Two Michigan Apple Orchards Competing to Be Best in U.S.

When it comes to apples, Michigan is a total heavyweight. Did you know we're one of the top apple-producing states in the country? The Mitten State ranks third in the nation, harvesting more than a billion pounds of apples each year. With that kind of haul, it's no surprise some of the country’s best orchards call Michigan home!

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Top Apple Orchards in U.S. Poll

Now, two of those orchards are in the national spotlight, vying for the title of Best Apple Orchard in the U.S. in the latest USA Today 10Best Readers’ Poll. Experts have chosen twenty top orchards from around the country, selected not only for their fruit offerings but also for their fun fall activities. Now it's up to a public vote to decide the top ten.

READ MORE: VOTE NOW - MICHIGAN GEM COMPETING FOR BEST FALL DESTINATION

Knaebe’s Apple Farm – A Rogers City Favorite

One Michigan orchard up for the honor is Knaebe’s Apple Farm in Rogers City.

It's also known as "Knaebe’s Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm"—how fun is that? It's been a family-run operation since Doc and Dusty Knaebe planted their first apple trees back in 1985. Today, it’s more than just an orchard, it’s a full-on fall destination.

Visitors can enjoy wood-fired pizza, hard cider, a bakery filled with fresh treats, a petting zoo, and of course, u-pick apples and pumpkins. You’ll also find sweet corn, peaches, and kid-friendly fun like wagon rides, a barrel train, horseshoes, and cornhole. In late summer, the sunflower fields are picture-perfect, and autumn brings vibrant colors for prime leaf peeping.

Knaebe’s made the Top 5 in this same USA Today contest last year. Maybe we can get them to No. 1 this year.

Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill – A Michigan Tradition

The other Michigan orchard in the competition is Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill in Armada. One of the first u-pick orchards in Michigan, Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill in Armada has been a fall tradition for generations.

The 40+ varieties of apples are just the beginning—there’s also an open-air apple press, a craft cider tasting room, and a farm store and bakery serving apple pie, donuts, and other seasonal favorites.

Families can spend an entire day exploring Funland, Blake’s massive activity center with over 25 attractions, including an animal petting farm, a giant straw bale maze, train and wagon rides, and even a haunted village in the fall.

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Blake's hosts tons of special events too like the Sunflower Festival, the Strawberry Festival, the Pickle Fest, Monster Dash 5k, and Cider Dayze.

With so much to offer, it’s easy to see why Blake’s is in the running for the top orchard in the country!

Vote For a Michigan Orchard to Be No. 1 in America

Voting for USA Today’s Best Apple Orchard runs through Sept. 8 at noon. You can cast your vote daily for your favorite here—and maybe help bring the crown home to Michigan!