Once September rolls around and the cider houses are hard at work, Michigan really shines with its cool fall days, colorful foliage, and of course, apples.
What’s a fall day in Michigan without biting into that apple picked straight from the tree, having a soft, warm donut that leaves your fingers lightly coated in cinnamon sugar, and washing it down with apple cider tart apple produced at a local cider house and apple orchard.
Throw in a college football game and that’s how Michigan will go during the fall season.
Michigan is the third-largest apple producer in the United States, according to michiganapples.com, with 14.9 million apple trees covering 34,500 acres.
With 775 family orchards scattered across the state, taking a mini day trip to visit your favorite cider house and orchard—or to check out a cider house you haven’t visited yet—is a family tradition shared by many. Michigan residents.
As the largest fruit crop in the state, approximately 24 million bushels, or 1.008 billion pounds, of apples are grown each year.
With over 2,000 apple varieties grown in the United States, approximately 16 are grown in Michigan: Braeburn, Cortland, Empire, Evercrisp, Fuji, Gala, Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, IDA Red, Jonagold, Jonathan, Mcintosh , Northern Spy, Paula Red, Red Delicious and Rome.
Each variety has its peak picking season and specific uses, such as apple cider, applesauce, juicing, baking, or simply eating.
In addition to apple products, Michigan Orchards offer a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables that allow visitors to wander the farm and do their own picking.
Many of these farm day trips include family activities such as fruit and vegetable picking, corn maze, farm animal petting area, wagon rides, playground for children and a cellar for adults. For most people, there are two many quality cider mills and orchards across the state to visit each. So we’ve highlighted a handful of Michigan’s most popular cider spots to check out this season:
Northern Michigan: Friske’s Farm Market
10743 US-31, Ellsworth
Initiators Richard and Olga Friske left Germany in 1952 in search of a better life in the United States. Landing in Ellsworth, Michigan, they launched Friske’s Orchards.
Passing the inheritance on to their children in 1983, Richard Jr. and Neil became second generation owners and eventually Richard Jr. and his wife Wendy took over the family business.
In 2019, the third generation of Friske took over the expanded Friske Orchard and Friske Farm Market. In addition to the usual amenities an orchard has to offer, Friske Orchard offers families the opportunity to stay in one of the many AirBNB suites near the farm and RV campsites. They also have a full-service cafe that includes wood-fired pizzas. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; close on Sunday. For more information, visit friske.com or call (231) 599-2604.
Mid-Michigan: The Fruitful Orchard & Cider Mill
5740 M-61, Gladwin
Founded in 2009 by the Vannest family, The Fruitful Orchard & Cider Mill offers 40 acres of apples, cherries, pears and a variety of grapes. This weekend wrapped up their annual Fall Harvest Fest, complete with food vendors and a petting zoo. The Fruitful Orchard and Cider Mill also offers homemade hard ciders in their tasting room, Mark-Hearted Cidery. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; close on Sunday. For more information, visit michiganappleorchard.com or call (989) 426-3971.
Southeast Michigan: Spice Orchards
10411 Clyde Road, Fenton
Located in southeast Michigan, the Spicer family has six generations of fruit growers under their belt. Originating in Detroit, the first farm near the Grand River and Novi Road transported fresh produce downtown by horse and wagon.
After I-96 was built, the Spicer family purchased a farm in Linden and opened a market, which supplied produce to Novi’s markets for many years. The Spicer family expanded their business by purchasing a farm in 1967 in Hartland, then opening the second market in 1980.
Currently, Spicer Orchards has a 10,000 bushel warehouse, sorting machine, donut shop, bakery, cider house, winery, and sales room.
In addition to farming, Spicer Orchards offers a field of sunflowers available for family photos, a wine and harvest festival, a 5K pumpkin race, and kids’ activities such as a corn maze , a playground and farm animals. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday. For more information, visit spicerorchards.com or call (810) 632-7692.
Southeast Michigan: Westview Orchards & Winery
65075 Van Dyke, Washington Township.
Set on 188 acres, Westview Orchards & Winery has been in the family for six generations, since 1813.
Also open during the summer months, Westview offers Sunflower Days during the sunflower season. Planting over 100,000 sunflowers in their fields, Westview offers special events for family and friends in their sea of gold.
Their U-Pick season begins in June and ends in October, offering seasonal fruits and flowers.
Westview Orchards also offers corporate and birthday party packages, including an event coordinator, and offers school excursion opportunities. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday. For more information, visit westvieworchards.com or call (586) 752-3123.
Western Michigan: Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo
4180 M-20, New Era
Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo was founded in the 1970s by Winston and Alice Lewis and Gary and Brenda Lewis. After being closed for several years, current owners Scott and Cindy Lewis reopened the family business in 2003.
Today, the fifth-generation family farm operates 700 acres near Silver Lake Sand Dunes and Lake Michigan. Although orchard maintenance was a priority, Cindy took care of the Lewis Petting Zoo after Scott built his first barn.
Baby goats were the first to arrive, followed by a miniature donkey, miniature horse, alpaca, zebras, baby camel, wallabies and a variety of birds including peacocks, ducks, hens and pheasants.
In addition to the animals, Lewis Adventure Farm offers a wide variety of activities for children, including a bird aviary, barrel train ride, viewing beehive, skee ball, carousel, pedal carts and Moreover. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; close on Sunday. For more information, go to visitlewisfarms.com or call (231) 861-5730.
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