How to Visit Michigan Cider Mills

Michigan is home to some of the oldest continually operating cider mills in the United States. Michigan apples are a large part of the state's rich agricultural tradition, and a favorite family activity from August through November. Cider Mills throughout the state offer hay rides, apple picking, petting farms, garden produce and warm donuts; along with the cider that makes them famous.

Instructions

1. Visit the Historic Franklin Cider Mill in Franklin, Michigan--erected in 1837, the year Michigan became a state. Located in the heart of downtown Franklin, The Franklin Cider Mill is the hub of the community during apple season. Stop in on the weekends for live music, jump houses and horse drawn wagon rides throughout the village.

2. Travel southeast to enjoy the Historic Dexter Cider Mill in Dexter, Michigan. The oldest continuously operating Cider Mill in the state, the Dexter Cider Mill got its start in 1886. Today the cider mill keeps its 120 year old cider making tradition by using an oak rack press and blending 3 to 5 different locally grown varieties in every pressing.

3. Drive north and visit Blake's Orchard and Cider Mill in Armanda, Michigan. Blake's offers apple picking in its own orchards, a petting farm, fresh garden produce and a haunted barn during October. Armada and the surrounding areas are home to a large number of orchards and cider mills. Located near the base of the thumb, this agricultural region's unique soil content offers some of the best produce in Michigan.

4. Look to the western part of the state for apple orchards near the big waters of Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan produces favorable growing conditions making it a cider lover's paradise. Stop by Gavin Orchards in Coopersville, Vince Brown and DK Orchards in Conklin or Dietrich's Harvest Basket in Casnovia among many others for a taste of Western Michigan's finest cider.