When I moved to North Carolina I was told I had to try apple cider donuts. It seemed that if I was going to be experiencing east coast traditions, this one wasn’t optional. I wasn’t going to question the good advice of people who recommend things to me and I’ll try anything twice so it was added to my list. When I found this place, it was actually just a last minute fun day out and I had no intentions of blogging it, but… since it was a really cool outing I figured I’d share all the details here for people who might want to visit in the future. [Heads up that the pics are just some I took for fun on my phone] Here’s where to get the best apple cider donuts near Fayetteville. If you’re living in North Carolina, make sure this is on your list to visit during fall.
Where To Get The Best Apple Cider Donuts Near Fayetteville
FAQ for going on the apple cider donut mission
Where is it located?
Millstone Creek Orchards, Ramseur. About 1.5 hours from Fayetteville.
How much does it cost to enter?
Free to enter.
Is there parking?
Free parking on site.
Do they accept card payments?
Yes.
Highlights:
Apple cider donuts, apple cider slushies, family fun day, pecan picking, apple picking.
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Before we get started
If you want to make the most of your time living in Fayetteville, check out my Ultimate Fort Bragg Bucket List.
It’s got adventure ideas, unique events, and long weekend ideas to fully prepare you to experience this chapter to the fullest.
Getting there and parking
Use ‘Millstone Creek Orchards’ in Google Maps and it will take you to the farm. You’ll see the signs to guide you as you get closer, so finding the parking area is quite easy.
It takes a little over an hour from downtown Fayetteville to get there and the drive is an easy highway one.
I know the title says ‘near Fayetteville’ and ‘near’ is pretty subjective, but if you were wondering if the drive is worth it, in my opinion it absolutely is.
The parking area is free and right next to the entrance.
What to do there
Of course you’ve got the apple cider donuts, but we’ll get to that in a second. There’s more than just donuts though. Here are some of the other things you can do while you’re there:
PICK THINGS
If you want to unleash the forager inside you, you can pick things fresh from the farm. These are seasonal and what you can pick will depend on when you visit but some things on offer are apples, pecans, or pumpkins.
While I was there I got to pick some pecans which was another thing I’d never done before. There is a small fee to go picking and when you pay it they will give you a wristband and bucket. After you’ve picked as many as you want, you take it back to the barn area and pay by weight.
There wasn’t any information on their website about the pecan picking before I went and no signs around when I was there. I just saw people walking up the hill with buckets and asked a staff member where the people with buckets were going and she explained it to me.
If you’re interested in picking something while you’re there, it might be worth just asking what picking adventures are on offer when you visit or contact them before you head up there.
Pecan picking
FAMILY FUN
Outside there’s a wide open area with tables to sit in under the shade of the trees. There are also some kids play areas to keep the kids busy while you sit with an apple cider slushie and enjoy the sunshine.
There was live music playing when I was there and it was a really nice and relaxing place to hang out.
SHOP LOCAL
The barn has a big range of local goodies you can buy. Of course, there is just about everything you can imagine making with apples and also other delicious products like jams, honey, syrups, baked goods, cheese, popcorn to name just a few.
Next to the barn is where you get the apple cider donuts and they also have some snacks like fudge there too.
CHRISTMAS FUN
Maybe you missed the fall fun but still want to visit. Don’t worry, there’s still just as much to experience.
If that’s you, then you can have a Christmas experience while you’re there by visiting Santa and Mrs. Claus (you need to reserve a spot to meet them) and watch a Christmas movie outdoors.
The wasps liked the dipping sauce too!
The best apple cider donuts near Fayetteville
Ok, now we have to address these apple cider donuts.
They’re made fresh and served on weekends only from September to December, so if you’re planning to visit for these, make sure you’re going on the weekend.
They’re from Granny’s Kitchen so you know they’ll be good!
This was my first time ever trying apple cider donuts and I have to say I was a little skeptical at whether any apple type donut would be that good. I assumed that maybe the people who said they’re amazing haven’t had a Krispy Kreme.
But, I tried them and can attest to the fact that they were pretty dang awesome. I was one bite in and my eyes blacked over like a great white shark chomping on a baby seal. They’re (the donuts not a baby seal) fresh, sweet and delicious and the dipping sauce went perfectly with them.
While you’re visiting you can also get an apple cider slushie which washes the donuts down perfectly.
First time trying apple cider donuts
Overall thoughts on Millstone Creek Orchards
I’m convinced this is definitely a must-visit spot if you’re living in Fayetteville and certainly a fall tradition that’s worth experiencing.
I thought it would be a place to go and eat some donuts and leave, but it ended up being a fun place to spend a couple of hours enjoying the outdoors, picking pecans, and picking up some local goodies from the barn store.
For more information:
Visit the Millstone Creek Orchards website and stay tuned for updates on their Facebook page.
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