We’re Back! Carrie & RoAnn hit the road again—this time for cider & donuts!
Last July, we packed the car and set off on the Great MVL Ice Cream Tour—and so many of you wrote to us afterward, sharing stories about your own stops for cones, sundaes, and milkshakes across the Valley. It turns out we weren’t the only ones who love a sweet road trip through our backyard, and it was such a joy to see families, friends, and couples recreating the tour in their own way.
This fall, RoAnn Destito and I are back on the road for a brand-new adventure: the Great MVL Cider & Donut Tour. Over three days, we visited eight orchards and cider mills, meeting the farm families who have been pressing cider and frying donuts for generations, and tasting our way through every style of cinnamon-sugar perfection you can imagine. Along the way, we took in rolling hills, fall color, and those crisp, sweater-weather drives that make October in the Mohawk Valley unforgettable.
For the grand finale, our last stop at North Star Orchards came with something extra special—we filmed our debut episode of Mohawk Valley Living TV. Tune in this October to see the stories unfolding, and the cider and donuts that helped kick off this exciting new chapter for Mohawk Valley Living.
- Sand Flats Orchard
371 Martin Road, Fonda • (518) 853-4999
We started Day 1 here with apple cider and donuts straight from the fryer. The orchard itself feels like the picture of fall—pumpkins scattered across the fields, kids darting between the rows with sticky fingers from fresh cider. The Hoffmans (Jim & Meg, along with son Mitch & daughter-in-law Emily) have created a space that feels both lively and welcoming. Jim took time to talk with us about their Evercrisp apples, a late-October harvest that combines the sweetness of Fuji with the crisp bite of Honeycrisp. He described it as “the perfect blend of juicy sweetness and tart snap,” and we believed him. Between the hayrides, the farm-store treats, and the donuts so hot you burn your fingers grabbing them, Sand Flats has that balance of family fun and authentic farm charm.
In addition to the donuts, there’s plenty to discover: rows of Gala, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, and Zestar apples ripe for picking, baskets of Gala, Honeycrisp, Jonamac, McIntosh, and Zestar already bagged and ready to go, fall mums brightening the farm stand, and flowers waiting to be picked. Families can wander through the corn maze, snack on kettle corn, and stop to pet the goats, while weekends bring the added fun of hayrides and pumpkin soft serve.
Carrie’s Pick: The Apple Cider Donut — Meg has perfected this melt-in-your-mouth favorite, and I’ll be back for more!
Hours: Weekdays 9am-6pm, Weekends 9am-5pm
- Bellinger’s Orchard
685 Argersinger Rd, Fultonville • (518) 922-8558
Pulling into Bellinger’s, you’re greeted by a true “apple country” scene—rows of trees climbing the hillside, a barn store buzzing with visitors, and families taking in the lake views while kids run between the pumpkins and mums out front. Inside, the farm store hums with activity: pies leaving the oven, baskets of apples for sampling, shelves lined with jugs of cider. Their cider donuts lean toward the flavor of apple rather than sugar, which gives them an old-fashioned quality. Lightly dusted, with just a whisper of cinnamon, they’re warm enough to feel like they came straight from Grandma’s kitchen. The entire space feels like a place to slow down, grab a bag of apples, and savor a piece of fall. On fall weekends, the farm comes alive with extras—a freshly designed corn maze each season, hayrides across the grounds, and a lively children’s area filled with a hay bale maze, bubble stations, a bouncy corral, duck races, and sports toss games.
RoAnn’s pick: Cup of icey, cold cider!
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily
- Rogers Family Orchards
260 County Hwy 131, Johnstown • (518) 762-8736
Rogers is one of those farms that feels woven into the fabric of the community. Family-run since 1839, the orchard has a history as rich as its cider. Today, Todd, Sam, and son Mitch carry on the tradition, and you can feel the generations of care in the way they greet customers by name and point families toward the best trees to pick from that week. Apples are available both in the store and for U-Pick, with Gala, McIntosh, Zestar, Honeycrisp and more! The orchard itself is picturesque, stretching across rolling hills dotted with families filling bags of apples while kids bounce excitedly toward the donut counter. Their cider slushie may just be one of the best we’ve had anywhere—strong apple flavor, icy and refreshing, like the season distilled in a cup. The donuts strike a perfect balance too, crispy and sugared on the outside, soft on the inside, and impossible to eat just one.
Carrie’s pick: The cider slushie, hands down.
Hours: 10 am to 5 pm daily
Day 2 Kickoff
- Clinton Cider Mill
28 Elm St, Clinton • (315) 853-5756
The smell hits you before you even step inside. Warm cinnamon, fried dough, and apples mingle in the air, pulling you closer with every breath. We’ve both been coming here for years, but somehow those hot donuts still taste brand new.
At the Clinton Cider Mill, owned by the Fehlner family, we were warmly greeted by Ben, who brought us cups of fresh cider, frosty cider slushes, and donuts still warm from the fryer. Outside, the line of eager customers stretched out the door, proof that this place remains a must-stop on a crisp fall day.
As we waited, we ran into friends with their grandson, already planning a perfect autumn outing: donuts first, then a visit to a nearby farm to see the cows. It felt like the kind of moment that captures fall in the Mohawk Valley—comforting, familiar, and full of small-town magic.
RoAnn’s pick: Always a family favorite, RoAnn grabbed a bag of donuts and a quart of cider to bring home to the family.
- Windy Hill Orchard West
577 East St, Cassville (315) 822-0046
Tucked in the countryside, Windy Hill Orchard feels like a hidden gem. The drive there is all winding back roads and rolling farmland, and when you arrive, you’re rewarded with the cozy charm of a true family orchard. On weekends, the farm is lively—kids chasing one another between the trees, parents balancing bags of apples, and friends gathered around with slushies in hand. Their cider donuts are made in small batches, served warm and fragrant, while the slushy has that just-pressed flavor that tastes like it came straight from the orchard. It’s a quieter stop compared to some of the bigger mills, but that’s part of its magic. The orchard feels authentic and unhurried, the kind of place where you can breathe in the crisp Cassville air and soak up the simplicity of fall.
Carrie’s pick: Cider Slushie topped with whipped cream and an apple cider donut.
- Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard
288 Goose Street, Fly Creek • (607) 547-9692
Fly Creek is more than a stop—it’s a destination, part farm, part market, part tasting room, and all heart. The grounds buzz with energy: children feed ducks at the millpond, couples wander with bags of apples and jars of jam, and families cart armfuls of fall treats back to their cars. We arrived at lunchtime and dove straight into comfort—a slow-cooked pot roast sandwich worth sharing, followed by their signature cider donut ice cream sundae drizzled with apple pie filling topped with whipped cream.
Inside, the market feels like a harvest wonderland, shelves brimming with jams, dips, and local specialties while the sweet, spiced aroma of cider donuts wafts from the bakery. Upstairs, the tasting room awaits. Owner Bill Michaels guided us through pours of both fresh cider and hard ciders—my favorite, the juicy-sweet blend; RoAnn’s pick, the crisp, original.
Between the tastings, the family atmosphere, and the sheer abundance of fall flavors, Fly Creek delivered the perfect grand finale to our tour: a place where autumn lingers in every bite, sip, and smile.
RoAnn’s pick: The original hard cider.
Hours: 10 am to 6 pm daily
- North Star Orchards
4741 NY-233, Westmoreland • (315) 853-1024
North Star Orchards is more than an orchard—it’s a community staple, known just as much for its warm welcome as for its fresh-pressed cider and legendary donuts. Owned and operated by the Joseph family, the orchard has become a fall tradition for generations across the Mohawk Valley. Pulling into the lot, you’re greeted by a classic fall scene—rows of pumpkins and pots of bright mums setting the stage before you even step inside.
Inside, the market offers the best of the season: crisp apples piled high, shelves of local honey and maple products, and fresh-pressed cider that has become a fall tradition for so many families in the Mohawk Valley. We also learned about the process of cider and donut making firsthand, while taking in the bounty of fresh produce and baked goods that line every corner of the store. We arrived early afternoon to trays of donuts being lifted straight from the fryer, each one dusted with just the right touch of cinnamon sugar and still warm—the kind you can only experience fresh-made. As part of the food tour, Operations Manager Jonathan Joseph offered us warm donuts with cider pressed just the day before—a pairing that captured the very essence of fall.
For us, this stop was more than just another taste of fall—it was the launchpad for something new. At North Star, we filmed the debut episode of Mohawk Valley Living TV. The cameras captured it all: the donuts, the stories, and the community spirit that makes this orchard such a special place.
Between the farm-fresh flavors, the welcoming atmosphere, and the excitement of seeing MVL TV come to life, North Star was the perfect ending to our tour—a stop that felt less like a finale and more like a beginning.
Carrie’s pick: The cider donut, still warm from the fryer.
Hours: 8 am to 6 pm daily
From sweet roadside surprises to Mohawk Valley icons, our three-day adventure proved one thing: cider donuts aren’t just a treat — they’re a tradition. Every orchard and mill welcomed us like family, reminding us there’s no better way to spend a fall weekend.
We’ve done the taste-testing — now it’s your turn. Load up the car, follow our crumb trail, and let us know which cider donut stole your heart in the Mohawk Valley. And don’t worry — RoAnn and I will be back in January with another fun tour. Until then, happy fall!
