*last updated 9/2022
One of the greatest things about living in Michigan is experiencing all of the seasons. While we love them all, fall is, in our opinion, by far one of the best. Football starts, the weather cools down, and the colors are ah-mazing. Oh, and did we mention football?? Our favorite thing about fall, however, is heading to the local orchards for apple picking, as well as cider and donuts.
Metro Detroit has so many options when it comes to apple orchards! Whether you’re looking for a u-pick orchard or a place with a variety of activities, we have you covered.
PS: did you know you can freeze cider?! Just take about a cup out (to leave room for the cider to expand) and stick it in the freezer! In the winter, when you are craving some cider, just place it in the fridge to thaw, and enjoy (it tastes especially yummy when mulled with spices).
Where to find apple picking in + around Detroit:
Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill | 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada, (586) 784-5343
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Blake’s Big Apple | 71485 North Avenue, Armada, (586) 784-9710
Hours: daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Blake’s has a variety of activities available for young and old. It’s one of our favorite spots for apple picking in and around Detroit! Drive into the orchard to pick your own apples or take a stroll to the animal farm. You can watch cider being pressed, visit the winery, and enjoy fresh donuts, as well. Are you looking for other activities to do with the kids? Then purchase a Barnyard Funland pass, prices vary depending on day and time. Children under two are free. Check the website to see all the fun that is included in this pass.
Hy’s Cider Mill | 6350 37 Mile Road, Romeo, (810) 798-3611
Hours: Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (u-pick until 5 p.m.)
Hy’s offers cider, donuts, and u-pick apples. Please check the website for apple availability dates, as the 2022 schedule isn’t posted yet!
Miller’s Big Red Farms | 4900 W. Thirty Two Mile, Washington Twp., (586) 752-7888
Hours: Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Miller’s offers a variety of u-pick fruits and vegetables. You can also head to the Marketplace to get some apple cider, donuts, local produce, and more. The family fun area is available for a per-person fee. This includes a petting farm, straw mountain, and farm courtyard. You may want to call ahead to confirm open hours.
Stony Creek Orchard and Cider Mill | 2961 W. Thirty Two Mile Rd, Romeo, (586) 752-2453
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
At Stony Creek you can enjoy fresh apple cider, as well as freshly-made donuts in the picnic area while the kids play on the hay bales. You can pick your own apples or purchase some in the Salesroom. The Salesroom also offers pies, jams, jellies, and other great products.
Verellen Orchards | 63260 Van Dyke, Romeo, (586) 752-2989
Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Verellen Orchards is open year-round with a variety of produce available. You can also enjoy cider, donuts, and a variety of other Michigan produce.
Westview Orchards | 65075 Van Dyke, Washington Twp., (586) 752-3123
Hours: Farm Market daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Farm Fun + U-pick daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At Westview Orchards you can watch the cider press in action (starting Labor Day) as well as head to the orchards to pick your own apples (pay per bushel/peck). You can also head to the market for some baked goods and delicious samples. With the Fall Farm Fun (extra cost), you can enjoy a three-acre playground with five wooden play structures, petting farms, an obstacle course, and more!
Blake’s Lyon Township (previously Erwin’s) | 61475 Silver Lake Rd, South Lyon, 248-437-0150
Hours: daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Blake’s newest location! Be sure to check out their apple picking and funland! They also have Motor City Hotdogs.
Diehls Orchard and Cider Mill | 11479 Ranch, Holly , (248) 634-8981
Hours: daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October 31; Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., November 5-20.
At Diehl’s your kids can play on the playground, go through the kiddie maze, hike through the orchard, and more. On the weekends be sure to watch fresh donuts get made. U-pick is currently unavailable, however they do offer fresh-picked apples for purchase!
Long Family Orchard and Farm | 1540 E. Commerce Rd., Commerce Twp. , (248) 360-3774
Hours: daily 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (last hayride for u-pick apples is at 5:30 p.m.)
At Long’s you can pick your own apples, as well as enjoy some yummy cider and donuts at their mill. Families can also have fun at the Farm Yard, which includes an eight-acre corn maze and play area.
Apple Charlies | 38035 S. Huron, New Boston, (734) 753-9380
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
At Apple Charlies you can enjoy cider and donuts, as well as weekend entertainment. They offer u-pick apples, as well as a variety of other activities (at a price) for the kids. You may want to call ahead to confirm 2022 u-pick info!
Obstbaum Orchard | 9252 Curies Road, Salem, (734) 560-2840
Hours: Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Obstabaum is a smaller orchard for apple picking in and around Detroit which makes it “less crowded and more personal.” Throughout the fall, you can enjoy the outdoor or indoor picnic area, pumpkins, cider, donuts, seasonal crafts, and u-pick apples (starting early October).
Lesser Farms and Orchard | 12651 Island Lake Rd, Dexter, (734) 426-8009
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Lesser Farms offers apples and cider (no donuts), along with jams, jellies, and pumpkins. You can also purchase pre-picked Michigan apples (no u-pick available).
Lutz Orchard | 11030 Macon Rd, Saline, (734) 429-5145
Hours: call the orchard for 2022 hours
If you are looking for a simple u-pick orchard for apple picking in and around Detroit, then look into Lutz. There is no cider mill or donuts to be found here, just simply apple picking.
Spicer Orchards | 10411 Clyde Rd, Fenton, (810) 632-7692
Hours: Farm Market daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last wagon for pick your own at 5:30 p.m.); Winery daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Spicer Orchards is another place to go if you are looking for a place with lots of activities. Besides being able to pick your own apples, they have fall festival weekends. On the weekend, you can enjoy a hayride, take a train ride, or get your face painted, just to name a few. They also have a winery where they sell wine, fruit wine, and hard cider.
