When looking up fall activities to due with kids, Old Cider Mill popped up in multiple recommendations on social and on the web. Folks it isn't just another farm where you can snag a pumpkin. Old Cider Mill is one of the OLDEST operating cider mill in the U.S. Yes, in the entire U.S, opening operations in the 1870s.
This cider mill is situated on a cute little farm called Riverview Farms. Its important to know that if you are looking for a large farm where you can all day "pick your own", corn mazes, and more, this place isn't it. But I found this place a cute destination that has a few things to do with my toddler for 1-2 hrs.
When you pull in to the farm, the old building is literally the first thing you see from the road with gords, pumpkins, apples and more spread out to purchase. Very similar to an open layout farmers market. A lot of the fruits they have for purchase aren't grown by them but are locally grown from the Glastonbury area.
The parking is up the side and in the back. There is plenty of parking. Parking is on a wide dirt road with pull in parking on the left and right. I had no issues getting in and leaving.
They make FRESH apple fritters and of course apple cider. I got hot apple cider from the food truck they have but id recommend just buying their cold apple cider inside the barn (if you dont want it warm) and BYOC to drink it with the apple fritters from the truck. For me, I wish I did because my daughter did better with drink it from a sippy cup.
Where you will spend the bulk of your time and which I thoroughly enjoyed was the petting zoo. The cost to get a cup of animal feed is only a $1 or $2. They also give you a feeding stick to put the feed on so your children do not need to put their hands near the animals mouths. You will NEED cash to do this activity since its so cheap. You can pay at the entrance of petting zoo. If you dont have cash, you can still get tickets/tokens (dont remember what it was) inside their general store found inside the old barn building in the front but you need to purchase other stuff (I think there was a card minimum). There was no ATMs. I planned to purchase homemade stuff inside the store anyways. The petting zoo has all your standard farm animals (chickens, roosters, sheep, goats and more). There is plenty of space inside to move around, so even if its busy, you wont have to wait to feed the animals.
The general store is bigger than it looks from the outside as they have like half level room (kind of like a basement that you can go down into with old gift shop stuff). They have hand made crafts, nice decorative stuff, locally made dressings, jams, picked stuff, salsa, and of course, apple based products like donuts (made at another farm), apple cider and more.
I'd go here again if I'm on the area as its an easy and cute place to bring your children for a quick 1-2 hrs if you don't want or can invest an entire day to a fall activity. Check out of your Connecticut historical destinations and visit Old Cider Mill. read more