Sep
30
2017

The Best Apple Orchards to Visit in Ontario

Want to go apple picking but don't know where to go? Check this out.

by: Lara Katz

The Best Apple Orchards to Visit in Ontario

Apple Land Station

Apple Land Station is a first generation family farm located just east of London.

-pick your own apples
-farm animals
-pumpkin hollow pumpkins
-sand mountain
-Christmas trees
-corn maze
-half scale replica of an 1850 L-train with a brand new train station on its way
-store sells gourmet food products
-bakery sells homemade fudge and freshly baked goods

 

Applewood Farm and Winery

One of the first pick-your-own strawberry and apple farms, located in Stoufville.

-fine wine
-apples
-strawberries
-pumpkins
-gift baskets
-petting zoo

 

Carl Laidlaw Orchards

(MY PERSONAL FAVOURITE)

Carl Laidlaw Orchards offers over 20 varieties of apples and 3 types of pears on 100 acres located on the Credit River overlooking the valley.

-pick your own apples and pears
-wagon rides throughout the orchards to take you to the different varieties
-play with toy tractors
-jump in the haybarn
-make your own apple pie, bake there or take home to bake
-barn beam walk
-barn market shop
-pumpkin patch
-roast your own hot dog and buttered corn on the cob — week-ends only

 

Chudleighs

One of Ontario's most well-known apple orchards, Chudleighs, in Milton, offers over 22 varieties of apples throughout the season, lots of activities for children and delicious food to purchase at their market.  
 
-pick your own: over 22 varieties of apples throughout the season (August 14 – Oct 23)
-Entertainment Farm Area includes: 4 slide climbing areas with 2 towers and a bridge, staw maze, retired tractors for photo opportunities, horse tire swings, sand pit, friendly farm animals, balloons, tractor wagon rides, pony rides
-delicious market

 

Dixie Orchards

Family owned and operated apple and pumpkin farm located in Southern Caledon.

-fresh baking
-Thanksgiving and Halloween decorations
-pick your own pumpkins and squash
-apple cider
-BBQ on the week-ends
-farm animals
-corn maze
-wagon rides on week-ends

 

Mountain Orchards

Mountain Orchards, located near Ottawa is close to 25 acres with almost 10, 000 apple trees. Originally established in 1932 with the majority of apple trees being direct descendants of the original McIntosh tree.

-pick your own apples
-wagon rides
-corn maze
-nature trail
-playground
-straw jump
-no admission fee and free parking

 

Nature’s Bounty

Nature’s Bounty is located on 100 acres of rolling hills of the Oak Ridges Moraine. It is nestled between the towns of Port Perry, Uxbridge and Brooklin.

-corn maze
-picnic shelters
-pet friendly
-llamas, sheep
-obstacle course

 

Organics Farm

A small family owned and operated farm located near Markham. The only certified and organic farm in the GTA operating a wood fire bakery.  Only locally grown and certified organic fruits and vegetables are available. Naturally pasture raised, hormone and antibiotic free meats are also available throughout the year.

-lots of apples, as well as other fruits and vegetables to purchase such as asparagus, strawberries, black currants, raspberries
-always developing  new recipes for wood fire oven such as new breads

 

Smith’s Orchard

Smith’s Orchard is located in Port Elgin and boasts easy to pick, low to the ground apple trees.

-pick your own apples
-farm market includes freshly baked pies and local produce
-outback play area includes corn maze, straw fort, straw mountain, tube slide, hay wagon rides, murals, giant pumpkins for pictures, tunnel of sunflowers
 

Whittamore’s Berry Farm

Whittamore’s Berry Farm is a large 220 acre fruit and vegetable farm nestled beside the Rouge River Valley in Markham.

-summer and fall pick your own
-farm shop is one of the largest in Ontario including freshest fruits and vegetables in Ontario
-Pumpkinland is open every day — includes corn maze, wagon rides through the Spooky Forest, pumpkin cannon shows, two storey tree fort and slide, farm bouncer, tractor track, and spider web climb
 

The Blue Mountains Apple Pie Trail

The Blue Mountains Apple Pie Trail provides the perfect adventure for you to bike, hike, paddle or cook as you explore apple orchards throughout the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment along the shores of Georgian Bay.

-Choose from different adventure packages that change according to season. Adventure packages in fall include:
1. Peddle Paddle the Blue Mountains — cycle 35 km throughout the countryside, picnic at Blackbird Pie Co, paddle down the Beaver River.
2. Paddle & Wine Tasting — paddle down the Beaver River and then visit Georgian Hills Vineyards.
3. Kolapore Springs Wilderness Adventure Tours — spend a full or half day fishing or hiking in one of Ontario’s most picturesque Trout hatcheries.
4. Custom Cooking Class — learn how to make the perfect apple pie.

 

Not Far From The Tree 

Not an orchard, great organization

Not Far From The Tree is an organization that uses fruit from homeowners fruit trees that cannot be used and donates it to food banks and its volunteers. 

-Not Far From the Tree makes leftover fruit that would otherwise be wasted put to good use
-Easy to register your fruit tree
-In 2013, 14,123 pounds of fruit have been picked by volunteers and distributed efficiently
 

Added Bonus! Check out these Smart tips for apple picking with kids! 

Bookmark This! Once you have bushels of awesome apples, here are some of our fave apple recipes!

 

IMAGE SOURCE: SAMARA HEISZ VIA GETTY IMAGES

 

RELATED: Top Ten Tips For Apple Picking With Kids