It's Apple Cider Time in Michigan

Heading out to the cider mill to pick apples, sip cider and enjoy fresh donuts is an autumn tradition here in southeast Michigan. As the air turns crisp, think about visiting a local orchard and cider mill; you'll be supporting our local agriculture while enjoying an outing away from home. Below is a list of local cider mills and orchards and contact information. Most operate through the end of October or until commodities are exhausted. Be sure to check websites and even call ahead to ensure hours of operation and product availability.

In Wayne County, Apple Charlie's South Huron Orchards and Cider Mill offers U-pick apples, pumpkins, a petting farm, and. hay rides on the weekends. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Apple Charlie's is located at 38035 S. Huron Road in New Boston. For more information call 734-753-9380 or see their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Apple-Charlies-South-Huron-Orchards.

Plymouth Orchards and Cider Mill offers plenty of fun including wagon rides, farm animals, live music, a pumpkin patch, and organic produce. The orchard also has a Red Shed Market which sells, pies, fresh cider, jellies, and more. The cider mill and orchard are open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is located at 10685 Warren Road. The Red Shed Market is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is north of the orchard at 10260 Ann Arbor Road. Large orders of cider and donuts can be pre-ordered by calling 734-455-2290. To find out more go to https://www.plymouthorchards.com/.

In Northville, Obstbaum Orchards is a family-run cider mill offering fresh cider, donuts, caramel apples and more. They are open Friday through Sunday and often have hay rides on Saturdays and Sundays. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. U-Pick apples are ready by late September but call ahead or check their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ObstbaumOrchards/. For more information call 734-560-2840. Obstbaum Orchards is located at 9252 Currie Road.

Also in Northville, Parmenter's Cider Mill is open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to fresh donuts and cider, other menu items include apple pie, apple butter, caramel apples, fudge, honey, jams, and more. Large orders of five dozen or more can be placed online at http://[email protected] for later pickup. Parmenter's is located at 714 Baseline Road in Northville. For more information call 248-349-3181.

In Monroe County, Bennett's Orchard has been growing quality fruit and vegetables for more than 60 years. Bennett's feature a variety of apples, cider, and a county store which sells fresh honey, eggs, and jams and jellies. Bennett's also offers hard cider. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bennett's Orchards is located at 5647 Consear Road in Ottawa Lake near the Ohio border. For more information and to find out about apple picking call 419-466-1879 or go to http://www.bennetsorchard.com.

In Washtenaw County, Alber Orchards and Cider Mill produces over 100 varieties of apples along with pumpkins and delicious cider and donuts. John Alber established the farm in 1881. Alber Orchards is located at 13011 Bethel Church Road in Manchester. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 12 to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Freedom Winery is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. The business is closed on Mondays. For more information call 734-428-9310 or see their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/alberorchard.

Wiard's Orchard and Cider Mill is the place to take the whole family for a weekend getaway day. Along with a country store, Wiard's Country Fair features a petting zoo, corn maze, and wagon rides. Tickets for the Country Fair attractions are available online only, but if you're shopping for cider and treats only, the county store is open Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wiard's is located at 5565 Merritt Road in Ypsilanti. For more information call 734-482-7744. Go to http://www.wiards.com or http://www.facebook.com/wiards to see all that is offered for fall fun.