Four cider mills to take your family to this fall in Michigan

Fall in Michigan means the weather is getting colder and leaves are changing colors — but more importantly, cider mills are opening their doors for the season! This year, enjoy all the warm donuts and apple cider you desire with family and friends at these cider mills across the state.

Knaebe’s Apple Farm & Ciderworks

Address: 2621 S. Karsten Rd, Rogers City, MI 49779

Phone number: 989-657-0141

Website: https://www.mmmunchykrunchyapplefarm.com/ 

Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Travel up north this fall to Knaebe’s Apple Farm & Ciderworks. Knaebe’s main barn boasts a bakery where visitors can pick up sweet treats like donuts or apples picked straight from the orchard. For lunch, you can order a wood-fired pizza and wash it down with freshly made apple cider; adults can choose from a variety of hard ciders and microbrews. Families can also play a game of horseshoes or cornhole free of charge. Kids can see the farm animals and, on weekends, get a view of the farm from a barrel train or wagon ride. If you haven’t gotten your Halloween pumpkin yet, you can pick one yourself from the farm’s selection.

Yates Cider Mill

Location: 1950 E. Avon Rd., Rochester Hills, MI 48307

Phone number: 248-651-8300

Website: https://www.yatescidermill.com/ 

Hours: Sunday and Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Yates Cider Mill has been a southeast Michigan staple for over 160 years, having received a historical marker designation from the state in 2013. It maintains that vintage charm to this day: A water turbine installed on the farm in 1894 is still being used to generate power to press apple cider. In addition to cider, visitors can pick up goodies including honey, maple syrup and jam for themselves or as a gift for others. Guests can take a scenic walk through three of Yates’ trails, which are all less than a mile long. Children can pet and feed farm animals as well as take a pony ride on Saturdays or Sundays. If you only want to make a pit stop for some sweet treats, Yates has a shop located roughly 15 miles away from its Rochester Hills location in Lake Orion’s Canterbury Village, offering a mix of Yates products, including cider, donuts, and other baked goods.

Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery

Address: 3142 4 Mile Rd. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Phone number: 800-400-8100

Website: https://robinettes.com/ 

Hours: Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

From watching apple cider being made to getting lost in a corn maze, Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery has a lot to offer. Visitors can explore the cider mill’s 6.5-acre maze — this year’s design pays homage to the 75th anniversary of the Peanuts franchise. The West Michigan cider mill has a 5-mile-long outdoor trail that you can explore free of charge. If you work up an appetite, Robinette’s has a boxed lunch menu and baked goods available for purchase. Don’t forget to stop into the apple room, where you can see all the varieties of apples they offer. Adults can also drop by the tasting room, which features up to 20 wines and ciders made right here in the Mitten State. Children can enjoy the petting zoo and pony rides each Sunday through the end of October, and families can take a trip around the farm on a horse-drawn wagon on the weekends.

Uncle John’s Cider Mill

Address: 614 North, US-127, St. Johns, MI 48879

Phone number: 989-224-3686

Website: https://www.ujcidermill.com/ 

Hours: Sunday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Spend some time outside this fall at Uncle John’s Cider Mill. In the heart of Mid Michigan, kids can dig for gemstones in a 40-foot trough or bounce the day away on the giant outdoor jumping pillow. While enjoying hard cider and wine from Uncle John’s taproom, adults can also take in some live music. Hop on the passenger train or tractor-drawn wagon to get a glimpse of the activity field, pumpkin patch and corn mazes, or take your time traveling down the farm trail, where you can also see a variety of crops and orchards. Become a farmer for a day and you can leave the cider mill with pumpkins or flowers that you picked in the fields.