Detroit, MIApple Cider Donuts

The Detroit News reports the Franklin Cider Mill opened its 189th season on September 5, pressing fresh apple cider on a 90 ton historic press, and headlines the season as a short one. Axios Detroit watched the pressing from behind glass and cinnamon sugar doughnuts boxed hot off a conveyor belt. Metro Times puts honey, select cheeses and butters on the same counter, and says the cider is neither filtered nor pasteurized. Order a bag of cinnamon sugar doughnuts with a jug of cider.

Metro Times counts as many as 24 apple varieties going into the cider at Yates, usually five or six at a time, and puts doughnuts, butters, apples and syrup in the main store, with a second shop across a small bridge selling Frankenmuth fudge. Axios Detroit adds a nature trail with views of the Clinton River, and Planet Detroit counts it among the oldest continuously operating mills in the country. Order doughnuts and cider, then a scoop at the Ice Cream Shoppe, which Metro Times says runs through September. Axios lists weekday hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Metro Times calls Parmenter's the second oldest continuously operating business in Northville and lists cider, doughnuts, caramel apples, apple butter, honey and maple syrup, plus cider slushes and apple chips drizzled with caramel. Axios Detroit says weekday visitors watch the pressing through a viewing gate, and that weekends open the Nut Hut for candied almonds and the Chow Mill for hot dogs and kielbasa. Planet Detroit, which marks the mill's 150th year, adds local craft beers to the counter. Order doughnuts and a cider slush. Axios lists daily hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Metro Times puts Blake's on an 800 acre working farm with more than 40 apple varieties, a cider mill, a tasting room, sunflower picking and a hard cider facility, and says the Armada Center Road mill is the one with the petting zoo and the orchard products. Axios Detroit lists haunted hayrides, a three story haunted barn and zombie paintball on Fridays through the season. Planet Detroit adds apple picking and a cornfield maze. Order cider straight from the mill. Metro Times says the U cut Christmas tree harvest starts in mid November.

Metro Times dates Westview to 1813 and counts 188 acres, with a six acre corn maze, a 40 foot slide and a sweet shoppe bakery turning out apple fritters and French toast casserole. Axios Detroit reports the wine porch open and the vegetable garden open for you pick. Planet Detroit calls it a blend of cider mill and winery with a petting farm. Order an apple fritter from the bakery and cider from the farm market. Axios lists daily hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the fall season.