Left: Franklin Cider Mill Right: Tashmoo Biergarten
The leaves in Detroit are beginning to change color and the air is slightly crisper. Boots and sweatshirts are given pride of place in the closet and football can be heard in the background. Yes, the fall season has arrived in Detroit!
With fall comes seasonal activities that only come around once a year. I’m talking about cider mills, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and great occasions to drink beer. Yeah, I know, you don’t really need a special occasion to drink beer.
In the metro Detroit area and all throughout Michigan we take cider mills for granted. When I lived in Milwaukee and Chicago, I would ask the life-long locals where the nearest cider mills were only to be greeted with blank stares. Embrace the cider mills, people! And the corn mazes! Especially, the beer!
Cider Mills
Yates Cider Mill – The big red barn, the trails and the water-powered apple press remind me of my childhood. Add in the pony rides, petting zoo and other activities and make a day of it. This is a great place to bring the kids or go on a romantic date. September through November.
Franklin Cider Mill – Nestled in quaint Franklin Village, this little gem seems miles away from the hustle and bustle. I love this cider mill because it’s only a few miles from home and I can stop by for cider and donuts anytime without making a day of it. Besides cider and donuts, they offer pies, pumpkins, roasted corn, jam, cheese and beef jerky. September through November 25th.
Blake Farms – An orchard where you can pick your own fruit and vegetables plus hayrides, a haunted barn, straw mountain, petting farm, corn maze, train rides and bunnies! This is a place that you can enjoy all day and take home some tasty treats. Through October.
Miller’s Big Red – Fun for the whole family begins with cider and donuts and ends with a petting farm, straw mountain and corn maze (free during the week). They also have haunted hayrides that begin at dusk. Through Oct. 28th.
Corn Mazes
Izzi Farm Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch in Ira Township will delight with a corn maze, moonlight maze and pumpkin patch out in the country. Pack up a picnic basket and bring your friends and family along for a lovely day. September through October 28th.
DeBuck’s Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch, located in Belleville, boasts 13 acres of trails, a giant corn maze and a pumpkin patch. For added fun check out the pedal go-karts, corn cannons and a super slide. September through October 28th.
Charles L. Bowers School Farm in Bloomfield Hills offers a beginner, intermediate and advanced corn maze plus a haunted maze. They also have wagon rides, farm animals, pumpkins, smore’s and donuts. September 29th through October 28th.
Beer
The Dakota Inn Rathskeller – Bring your chicken hats, Oktoberfest is in full swing at this Detroit institution. It just doesn’t get any better than beer, German food, an oompah band and chicken hats. Through October 27th.
Tashmoo Biergarten – Having just started last year, Tashmoo is the new fall tradition in Detroit. Head to the West Village and enjoy our very own European style outdoor beer garden on three weekends in October. Weekends only, October 13—28th
Blocktoberfest – The aforementioned Tashmoo teams up with Detroit’s Atwater Brewery to celebrate 15 years of brewing in the Rivertown district. Beer, food, and community. October 20th.
Detroit Beer Festival takes over Eastern Market for the fourth year in a row. Over 50 Michigan craft brewers are expected to offer 300 different beers. Plus local bands and food. October 26—27.
What are your favorite fall places and events in metro Detroit?