Brianna HarrisonWhile most kids couldn’t wait for Halloween, I was counting down to the apple-picking season. Running through the orchards, searching for perfectly ripe apples, and bringing home a bag full of my picks, to me, is pure joy.
Toronto is surrounded by incredible apple farms, and over the years, we’ve explored several spots. Each one had its own charm, and every visit brought new memories.
Below, I’ve rounded up the best apple farms in Toronto so you, too, can have a little adventure this autumn.
1. Chudleigh’s Farm Milton
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Website: https://www.chudleighs.com/visit-our-farm/
Location: 9528 Regional Rd 25, Milton
Other activities: Live music, tractor rides, and petting zoo
Admission fee: $17 Adult, $16 Seniors, and $15 Kids
Chudleigh’s Farm has been a go-to destination for apple picking for decades. The peak season usually starts in September and lasts throughout October, but if you’re lucky, you might get to pick early bloomers in mid to late August.
Although they have a wide variety, I recommend getting the Sunrise, a sweet, less acidic apple that goes well for baking and sauces. This rare variety is only available at this farm, so grab a few while you can.
After apple picking, you can visit the cidery and the restaurant to indulge in pizza and other refreshing treats. You might even want to stick around for other activities like live music and tractor rides.
Pro Tip:
Walk-ins are not allowed, so you must purchase tickets online in advance. You can follow their socials to stay updated on ticket sales, activities, and more.
2. Pine Farms Orchard
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Website: http://www.pinefarmsorchard.com/
Location: 2700 16th Sideroad, King City
Phone: +19058335459
Other activities: Drinks and meals at the cafe
Admission fee: $10 Adults, $5 Kids and Seniors
Pine Farms Orchard is conveniently located around 40 minutes from downtown Toronto. The admission fee isn’t pricey, so it’s perfect for families with little kids.
Apple picking typically kicks off in mid-August with varieties like Melba, Paula Red, and Gingergold ripe for the picking. From September to October, you’ll have more options to choose from like Gravensteins, Cox Orange Pippins, Cortlands, and Honeycrisps.
What I like about this farm is that dogs are welcome as long as you keep them on a leash. You can even reward your pups with dog-friendly ice cream at the cafe after a fun day out.
Pro Tip:
You must pay for what you pick, so take only what you need. They charge $2.35 per pound of apples.
3. Dixie Orchards
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Website: http://www.dixieorchards.com/
Location: 14309 Dixie Rd, Inglewood
Other activities: Pumpkin picking, wagon rides, and a corn maze
Phone: +19058385888
Admission fee: $6
Another affordable and family-friendly farm that you should visit in the fall is Dixie Orchards. Admission only costs $6 for ages 24 months and up, making it a low-cost choice for families who want to start a fall tradition.
Although apple picking is one of the main activities, there are other festivities you can enjoy like wagon rides, corn mazes, and a petting zoo, which are all included in the entry fee. The apples you pick will cost extra—$11.25 per 5 pounds.
They have a variety of apples, including Empire, Mutsu, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious. If you have specific preferences, follow the farm’s social pages so you know when they’re ready for picking.
Pro Tip:
Only pick what you intend to purchase. You will be charged separately for pumpkins, hazelnuts, and other crops.
4. Luna Farms
Media credit: lunafruitfarms
Website: https://lunafarms.ca/
Location: 661 8th Rd, Stoney Creek
Opening hours:
- Fri-Sun, 9 AM to 6 PM
- Tue-Thu, 4:30 to 7:30 PM
Other activities: Pumpkin and plum picking
Phone: +16473317574
Admission fee: None
Just an hour west of Toronto, you’ll find Luna Farms nestled in Stoney Creek. Home to 25 different varieties, you can stock up on apples for baking pies, making ciders, and snacking.
If you can do without the wagon rides and petting zoos, this is an ideal destination. Most people who come here just want to pick fresh seasonal fruits or share that experience with their children.
Unlike other spots on our list, they don’t have an entry fee, which is perfect for larger families. They’ll only charge you for the apples you pick, priced at $10 for every 5 pounds.
Best of all, they’re dog-friendly.
Pro Tip:
Aside from apples, you can pick plums, grapes, and pumpkins at the farm during fall.
5. Brantview Apples and Cider Orchard
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Website: http://www.brantviewapples.com/
Location: 225 Howell Rd, St George
Opening hours (Sept-Oct):
- Mon-Fri, 9 AM to 6 PM
- Sat-Sun, 9 AM to 5 PM
Other activities: Live music, drinks and meals
Phone: +15194481323
Admission fee: None
When it’s apple picking season, you can expect Brantview to open its doors daily—rain or shine—until there are no more fruits to pick. They have 22 varieties on the farm, including Honey Crisps, Cortlands, Evercrisps, and Ambrosia.
Apart from apple picking, they often have live music, refreshing ciders, and delicious baked goodies made from the fruits they grow. They have pies, galettes, donuts, and different types of butter tarts to satiate your sweet tooth.
They don’t charge an admission fee here as well. You only have to pay for the apples you want to bring home.
Pro Tip:
You can buy freshly picked pears at their store. Unfortunately, they aren’t available for U-pick.
6. Brooks Farms
Media credit: brooksfarms
Website: http://www.brooksfarms.com/
Location: 122 Ashworth Rd, Mount Albert
Opening hours: Daily 9 AM to 5 PM
Other activities: Corn mazes, pumpkin picking, and pumpkin canons
Phone: +19054733246
Admission fee: $199.99 Family pass and $69.99 Individual pass
If you want to tick off the quintessential fall activities like apple picking, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches, Brooks Farms is a must-visit. Beyond the orchard, the farm features a large playland, complete with zip lines, a jumping pillow, and farm animals.
Here, they have several fun activities for all ages, ensuring everyone stays entertained throughout their visit. Just schedule your visit around the annual fall festival, which takes place every weekend from early September to late October so you don’t miss out.
For an entire family, it will cost $199.99 for season passes. It’s quite hefty but it does cover unlimited visits to the farm until the indicated expiry date and access to all the activities.
And yes, you still have to pay for the apples! They charge $15 for every 5 pounds.
Pro Tip:
Aside from apples, they grow other crops on the farm, which you can purchase at the store. They have garlic, green beans, jalapenos, mini potatoes, and even flowers!
7. Archibald Orchards and Estate Winery
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Website: https://archibaldswinery.com/
Location: 6275 Liberty St N, Bowmanville
Opening hours:
- Mon-Fri, 10 AM to 4:30 PM
- Sat-Sun, 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Other activities: Tours and wine tasting
Phone: +19052632396
Admission fee: None; minimum purchase of 20 lbs of apples
Another must-visit apple farm in the Greater Toronto Area is Archibalds Orchards and Estate Winery. With nearly 10,000 trees in the orchards, there are plenty of apples to pick and different varieties to choose from.
What makes this farm a standout is its winery, perfect for adults who just want to have a little downtime this fall. They offer free wine tasting, but it’s available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Aside from wine, they have great ciders, all made from the apples grown on the farm. You’ll find a list of all the wines, ciders, and apples on their website, along with their prices, so you can scope out what you want to get before your trip.
Pro Tip:
Apple picking season at Archibald usually runs from early September to late October.
8. Springridge Farm
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Website: http://www.springridgefarm.com/
Location: 7256 Bell School Line, Milton
Opening hours: Daily 9 AM to 5 PM
Other activities: Tube slides, singing chicken show, and wagon rides
Phone: +19058784908
Admission fee: Varies per season
Springridge Farms offers a fun fall experience for all ages. They have everything from wagon rides and corn trails to petting zoos, but they don’t have apple picking.
Although they grow apples and other crops on the farm, they do all the backbreaking work for you. You’ll find the apples at the Barn Market along with other seasonal fruits.
One of the most exciting things about coming here is their shop, which is housed in a 19th-century barn. Aside from fresh fruits, the shelves are always packed with baked goodies like pies, muffins, and fruit tarts, so you can stock up on seasonal favorites.
Pro Tip:
You don’t have to pre-book tickets to get into the farm. Just go to the Fun Farmyard to pay for the admission fee.
