Cider mills are staples in Michigan, with visitors flocking for the abundance of apple-based treats like cider, caramel, apples, and apple slushies. Apart from apples, another fan-favorite is fresh, homemade donuts. Powdered sugar, cinnamon, brown sugar, glazed sugar—so many options to choose from—YUM!
There are three main cider mills near campus, each around a twenty to thirty-minute drive. I highly recommend trying them all; you really can't have too many donuts.
- Dexter Cider Mill is located at 3685 Central St., Dexter.
- Plymouth Orchards and Cider Mill is located at 10685 Warren Rd., Plymouth.
- Wiard’s Orchards is located at 5565 Merritt Rd., Ypsilanti and is the closet mill to campus and a popular spot among students.
Apart from indulging your sweet tooth, most cider mills have activities to get you in a spooky mood, such as a haunted hayrides and haunted corn mazes. While these are great fun, there are also non-haunted hayrides and corn mazes for those who choose to opt out of the scare. Cider mills also sell pumpkins, which can be used for fun (and cheap) fall hobbies, like pumpkin carving, seed roasting, and pie baking.
Aside from the cider mills, in the fall, you can never go wrong with a classic campfire and s’mores or raking a giant leaf pile. Whether you’re in the mood to bundle up in blankets by the fire with your friends, or channel your inner child and play in the leaves, embracing the season is a healthy way to relieve stress and decompress from daily responsibilities.
Contributed by Maria Uribe, –Neighborhood Ambassador