Fall In-Cider: Your Guide to Local Mills, Apple Orchards and U-Pick Pumpkins

With a Halloween store in every shopping plaza and a golden leaf on almost every tree, there is no doubt about it – fall is here – and with this season comes an insatiable thirst for apple cider. 

While there are hundreds of cider mills and apple orchards in Michigan, driving several hours for a glass of cider and cinnamon-sugar donut can dampen the fun.

To save you gas and sanity, we've rounded up a few of the spots you can find your favorite treats with only minimal time spent behind the wheel.

Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill

Blake's Fall Festival runs weekends in October, and includes train rides, hay Rides, pony rides, a straw maze, story book barn, animal petting farm, barnyard funland, cornfield maze, straw mountain and more. Blake's also offer u-pick fruits and vegetables and a store filled to the brim with tasty treats and fresh apple cider. See Blake's website for fall festival ticket information.

• Location: 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada, MI 48005
• Hours: The store is open daily 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Barnyard Funland open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through October, with ticket sales ending at 5:30 p.m. The u-pick orchard closes at 5:30 p.m.
• Contact: 586-784-5343

This popular historic cider mill is nestled in busy Oakland County. Its favorite cider and donuts are joined by apples, baked goods, meats and cheeses, jams, honey and vegetables. Parking is free.

• Location: 7450 Franklin Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 (corner of 14 Mile and Franklin, 1 mile west of Telegraph)
• Hours: weekdays - 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m., weekends - 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Contact: 248-626-8261

Goodison Cider Mill

Home of the world-famous Pistachio Nut Bread, Goodison also serves up fresh pressed cider, warm donuts, home-baked goods, and weekend fun for children and adults in the fall. Parking is free.

• Location: 4295 Orion Rd., Oakland Township, MI 48306
• Hours: Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Labor Day until Christmas
• Contact: 248-652-8450

Hy's Cider Mill

Guests can pick their own apples at Hy's or buy a bushel at the store. Cider is also available.

• Location: 6350 37 Mile Rd., Romeo, MI 48065
• Hours: Open Sept. 10-Nov. 6 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
• Contact: 810-798-3611

Middleton doesn't have many ammenities, but the small cider mill makes up for it in great donuts and cider. There's a fenced in duck pond and food for kids to toss in, but otherwise the donuts, pies and cider are the main attractions. Middleton Cider Mill remains family owned since 1957.

• Location: 46462 Dequindre Ave, Shelby Township, MI 48317
• Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Contact: 586-731-6699

Miller's Big Red Apple Orchard

Through October, Miller's guests can pick their own apples and pumpkins, stop by the petting zoo and straw mountain, or visit the store for hand-dipped caramel apples, fresh pressed cider, donuts, pies, jams and jellies and much more. Visit the website for haunted hayride dates and ticket information.

• Location: 4900 32 Mile Rd, Washington, MI 48035
• Hours: Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Contact: 586-752-7888

The Paint Creek Cider Mill is open for most of the year and features a lunch and dinner menu, many different flavors of ice cream, smoothies and, of course, local cider and fresh doughnuts that are made on-site. Visit the Paint Creek Cider Mill's website and Facebook page for more information.

• Location: 4480 Orion Road, Oakland Township, MI 48306
• Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Contact: 248-656-3400 or scoop@paintcreekcidermill.org.

Rochester Cider Mill

From the corn maza and petting farm, to the giant hay climbing pyramid and antique wall, all activities at Rochester Cider Mill are free. A minimum of four varieties of apples are available for purchase at any given time, as well as cider, donuts and other baked goods. 

• Location: 5125 N. Rochester Rd., Oakland Township, MI 48306
• Hours: Call to confirm hours.
• Contact: 248-651-4224 

Verellen Orchards & Cider Mill

Verellen Orchards is open year round, but guests during the fall seaseon will find cider, several varietes of fresh apples and other fruits, vegetables, coffee cakes, ice cream, eggs, honey, cookies and more.

• Location: 63260 Van Dyke, Washington, MI 48095
• Hours: Open daily 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Contact: 586-752-2989

Westview Orchards

Every weekend Westview hosts a different themed festival featuring a variety of activities for all ages. Guests can visit the petting zoo, try their luck in a six-acre corn maze, or pick their own apples and pumpkins. In the store, guests will find fresh apples, 10-inch deep-dish pies, donuts, fruit flips, breads and, of course, fresh apple cider. See the website for weekend activity fees.

• Location: 65075 Van Dyke, Washington Township, MI 48095
• Hours: Farm market open daily until Dec. 24 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; u-pick apples and pumpkins daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Contact: 586-752-3123

Yates Cider Mill

One of the most popular cider mills in the local area, Yates is also one of the oldest, . Specializing in cider, the mill also sells donuts, pies, apple butter, cider slush and caramel apples. In addition to the food, Yates also offers activities for the whole family, including pony rides, a petting zoo, Fudge Shoppe, and apple tent. 

• Location: 1990 E. Avon Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307
• Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m.-7 p.m. in October
• Contact: 248-651-8300