My Favorite Michigan Farms & Cider Mills to Visit this Fall

I’ll make any excuse to run off to a farm or cider mill for fresh donuts, the perfect photo opp and the possibility of hugging an animal at a petting zoo. I’ll argue that Michigan’s farms, farm stands and cider mills are the best and it’s a treasured fall festivity, one that I try to make time for throughout the fall season.

There are a handful of places I’ve visited throughout the years and here are my top favorite cider mills in the state:

Phillips Cider Mill

This smaller orchard sits just down the street from popular Uncle John’s Cider Mill and might be overlooked by the big one with all the giant signage. But this one is a favorite of mine. If you’re childless and prefer to get in and out, this place meets my needs, however impatient I am. I can grab my favorite bakery items such as an apple pie, chocolate chip cookies and churro-like donuts without a giant line and peruse their Michigan made market for gifts. The retail shop seems to grow and offer more and more items each year with pumpkins out front to select and an apple orchard for u-pick apples. I also read that they now have an event space. Wish I had a fall birthday.

Stop here next and don’t forget the cookies and cider slushies!

Uncle John’s Cider Mill

Uncle John’s is a great place for kids and adults alike (these photos were taken here!) With plenty of activities for children and families, there’s also a wine tasting building that I’ve personally enjoyed on several occasions. You can also watch the cider being made as you eat your donuts and caramel apples, sipping cider. Kids including me still enjoying watching the apples being processed.

This place usually has a long line to even park on the large property on weekends (I avoid visiting on weekends for this reason!) Choose a weekday to pop over, wander the pumpkin patch or apple orchards and take it all in. Or prepare for the long lines, but visit during one of their many events with live music every weekend.

Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery

Robinette’s is a staple in the Grand Rapids area complete a cafe, bakery and winery. I’ve had lunch here a few times along with donuts naturally (haven’t tried their wine yet.) The cider mill has tons of activities for families like hay rides and a corn maze.

Schwallier’s Country Basket

I’ve been visiting Schwallier’s Country Basket annually for a couple years now and it’s a place that boasts some of the best donuts in West Michigan and a retail shop that I always grab treats for myself and gifts for others. Plus they stepped up their petting zoo. I cuddled baby goats and held kittens before gorging on a giant rice krispie treat along with apple spice and pumpkin spice donuts.

Jenny’s Farm Stand

I typically judge a cider mill or farm on its donut availability and animals on-site and Jenny’s Farm Stand in Dexter has both. Somehow and now I can’t remember, my mom and I stopped by this place where a goat bit me and I’ve never been so elated. I recall draft horses on the property and a small retail shop and plenty of activities for children. Sweater from Red Dress Boutique | jeans by Madewell | boots by Dolce Vita (25% off with code COOLBOOTS) | hat by Lack of Color