Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

Best Midwest Cider Mills To Visit for Ultimate Fall Fun

Steven Johnson
By

When you think of the Midwest during the fall, besides experiencing beautiful foliage and lots of rain, one other thing comes to mind; apple cider mills. If you’re from the Midwest, which according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is comprised of 12 states, taking the family to a cider mill to enjoy warm cider and freshly made donuts is a yearly tradition. There’s just something about the crisp fall air that combines with the scent of apples and baked goods that can encompass the feeling of fall that our friends from the South unfortunately just can’t understand.

Although apples are grown in almost every state in the U.S., with Washington being the leading producer, visiting the cider mill during the fall is something that’s inherently “Midwestern.” If you’re thinking of a Midwestern cider mill tour to soak up all the fall you can, we’ve picked one from each of the 12 Midwestern states that are a must-visit.

Related Videos

Related Reading

Louisberg Cider Mill

Louisberg, KS

Louisber Cider Mill in Kansas.

Starting with the most southwestern Midwestern state, the Louisberg Cider Mill has been a fall staple for Kansans since 1977. From humble beginnings, the 80-acre plot of apple-growing goodness started by Emmett and Mary O’Rear has bloomed into somewhat of an amusement park. An annual Ciderfest kicks off fall festivities in September. Then they have everything from corn mazes, pumpkin patches, live music on the weekend, to Halloween festivities. They close up shop after Halloween, with sporadic open houses to celebrate other holidays throughout the rest of the year.

Related

Kimmel Apple Orchard & Vineyard

Nebraska City, NE

Arial view of Kimmel Orchards.

Moving north to the land more known for its corn than its apples finds us at the Kimmel Apple Orchard and Vineyard. This farm has been operating for almost 100 years (since 1925). This orchard offers fun festivities throughout the fall season. Its wine bar featuring the classic Kimmel Apple Wine allows parents to blow off steam while the kids play on the farm. Kimmel Apple Orchard and Vineyard kicks off the fall season with an annual Applejack Festival featuring some great homemade hard cider.

Country Apple Orchard

Harrisburg, SD

Country Apple Orchard logo.

Continuing north, you’ll reach the Country Apple Orchard in Harrisburg, South Dakota. Like every orchard, they offer you-pick apple picking from their 13 apple varieties. On top of that, they have tons of delicious goodies, from candy store offerings to food from outside vendors. Country Apple Orchard also offers many fun attractions for the kiddies like pony rides, train rides, corn/hay mazes, rubber duck races, and more.

Oxbow Orchards

Grafton, ND

Honeycrisp Apple in Orchard
Andrew/Flickr

By many people’s standards, considering North Dakota part of the Midwest might be a stretch. It’s also a stretch finding an apple orchard in North Dakota, let alone one that has cider. Nevertheless, we’re staying true to the government’s definition of the Midwest and including Oxbow Orchards. This small, family-owned orchard grows its own apples in the Northeast corner of the state, in Grafton. Oxbow Orchards is old school and doesn’t have a website. But, it’s got four 5-star reviews on Google; alas no cider.

Pine Tree Apple Orchard

White Bear Lake, MN

Pine Tree Orchard apple cider mill.

Traveling east, you can head to White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and one of the most popular apple cider mills in the state — Pine Tree Apple Orchard. Started by the Jacobson family in 1950, the once 25-acre farm has grown to over 300. Pine Tree Apple Orchard offers all the fall fun and goodies you can expect at an excellent cider mill, but apples aren’t its only crop. You can indulge in everything strawberry from June to July, from you-pick strawberries to fresh strawberry pie.

Maiden Rock, Apples, Winery, and Cidery

Stockholm, WI

Maiden Rock Cidery river steamboat.

You’ll find Maiden Rock Cidery a bit further east, just over the Mississippi River and state border. If you’re a fall leafer, Stockholm is considered one of the best areas in Wisconsin to peep fall leaf changing. If you stop in at Maiden Rock, you’ll find cider, preserves, and other apple-related products. You can also indulge in hard ciders and wines geared towards adults. Another thing Maiden Rock offers that makes them stand out from other orchards is their riverboat cruises for special events.

Sutliff Cider Company

Lisbon, IA

Sutliff cider mill image.

Snaking your way south through the remaining Midwest states, be sure to hit the Sutliff Cider Company in Lison, Iowa. Started in 1985 and known more for its top-rated alcoholic cider, the Sutliff Cider Company still offers traditional cider and family-friendly fun. Open April through December, you can stop into the taproom for an adult beverage and tasty food. Before you leave, swing by the market for all the seasonal fall goodies you can handle.

Schweizer Orchards

St. Joseph, MO

Main building to Schweizer Orchards.

Moving further south into St. Joseph, Missouri, you’ll find the wholesome, alcohol-free Schweizer Orchards. The Schweizer family has been in the apple business since the early 1900s. They have all the classics you can expect from an excellent cider mill; cider, apple butter, hayrides, and more.

Eckert’s Cider Farm

Millstadt, IL

Eckert's Cider Mill and restaurant.

From Schweizer’s head northeast to Millstadt, Illinois, and come across one of the most lively farms in the Midwest. There’s not much that Eckert’s Cider Farm doesn’t have. From a full-service restaurant to pig races and camel rides, there’s something for everyone here. Adults can hit up the cider shed for some delicious hard cider after picking apples and a wide array of other seasonal you-pick crops. Oh, did we mention they have a pumpkin cannon?!?

Beasley’s Orchard

Danville, IN

Apple cannon at Beasley's Cider Mill.

Rounding out the last three Midwest begins with Beasley’s Orchard in Danville, Indiana. Not only does Beasley’s boast some of the best cider and cider slushies you’ll ever taste (2015’s Best Cider Winner in Indiana), you can also pick off pumpkins with a giant apple cannon that looks like it was ripped off an aircraft carrier. Beasleys has all the fall events and treats you can ask for. It also offers the Hayloft, a popular event space designed for weddings and other special events.

Macqueen’s Apple Barn & Cider Mill

Holland, OH

Macqueen's apple barn and cider mill.

Macqueen’s Apple Barn and Cider Mill is fall fun for the whole family. Macqueen’s kicks off the fall season with their Annual Apple Butter Stir Festival that gets thousands of visitors from across the state. Open over 65 years, Macqueen’s presses out delicious cider and baked goods year-round — just in case you can’t make it during the fall.

Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill

Armada, MI

Arial view of Blake's Cider Mill.

Last but far from least is Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill in Armada, MI. In Michigan, you can’t travel far without stumbling across a cider mill. That means to earn top billing takes a lot. Blake’s is known by some more for its delicious canned hard ciders distributed across the U.S. However, the amusement park of a cider mill has something for the whole family. Since 1946 Blake’s has grown into a Michigan cider empire. The 800-acre working farm and orchard feature a cider mill, funland, tasting room, hard cider production facility, and year-round events.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
The 8 best protein shakes that are ready-to-go
These shakes come with all the good stuff, and none of the crap
Svelte

With as busy as we have become as a society, we always seem to be on the go. This can make life challenging, especially when it comes to wellness goals. In a perfect world, you could hit the gym hard, crush a workout, then immediately refuel with a balanced, home-cooked meal. But, since life happens and we are always on the go, it’s not always feasible to take the time to actually cook up a muscle-building meal right after your workout. Whether you’re on the go and short on time, or just can't stomach a full meal after exercising, having a quick and easy, protein-packed option that doesn’t require kitchen time, is a helpful alternative to refuel your body and maximize your results.

This is where protein shakes come in handy. Numerous ready-to-drink shakes are available that provide muscle-building protein, vitamins, minerals, and calories to fortify your body after a workout. They offer the benefits of protein powders with the convenience of eliminating the need for a shaker bottle, or high-speed blender, let alone making a mess with powders. Simply give the bottle a quick shake, pop the top, and you’re good to go.

Read more
This is the major change coming to Toblerone chocolate
Stripped of its "Swissness," Toblerone is getting a new look
toblerone chocolates new packaging

Toblerone, the nougaty, triangular chocolate bar we all know and love, will be getting a modern makeover later this year. US owner of the popular candy bar company, Mondelez International, has decided to relocate some of Toblerone's production a few countries over to Slovakia, stripping the chocolate of its "Swissness."
Under Swiss law, established in 2017, a product that's advertised with marks such as the Swiss flag, any references to Swiss cities, or, in the case of Toblerone, the Matterhorn mountain, must meet very strict origin criteria. The Swiss powers that be established this law to protect the prestige and reputation of genuine, high-quality Swiss-made products, including, of course, its chocolate.

While much of Toblerone's production will remain in Switzerland — even amping up by the end of the year — the strict laws dictate that it can't be considered a Swiss product anymore unless manufactured there exclusively.
Because the candy will now be partially produced elsewhere, it will no longer be allowed to advertise with any "Swissness," including the iconic Matterhorn logo. The label will also shift from reading “Swiss chocolate” to “Established in Switzerland in 1908” instead.
Reportedly, the hidden bear in the current mountainscape design will remain, but no word yet as to how prevalent it will be.
In a statement reported by CNBC, Mondelez International says that the Toblerone new logo will have a “modernized and streamlined mountain logo that is consistent with the geometric and triangular aesthetic.”
We think we speak for most when we say we couldn't care less what the box looks like. Just make sure it tastes the same.

Read more
The 7 best CBD-infused drinks we tried in 2023
These tasty CBD-infused drinks will have you feeling calmer in no time
Cans o RisEau cbd drinks.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, has been hot for a while now, making its way into everything from CBD teas to a variety of CBD coffee brands. If you're wondering "what is CBD?" — it's a naturally occurring compound present in cannabis plants. According to the World Health Organization, it's not addictive, has a solid safety profile, and won't get you high. In clinical trials, it's been effective in the treatment of epilepsy and shows promise in treating a number of other conditions.

In addition to CBD-infused water, tea, soda, and seltzer, another growing trend is CBD-infused nonalcoholic spirits and cocktails. The adult beverage market is flooded with CBD products promising to help you relax, sleep, destress, and mellow out, all without the hangover you'd get from booze (CBD is considered a controlled substance and can't be legally added to booze, at least not yet). We've rounded up a few of our favorite CBD-infused drinks below, from CBD cocktails to CBD water, so you can work your relaxation into your daily routine no matter where you are.

Read more