🍎 McIntosh, Ambrosia, Granny Smith and Pink Lady, oh my! 🍏 From coast to coast, the arrival of Fall means it’s time to go apple picking in Canada. It’s a great way to enjoy the great outdoors and have a deliciously healthy treat at the same time.
So, what are the the best apples to pick? Well, that’s a matter of personal preference, of course! However, it also depends on what you’re using the apples for, such as snacking, baking and saucing. There are sweeter varieties like Ambrosia, Gala, and Honeycrisp, and others like the popular McIntosh (officially known as Canada’s national apple) are more tart. Some are good for making applesauce and others hold their shape while baking. Hot tip for making apple pie: use both softer and firmer varieties to have a mix of textures in your filling!
Apple picking season runs from late August until late October (depending on the weather), with numerous varieties available at farms and markets spread out all over the country. The largest amount of apple orchards can be found in the warmer and wetter areas of Canada, mostly in Southern Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the interior of British Columbia. So, take a big bite of our Guide to Apple Picking Across Canada…
Note: The availability of apple picking varieties is not guaranteed, as nature is always changing.
Carl Laidlaw Orchards
Growing an amazing 30+ varieties of apples and pears, families can also enjoy their sunflower and pumpkin patches. Plus, you can check out farm animals, hay bales, wagon rides and more.
Chudleigh’s Entertainment FarmÂ
One of the most popular apple picking farms for school field trips, Chudleigh’s offers plenty of farm activities. These include a play area, farm animals, tractor wagon rides, nature trails, and special events. To avoid disappointment, you can also buy tickets ahead of time to reserve a spot.
Dixie Orchards
This orchard has a busy apple picking season, with over 20 varieties of apples to pick throughout the Fall months. Recreational activities include a picturesque sunflower field, pumpkin patch and corn maze, straw jump, farm animals and wagon rides.
Nature’s Bounty FarmÂ
Near the cute town of Port Perry, included in the price of their farm experience is over 20 varieties of PYO apples, plus hot peppers and pumpkins. They also offer private picnic experiences, a farm market, corn maze, obstacle course, nature walks and visits with their llamas and sheep.
Pingle’s Farm Market
To go along with their bustling food market and PYO fruits, stop by Pingle’s playland and events over the year, such as the Harvest Festival.
Find out more in Family Fun Toronto’s Guide to the Best Apple Picking Farms in Southern Ontario here!
Dempsey Corner Orchards
At Dempsey Corner, families can pick apples plus many vegetables too. Kids love the merry-goat-round, where the goats ride on with the kids! Enjoy the Petting Zoo, playground, tearoom, and bakery featuring hot lunches, sweets, jams, and of course, fresh-baked pie!
Willowbank U-Pick Farm
Willowbank U-Pick Farm is a working farm owned by the Johnson family. In fall, they open up to the public with a u-pick apple orchard, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, corn maze, hayrides, and a market selling fresh crops, pickles, and hay bales.
Noggin’s Corner Farm Market
Noggin’s Corner Farm is a family favourite, with an enormous and challenging corn maze, plus the very popular Barnyard Adventure area with several playgrounds. Old-fashioned favourite activities at Noggin’s include the bumpy wagon ride to the orchard and their spooky Haunted House (in October only).
Elderkin’s U-Pick, Farm Market, and Bakery
Elderkin’s Farm has been a family-owned Annapolis Valley farm since 1760! Elderkin’s U-Pick has become one of the most visited U-Pick operations in Nova Scotia with many delicious crops including apples, pears, plums, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, and pumpkins.
Find out more in Family Fun Halifax’s Guide to Great Places To Go Apple-Picking With Your Family Near Halifax here!
Murphy’s Christmas Tree Farm
This orchard in Maple Ridge has more than just great Christmas trees… in the summer and fall, they also offer U-Pick fruit, including apple-picking! Follow their social media to find out what fruits are available and when they are open for picking.
Taves Farm
Taves Farm has one of BC’s largest selections of apples! It’s a family-favourite destination for not only their U-Pick orchard, but also for the fun events and activities on the farm. Even better, they’re open until Halloween!
Willow View Farms
Also in Abbotsford, instead of buying apples in the grocery store, you can take them fresh off a tree! Different varietals are ready throughout the month of September and October, so be sure to check the calendar if you have your eye on something specific.
Find out more in Family Fun Vancouver’s Guide to Apple Picking & Events in Metro Vancouver here!
Crossmount Cider Company
How about some delicious apple cider?! Located just five kilometres south of Saskatoon, Crossmount Cider Company has an orchard of 1500 trees, featuring apples that are specifically bred on the prairies. They’re also planning future expansions for pears and a U-Pick area to enjoy apple varieties related to the popular Honeycrisp apple.
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