By Annie P., Lombardo Homes marketing coordinator. Contributed by members of the Lombardo Homes Michigan sales team.
There are a few seasonal milestones I look forward to each fall: The first time I see a cluster of red or yellow leaves, the first frosty morning, my first pumpkin spiced latte, and the first day it’s cold enough to wrap up in my favorite knit scarf. My favorite of all? My first cider mill visit.
Living in Michigan, we’re lucky to be surrounded by a variety of top-notch cider mills. I asked our sales team to share their favorite cider mills with me. Here are our 6 favorites:
1. Yates Cider Mill
1990 E. Avon Rd., Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Open Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
“Yates Cider Mill is a great place for any size family. They have fun things to do with any age child, great donuts & cider, painted pumpkins, and farm animals. After enjoying the donuts and cider you can walk it off on the nature trails.” – Jody L., Design Consultant (Design Center East in Macomb)
“I love Yates! The cider and donuts are awesome!” – Debbie K., Sales Manager (Wynstone sales office in Oakland Township)
“I love Yates! I met Steven Tyler when I went last year – his mouth is even bigger in person! I was so star-struck that I forgot to buy anything and had to go back the next day for cider and donuts. I might’ve been imagining it, but I’m pretty sure the cider and donuts tasted even better that year.” – Ciara M., Sales Associate (Lake Arrowhead/Featherstone at the Retreat sales offices in Macomb)
2. Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill
17972 Armada Center Rd., Armada, MI 48005
Store open Monday – Thursday from 8 a.m. – p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. through the end of October.
Open daily in November from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
“I love Blake’s Orchard. I love the fact that it’s away from the hustle and bustle of the city areas, you can go out to the pumpkin patch, pick apples, and go on a hayride. Blake’s has a great cider beer selection, too.” – Renae B., Division Sales Administrator
3. Miller’s Big Red Greenhouses & Cider Mill
4900 32 Mile Rd., Washington, MI 48095
Open Monday – Sunday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
“Big Red Orchard is another one of my favorites. Like Blake’s, it’s away from the city area and has a pumpkin patch, apple orchard, and petting farm. They’re even adding a winery and brewery, too!” – Renae B., Division Sales Administrator
4. Franklin Cider Mill
7450 Franklin Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
Open weekdays from 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. until the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
“Franklin Cider Mill is a hidden gem in the middle of the suburbs! It’s just a short drive from where I live, nestled into a wooded corner of an otherwise populated area. There is a cute little stream full of lively ducks and benches alongside to sit and enjoy your treats! Their frozen cider slush is to die for and the unique recipe for donuts makes you wonder why you ever went anywhere else!” – Alyssa C., Sales Manager (Wolverine Country Club Estates sales office in Macomb)
5. Plymouth Orchards & Cider Mill
10685 Warren Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170
Cider mill is open daily from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. through November 6th.
“Been going there since I was a kid. A lot of fun and great cider and donuts! A must for the Plymouth/Canton area.” – Jordan J., Sales Manager (Sheldon Estates sales office in Canton)
6. Erwin Orchards
61475 Silver Lake Rd., South Lyon, MI 48178
Cider mill is open daily from 6:00 a.m. – 7 p.m. through October 31.
Open November 1 – November 6 from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
“I love Erwin’s Orchard on Pontiac Trail and Silver Lake Road – right down the street from Saddle Creek! Very family friendly. Lots for the kids to do, which I love! They have animals you can feed, bounce houses on the weekends, hay maze, this 3-D movie thing, hayrides, the best donuts, and blueberries, pumpkins, and apples to pick. They are packed on the weekends!” – Whitney M., Sales Manager (Saddle Creek sales office in South Lyon)
What’s your favorite cider mill in Southeast Michigan? Leave a comment and let us know!
