This Washington Cider Mill Makes Apple Fritters And Has Goats Waiting Outside

You did not plan to spend your afternoon making eye contact with a goat. Life takes turns.

Somewhere on the quiet edge of Washington sits a family operation that has been pressing apples since the seventies. The place has not changed much on purpose.

The fritters come out of the fryer warm and reckless with sugar. The cider has won awards, which feels almost unfair to the competition.

They press blackberry and strawberry versions too, in case plain apple feels predictable. There are twenty six acres to wander once your hands are sticky.

Goats, sheep, bunnies, and loud birds all live out there. The farm store sells apple butter, syrups, jams, and dried apple chips.

You will buy more than you meant to and regret nothing. Bring cash, bring napkins, and bring somebody who does not mind a detour.

The rest of the details are waiting below.

Apple Fritters Worth The Drive

Fried dough gets a lot of hype, but these fritters actually live up to it. Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm has built its reputation on them, and regulars will tell you they melt in your mouth.

Each fritter comes out fresh, made with natural ingredients and real apple flavor. The apple taste is clear, not fake or overly sweet.

Timing matters more than you think. Show up when a batch is still warm, and the outside stays slightly crisp while the middle turns soft.

Reviewers mention that the warm ones vanish before anyone remembers to take a photo. That is a good sign.

Here is a practical tip. Buy more than you plan to eat, because fritters have a way of disappearing during the drive home.

Weekdays tend to be calmer if you would rather skip a line. Weekends bring more people and more energy.

Pair one with hot cider and you have a full country breakfast. No fork needed, just napkins.

The bakery keeps things simple and does it well. Sometimes that beats a long menu.

You can find the farm at 9402 Rich Rd SE, Olympia, Washington.

Goats That Greet You Before The Cashier Does

Goats have zero patience and absolutely no shame about it. Walk toward the pens and several will already be leaning over the fence, watching your hands for a feed bag.

Bags of grain are sold inside the store, and they cost very little. That small purchase turns into the highlight of the whole visit for most kids.

The farm spreads across 26 acres, so there is room to wander between pens. Goats are the loudest personalities in the crowd.

Baby goats show up in season, and visitors mention holding them with permission from staff. Cuddles happen, then the babies go right back where they belong.

One goat named Lilly gets mentioned often by returning guests. Say hello if you spot her.

Feeding goats teaches a quick lesson in confidence. Hold your palm flat, stay calm, and they will do the rest.

Keep a hand on younger children near the fence line. Goats nibble sleeves, hoodie strings, and anything that dangles.

Wear shoes you do not care about. Farm ground gets muddy after Washington rain, which is most of the year.

Plan on more time here than expected. Nobody leaves the goat pen quickly.

The Goat Walk And Its Clever Pulley Buckets

Somebody on this farm had a genuinely fun idea. Feed buckets travel up on a pulley, and goats climb an elevated walkway to collect the delivery.

You load the bucket, pull the rope, and watch the goats race toward their prize. It works like a vending machine designed entirely by goats.

Kids figure out the system within seconds. Adults usually take a turn too, then pretend they were just helping.

The setup lets goats walk above head height, which gives you a strange and delightful view. Hooves clatter on wood right over your shoulder.

It also keeps the feeding organized. Instead of one goat hogging everything, several get a fair shot.

Bring a few dollars for extra feed bags, because one bag never feels like enough. The pulley eats grain quickly.

Photos here turn out great, especially with the goats framed against open sky. Have your camera ready before you pull the rope.

Little details like this are why families keep returning across generations. The farm has been open since 1976.

Simple engineering, big payoff. That describes a lot of this place.

Award-Winning Cider, Hot Or Cold

Cider is the reason the word mill sits in the name. The family has been pressing it for more than 35 years, and the results have earned awards.

You can order it hot or cold depending on the weather and your mood. Cold in July, steaming in October.

The flavor leans fresh and full, closer to a real apple than anything from a grocery shelf. Visitors mention apple cider more than any other item here.

Blackberry cider also gets attention from people who like a little variety. Ask what is available when you walk in.

Grab a jug to take home, not just a cup. Cider disappears faster than expected once it hits your fridge.

Hot cider pairs beautifully with a fritter on a cold morning. That combination alone justifies the trip.

Fall is peak cider season, when the store buzzes and the smell of apples fills the room. Autumn visits feel like the full experience.

Still, cider stays available across the year. You do not need a pumpkin to enjoy it.

Simple, honest, and pressed on site. Hard to argue with that.

A Bakery Case Full Of Trouble

Fritters get the spotlight, but the bakery case has a deep bench. Apple donuts, cookies, and a wide spread of desserts sit waiting behind the glass.

Cider donuts come glazed, plain, or rolled in cinnamon sugar. Each version has loyal fans who will defend their pick.

Ready-to-bake frozen pies are stocked in several flavors, which makes holiday planning suspiciously easy. Bake one at home and take all the credit.

Shelves also hold jams, syrups, and apple butter made for spreading on toast. Small jars make solid gifts.

Ice cream is available too, so summer visits end well. Cone in one hand, feed bag in the other.

The store stocks produce, apples, juices, milk, and eggs alongside the sweets. Guests who have shopped here for twenty years still fill a basket.

A practical note. The store is smaller than a supermarket, so browse slowly and you will spot things you missed at first.

Staff are described as warm and genuinely happy to help. Ask what came out of the oven most recently.

Come hungry and bring a cooler. Both decisions pay off.

Peacocks, Bunnies, And Other Unexpected Neighbors

Goats are the headliners, but the supporting cast steals scenes. Peacocks strut around the property, and their sudden appearance surprises almost everyone.

Sheep, ducks, chickens, quail, bunnies, and guinea pigs round out the animal roster. Critters really do turn up around every corner.

Feeding is allowed for many of them, using the same grain bags from the store. Ducks get enthusiastic in a way that is genuinely funny.

Rabbits tend to be the favorite for smaller children. Soft fur, low drama, easy to love.

The farm is a working operation, not a petting zoo built for photos. Animals live here full time and staff care for them daily.

Take your time and walk the full loop. New pens appear once you get past the first cluster near the store.

Bring hand sanitizer or plan to wash up afterward. Basic farm etiquette keeps everyone comfortable.

Ask staff before reaching into any pen. They know which animals enjoy attention and which prefer space.

Peacock feathers, goat noises, and duck chaos in one visit. That combination is hard to beat anywhere nearby.

Room To Run, Ride, And Burn Off Sugar

Sugar plus open space equals a very successful afternoon. After the bakery, kids need somewhere to release that energy, and the farm delivers.

There is a playground and a bike area where children ride around freely. Visitors mention leftover kid bikes and scooters available to use.

Coin-operated ride toys sit nearby, so tuck a few quarters in your pocket. Small change buys big excitement.

A train tractor ride gets mentioned by families as a highlight. Kids talk about it long after leaving.

Weekends bring more scheduled activities, vendor booths, and sometimes food trucks. Weekdays are quieter with fewer extras running.

Muddy conditions are common in wet months, so summer works better for extended play. Boots solve the problem the rest of the year.

Shade from trees keeps the property noticeably cooler than town on hot days. Guests describe a real temperature drop after entering.

Parking runs a small flat fee, and entry to walk the farm costs nothing. That makes it easy on a family budget.

Plan for an hour or two rather than a quick stop. Everyone leaves tired in the best way.

Seasonal Traditions Since 1956

Roots run deep here. The family has been on this land since 1956, and the business launched twenty years later in 1976.

Applefest arrives each fall and turns the property into the busiest version of itself. Pumpkins, cider, and crowds of happy families.

Spring brings an Easter egg hunt, which keeps the calendar balanced. Two seasons, two very different moods.

Pumpkin picking draws steady visitors through October, with reasonable prices on good-sized pumpkins. Weekday mornings feel relaxed compared to Saturday.

Produce changes with the seasons, with fruits and vegetables sourced from Yakima Valley and local growers when possible. That keeps the shelves interesting month to month.

Bulk produce orders are welcomed for restaurants, schools, and events. Handy to know if you plan gatherings.

Longtime guests call the farm a memory-maker, and that phrase fits a place families revisit for decades. Kids grow up and bring their own kids.

Check the website before a seasonal trip so you know what is running. Events shift year to year.

Fritters, goats, and a farm that has fed this community for generations. Put it on your list and go hungry.