It's Apple Cider Time in Michigan: Where Will You Get Your Fix?

You need to do this. Seriously. If you don’t make at least one stop at one of the more than 100 cider mills in Michigan, you might want to rethink calling yourself a Michigander.

Who better to ask about time-honored fall traditions than the Mitten Crate, which has assembled the ultimate list of Michigan’s must-see cider mills. The Mitten Crate, if you’re unfamiliar, curates a box of about a half dozen Michigan-made artisan foods and delivers them to subscribers’ doorsteps every month.

The Mitten Crate introduces the list with a bit of prose that will vicariously transport you to an orchard:

“The beginning of fall is a colorful time of year for us in Michigan. A cascade of color falls over our trees and foliage while a different palate of reds, yellows, greens, golds and amber falls upon our markets and weekend trips. Yes we are talking about baskets, bushels, buckets and barrels of apples! “

Here’s the Mitten Crate’s list, in no particular order, of 9 cider mills sure to help you get your cider fix:

1. The Franklin Cider Mill in the Franklin Historic District north of downtown Detroit: Opened as a gristmill in 1837 and pressing apples into cider since 1895, Franklin Cider Mill’s 21 varieties of apples are 100 percent organic. Map it: 7450 Franklin Road, Bloomfield Hills.
2. Spicer Orchards has been growing fruit in southeast Michigan for five generations. The first farm was located near Detroit, and the first market in Novi near the corner of Grand River Road and Novi Road. Map it: 10411 Clyde Road, Fenton.
3. No one defines fall quite like Yates Cider Mill in Rochester Hills. Water-powered since 1863, the mill presses 300 gallons of fresh blended apple cider per hour. Visitors can enjoy a smorgasbord of special treats while walking along creek-side trails, and also variety of animals at the petting zoo. Map it: 1990 E. Avon Road, Rochester Hills
4. Historic Parshallville Grist Mill & Cider Mill-Tom Walker’s Grist Mill is a Michigan Historic Site and draws visitors from across the state. The 136-year-old mill is one of the few remaining water-powered mills in Michigan, and also has a rich history as a flour mill, known as Success Flour. Besides cider, caramel apples, homemade apple pies and other treats, visitors can choose from a variety of antique apples for baking and eating and a variety of Michigan-made products. Map it: 8507 Parshallville Road, Fenton
5. Back in the early 1900s, what is now Uncle John’s Cider Mill was a barn housing cattle, sheep and draft horses. Today, co-owner and cedar maker Mike Beck makes the award-winning unpasteurized cider the old-fashioned way, without preservatives or additives. In September and October, special attractions include corn and straw-bale mazes, wagon rides, pumpkin picking and other festive fall events. Map it: 8614 North US 127, St. Johns
6. Historic Dexter Cider Mill is the oldest continuously operating cider mill in Michigan. For more than 120 years, cider has been produced using an oak rack press that blends three to five locally grown apples in every pressing. You’ll find the usual treats like natural cider, fresh items and bakery items, as well as other locally grown and locally made products.. Map it:3685 Central Street, Dexter
7. Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill has been family owned and operated since 1946 and was the first pick-your-own orchard in Michigan. This Macomb County favorite located in Armada is perfect for a family outing with fresh pressed cider and donuts and a full slate of bakery items to choose from. Since its opening, Blake Farms has evolved into a family entertainment farm featuring train rides, pony rides, hayrides, cornfield mazes, several animated attractions and many other family oriented activities. Throughout the years, Blakes has grown and expanded their operation offering Michigan’s #1 nighttime attraction, Blake’s Nighttime Haunted Hayride & Three Story Haunted Barn, for your Halloween excitement. They invite their customers to bring the family to the country to experience an enjoyable day on the farm where friends can be made and memories are created. Map it: 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada
8. Friske Orchard grows and harvests approximately 5.5 million pounds of fresh Michigan fruit and produces about 50,000 gallons of Friske’s premium Apple Cider blends annually. The orchards span more than 300 acres, and include a partial historical Michigan centennial farm, a state-of-the-art processing and storage facility, and homes for farm family and staff. Map it: 10743 N. U.S. Highway 31, Atwood
9. Jim Robinette built a cider mill – Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery – on his farm in 1971 after his family toured cider in southeast Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. The family makes fresh cider starting the Tuesday after Labor Day, and continuing through April or early May. In the fall, visitors watch cider being made. Cider is free of preservatives and additives and is 100 percent pure apple juice. Cider is also used in apple-based wines and hard ciders. Map it: 3142 4 Mile Road NE, Grand Rapids