Mincer Orchard

The five stars is for their apple cider. I've gone to Mincers for decades and wait every year for an opportunity to stock up. It is the best I've ever had, so I typically buy several gallons, pour the top couple inches off each gallon for immediate drinking, then freeze the gallons for special events, e.g. Thanksgiving & Christmas. Their cherry cider isn't bad either. It's a small place (with limited hours), but just outside the gate of a great state park. Plan on a fall afternoon. Keeping right park the car, walk up to the overlook, turn right, and explore the trails (grab a map if they have any). The deepest most remote spot has a paw paw patch. If you're lucky a few of the fruit will be left in the trees. If you brought a cup you can reward yourself with some cider at the end of the trail and have satisfying memories to last a lifetime.

I actually come from Nebraska to this orchard. I so appreciate that they do not outsource for their apples. Yes call to confirm their hours as this is a working family orchard. So worth the extra effort.