Chelsea Checks It Out: Uncle John’s Cider Mill | Fall Fun Without the Admission Fee

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“Mom, can we come back tomorrow?”

That was my son’s verdict after our October 8 visit to Uncle John’s Cider Mill in St. Johns. He also ate three doughnuts and enjoyed the free jump pillow, so the review process was apparently thorough.

My daughter tried the jumping pillow for the first time, spilled apple juice down our shirts, then threw sand down mine. Two hours into our visit, we had three pumpkins and a pretty accurate picture of family fun with toddlers: memorable, messy and worth getting out of the house for.What to expect General admission and parking are free, according to Uncle John’s official website. Visitors can explore the property without paying an entry fee, while food, merchandise and certain activities cost extra.

During our visit, we rode a wagon through the orchard to the pumpkin patch, picked three pumpkins, saw the corn maze and outdoor activity areas, and listened to live music at the Tap Room. My kids had room to move around, and there was enough to explore to fill our two-hour visit.

The venue also advertises gemstone mining, a farm trail, pedal tractor park, bakery, gift shop and Pie Barn. We didn’t try every attraction, but check the official calendar before visiting if a particular activity or performance is the main reason for your trip. One note for apple-picking hopefuls: we did not pick apples from the orchard during our visit. Confirm the current options with the venue if picking your own is on your list.

What does it cost?

These prices were recorded from signs and menus visible in my footage from October 8, 2026. They reflect what was displayed that evening and may have changed.

Pumpkins and activities

- Pie pumpkins: $3 each - Gourds and miniature pumpkins: $1 each - Other pumpkins: $0.60 per pound - Gemstone mining: $7

At 60 cents per pound, a five-pound pumpkin would cost $3 before tax, if applicable.

Bakery and treats

- Doughnuts: $2.69 each - Half dozen doughnuts: $13.99 - Dozen doughnuts: $23.99 - Pastries, including apple fritters, cinnamon twists, Bismarcks and Long Johns: $3.99 each or $39.99 per dozen - Cookies: $2.69 each - Candy or caramel apples: $4.99 each

Buying a dozen doughnuts for $23.99 saves $8.29 compared with buying twelve individually at $2.69 each. That brings the price to about $2 per doughnut—but only if your household will actually eat a dozen.

Drinks

- Small cider: $1.29 - Large cider: $2.49 - Hot cider: $3.99 - Cider slush: $4.79 - Coffee or bottled water: $1.99 - Apple Sipper: $2.99

For a quick cost comparison, two small ciders and two individual doughnuts total $7.96 before tax. Two candy apples cost $9.98, while two $7 gemstone-mining purchases total $14.

The sign also showed an Uncle John’s Hard Cider four-pack priced at $15.99. Check with the venue for current prices and availability.

The takeaway for families on a budget: free entry helps, but treats and paid activities can add up. Decide what you want to spend before the kids start spotting everything.

A personal connection

Our visit was arranged through the Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan (BCFM), which covered our family’s event package, including cider and doughnuts, a wagon ride and three pumpkins. The connection is personal. The first time I attended one of these outings, I was undergoing treatment for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and struggling physically. Six years later, I returned with my children. I’m grateful to BCFM for creating opportunities for families affected by blood cancer to spend time together.

Learn more about the organization at https://www.bcfm.org/.

Chelsea’s verdict

Uncle John’s Cider Mill is worth considering for families looking for outdoor space, seasonal activities and fall treats without an admission charge. My kids enjoyed the visit, and my son was already asking to come back. It has become quite the tradition for us.

Go for the experience, but plan for the extras. Check the calendar for your date, confirm any must-do activities, and use the prices above as a reference from my October 8 footage—not a guarantee of current costs. For us, it was two hours outdoors, three pumpkins, three doughnuts and one toddler who clearly believes clean shirts are optional.

Plan your visit

- Website: https://www.ujcidermill.com/ - Admission and parking: https://www.ujcidermill.com/reservations - Activity calendar: https://www.ujcidermill.com/calendar - Activities and attractions: https://www.ujcidermill.com/things-to-do

Disclosure: BCFM arranged our October 8 visit and covered the items included in our family’s event package. Prices were recorded from signs and menus in my footage and may have changed.