Celebrate the season and all of its glory by partaking in the fall-iest activities of them all… Apple and pumpkin picking! Vv Magazine’s Aly Zorn rounds up the most picturesque places to do it.
Nothing says fall quite like a pumpkin or some fresh Ontario-grown apples! While you could be lazy and go to the grocery store, traveling out to a farm to pick-your-own pumpkin and apples is not only more scenic than the produce aisle but a hell of a lot more festive! So get in the spirit of fall and plan a day trip to one of these farms in and around the GTA.
Brooke’s Farms
122-141 Ashworth Rd., Mount Albert, ON
Brooke’s Farm has pick-your-own pumpkins, apples, and squash! They also have a Fall Fun Festival running all month featuring farm fresh eats and activities like train rides, zip lines, a petting zoo, a corn maze and more. For hours and admission, head here.
Forsythe Family Farms
1025 Cragg Road, Greenbank, ON
Along with pick-your-own pumpkins, farm-goers can pick fresh Ontario apples, and choose from a number of activities like visiting the farm animals and barnyard adventure area, going for a wagon ride and more. Plus Forsythe’s Harvest Festival is on for the entire month of October.
Cooper’s CSA Farm & Maze
266 Ashworth Rd., Zephyr, ON
Cooper’s CSA features pick-your-own pumpkins and raspberries during the month of October, an epic Game of Thrones themed corn maze and a number of other fun on the farm activities (think hay climbs, wagon rides, scavenger hunts and more).
Reesor Farm Market
10825 Ninth Line, Markham, ON
Fully equipped with a corn maze, straw man, and pick-your-own pumpkin patch, Reesor Farm Market also has a ton of other seasonal produce. Indulge in apples, squash, local meats and delicious Autumn baking.
Whittamore’s Berry Farm
8100 Steeles Avenue East, Markham, ON
Nestled by the Rouge River Valley in Markham, Whittamore’s Farm is 220 acres of fruits and vegetables fresh for the taking. They have thousands of pumpkins to choose from in Pumpkin Land as well as a Fun Farm and Farm Shop with even more activities.
Albion Orchards
14800 Innis Lake Road, Caledon, ON
Albion Orchards not only specializes in pumpkin patches, but they also offer apple picking with over 10 different varieties to choose from. Not to mention, a selection of 10 different farm fresh pies at their market.
Andrews’ Scenic Acres
9365 10 Side Road, Halton Hills
After you’re done finding a pick-your-own pumpkin, check out the haunted forest, straw mountain jump, wagon rides and cornfield walk. Their Scotch Block Winery is also open if you feel like getting a little tipsy post pumpkin picking.
Chudleigh’s
9528 Highway 25, Halton Hills, ON
Pre-picked pumpkins are available in the market at Chudleigh’s, but the pick-your-own apple orchard totally makes up for the lack of pumpkin picking. Apples are available all throughout the harvest season (until October 31st) and their homemade baked treats look DELISH!
Downey’s Farm Market
13682 Heart Lake Rd., Brampton, ON
For the whole month of October, Downey’s Farm Market will be hosting a Pumpkinfest with wagon rides, games, farm animals, live entertainment and more. Pumpkins are only available at the market, but they have pick-your-own apples, featuring 13 different varieties.
Nauman’s Farm & Country Market
3250 Hessen Strasse R.R.#1, St. Clements, ON
Nauman’s Farm has over 5000 pick-your-own pumpkins to choose from this year including white, beige, red, blue and green pumpkins in addition to the classic orange variety. They also feature a corn maze and other family fun activities like a rope maze, straw mountain, beam swing and pumpkin slingshots.
Springridge Farm
7256 Bell School Line, Milton, ON
Springridge’s Harvest Festival is on until the end of October – choose from thousands of pumpkins, visit the Boo Barn and check out a ton of activities like wagon and pony rides, farm yard pipe slides, straw bale jumping and more. They also have a bakery and BBQ farm market.
Applewood Farm Winery
12416 McCown Rd., Stouffville, ON
Like the name implies, Applewood Farm Winery has a ton of apples for the picking – choose from 11 different varieties. They also have a Winery (duh!) with 14 kinds of delicious apple wines and ciders, as well as a pumpkin patch.
Dixie Orchards
14309 Dixie Road, Caledon, ON
It’s apple time and Dixie Orchards is obsessed with apples! Pick from 20+ different apple varieties and don’t forget to check out the market for baked goods, apple cider and more, as well as harvest decorations and Halloween items. They also have a corn maze, straw jump, and wagon rides.
Orchalaw Farms Ltd.
9726 Heritage Rd., Brampton, ON
Orchalaw Farms grows 20 different varieties of pick-your-own apples, along with pick-your-own pumpkins. On weekends, they provide free rides out to the apple fields and pumpkin patch, including scenic views of the Credit River. In addition, the farm market also boasts pre-picked apples, squash, and pumpkins for the lazy folk.
Watson Farm’s Ltd.
2287 Regional Highway #2 Bowmanville, ON
The Watson Farm’s Farmers Market is open seven days a week until the end of December! They’re now selling a ton of produce like apples, honey, veggies, baked goods and pink pumpkins (proceeds going to Breast Cancer Research). To see their U-pick apple schedule head here.
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Where will you go pumpkin and apple picking in the GTA? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.