We’re in the final weeks of peak apple-picking season here in Ontario, and if you haven’t yet made a day of this classic fall ritual, now is the time to pencil it in! There are several farms within an hour of the city with abundant orchards where you can PYO, so a day trip is totally sufficient. Choose your location and head out to stock up on the freshest, tastiest local fruits and enjoy some quality time with your family or friends.
Here’s where to go apple picking around Toronto.
Downey’s Strawberry & Apple Farm
This 206-acre family farm is just 40 minutes north of the city of Caledon. Currently, Jonagold, Mutsu, Northern Spy, Red Fuji, and Empire are in season and ripe for picking until November 5th. Guests can choose a 10 lb bag for $26, or a 20 lb bag for $42. There’s no admission for the farm, but an $8.50 minimum pick per person is required.
The Apple Orchard
The Apple Orchard is just outside of Hamilton and boasts over 10,000 apple trees and a 5-acre pumpkin patch. Braeburn, Fuji, Red Jonagold, Northern Spy, and Golden Delicious are ripe for picking until mid-late October. Admission to the farm is $10.20, which includes wagon rides, a corn maze, and access to the walking trails. PYO apples are $2.25 per pound.
Albion Orchards Apple Farm & Country Market
Take a weekend drive out to Albion Orchards in scenic Caledon for a day of apple and/or pumpkin picking. Choose from Ida Red, Macintosh, Cortland, Northern Spy, Granny Smith, and more. Get a 10 lb bag for $25, or a 20 lb bag for $45.
Applewood Farm
One of the first pick-your-own strawberry and apple farms in Stouffville now includes 32 acres of apples and strawberries. Take a 45-minute drive from Toronto and spend a day browsing the orchard aisles for Ambrosia, Spartan, Spencer, Red Delicious, and more. Admission is $15 per person for ages 3 and up, and apples are $20 for a small bag and $35 for a large bag.
Organics Farm
Since 2004, this certified organic farm just outside of Markham has been growing crops entirely free of pesticides and herbicides. Ambrosia, Honey Gold, Liberty, and Crimson Crisp, are all ready to pick around mid-October. Admission to the farm is $15 per person 3 years old and up, which includes a 5 lb bag of pick-your-own apples, but you can pay more if you want to take more than the entry bag.
Watson Farms
This family farm in Bowmanville just east of Oshawa has been offering PYO apples since 1970. McIntosh, Gala, Snowflake, Cortland, Honeycrisp, and more are ripe for picking currently, and apples are $2.75 per pound. Admission to the farm is $5 for adults and $3 for children, which includes the petting zoo, wagon rides, and access to the fields.
Luna Farms
This fruit farm in the scenic Niagara Escarpment in Stoney Creek offers over 5,000 apple trees. U-pick is available on the weekends, and the farm is currently picking Honeycrisp, Imperial Gala, Jona Gold, Regal Gala, Jona Star, and Cortland apples.
Chudleighs
Chudleighs in Halton Hills is open for your apple-picking pleasure! The farm grows over 18 varieties of apples that are available to be picked across its 47,500 trees and 60-acre orchard. Weekends tend to sell out during October, so be sure to buy your tickets in advance here.
Pine Farms Orchard
Just a few minutes away from Canada’s Wonderland, you’ll find Pine Farms Orchard! The farm has a variety of apples to pick at $2.35 a pound, along with its $7 per-person admission fee. They even have “kid-sized” trees, so any age can enjoy picking their own apples. Be sure to visit its cafe before you leave!
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Just because the weather’s getting colder, it doesn’t mean you can’t go out and enjoy yourself. One of the best parts about living in a big city like Toronto is that there is always a fun (and free!) event or activity to check out, regardless of the time of year. From all night art exhibitions, to a poutine eating competition, October definitely doesn’t have a shortage of fun if you don’t want it to!
Here are 7 super fun (and free!) events to check out this month in October!
Nuit Blanche, October 5-6
It’s back! From October 5-6, grab your #squad and head downtown for a crazy and fun night of art experiences of every kind at Nuit Blanche 2019. With hundreds of artists and over 90 art exhibitions showing, it’s time to get immersed in all the arts & culture that our beautiful and talented city has to offer.
Bayview Leaside BIA’s Apple Fest, October 5
Put on by the Bayview Leaside BIA, grab the whole family and head to Apple Fest on October 5. Expect lots of photo booth fun, food sampling, apple decorating, face-painting, and lots of shopping! There will be sales and special promotions that are on from October 4th – October 6th, but Saturday is the day for all the family fun and excitement.
Toronto Arthouse Film Festival, October 7-12
If film is your thing, you won’t want to miss the Toronto Arthouse Film Festival that’s taking place from October 7-12. This is your chance to view innovative and exciting new works from risk-taking filmmakers from around the globe. This year, you can catch 5 free screenings fro 9 to 11P.M. in a row and it’s all totally free!
BOLO Convos, October 9 & 23
Launching this month is BOLO Convos that’s put on by popular Toronto fitness studio, BodyLove Inc. (aka BOLO). It’s during these “convos” that you can take part in intimate discussions with some of the best and brightest names in business and wellness, for totally free! The first session takes place on October 9 it’ll be featuring All Day Fit founder Cassie Day. Slated for October 23, the second BOLO Convo will feature Fit Squad Training co-founder Jennifer Lau.
Toronto Pumpkin Fest, October 12-14
Taking place at Downsview Park over Thanksgiving Weekend is Pumpkin Fest and if you ask us, it’s one of the best ways to get into the fall festive spirit. This festival is suitable for the whole family and you can bet that it’ll be filled with all things pumpkin, amazing food, lots of vendors, and loads of entertainment!
Smoke’s Poutine Eating Championship, October 19
Have you ever heard of anything more Canadian than a poutine championship? For anyone who is poutine-obsessed, head to Yonge & Dundas Square for the 10th Annual Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship. Admission is totally free to watch the two eating championships which will feature Professional Major League Eaters from all over the world taking the stage along with CEOs all eyeing the prize to be top fundraiser all to benefit Friends of We Care.
Howl’oween at The Bentway, October 26th
Halloween is fun, but if you’re not as into dressing up as you were when you were a kid, why not dress up your pup?! This year, head down to The Bentway under the Gardiner Expressway for all sorts of Halloween fun at Howl’oween. Inspired by the Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade in New York City, The Bentway is hosting Howl’oween where dogs (and their ownders) are invited to come out to show off their best Halloween looks. The event will feature prizes for best costume, loot bags, games and for human guests, a licensed “Yappy Hour.”