Enjoy the many apple orchards, cider mills and pumpkin patches throughout Washtenaw County
Take the time to enjoy a perfect fall day with the family, at one of Washtenaw County's many apple orchards, cider mills and pumpkin patches.
Tammy Mayrend | contributor
There's just something about biting into the skin of a ripe, shiny, luscious Michigan apple that can not be beat, it's juice rolling down your chin making fingers sticky and sweet.
Apple cider to me is like the nectar of the gods. And I have been reminded recently by my best friend, a Michigander who is currently stationed in Kuwait, that I am not alone in this desire.
I'm lucky to live less than two miles away from a local favorite, within walking distance or a quick trip on the bike. But there are many great places in Washtenaw County and its environs to find wonderful cider, donuts and apples. Many of them also have art fairs, carnival atmospheres on the weekends, haunted houses and hay mazes, farm animals and more — perfect family fun.
So as the weather turns like the leaves blowing gently outside your window, be sure to step out and visit one of these great local cider mills for the fall attractions. Below you will find a list with basic information for cider mills, orchards and corn mazes throughout Washtenaw County. If you have additional orchards to list, please be sure to send me an e-mail or comment on the post!
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Chelsea
ChelseaMaze (2433 M52, Chelsea, MI 48118)
Find a corn maze, haunted corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, snacks and refreshment stand, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties and school tours.
517-214-0613.
Dexter
Berry Hill Farm (12835 N. Territorial Road, Dexter, Michigan 48130)
Buy pumpkins or patch-pick in the field. Also find honey from hives on the farm.
734-475-1516.
The Blast Corn Maze (6175 Daly Road, Dexter, MI 48130)
Kids can patch-pick pumpkins in the field, maneuver the corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, enjoy wagon rides, snacks and refreshment stand. Restrooms, a picnic area, and farm animals are also available.
734-845-7127
Dexter Cider Mill (3685 Central Street, Dexter 48130)
The Dexter Cider Mill is the oldest operating cider mill in Michigan. Families can find natural cider, fresh apples, doughnuts, caramel apples and baked goods, seasonally available apple products, frozen slushies, jellies, apple butter, boiled cider, natural and vinegar products, barbecue sauces, mustards and pickled asparagus. Several locally grown products, such as popcorn and various flavors of packaged soybeans are also available.
734-426-8531.
Jenny's Farm Stand
734-424-3431
8366 Island Lake Road
Dexter, Michigan 48130
Read about Jenny's on my website
Lesser Farms and Orchard (12651 Island Lake Road, Dexter 48130)
Offering plums, apples, cider, homemade jams and jellies, beeswax candles, honey and pumpkins.
734 426-0606
Manchester
Alber Orchard & Cider Mill (13011 Bethel Church Road, Manchester 48158)
Families enjoy a family owned orchard that has been in business since 1890. View an old fashioned cider press and enjoy the fresh cider.
734-428-9310
Milan
Wasem Fruit Farm (6580 Judd Road, Milan 48160)
Families will find apple cider, donuts, pumpkins, squash, plums and a farm market. Pre-arranged school tours are also available.
734-482-2342
Talladay Farms (6270 Judd Rd Milan 48160)
Several corn mazes. located right next to Wasem's Apple Orchard.
734-439-2313
Northville
Three Cedars Farm (7897 6 Mile Rd., Northville 48167)
Find a pumpkin patch, already gathered pumpkins, a corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area and farm animals. School tours are also available.
248-437-8200
Plymouth
Plymouth Orchards & Cider Mill (10685 Warren Road, Plymouth 48170)
Find pumpkins and a U-pick pumpkin patch on weekends only. Take a leisurely wagon ride through the orchard, find fresh donuts and apple cider and visit the farm animals. School tours are also offered Monday to Friday with reservations.
734-455-2290
Salem
Donahee Farms
Enjoy a fall straw maze and U-pick pumpkins.
734-459-0655
Obstbaum Orchards and Cider Mill (9252 Currie Road, Northville, MI 48167)
Take the family for U-pick apples and pumpkins.
248-349-5569
Saline
Lutz Orchard (11030 Macon Road, Saline 48176)
734-429-5145
Windy Ridge Orchard and Cider Mill (9375 Saline-Milan Road, Saline 48176)
734-429-7111
Ypsilanti
Wiard's Orchards and County Fair
Check out the recent news on Wiard's
734-482-7744
5565 Merritt Road
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Tammy Mayrend is a search marketing professional and mother of two who blogs on low-cost local activities, events, and Ann Arbor area freebies for families at annarbormom.com.
Comments
Moms Kitchen
Tue, Sep 28, 2010 : 7:35 p.m.
Yes, they do make their own donuts at the Dexter Cider Mill.
Angela Verges
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 3:41 p.m.
What a timely article! Just yesterday my son asked if we could go to Wiard's Orchard. Someone in his class brought cidar and donuts for snack and said they were, "gooood."
Klayton
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 2:29 p.m.
I have to second (or third) Wasems! The dwarf trees are perfect for young kids to pick and the apples are delicious. No tourist trap...just fun picking! We go there every year to pick and the donuts are homemade and melt in your mouth! The kids can also watch the donuts being made which is lots of fun too.
Tammy Mayrend
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 8:26 a.m.
Thanks mferg56, Erwin's is a wonderful place to visit! This article featured those in Washtenaw Couty though, and Erwin's is in Oakland County. There are many wonderful orchards, cider mills and u-pick stands throughout Michigan that I like to visit, but that would be one massive list!
mferg56
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 7:41 a.m.
You forgot Erwin's Orchard in South Lyon. They have u-pick apples, great cider, AND, those wonderful hot, greasy, donuts that breadman craves (me, too!). Not in Washtenaw county, but worth a mention since it's not far, and Plymouth Orchards & Cider Mill isn't in Washtenaw County either.
Tammy Mayrend
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 7:49 p.m.
Hi Breadman - Wasem Fruit Farm had fresh hot donuts when we were there two years ago. Last year we visited the Plymouth Orchards too and had donuts that I was pretty sure were made at the orchard as well. Hopefully some other readers will chime in too!
breadman
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 7:35 p.m.
Wooo cider time! Tell me who still makes donuts on the mill? Dexter did at one time there hot dounts, but now the Dexter Bakery ships in the dounts. I miss the hot greasy hot donuts. With a cup of cider to wash it down with.
Tammy Mayrend
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 11:29 a.m.
Clark you are right, they are less commercial, but they do have a few apple trees up front where the picnic tables are where my kids like to climb (and I have photo ops) and two years ago, which was the last fall we visited, they had a small tent set up out front that had hay bales throughout with many pumpkins and fall decor for sale, which ALSO provided a great photo op! I'm thinking that my taking many photos MAY be why my daughter currently refuses to smile for many photos!
clark
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 11:05 a.m.
I'm a big fan of Wasem Fruit Farm. I went there when I was younger, but couldn't remember the name or where it was for a long time. When I went back a few years ago, I was pleased to find that they still make cider and donuts just like I'd remembered: plain, apple, pumpkin, blueberry (all with or without frosting and absolutely delicious either way, especially if you're lucky enough to arrive in time for a fresh, still-warm batch). They seem to be considerably less commercial and tourist trap-like than many of the other operations (ahem: Wiard's), which is refreshing.
Tammy Mayrend
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 9:41 a.m.
It's my pleasure Forever27. We have been to Wiard's several times, and although they can be expensive they are a wonderful orchard. I considered it a day full of so many activities we would otherwise pay a lot for, and we had the added benefit of having many great photo opportunities - It is a much less expensive photo stop than paying for studio time and prints, and we came away with photos we will forever treasure!
Forever27
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 9:32 a.m.
Thanks for the article Tammy! My wife and I have been looking for better options after trying Wiard's last year. That place is nothing but a tourist trap that tries to nickel and dime you every step of the way. It used to be so much better when I was a kid. We will definitely try out a few of these other places on the list.
Tammy Mayrend
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 8:55 a.m.
Thanks for the notes Sarah!
Sarah Rigg
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 8:41 a.m.
I've been to Lutz's in Saline. A few things to note: You can only do U-pick if you're willing to do a large amount at a time- I think a peck, but it might be a bushel. However, they also sell already picked apples. They have something on the order of 2 dozen or more varieties of apples. They also sell local honey, and the farmer (Mr. Lutz) will let your kids watch his sheep and a llama!