10 BEST Apple Orchards & Cider Mills in Jackson, Hillsdale, Washtenaw, & Lenawee Counties

Being in Michigan for the autumn is an AWESOME opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful apple orchards and cider mills in Michigan. Believe it or not, Michigan is the third-highest producer of apples in the country! 

Apple season kicks off as early as July in some places and goes as late as November, so you have plenty of time to plan your visit. Make sure you don’t miss these top Southcentral Michigan apple orchards and cider mills this fall. 

It’s one of the best fall things to do in southcentral Michigan!

Meckley’s Flavor Fruit Farm | Cement City

Meckley’s Flavor Fruit Farm might be in a place called Cement City, but this beautiful farm is pure country! And it’s where many people from Jackson & Hillsdale Counties pick apples and enjoy cider each fall.

Here, you can not only explore the orchard and get your own fresh fruit, but also watch cider pressing. The cider mill has been a part of the orchard for more than 50 years and still uses the same traditional method to press its apples.

There are a ton of delicious apple varieties available at Meckley’s, from Braeburn, Empire, and Fuji to Jonagold and Ida Red. There is also a brewery and cidery where you can get hard ciders and fruit wines made on the spot!

Young’s Orchard | Rives Junction

Young’s Orchard is a family-owned farm that has been in operation since 1900! This farm offers all the types of autumn traditions that you can imagine, from apple cider, cider slushies, and fresh baked goods, to fresh produce.

Young’s grows both modern and heirloom apple varieties, like Honeycrisp, Northern Spy, and more. You can also get honey and fresh popcorn to make at home. Young’s also offers fresh pears earlier in the year, with several varieties available.

This simple, beautiful family farm near Jackson Michigan is always a treat to visit and will keep you coming back year after year.

Sweet Seasons Orchard | Concord

Sweet Seasons Orchard is a popular fruit farm in Concord, Michigan. Visitors can find many kinds of fruit here throughout the year, including raspberries, strawberries, and cherries. Once fall rolls around, like any good fruit orchard, it is time for apples to reign supreme.

Visitors can buy fresh apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Northern Spy, and many more. You will also find fresh-pressed cider and baked goods like doughnuts in the farm store.

Though this orchard doesn’t offer a lot of action-packed events, it is a beautiful and peaceful place where you can have a classic Michigan fall experience.

Keeney and Miller Orchards | Erie

Keeney And Miller Orchards, formerly known as Keeney Orchards, are a family-owned farm that has been in the same ownership since 1828! This historical site still offers some of the best fresh produce in Michigan, so it is a must-see on your list of places to visit.

You can find tons of apple varieties here, from favorites like Fuji, Gala, McIntosh, Ginger Gold, and Paula Red to lesser-known varieties like Jonee, Maiden Blush, and Ruby Jon.

You’ll also find many other farm-fresh goods available for purchase in the orchard store, including corn, pumpkins, potatoes, mums, apple cider, and plenty more produce.

Dexter Cider Mill | Dexter

The Dexter Cider Mill has been in operation for a whopping 135 years. Founded in 1886, this beautiful, traditional cider mill is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Ann Arbor. Be ready to eat and drink when you arrive at Dexter Cider Mill.

There are lots of freshly made baked goods for purchase, including apple nut bread, doughnuts, caramel apples, and plenty of pies. Adults will enjoy trying the varieties of hard cider made right in the mill, including Bourbon barrel-aged cider and IPC.

This cider mill perfectly blends old and new traditions to keep visitors coming back year after year.

Alber Orchard & Cider Mill | Manchester

Within easy driving distance of Ann Arbor is Alber Orchard & Cider Mill. This quaint, beautiful farm is surrounded by rolling hills and pristine countryside, making it a perfect getaway. But just because it is peaceful doesn’t mean there’s not plenty to do!

There are more than 100 varieties of apples grown here for eating, selling, and pressing into Alber Orchard’s award-winning cider. Many of the varieties grown here are heirloom apples, which means you might not have tried them anywhere else.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see a demonstration of cider pressing in the original 1890 cider press.

Kapnick Orchards | Britton

Kapnick Orchards is the product of 50 years of family farming. This beautiful farm in Britton offers a wonderful countryside experience, from visiting the orchard to getting fresh goods from the on-site bakery and cider mill. You’ll also find candy, nuts, jam, baked goods, and homemade fudge.

Fall is the best time of year at Kapnick Orchards, with plenty of activities like U-pick apples, feeding the farm animals, and attending the annual Apple Festival. The orchard offers pick-your-own fruit throughout the growing season, from cherries and blueberries in the summer to apples and pumpkins in the fall.

Coleman’s Corn Maze | Saline

Coleman’s Corn Maze offers one of the most action-packed farm experiences in South Central Michigan. Here, visitors can participate in activities like feeding the farm animals, picking their own apples, exploring the corn maze, taking hayrides, playing on a giant haystack, and taking a dive in a corn pit.

The apple orchard is full of semi-dwarf trees, so even little kids can pick their own fruit. When you’re ready for a break, visit the store to eat some fresh doughnuts, drink apple cider, and relax in the picnic area. If you’re looking for a fun-filled farm experience, Coleman’s is the place to be.

Wild Apple Farms | Dexter

Wild Apple Farms is a place where you can find some of the best fresh and natural goods in Michigan. There are a huge number of things for sale here, including raw honey, fresh produce, soap, candles, and eggs.

Though the farm doesn’t offer pick-your-own apples, you can find some delicious fresh produce in the farm store as well as artisanal gifts and interesting items. Though it might not be the perfect place for young kids, Wild Apple Farms is the perfect place to find fresh produce and some of the most unique goods in Michigan.

Lesser Farms and Orchard | Dexter

Lesser Farms And Orchard is a family-owned and -operated farm located in Dexter, Michigan. While there is no option for pick-your-own apples here, visitors can help themselves to some of the best and freshest farm produce in the area, including apples and apple cider.

The farm store is open regularly with not just apples, but also pears, watermelons, plums, peaches, and pumpkins depending on the time of the year. You can also buy local honey and even unique treats like frozen apple cider.

There are plenty of apple varieties available, including popular ones like Cortland, McIntosh, Jonamac, and Gala.

FAQs About Southcentral Michigan Cider Mills

How Many Apple Cider Mills Are In Michigan? 

There are as many as 63 cider mills in Michigan. Each has its own process and flavor, which means that each visit is unique! Some cider mills in Michigan brew varieties of hard cider, while others offer public cider pressing so visitors can see how it is done.

How Many Apple Orchards Are In Michigan?

There are as many as 775 apple orchards in the state of Michigan. Many of them are family-owned and some have been in operation for more than 100 years.

What Is The Oldest Apple Cider Mill In Michigan?

The oldest cider mill in Michigan is Dexter Cider Mill, which has been in operation since 1886. The mill still uses the original oak rack cider press from when it was founded. 

More to Explore in Southcentral Michigan This Fall

Michigan is home to some of the best apple orchards in the country in the fall, and southcentral Michigan is a great place to be during the fall! If you want to visit some apple orchards in the area this year, you have plenty of choices to make the season a memorable one.

And if you’re looking for more fall fun in southcentral Michigan, don’t miss the best fall things to do near Jackson Michigan!