Apple season is here! What better way to celebrate the return of fall’s favourite fruit than with a family day trip to pick your own apples?
We’ve rounded up a handy list of pick-your-own apple orchards in the GTA to help you find and plan your apple-picking adventure. Don’t forget to call ahead!
Need a little inspiration for some tasty ways to use up your apple haul? The Foodland Ontario website offers an extensive list of recipes to try. Just select recipes by ingredient. (Foodland Ontario is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.) Another great resource is the Ontario Apple Growers guide to apple varieties, with seasonal availability for each.
COVID-19 Safety
All the farms listed here are open for apple-picking in fall 2020. (Closed farms, or those not offering u-pick this year are listed at the end.)
Timed tickets may be required in advance, so be sure to plan ahead. Masks may be required in some areas of the farm. Some attractions, such as wagon rides, kids’ play areas, and corn mazes—may be closed this year or may have limited capacity.
Durham Region Apple-Picking
Archibald’s Orchard
Located an hour east of Toronto, Archibald’s is a 40-acre apple orchard offering 13 different varieties of apples. In addition to the pick-your-own orchard, you’ll want to stop by the apple market for fritters, dumplings, and fresh-pressed cider. Yum!
6275 Liberty St. N., Bowmanville; 905-263-2396Pingle’s Farm Market
Just east of Oshawa, Pingle’s Farm Market offers plenty of sights and activities to keep the whole family entertained on a fall afternoon. In addition to apple picking in September and October, kids can spend time playing at Pingle’s Fun Farm ($6 for kids age 2+ on weekends), which includes wagon rides, farm animals, Bunnyville, mini-golf, and a straw maze. Swing by the market to shop for produce, baked goods and gifts while you’re there.
1805 Taunton Rd. E., Hampton; 905-725-6089Halton Region Apple-Picking
Albion Orchards
Just 45 minutes outside of Toronto, Albion Orchards offers a dozen different varieties of apples, which your family can pick from trees that are up to 40 years old. Open weekends only.
14800 Innis Lake Rd., Caledon; 905-584-0354Andrews’ Scenic Acres
Andrews’ Scenic Acres boasts 165 acres of fruits and veggies, with half an acre dedicated to apples. The farm also features a market, farm animal corral, free hayrides and a cornfield walk.
R.R. 5 / 9365 10th Sideroad, Milton; 905-878-5807Chudleigh’s Apple Farm
No list about apple-picking hot spots would be complete without Chudleigh’s! This famous Halton Hills farm offers 20 different varieties of apples for your family to pick and enjoy. Swing by the children’s play area to wander through the straw maze, go for a pony ride, and visit with some friendly farm animals.
9528 Regional Rd 25, Milton; 905-878-2725Dixie Orchards
Sheep and chickens and rabbits, oh my! In addition to an orchard with 23 varieties of apples (most of which are available for picking), Dixie Orchards in Caledon is also home to some very sweet farm animals that your little ones will love to meet. Complete your visit with a stop at the Country Bakery for fresh pie and apple cider, and test your navigation skills in the corn maze for a little extra adventure.
14309 Dixie Rd., Ingleton; 905-838-5888Hamilton Area Apple-Picking
The Apple Orchard
Wagon rides, hay jumping, corn pit play area, and more activities and attractions are all part of the fun at this u-pick farm with pears, apples, pumpkins/squash, and sunflower fields, according to season. The farm is pet-friendly.
1668 ON-6, Hamilton; 647-500-4769Carluke Orchards
More than a dozen apple varieties are available for picking at this family-owned orchard in Ancaster. It also has a market and bakery. Wagon rides are not available in 2020. Carluke takes online orders for pies, muffins, and other baked goods.
2194 Shaver Rd S., Ancaster; 905-648-2775Luna Farms
This family-run farm less than a hour’s drive from Toronto in the Niagara Escarpment has 20 different apple varieties and around 7,000 trees. Apple-picking is open 7 days a week. Pick up apple cider and homemade apple treats while you’re here. Luna Farms donates a portion of all proceeds to Toronto children’s charities.
661 8th Rd. E., Stoney Creek; 647-237-2321Myers Apple Farm
In a small hamlet west of Hamilton, Myers Apple Farm offers pre-picked and u-pick apples, plus jams, honeys, preserves, and pickles. For 2020, this farm has 10 apple varieties for picking plus more available in pre-picked bags to purchase. The farm is open Thursday through Sunday.
37 Highway 52, Copetown; 905-627-0420Puddicombe Estate Farms & Winery
This farm has been an institution in the region for more than 200 years. In fall, it has pear-picking and apple-picking, plus pumpkins in October. It also has a farm market and country store, produces more than 30 wine varieties (wine tours by appointment in fall), and caters large events. The “Lil’ Pudd” train ride is a highlight for kids.
1468 Hamilton Regional Rd. 8, Winona; 905-643-1015Peel Region Apple-Picking
Carl Laidlaw Orchards
Start your trip to this lovely Brampton orchard with a sample at the tasting wagon, then head out to pick from 20 varieties of apples (and three types of pears!). Once your picking is done, head over to the barn for some hay jumping and beam walking, and stop by the barn market for a little shopping. You’ll also find hot dogs and fresh roasted corn on weekends.
9496 Heritage Rd., Brampton; 905-456-2095Downey’s Strawberry and Apple Farm
With 13 varieties of apples and more than 8,500 productive apple trees, this is a must-visit for little apple lovers. Once you’re done filling your bag with apples, head across the road to the kid-friendly fun zone, complete with Kritter Korral and mini-putt golf.
13707 Heart Lake Rd., Brampton; 905-838-4777York Region Apple-Picking
Applewood Farm
This family farm has a little something for everyone. Kids can enjoy a wagon ride on their way to pick from the nine different varieties of apples available, while parents indulge in some of the farm’s award-winning apple wines.
12415 McCowan Rd., Whitchurch-Stouffville; 905-640-5357Homestead Orchards
Homestead Orchards features 20 different varieties of apples, many of which you can pick yourself. You’ll also want to visit the on-site bakery to try one of the orchard’s famous apple brownies.
1361 Old Homestead Rd., Georgina; 905-722-5325JC Agri Orchards
Spend a day outside the city breathing that fresh country air at this family-owned orchard farm in King City, 60 km north of Toronto. The orchard is home to 5,000 trees and six varieties of apples. Pop into the market for honey, pies, and more to take home. Food and beverage are available at the Apple Road Cafe.
3105 16th Sideroad, King City; 905-833-3434Organics Family Farm
This family-owned farm in Markham features 20 varieties of certified-organic apples that are available for picking at different times throughout the season. During your visit, check out the Organic Farm Market, where you’ll find naturally raised meats, artisan breads, teas, soaps, and other great organic products.
1755 19th Ave., Markham; 905-640–5206Pine Farms Orchard
Operated since 1942, Pine Farms features 21 varieties of pick-your-own and pre-picked apples, as well as an on-site café, bakery and gift shop. The kid-friendly farm is described as a “learning and teaching environment,” offering educational tours to its visitors. Wee ones will also be excited to spot Costello, the farm’s resident Muscovy duck.
2700 16th Sideroad, King City; 905-833-5459Closed for Apple-Picking in 2020
The following farms are closed for pick-your-own this year, but some are open for visits or shopping at the farmer’s market.
Brooks Farms – market and Barnyard Playland open
122 Ashworth Rd., Mount Albert; 905-473-3920
Fletcher Farms – pre-picked apples and market open
1040 Fletcher Rd., Binbrook (Hamilton); 905-692-3012
Watson Farms – market open
2287 Durham Regional Hwy. 2, Bowmanville; 905-623-7252
Willis Family Fruit Farm – closed for season
6063 Fifth Line, Milton; 905-876-2606
Sign up for our newsletter!
Get weekly updates on Toronto & GTA activities and events, plus special deals only available via email.
