Where to Go Apple Picking in Michigan
Apple season in Michigan comes with a slate of sights and tastes all its own, but it's not just about the apples. Sometimes, it's about the experience of going out and picking just the right apple. So, when you're hungry for a sweet chunk of Michigan in a little red ball, put on some good walking shoes and check out one of these great Michigan U-Pick apple orchards!
Crane Orchards, Fennville, MI
Fennville's Crane Orchards is home to apples on a pretty substantial scale. With 13 different varieties of apple on hand, along with blueberry bushes, pumpkins, several gourds, and more, you'll have plenty of u-pick fruits to sample throughout the year. The farm itself even has an unusual backstory—how many farms do you know of that were shaped by hand using a combination of bulldozers and dynamite?
Corey Lake Orchards, Three Rivers, MI
Corey Lake Orchards in Three Rivers offers apples when they're in season and sometimes at unexpected seasons. For example, Jersey Mac and Lodi apples are in season earlier than the standard Red Delicious out there, and there are a wide variety of choices throughout portions of the year. While there, check out the bakery displays, the wine and brandy operations, and the apple cider options in season for a complete apple—and other fruit—experience.
Overhiser Orchards, South Haven, MI
Overhiser Orchards makes its home in South Haven, one of Michigan's great tourism and beach destinations. Offering abundant apples but also cherries, peaches, plums, and pumpkins as the seasons allow, this orchard will have plenty of fruit ready to take home. While you're there, consider checking out the bakery options and a hands-on animal barn to introduce the kids to the animals they may have only read about or eaten previously.
Husted's Farm Market, Kalamazoo, MI
The Husted's Farm Market in Kalamazoo's season starts early with the arrival of Michigan asparagus, generally the first Michigan crop available. From there, it carries on into rhubarb, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, peaches, and finally, apples. That's just the pickable options, of course, as Husted goes into various other options like bakery items, homemade salsa, and plenty more beyond there.
Westview Orchards & Winery, Washington, MI
More commonly known as “Westview Orchards,” Romeo's Westview Orchards & Winery takes the notion of adding side attractions to a whole new level. You'll find events like live music, yoga, and trivia nights at this location. It's actually sufficiently built up that it sells season tickets. Westview Orchards will offer apples for picking in several different varieties, but those who want to pick strawberries, peaches, or even pumpkins will have a place at this table.
Jollay Orchards, Coloma, MI
Southwest Lower Michigan is commonly regarded as prime real estate for fruit growers. Jollay Orchards in Coloma takes full advantage of this fact to produce a wide variety of fruits, many of which can be picked directly by the consumer. Naturally, apples are front and center, but so are sweet and tart cherries, peaches, and pumpkins “in every imaginable size.” Plus, in the fall—when the apples are coming on anyway—check out the annual Harvest Festival that features a haunted house, pond fishing, corn maze, and more.
Friske's Farm Market, Ellsworth, MI
Billed as “not your average fruit stand,” Friske's Farm Market in Ellsworth makes it a point to offer up a lot more than the average fruit stand might. Of course, it's got what the fruit stands do, like fruit available in a host of varieties. Bakery goods and even complete meals are available with pizzas and a complete cafe option. There's even a complete outdoor playground for the kids. After all that, the apple picking might seem like an afterthought, but there's plenty of apples available in the orchard, so come for absolutely everything else, and leave with the produce of fresh-picked apples in hand.
Spicer Orchards, Fenton, MI
Spicer Orchards in Fenton offers an absolutely staggering range of fruits to be picked. From blueberries to raspberries to peaches, cherries, and apples, you'll be able to have fresh fruit through just about the entire fresh fruit season in Michigan, which is surprisingly lengthy. There's plenty else on hand here, though, including bakery options, fudge, jams and jellies, and cider and wine to round out the menu.
