I love creating new family traditions, especially during the holiday season. Although we’re not exactly into the holiday season yet, I’d like to consider autumn as a prelude to the holidays.

I love everything about the fall. I look forward to the fall festivals and taking my kids Trick or Treating on Halloween. I love the beautiful colors of the leaves transitioning from green to gold, red, yellow, or brown.

I even enjoy those cool days when you can open the window at night and snuggle under a nice, warm blanket. And let’s not forget the delicious Fall recipes like apple pie, homemade soup, and hot apple cider!

I suppose I’m also a little partial to the fall because my birthday is in November. 🙂

Michigan Cider Mills
The Fall season in Michigan is known for its cider mill season!

DAY DATE AT WESTVIEW ORCHARD CIDER MILL

A couple of weeks ago, Travis and I went on a day date to Westview Orchards in Washington, Michigan. It’s a U-PICK apple orchard that is really popular during this time of year. It was a cloudy and chilly day, which normally would ruin a date in the outdoors.

But for a day spent at the cider mill, cool temperatures are perfect for dates. Why? Because it gives you a reason to cozy up next to your honey while sitting in front of the bonfire and sipping on hot apple cider.

Michigan Cider Mills

VISITING A METRO DETROIT CIDER MILL IS OUR NEW FALL FAMILY TRADITION

As Travis and I enjoyed our apple cider and cinnamon doughnuts, I thought to myself how much I loved the scent of Fall.

“We should make this a family tradition,” I said to my husband. “Every Fall season we should bring the kids to a cider mill, get some hot cider and doughnuts, and pick out pumpkins from the pumpkin patch.”

Travis smiled and agreed with me. I thought some more about our big family bunch and all that we have overcome since Zephaniah’s birth last year.

Westview Orchards
I love to drink hot cider mill in the Fall. All you need is a delicious doughnut or some pie!

We’ve had a hard year after Travis’ job loss, but we’re standing strong in faith and love. Our family traditions remind us of the great blessings we have and all we should be thankful for right now. 

That’s the magic of family traditions, isn’t it? It’s a time to celebrate family, friendships, and love. No matter if you’re going through good times or tough times, those sweet traditions always create so much happiness. 


UPDATE October 2020: Please keep in mind cider mill hours and visiting procedures for each location may have changed because of COVID-19.

8 MICHIGAN CIDER MILLS TO VISIT THIS FALL

Westview Orchards Michigan Metro Detroit Cider Mill
We enjoyed our date at the Westview Orchards cider mill!
(Photo courtesy of Good Life Detroit)

If you’re looking for a cider mill to visit, check out the list I rounded-up for you below!

Westview Orchards

Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Farm Market)

Winery Hours: M-W Closed, Thursday – Friday 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday 1 – 10 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m.

Address: 65075 Van Dyke, Washington, MI 48095

Phone: (586) 752-3123     Website: https://www.westvieworchards.com/


Northville Cider

Hours: Open 7 days from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (until November 23rd)

Address: 714 Baseline Rd., Northville, MI 48167

Phone: (248) 349-3181     Website: https://www.northvillecider.com/


Franklin Cider Mill

Hours: Weekdays 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Weekends 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

NOVEMBER HOURS

  • Monday – Sunday 8 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
  • Thanksgiving Day 8 A.M. – 12 P.M.

Address: 7450 Franklin Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301

Phone: (248) 626-8261     Website: http://www.franklincidermill.com/

Picking apples at Westview Farm

Plymouth Orchards

Hours: Open Daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until November 10th

Address: 10685 Warren Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170

Phone: (734) 455-2290     Website: https://www.plymouthorchards.com/


Paint Creek Cider Mill

Hours: Open 7 days 11 A.M. to 8 P.M.

Address: 4480 Orion Rd., Rochester, MI 48306

Phone: (248) 656-3400     Website: https://paint-creek-cider-mill.business.site/

8 Metro Detroit Cider Mills to Visit This Fall
Photo credit: Parmenter’s Northville Cider Mill

Rochester Cider Mill

Hours: Open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (according to Google…ROCHESTER CIDER MILL asks its customers to call ahead to confirm hours.)

Address: 5125 Rochester Rd., Rochester, MI 48306

Phone: (248) 651-4224     Website: http://rochestercidermill.com/


Yates Cider Mill

Open April 12 – December 23

Hours: Weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Weekends 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Address: 1990 E. Avon Rd., Rochester Hills, MI 48307

Phone: (248) 651-3000     Website: https://www.yatescidermill.com/


Diehls Orchard

Hours: Open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until October 31st)

Address: 1479 Ranch Rd., Holly, MI 48442

Phone: (248) 634-8981     Website: https://www.diehlsorchard.com/

Franklin Cider Mill
Photo credit: Franklin Cider Mill

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    Unless otherwise state, all photographs are courtesy of Jennifer Hamra for Good Life Detroit. This post was updated on 10/18/2020.

    Written by

    Jennifer Hamra

    Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

    Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

    When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

    Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

    Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].