Come September, as sweater-weather season sets in, we begin to crave all things apple: apple cider, apple cider donuts, apple fritters, hard cider, and apple pie. And while not apple-based, warm cinnamon fry cakes are the perfect pairing.
We are so fortunate to be surrounded by the freshest apples from local farms and talented artisans who know what to do with them. We spend September and October searching for the best.
I like to change things up each year by visiting my favorite spots and trying new ones. These suggestions are purely alphabetical—you’ll likely enjoy them all. The list is continuously updated, and I’m always open to adding new ones. Share your favorites in the comments.
Best Apple Cider
Monroe County
Herman’s Farm Market, Webster
Kelly’s Farm Market, Hilton
Mayer’s Cider Mill, Webster
Robb Farms, Ogden
Schutt’s Apple Mill, Webster/Penfield – “Right around Thanksgiving, Schutt’s makes a Russet cider for a limited time that is really special.”
Zarpentine Farms, Hilton
Greater Rochester
The Apple Shed, Newark
Lagoner Farms, Williamson
Lains Cider Mill, Canisteo
McPherson Orchards, LeRoy
Wager’s Cider Mill, Penn Yan
Best Fry Cakes (or Fried Cakes)
Bauman’s Farm Market, Penfield
Blodgett Family Farm, Hilton
Duke’s Donuts, Rochester Public Market
Green Acre Farm & Nursery, Greece
Kelly’s Farm Market, Hilton
McPherson Orchards, LeRoy
Robb Farms, Ogden – “so many flavors! Cinnamon sugar, blueberry, sour cream, apple crisp, and pumpkin fry cakes!”
Schutt’s Apple Mill, Webster/Penfield
Zarpentine Farms, Hilton
Surrounding Counties
These may be two or three hours away, but they make excellent destinations if you find yourself in the area or in the mood for a scenic fall drive.
Beak & Skiff Orchards, LaFayette
Burrville Cider Mill, Watertown
Cider Mill, Endicott
Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard, Fly Creek (near Cooperstown), was awarded first place on the USA TODAY 10 best cideries in the US for 2024.
Mayer Bros Cider Mill, West Seneca
Best Apple Cider Donuts
Monroe County
Herman’s Farm Market, Webster
Robb Farms, Ogden
Stokoe Farms, Wheatland
Wickham Farms, Penfield
Greater Rochester
Lains Cider Mill, Canisteo
Best Apple Fritters
Blodgett Family Farm, Hilton
Golden Harvest Bakery & Cafe, Henrietta
Honeoye Falls Market Place, Honeoye Falls
Ridge Donut Cafe, Irondequoit
Wegmans, all locations
Zarpentine Farms, Hilton
Best Hard Cider
Monroe County
Blue Barn Cidery, Hilton
Blue Toad Hard Cider, Henrietta
Oak and Apple Cidery, Penfield
Seed and Stone Cidery & Meadery, Rochester
Greater Rochester
Buried Barrel Hard Cider, Castile
Castile Cider Mill, Castile
Embark Craft Ciderworks, Williamson (Lagoner Farms)
Old Goat Cidery, Newark (The Apple Shed)
Best Cider Slushies & Other Concoctions
Monroe County
Herman’s Farm Market, Webster – cider slushies
Iron Smoke, Fairport – “Rattlesnake Rosie’s apple pie whiskey”
Robb Farms, Ogden – cider slushies
Schutt’s Apple Mill, Webster/Penfield – “their apple frost is a creamy apple cider soft-serve vanilla ice cream”
Wickham Farms, Penfield – “apple cider slushee, layered with creamy vanilla ice cream, and a fresh apple cider donut”
Greater Rochester
Star Cider, Canandaigua – “they add a cider donut to their bourbon cream root beer float”
Best Pies (apple and other)
Monroe County
Powers Farm Market, Perinton – “has a to-die-for pie called Forbidden Fruit…it is life-changing!”
Greater Rochester
Hurd Orchards, Holley – “so many delicious varieties”
Lagoner Farms, Williamson – “an amazing caramel apple pie”
More Noteworthy Goodies
Though these aren’t apple products, they are seasonally relevant and amazing!
Kelly’s Farm Market, Hilton – “pumpkin chocolate chip bread and chocolate-covered chocolate donuts.”
Herman’s Farm Market, Webster – “pumpkin fry cakes”
Iron Smoke, Fairport – “pumpkin pie whiskey”
Articles for More Ideas
10 places to go for apple cider and doughnuts in the Rochester area this fall by Tracy Schuhmacher, 2021
Best apple cider donuts Near Me in Rochester, NY by Yelp
Cider donut season is here: 12 places in Upstate NY to get this fall favorite by Sunny Hernandez, 2020
Fried cakes: A sacred Rochester tradition By Katherine Stathis
Taste the Flavors of Fall in Rochester by Visit Rochester, 2021
Explore More
🎃 Pumpkin Patches & Farms Around Rochester
Experience the perfect autumn day at our Rochester-area pumpkin farms with wagon rides, fresh apple cider and donuts, and corn mazes.
Savor Local Flavor: 30 Breweries & Cideries in Monroe County
Considering all the breweries that call the Greater Rochester area home can be overwhelming. Let’s focus on the ones here in Monroe County.
22 Fabulous Fall Hikes in Monroe County
My favorite fall hikes offer a variety of landscapes and scenic views, including rivers, forests, and peaceful surroundings.
Scenic train rides, leaf-peeping, bird migrations, and ghost walks happen only in autumn in Rochester—take advantage of them while you can!
🍎 Apples: 17 Places to Pick Your Own
Many of our farms offer a family-fun experience, with hay rides, cider and donuts, and activities for the kids, in addition to apple picking.
Where is your favorite place to buy apple cider, fry cakes, fitters, and more tasty treats?
Also, do you prefer to spell the tasty breakfast cake as “doughnut” or “donut”? I’ve always spelled it the shorter way, as used in Dunkin’ Donuts. But some prefer the more globally used “doughnuts.”
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
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People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy.
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Thank you!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
Green acre farms in Greece has the best fall fry cakes with festive orange frosting! Available oct 1 – oct 31 every season. And Donuts delight is known for their huge apple fritter, delicious!