In the Great Lakes State, visiting one of the 100+ Michigan cider mills is as quintessential to fall as tailgating an American football game, raking leaves into a huge pile, or eating pumpkin pie.
It’s no surprise considering Michigan is the third-largest apple producer in the United States. In fact, we have 11.3 million apple trees growing at our 825 family-run farms across the state!
Whether the Mitten is your home or you are visiting for a scenic fall foliage tour, sipping a cup of refreshing cider paired with a delicious doughnut at a cider mill is a rite of passage during a Michigan fall.
Photo by Jeni of Thyme & Love
What is apple cider?
If you’re thinking it’s alcoholic, that’s hard cider, and we’ve got plenty of that in Michigan, too. You’ll even find it at some of our cider mills. What I’m talking about isn’t apple juice either. Cider is made purely from fresh apples. It also doesn’t go through a filtration process to remove pulp and sediment like apple juice, giving it a cloudy appearance and delightfully sweet flavor.
Where can you find fresh apple cider this fall?
Good question! I’ve compiled a list of three of my favorite cider mills in Michigan.
In Metro Detroit: Franklin Cider Mill
Originally opened in 1837 as a gristmill, Franklin Cider Mill is as old as Michigan’s statehood. Today the mill is a popular destination for its fresh cider made purely from Michigan apples and cinnamon spice doughnuts. You’ll also find a wide variety of Michigan apples, caramel and candy apples, honey, jams and butters, pumpkins, and baked goods.
Plug it into your GPS: 7450 Franklin Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
Where to stay near Franklin Cider Mill: Home2 Suites by Hilton West Bloomfield
In Grand Rapids: Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery
In West Michigan, this cider mill has it all. Though it is open year-round, Robinette’s is truly a fall destination for all ages. There are hayrides, a kids’ play area, a corn maze, apple picking, and wine tasting. In the Apple Haus, you can drink your cider hot or cold and pair it with a variety of doughnuts. You’ll also find fresh fruit, apple butters, and caramel candies to take home.
Plug it into your GPS: 3142 4 Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Where to stay near Robinette’s: Holiday Inn Express Grand Rapids – North
In Central Michigan: Uncle John’s Cider Mill
About a 30-minute drive north of Michigan’s capital, Uncle John’s Cider Mill is a family-friendly day-trip destination from the Lansing area. Located in an old cattle barn, the cider mill offers fresh and mulled cider, doughnuts, and caramel apples. The pie barn has all the fresh baked pies and breads you could want. To round out all the fantastic fall fun are horse-drawn wagon rides, a kids’ play area, and tastings of wine, hard cider, and spirits.
Plug it into your GPS: 8614 US-127, St Johns, MI 48879
Where to stay near Uncle John’s Cider Mill: Saravilla Bed & Breakfast in Alma, Michigan
Resources For Michigan Cider Mills & Other Fall Activities
There’s so much to do during a Michigan fall that I couldn’t possibly share it all in one post! Here are a few other ideas of things to do around the Mitten:
- Must Do Fall Activities In Michigan — Mitten Crate
- Top 10: Michigan Apple Orchards & Cider Mills — Road Trips for Families
- Best Cider Mills, U-Pick Orchards, and Family Farm Activities in Southeast Michigan — Metro Parent
- When Michigan Fall Colors Will Peak in 2016 — MLive
- Michigan Fall Color Tours — Pure Michigan
- Where to Find Corn Mazes and Hayrides in West Michigan — Grand Rapids Kids
- The Grand Rapids Fall Bucket List — The GR Guide
- 10 Ways to Enjoy Michigan Apples — Eat Local West Michigan
Michigan Bloggers’ Fall Recipes To Use Those Cider-Mill Finds
In Michigan, we love our apples. Local food bloggers have shared these tasty fall recipes featuring apples, cider, and/or hard cider:
- Whole Wheat Pumpkin Apple Muffins — The Lemon Bowl
- Fall Favorite: Apple Cider Pork Chops with Cream Sauce — Dash of Evans
- Healthy Breakfast: Slow-Cooker Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats — Dash of Evans
- Rosemary Apple and Cheddar Flatbread with Walnuts — Eat 2 Gather
- Boozy Cider Cakes — Wendling & Boyd
- Apple Pecan Salad — Wholistic Woman
Find These Michigan Cider Mills On The Map
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like …
- Mitten in Bloom Guide — When & Where to See Flowers in Michigan
- 7 Ann Arbor Spots That Aren’t Your Average Coffee Shops
- Where to Eat in Saugatuck: 7 Spots to Dine Like a Local Foodie
- 8 Beautiful Lavender Fields You Must See in Michigan
- Eight Culinary Experiences You Must Have in Wisconsin’s Door County
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Which of these Michigan cider mills would you like to visit this fall?
If you aren’t from Michigan, what is a quintessential fall activity in your area?
The biggest thing I miss about MI is the cider mills so ?I loved this post. My Louisiana born husband thought it was much ado about nothing, a trip to MI, Yates Cider Mill and Franklin changed his mind.
I know exactly how you feel! When I lived out of state, I missed cider mill visits each fall. I tried to explain it to my friends and co-workers in the DC area, but I don’t think they fully understood either. I’m glad your husband came around after a proper Michigan cider mill visit though!
Those doughnuts look so good. I wish we had cider offerings down here. 😉
Hi Erin,
Your this post amazing to understand three michigan cider mills, I have tried Franklin Cider Mill last 2 years & my experience with it was superb. I being to remember my experience as I do see the post.
Thanks for it.
I had no idea Michigan was such a big apple state. And over 100 different cider mills? Wow. Your post has made me crave cider and donuts now, thank you very much. Just as I’m leaving the country, so I will probably completely miss out on enjoying any of those fun fall traditions. ;(
Mmmm…those donuts look awesome! So ready for some fall treats…other than Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte… 😉 I had no idea Michigan was a heavy apple producer – just one more reason to visit!
What a terrific resource for Michigan cider mills and fall activities. I grew up in Chicago and we always went up to the Mitten State for apples and peaches. Still do. Can’t wait to check out your recommendations.
These all look like great places to visit this Fall. Now I am hungry for a fresh made donut and a hot glass of apple cider!
This makes me wish I lived closer to Michigan. Apple cider donuts the pie barn sound like heaven.
Oooh Erin! Your post has me feeling all excited about Fall. I’ve never visited Michigan and now there’s an incentive to visit next Fall maybe 🙂 Thanks for also sharing these recipes – I’m going to check them out now. Hope you have a lovely Fall!
Supriya
Lovely post! We know Robinette’s! There is quite a large selection of places in West Michigan to visit. It’s a kid’s dream to eat those delicious donuts too!
I’ve been to a cider production farm as well where I live (Northern Ireland), very interesting indeed! Unfortunately they didn’t have those yummie apple donuts! 🙂
I LOOOVE this post! A unique topic you never read about! I’ve definitely pinned this for when we ever happen to be in the region! #WeekendWanderlust
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. The Midwest is beautiful during the fall. If you ever visit Michigan, let me know! #WeekendWanderlust
Very informative post highlighting our fall season in the Mitten. I now have a craving for a cider mill visit. I think I will try the Plymouth Cider Mill this year in the next two weeks since I went to Franklin last year. So many mills to choose from in just the lower peninsula, I like to try a different one each time. Also love all the helpful links…have got to try the apple pecan salad, apple cinnamon pancakes and the apple caramel dip recipes for sure. The color tours link is also a wonderful resource.
I’ve only ever been to Franklin. I’ve always wanted to visit others around the state. Thanks for sharing!
These are all amazing. Thanks for sharing! Love all the cider mills you featured here!
Thanks for explaining what cider was first, I hear about it so much during the fall but didn’t know exactly what it was. Your map is very nice too!
I would like to try Franklin since it’s not to far from me. I have a list to accomplish.
As much as I love living in Florida, one thing I miss is having an actual “Fall”. Apple Cider doughnuts sounds amazing. This looks like a perfect fall trip.
This is a fun post! Puts me in the mood for a cider mill! I wouldn’t mind visiting all of these. I should make a cider mill bucket list!
How fun! And now I’m dying for an Apple Cider Donut!
I’m not a fan of cold weather. However, I do like autumn for two main reasons – honeycrisp apples and cider. I didn’t realize that Michigan has both, not to mention apple donuts. Yum!
Yep, we’re big apple growers and consumers up here!