some are traditional mills with cider and treats, while others have expanded to offer different activities and entertainment. No matter which you choose to visit, a day at the cider mill remains one of the best ways to enjoy a fall day with family and friends.
Join us as we count down our top five favorites, along with five honorable mentions!
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Long Family Orchard, Farm & Cider Mill
1540 E Commerce Rd, Commerce Charter Twp, MI 48382
Open Daily 9am to 6pm
Long Family Orchard, Farm & Cider Mill, located in Commerce Township, is a local family owned mill that offers a wide variety of treats, produce and fun! They of course offer delicious donuts and cider, but also sell apple butter, preserves, honey and breads. Visitors can pick their own fruit if they choose, or purchase fruit that has been picked by the staff. Long Family Orchard is also a wonderful option to get your produce from as they have seasonal fresh vegetables which are grown and sold throughout the year including asparagus, peas, sweet corn, garden vegetables, apples and pumpkins. They even include some great recipes on their website that you can try out with your fresh ingredients. If you visit during the weekend don’t miss the seasonal Fun Farm Area for activities including a corn maze, hayride to the U-Pick pumpkin patch, petting zoo, jumping pillows, bounce house, pedal kart race track, giant hill slide, picnic area, and more!
Goodison Cider Mill
4295 Orion Rd, Rochester, MI 48306
Open Daily 9am to 6pm
Best known for their “world famous” pistachio nut bread, Goodison Cider Mill in Rochester is a local favorite for many. Aside from selling hundreds of loaves of bread each year, they offer the traditional cider and doughnuts, along with other homemade goodies such as a variety of pies, jams, apples, caramel apples, honey and other treats. There are also picnic tables, a giant screened tent, and visitors on Sundays between 1 to 4pm can watch cider being pressed, as well as enjoy entertainment by a bluegrass band and a balloon artist for the kids.
Westview Orchards & Winery
65075 Van Dyke, Washington, MI 48095
Open Daily 8am to 6pm
Westview Orchards and Winery is one those mills which has grown to offer just about everything you can think of. In operation since 1813 and encompassing 188 acres of land, Westview is a six generation business made from pure family dedication. Along with cider and doughnuts they sell a wide variety of produce and pastries in their farmers market (mostly grown on Westview property), have a number of U-Pick crops, a winery open on weekends from 1 to 6pm with live music on most Saturday nights from 7 to 10pm, and a family fun activities for both weekdays and weekends including wagon rides to the U-Pick areas to a 3 acre playground, farm animals, corn maze, straw mountain and more. Westview also has special events like country line dancing & special dinners and offers birthday parties and corporate events.
Alber Orchard and Cider Mill
13011 Bethel Church Rd, Manchester, MI 48158
Open Tuesday - Friday 12 to 6pm / Saturday 9am to 6pm / Sunday 10am to 6pm
This historic traditional cider mill dates back to the late 1800s. The farm was purchased by John Alber in 1881, but the land itself was originally deeded by President Andrew Jackson in 1832. Today the cider mill is owned and operated by Mike & Therese Bossory, the first owners outside of the Albers family. Albers Orchard and Cider Mill prides itself on growing over 150 varieties of apples, many of which are heirlooms and unavailable in grocery stores due to their uniqueness. Visitors can also have a front row seat in watching Alber’s 1890 Mount Gilead Cider Press in action as apples are blended, squeezed and jugged as fresh, unpasteurized sweet apple cider made from using their traditional methods. Doughnuts, hayrides, live music, a corn maze and u-pick pumpkins are also available and rumor has it that a winery is in the works. They’ll be moving a few of the original barns this year which date back to pre civil war times, so you may see some activity during your visit. Additionally, Albers offers space for weddings and events if you’re planning a big day.
Plymouth Orchards and Cider Mill
10685 Warren Rd, Plymouth, MI 48170
Open Daily 9am to 7pm
A certified organic farm, Plymouth Orchards and Cider Mill went through a three year transition to go pesticide-free and create sustainable practices and healthy standards for future generations. As a working mill, visitors can watch while their award-winning cider is made. The process starts with equipment that peels the apple skins within seconds and moves hundreds of apples through the press. Their organic Red Shed Market is full of tasty treats as well including cider, fresh baked doughnuts, pies and breads, caramel apples, jams, jellies, honey, apple & pumpkin butters, and of course apples. The orchard also has a U-Pick pumpkin patch, farm animals, wagon rides, and live music during weekends. You can also host your next event or plan a school or group tour at Plymouth Orchards.
TOP 5 CIDER MILLS
Parmenter's Northville Cider Mill
714 Base Line Rd, Northville, MI 48167
Open Daily 10am to 8pm
Starting off our countdown at number five for Metro Detroit’s Best Cider Mills is Parmenter's Northville Cider Mill! Open daily from 10am to 8pm, Parmenter’s calls themselves an “Urban Cider Mill'' which is fitting as they are located within the historic homes of Cabbage Town in Northville and getting there is walkable from the downtown area. The mill was started in 1873 by Novi born Ben “Madge” Parmenter who served in the Navy from 1862 through the end of the civil war in 1867. He returned to Noiv where using all of his mustering out pay he established Parmenter’s Mill in 1873, which was originally powered by a team of horses to produce vinegar. Advancements were made in technology throughout the years, run by five generations of Parmenters until it was sold in 1968. The mill’s ownership has passed hands a couple of times through today, each adding their own improvements along the way including a winery in 1982 and a microbrewery in 2014, but has always remained a family business. In 2023, Parmanter’s will be celebrating their 150th anniversary.
Parmenter's Cider Mill is open to the public from August 27 through November 20 every day between 8am and 10pm where visitors can watch the cider being pressed between 10 am and 2 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays. Along with their fantastic fresh cider and doughnuts, they also offer additional fall inspired foods including apple pie, apple butter, pumpkin butter, donut chips, caramel apples, fresh fudge, cinnamon roasted almonds, jams, honey, and maple syrup. For something a little heartier, stop by their Chow Millfor hot dogs and kielbasa.
Across the parking lot, the Northville Winery and Brewing Company is open year round with a nice selection of tasty wines, hard cider and beer. What’s quickly a favorite hangout for locals, for the last 10 years they have run a tap room where they serve their beverages backed by live entertainment from different bands & musicians, along with a rotating bevy of food trucks for an ever changing menu. It truly makes for a fun night out with friends, or something a little different for a date night.
Franklin Cider Mill
7450 Franklin Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
Open Daily 8am to 6pm
Coming in at number 4 on our list this year is Franklin Cider Mill, in Bloomfield Hills. The mill’s construction began along the bank of the Franklin River in 1832 by W. Matthews, however due financial difficulties he could not finish the project and sold the land to Peter VanEvery who finished the project and established it as the VanEvery Gristmill in 1837. For many years this was the only gristmill in Oakland County where farmers could sell their wheat for cash. Ownership of the mill changed hands numerous times until it was shut down due to flooding in the early 1900s. It was purchased again in 1918 by Robert McKee who first turned it into the Franklin Cider Mill before it was sold one last time in 1966 to Jack Peltz, whose family still runs the mill today.
The Franklin Cider Mill has become a tradition for many families in the area, as well as a tradition of its own as they abide by strict guidelines in producing some of the best cider in the area. All cider produced here is 100% pure, unfiltered, with no preservatives or pasteurization, meaning it must be kept refrigerated. To this day visitors can watch the cider making process daily. The doughnuts here are wonderful as fresh as they are baked fresh and on demand daily. This popular, long-time cider mill also features an open-air market including the Franklin Tent, which sells a variety of homemade jams, maple syrup, honey, salsas, meats, cheeses and more, and the Apple Shack where visitors can purchase fresh Michigan apples. Of course, no trip to Franklin would be complete without picking up an apple cheesecake or trying one of their “Cider Dogs,” a hot dog marinated in their delicious cider. Visitors on weekends can also enjoy some mellow jazz, or be entertained by Chris the Magician and his dazzling tricks.
Yates Cider Mill
1950 E Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Open Monday - Friday 7am to 7pm / Saturday - Sunday 9am to 7pm
Much like the Franklin Cider Mill, the number three mill in our top five began as a Gristmill. Yates. Yates Cider Mill, or Yates Grist Mill dates all the way back to 1863 when the Yates family purchased 80 acres along the Clinton River in Rochester Hills where they made improvements on an existing dam and mill building to start their new business of operating a sawmill and gristmill to local farmers and settlers. Not long after, demand for apple cider began to grow as farmers began planting more apples, so the Yates family decided to add apple cider pressing to their repertoire in 1876, making it the oldest cider mill in Michigan and one of the oldest in the country. A 26 inch water turbine was added in 1894 to power the mill when the structure was rebuilt, and by the early 1900s, producing cider became their sole operation. The mill stayed in the Yates family for three generations before selling to long-time friends, the Posey family, in 1959. Fast forward to today, three more generations have passed and Yates is now owned and run by the granddaughter of Mr. Posey and her husband.
Yates Cider Mill remains one of few water powered mills in Metro Detroit and has become a place of tradition. Their cider, made from a combination of as many as 10 different types of apples, is some of the best there is. Their doughnuts are always warm, fresh and flat out amazing. Visitors won’t want to miss visiting the Yates Ice Cream Shop either, boasting all sorts of goodies like their signature donut sundae, or miss out on their awesome pastries like the Dutch apple caramel pie, which is without question the best in Metro Detroit. There is also Frankenmuth Fudge to be enjoyed, as well as a petting farm with goats, sheep, miniature cows & horses and a llama to visit, plus some wonderful trails along the Clinton River to explore. It’s no wonder why Yates has become such a yearly tradition for so many in the area and likely will for generations to come.
Wiard’s Cider Mill and Apple Orchard
5565 Merritt Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Open Sunday & Tuesday - Thursday 9am to 6pm / Friday & Saturday 9am to 10:30pm
Our runner up for best cider mill in Metro Detroit is Wiard’s Cider Mill and Apple Orchard, founded by George Wiard in 1837 and originally located in Wiard Rd near what today is Willow Run Airport. It remained there as a apple orchard, cider mill, vinegar mill and vineyards up until the 1940’s during World War II when construction of the bomber plant at Willow Run forced the orchard and mill to be relocated to its current location in Ypsilanti. In the 1950’s Wiard’s added a farm market, which was then remodeled during the 60’s into what is today the Country Store and Bakery. During the 1980’s Wiard’s introduced their Country Fair agri-entertainment complex with hot food and numerous forms of entertainment including a giant slide, hayrides, corn maze, moonwalk, U-Pick pumpkin fields, haunted barn and more. With this addition Wiard’s also became a popular place for company picnics. Continuing on with the expansion, between 2000 and 2012 over 5,000 additional apple trees were planted, plus two picnic pavilions, Wiard Miniature Golf, new hayride trails, and the impressive Night Terrors, which remains the largest thrill park in Michigan with five separate attraction (see our Best Haunted Houses blog for more information on Wiard's Night Terrors Haunted Thrill Park) and has been recognized several times on both a local and national scale. Additional attractions were also added to the Country Fair between 2016 and 2019 including a corn maze, Splattertown, a paintball shooting gallery, Valley View Mountain Slides, and more. To this day, seven generations after being established, you will still find three generations of the Wiard family working at and continuing the tradition of Wiard’s Orchards.
While Wiard’s certainly offers a very wide selection of entertainment options, the orchard and mill remain the heart and soul of the operation. Aside from the playgrounds, petting farm, bounce houses and other attractions, Wiard’s offers a whole slew of snacks, treats and more. When you visit be sure to stop into the Wiard’s Country Store and Bakery to pick up some of their fresh-pressed and cider mill doughnuts, along with farm fresh pies, apple bread, apple fritters, caramel apples, jams, jellies, salsas, and fun gift items for the kids. If you’re not hungry (but seriously, you’ll want to buy some food for later) you can also stop into the Wiard’s Museum for over 185 years of history.
Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill
17985 Armada Center Rd, Armada, MI 48005
Open Sunday - Thursday 8am to 7pm / Friday & Saturday 8am to 9pm
Coming in at our number one spot for Best Cider Mill in Metro Detroit for 2002 is Blake's Cider Mill. However, to talk about Blake’s we first have to tell the story of another mill that had to drop from our list in 2020. Erwins Orchards & Cider Mill. Running strong for 102 years, there had been rumors of a looming sale for half a decade of this 4th generation apple orchard. Bill and Linda Erwin, who had run Erwin’s Orchards for the last 54 years, had been looking for a buyer, but it had to be the right buyer for the sale to be made. A buyer who would keep the legacy going. The orchard was started by James Erwin with roughly 140 apple trees and over time had grown to 200 acres with around 54,000 apple trees, growing 25 varieties of apples and becoming beloved by generations of Michiganders. Several articles came out in 2017 detailing Pulte had come to a deal on the land and had plans to build 300 homes. As it turned out this was untrue and no deal had been reached. On July 20, 2022 Bill and Linda did turn over the farm, but to two buyers instead of one. The first one is Lombardo Home Builders. The plan submitted by Lombardo was for a reduced number of 161 homes, while keeping the cider mill, tasting room, and 70% of the orchards intact. The second buyer was Blake’s Orchards who was located about an hour away in Armada and Almont.
Blake’s Orchard was founded in 1946 by Gerald and Lovely Blake where they purchased a 100 acre plot of land in Armada, MI and raised their 13 children. Two of the children, twin brothers Pete and Paul Blake, returned after graduating from Michigan State University with the desire to grow what their family had built over the years, adding more diverse experiences for their visitors. In 1968 they did just that by expanding to over 800 acres and began growing over 40 types of apples, along with building the cider mill in 1968 and becoming more of a destination spot where visitors could watch the cider being made. Years later, Paul’s son Andrew, who had grown up on the farm, also returned after attending MSU with a desire to explore hard cider and in 2013 Blake’s Hard Cider was founded and has now grown to being distributed in 18 states.
From then to today Blakes has grown to include six main attractions, the newest being Blake’s Lyon Township Orchard (formerly Erwin Orchards) in South Lyon, but also Blake's Big Apple, Blake's Orchard and Cider Mill, Blake’s Tasting Room, and Lovely’s Lavender Farm and Artisan Market in Armada, as well as Blake's Backyard in Almont .
As a 3rd generation cider mill family, Blake’s Lyon Township Orchard is continuing the apple growing tradition as the Erwin’s, with fresh cider, doughnuts and more. Their intention is to begin the sale of their hard cider at the new location and build a 20,000 square foot tasting room with a full service restaurant featuring a 400 person capacity, outdoor patio, and a 1,000 square foot farmers market. The existing cider mill will be expanded by 12,500 feet with a new press, cafe, as well as a new outdoor space. Of course this will take the Blakes several years, so you likely won’t see many (if any) changes at their new location this year.
The original location, Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill in Armada, remains open year round and features an open-air apple press, U-Pick seasonal fruits and vegetables, and a Funland area that includes a large number of attractions such as a petting farm, play structures, jumping pillows, a straw mountain, giant straw bale maze, miniature goat walk, inflatable axe throwing, and much more. They of course also offer U-Pick apples, fresh pressed cider and doughnuts, pumpkins, and fun events throughout the year like fall campfires, or a snowy wagon ride to cut your own Christmas tree in December. You can also stop by Lovey’s Lavender Farmers Market located in the original Blake’s farmhouse for a number of lavender infused products, home decor and more.
When you visit the cider mill, you’ll definitely want to stop into Blake’s Tasting Room where they have over 30 ciders, stouts and IPAs, including their limited runs and experimentals, which may never again be available. They also offer a full food menu with everything from shareables to salads, entrees and sweet treats. We highly recommend trying out their Warm Donut Bread Pudding. You can thank us later.
Blake's Big Apple, located at 71485 North Avenue in Armada, is where you’ll find their famous spooky haunted attractions including Spookyland (good fun for all ages), a straw mountain, petting farm, dark corn stalk maze, funhouse, Halloween movies playing on the big screen, Haunted Hayrides (recommended for ages 7+) with live actors and a cider & doughnut stop halfway through, and Zombie Paintball, where you get to shoot live zombies with a paintball gun from a moving truck.
Blake’s Backyard is located in Almont, MI and consists of a greenhouse, nursery, market and taproom creating a multi-purpose retail location. It’s truly a great shopping experience providing fresh produce & plants and the taproom features separate menus from the tasting room and a breakfast menu at the market.
At the heart of it all, Blake’s, like the rest of the mills mentioned in this article, were all brought about by tradition and the love for apples, cider and we cannot forget, doughnuts.
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