Overview
Dexter is a village of 4,700 people (as of 2019) in Washtenaw County, southeast Michigan. Named for local judge Samuel William Dexter, the village was first settled in 1825; today, it's a popular destination for its quaint downtown surrounding the village green, and the locally-renowned Dexter Cider Mill.
8 sights · 4 things to do · 6 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Dexter
Dexter Museum
Maintained by the Dexter Area Historical Society and the Dexter Heritage Guild, the museum contains displays on furniture, clothing, toys, medical equipment, a compete dentist's office, farm implements, school materials,…
Dexter Community Players
Local non-profit community theatre, putting on a summer musical and winter play each year.
Spring Valley Trout Farm
Catch your own rainbow trout or channel catfish from spring-fed, pollution-free ponds that are stocked weekly with fish grown right on the farm. 20 acres of parkland with 9 spring-fed ponds up to an acre large, two pavil…
Dexter Cider Mill
The oldest continuously-operating cider mill in Michigan, since 1886, located on the banks of the Huron River. Their cider has been made the same way for 120 years, using an oak rack press and a blend of three to five lo…
Jenny's Farm Market
Open seasonally. Cider mill, produce, hayrides and petting farm.
Lesser Farms and Orchard
Apples, cider, eggs, jam, jelly, honey, plums, firewood, pumpkins, beeswax candles, and homemade soaps.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Ann Arbor)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit — 29 mi away (major hub). Directions
- FNT Bishop International Airport, Flint — 44 mi away. Directions
Dexter is located just north of I-94, between Ann Arbor and Chelsea. The nearest major airport is Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), about 40 minutes east on I-94.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Dexter Community Players, Dexter Cider Mill
- Lunch A&W Root Beer Drive-In
- Afternoon Dexter Blueberry Farm, Hudson Mills Metropark
- Dinner Classic Pizza
- Evening Joe and Rosie Coffee and Tea
Day 2
- Morning Dexter Museum, Jenny's Farm Market
- Lunch Dexter Bakery
- Afternoon Dexter Blueberry Farm, Mona Lisa Salon & Spa
- Dinner Dexter Riverview Cafe
Day 3
- Morning Spring Valley Trout Farm, Lesser Farms and Orchard
- Lunch Dexter's Pub
- Afternoon Dexter-Huron Metropark, Dexter Daze
- Dinner Wings N Things
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Get in
Dexter is located just north of I-94, between Ann Arbor and Chelsea. The nearest major airport is Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), about 40 minutes east on I-94.
See
- Dexter Community Band, Center for Performing Arts at Dexter High School (2200 North Parker Road), +1 734 426–2734. Volunteer band performing four concerts a year of traditional and popular music, marches, and newly published band music.
- Dexter Community Orchestra, Center for Performing Arts at Dexter High School (2200 North Parker Road). Volunteer orchestra performing four classical music concerts a year as well as chamber concerts at Dexter Public Library.
See Dexter Museum
Maintained by the Dexter Area Historical Society and the Dexter Heritage Guild, the museum contains displays on furniture, clothing, toys, medical equipment, a compete dentist's office, farm implements, school materials, a model railroad, and military artefacts from the Civil War through World War II. On-site gift shop.
See Spring Valley Trout Farm
Catch your own rainbow trout or channel catfish from spring-fed, pollution-free ponds that are stocked weekly with fish grown right on the farm. 20 acres of parkland with 9 spring-fed ponds up to an acre large, two pavilions, picnic area, children's play area, log cabin, fishing lodge. Admission $4, or $3 for non-fishermen. Rainbow trout are $5.09/lb, channel catfish are $4.49/lb; cleaning and deboning services available.
Orchards, berries and cider mills
See Dexter Cider Mill
The oldest continuously-operating cider mill in Michigan, since 1886, located on the banks of the Huron River. Their cider has been made the same way for 120 years, using an oak rack press and a blend of three to five locally grown varieties of apple. Their on-site store offers fresh natural apple cider, fresh apples, freshly-baked doughnuts, apple nut bread and caramel apples, as well as apple-related products like apple butter, boiled cider, sauces, books and locally-grown products. On weekends, homemade apple pies, apple strudel, apple turnovers and hand-rolled gingersnaps are also available.
See Lesser Farms and Orchard
Apples, cider, eggs, jam, jelly, honey, plums, firewood, pumpkins, beeswax candles, and homemade soaps.
Do
- Take a scenic drive to Ann Arbor, following Huron River Drive along the banks of the Huron River.
Events
Do Dexter Daze
Monument Park. Held for two days in early August from 9AM-8PM. Arts and crafts booths, Dexter's largest parade, live entertainment, kiddie rides, and food.
- Apple Daze, Monument Park. Held the first Saturday in October from 10AM-5PM. Apples, caramel apples and apple cider for sale, apple pie eating contest, craft booths, hayride.
Buy
Shop Christine's
Decorated glassware, jewelry, dolls, stuffed animals, toys, candles, gifts, and home accents.
Shop Dexter Mill
Feed store with Carhartt work clothes, riding gear, wool blankets, hand-tooled leather belts, and hand-carved walking sticks.
Shop The Purple Ribbon
Shabby chic, cottage, and vintage-style home decor, silk flowers and refurbished furniture.
Eat
Eat A&W Root Beer Drive-In
A&W restaurant offering drive-in service, with root beer floats, hot dogs and french fries.
- Aubree's Pizzeria and Grill, 8031 Main street, +1 734 424-1400.
- Chela's Restaurant and Tacqueria, Dexter, 7065 Dexter Ann Arbor Road, +1 734 580-2149.
Eat Classic Pizza
SPizzas, subs, subzones, calzones, wraps, salads, breadsticks, penguin wings, chicken fryz and desserts.
- Cottage Inn Pizza Dexter, 3219 Broad street, +1 734 426-5110.
- Dairy Queen (Treat), 8041 Main Street, +1 734 426-8647.
Eat Dexter Bakery
Home-baked goods.
- Dexter Creamery, 8106 Main street, +1 734 619-7700.
Eat Dexter Riverview Cafe
Home cooked breakfasts and lunches.
Eat Dexter's Pub
Sandwiches, fish, steaks, ribs, pizza and pasta.
- Food Zone Chinese Restaurant, 7023 Dexter Ann Arbor Road, +1 734 426-3410.
- Jet's Pizza (Takeout/Delivery), 7011 Dexter Ann Arbor Road, +1 734 424-9810.
- La Marsa Dexter, 7049 Dexter Ann Arbor Road, +1 734 580-2342.
- Sushi Time, 7050 Dexter Ann Arbor Road #100, +1 734 253-2581.
Eat Wings N Things
Pizzas, chicken wings, appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, subs, pitas, fried chicken, and dinners. $4-14.
Drink
Drink Joe and Rosie Coffee and Tea
Premium gourmet coffees, teas, smoothies, blended drinks, pastries, soups and sandwiches.
- Beer Grotto Dexter, 8059 Main Street, +1 734 253-2562.
- Erratic Ale Co., 8080 Grand Street Suite 3, +1 734 545-6913.
- Joe and Rosie Coffee and Tea, 8074 Dexter-Ann Arbor Road, +1 734 253-2344.
- Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales + Kitchen, 2319 Bishop Circle E, +1 734 792-9124.
Sleep
There aren't any hotels or bed-and-breakfasts within the Dexter city limits; the nearest are in Chelsea and Pinckney, or you can think about staying in Ann Arbor if you want a broader selection.
Go next
- Hell is about 15 minutes north on Dexter-Pinckney Road / D-19.
- Ann Arbor is about 10 minutes southeast on Dexter Ann Arbor Rd.
- The other towns and villages of Washtenaw County are a short drive away.
Nearby
Chelsea
City / town · 16 listings · 7 mi away
Ann Arbor
City / town · 214 listings · 8 mi away
Hell
City / town · 12 listings · 8 mi away
Saline
City / town · 13 listings · 13 mi away
Brighton
City / town · 7 listings · 14 mi away
Ypsilanti
City / town · 62 listings · 16 mi away
Milan
City / town · 4 listings · 20 mi away
Canton
City / town · 20 listings · 21 mi away
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