Nothing says the fall in southern Ontario quite like picking fresh, ripe apples among the changing leaves, then enjoying a tractor ride or trip through a corn maze. Looking to plan a little apple picking near Toronto? Below, we round up 11 farms in and around the GTA where your family can do just that, plus maybe pet some cute farm animals.
While all the farms listed below will have their orchards open by at least the weekend of September 11, different apple varieties are available at different times, with some varieties not becoming ready to pick until mid-October. If your family has strong apple preferences, be sure to check out each farm’s harvesting schedule. Especially if you’re planning on doing some baking!
Fun fact: Ontario is home to over 15 varieties of apples but only one species, the crab apple, is native to the province, though we don’t think anyone wants to pay to pick that fruit!
Where to Go Apple Picking Near Toronto
Andrews Farm Market & Winery
9365 10 Side Rd, Milton, ON
Featuring “165 acres of beautiful escarpment countryside,” Andrews is the type of farm your family can spend the whole afternoon at (or come early and enjoy something from the BBQ for lunch). Apple picking is now available, alongside gourds, squash, and pumpkins. The farm’s $12 per person admission fee (with kids under five free), gives your family to a variety of activities including wagon rides, animal corrals and even mazes.
Applewood Farm
12416 McCowan Rd, Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON
As its name suggests, Applewood Farm specializes in apples. A dozen different varieties are available for apple picking near Toronto, starting the week of September 4 when the Ginger Golds are ready to be plucked off their trees. Admission is $12 per person, with kids two and under free, and access includes a free pumpkin or squash, while they last. Apples are then sold in 10lb and 20lb bags and other farm-grown produce, including pumpkins and even wine, are also available for sale.
Archibald Orchards & Winery
6275 Liberty St. N., Bowmanville, ON
Archibald’s is famous for its apple wine and ciders (which yes, you can buy on site) so it should come as no surprise that its pick-your-own apple orchard is also top-notch. There you’ll find over 10,000 trees and 12 different apple varieties, a couple of which are ready to be picked starting September 11. A minimum purchase of 20lbs (aka a 1/2 bushel) is required and that will run you $40, a price that includes your apple picking bag. Yes, that’s a lot of fruit but thankfully, you can drive right into this orchard, making getting all those apples home a little easier.
Barrie Hill Farms
2935 Barrie Hill Rd, Springwater, ON
For over 40 years, Barrie Hill has been offering up delicious, pick-your-own options, including apples. As of the first of September, Sunrise and Zestar varieties are available “in good supply” while several of other options will soon be ready. Apples are sold by the basket, with a minimum purchase of one basket per group travelling on the farm’s tractor. While Barrie Hill doesn’t offer any petting zoos or other activities, it does sell a variety of treats, including honey, sweet corn, and pumpkin pies.
Brooks Farms
122 Ashworth Rd, Mount Albert, ON
Brooks Farms is one of southern Ontario’s best known agritourism spots for a good reason: It offers a little bit of everything! Its fall festival kicks off on September 11 and for an admission fee of $22.59 for each person two and over, you’ll get access to live entertainment, play structures and bouncers and new for this year, a pair of giant jumping pillows. And of course, you can pick apples, which are sold in 5lb bags for $15, 10lb bags for $25 and 20lb bags for $42.
Chudleigh’s
9528 Regional Rd 25, Milton, ON
You’ve seen their delicious baked goods in your grocery store freezer, now come visit this famous farm in-person. Its orchard boasts an impressive 47,500 trees that produce an outstanding 22 varieties of apples and are sold by 5lbs bags for $16 and by 10lbs bags for $26. Once your bags are full, check out Chudleigh’s other attractions, including play structures, an interactive nature trail and a marketplace and café. Important: Unlike most of the destinations on this list that don’t require advance ticket purchase, Chudleigh’s does. Tickets start at $13, and kids three and under free.
Dixie Orchards
14309 Dixie Rd, Inglewood, ON
With a tagline of, “It’s Apple Time!” you know this place is going to be good. Over 15 varieties are available (including one called “Bubblegum”) and if you go around the Thanksgiving weekend, your family can also pick-your-own pumpkins and hazelnuts. If your family just wants to pick apples, no advanced registration is needed, and admission is $3 per person with apples being sold in 5lbs bags for $10 and in 10lbs bags for $20. But if you want to check out the rest of the farm, which includes animals and a corn maze, you need to reserve your timeslot in advance. Slots from mid-September on aren’t available yet but should be available on Dixie’s website soon.
Downey’s Strawberry & Apple Farm
13707 Heart Lake Rd, Caledon, ON
1355 Hopewell Creek Rd, Breslau, ON
Downey’s now offers two locations for apple picking near Toronto: Its original location in Caledon and a new orchard in Breslau. While there is no admission fee for the pick-your-own fields, a minimum apple pick of $8 per person does apply. Thankfully, with 13 different varieties available, it won’t take long for your families to fill up their bags. Downey’s also features an entertainment farm, located across from its Caledon orchard. There you’ll find Pumpkinfest, which starts September 18 and offers inflatables, live entertainment, live animals and so much more, all for $18 per person, age two and up.
Organics Farm
7550 19th Ave, Markham, ON
Home to only certified organic fruits, this farm offers an impressive 15 varieties of apples in its spacious orchards. Everyone three and up needs to pay a $14 admission fee but that fee will get each of you’re a 5lb bag of pick-your-own apples. Additional bags can be purchased with a 10lb bag going for $24.This farm also offers a wood-fire bakery and market that sells only locally produced and organic products.
Puddicome Estate Farms & Winery
468 #8 Highway, Winona, Hamilton, ON
Established in 1797 (yes, you read that correctly), Puddicome knows how to grow great fruit. Its apple orchard won’t be open until later in September, when the Ambrosia variety is ready, but we know it’s worth the wait. Puddicome offers 13 variety of apples, as well as pick-your-own pumpkins and pears. During the fall, the farm offers Harvest Festival Weekend, which includes pay-as-you-play games and rides on the farm’s very own train. The farm also features a marketplace that offers free wine and cider samples.
Watson Farms
2287 Durham Regional Hwy 2, Bowmanville, ON
Eleven varieties of apples are available at this east-end farm, which by early October will also be selling pick-your-own pears, squash, and pumpkins. Watson’s is notable for selling apples by the pound ($3 per pound), making it a great spot for families that don’t need a half bushel bag (that’s roughly 20lbs of fruit, which Watson does sell for $45). There is no admission to access Watson Farms and once you’re there, you can enjoy the farm’s many other fun features including a playground, petting zoo and a brand-new corn maze.
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Category: events,attractions,outdoor-play
