If you love ‘Pick Your Own’, apple season is upon us and there are plenty of apple picking orchards near Markham that you can choose from! Some have other entertainment for the kids and great farm shops offering their own brand of cider and delicious food to pick up alongside your apple harvest. Here are some of the nearest, and a couple that are further away but worth a day trip.
Organics Family Farm
There are certified organic apples to pick here, along with ready-picked ones, and you can find a variety of local and organic products at the Organic Farm Market and Wood-Fired Bakery.
7550 19th Avenue, Markham Website: organicsfamilyfarm.ca
Applewood Farm
This farm offers lots of variety of apples (check the website to see which are available to pick), pumpkins, a corn maze and you can meet their animals too! They also have a great store.
Find them at 12416 McCowan Road, Stouffville. Website: applewoodfarm.ca
Archibald’s Orchards and Estate Winery
There are several varieties of apples ripe for picking here. Their Apple Market has fresh apple treats, like the yummy caramel apple dumplings, along with cider and more. Enjoy their wine tours and tastings, and take a bottle or two home from this award-winning winery.
6275 Liberty Street North, Bowmanville. Website: archibaldswinery.com
Brooks Farms
Bring the family and make a day of it with the 10-acre Barnyard Playland for kids of all ages, and grab a bite to eat and something sweet from the Farm Market Bakery Cafe. You can pick several types of fruits and vegetables here, including raspberries, squash and pumpkins, plus try their new gourmet doughnuts and check out the Fall Fun Festival.
122 Ashworth Road, Mount Albert Website: Brooksfarms.com
Pingle’s Farm
You can pick your own apples and pumpkins here, pick up fresh and gourmet items from the market, plus have lots of fall fun. Get the full fall experience during the Harvest Festival — find your way through the corn maze, play your way through the playland, hop on a wagon ride, and enjoy live music while savouring some hot eats and sweet treats.
1806 Taunton Road East, Hampton Website: pinglesfarmmarket.com
Watson Farms
You can choose several different types of apples, plus pick pears, pumpkins and squash in the fall. There’s fun for the kids at the Watsonland Playground and petting zoo, and photo stations for memory-making moments, along with a corn maze and wagon rides. On your way out, swing by the Farm Market for fresh produce and other goodies.
2287 Hwy 2 Bowmanville Website: watsonfarmspyo.ca
The Big Apple
This place is huge and worth the drive for a family day out. There is a bakery and pie factory where their famous pies and breads are made right before your eyes – every day! They have a cafeteria-style restaurant with paninis, burgers, poutine, pizza, speciality apple items, and more. Gifts, souvenirs and unique market items surround you as you browse the market. Their apple cider brewery offers FREE cider sampling and a wonderful selection of bottled cider blends. Outside (weather permitting), you’ll find Mr Applehead, an observatory – and the world’s largest apple-shaped structure, in which you can ascend inside to discover breath-taking vistas of the surrounding countryside. Free attractions include a kiddie train ride, mini-golf, ping pong, lawn bowling, animal attractions, and more!
262 Orchard Road, Colborne. Website: thebigapple.ca
