McIntosh, Cortland, Honeycrisp…if these apple varieties are on your shopping list—or if you’re just dreaming of the cinnamon-tinged aroma of a warm apple pie—why not try an apple-inspired road trip near Ottawa?
At many local apple orchards, you can pick your own apples. (Note that all varieties listed below may not be available at all times—it all depends which are in season and ripe.) In other spots, you can buy apple pies, apple cider, apple-pie ice cream, apple crumble, bags of already-picked apples…well, you get the idea! Please check the website of your chosen orchard or shop before heading out, as hours and the availability of particular activities vary.
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Apple farms east of downtown Ottawa
Orleans Fruit Farm, Orleans
If you live in the east end, the Orleans Fruit Farm is in your backyard. On St. Joseph Boulevard between Beacon Hill and Orleans, the farm sells several varieties of apples from its orchards, along with all sorts of other fruits and veggies. 1399 St. Joseph Boulevard, Orleans
Domaine Cléroux, Casselman
You can pick your own apples at Domaine Cléroux in Casselman. Pre-picked apples are available in the shop, which also sells baked goodies, preserves and more. Varieties include Lobo, Paula Red, Cortland, McIntosh and Spartan. You can enjoy a sandwich and a Nation Spiked cider on the terrace, too. 199 Route 300 East, Casselman
Pine Hill Orchards, Bourget
Pine Hill Orchards, a pick-your-own farm, grows 20 varieties of apples and sells its own apple juice and other seasonal products. You can even buy apple trees to bring home, so you can start your own orchard. Open daily during apple season. 1818 St. Félix Road, Bourget
Cannamore Orchard, Crysler
Normally, you can pick your own Paula Red, Lobo, McIntosh, Cortland, Spartan or Empire apples at Cannamore Orchard. However, in May 2023, the trees were hit badly by frost, so please check the site in advance regarding pick-your-own availability. Note that pre-picked apples ARE available in the orchard’s store, which also sells honey, fudge, cider and other treats. And starting on September 29, the farm hosts Acres of Terror, a huge Halloween-themed attraction. 1480 County Road 32, Crysler
Avonmore Berry Farm, Avonmore
Avonmore Berry Farm is open for apple picking, and on weekends, there are wagon rides to the orchard. Kids can blow off steam on the swings, slides and haymow, and their parents can pick up jam, baked goods, ice cream cones and other snacks in The Pantry. The farm, which stretches across 20 acres just north of Avonmore, also offers pumpkin picking in October. Check the orchard’s Facebook page to find out what’s currently available to pick. 16365 Fourth Road, Avonmore
Marlin Orchards and Garden Centre, Cornwall
Marlin Orchards and Garden Centre in Cornwall grows and sells a huge range of Ontario apple varieties. They harvest the fruit from July to October and sell it until close to Christmas. Depending on the year and the harvest, you might find such varieties as Gravenstein, Wolfe River and Tydeman Red, along with more common varieties, such as McIntosh and Granny Smith. And they make their own cider doughnuts! Check their Facebook and Instagram sites for the latest news. Open seven days a week through December. 6864 Orchard Road, Cornwall
Apple orchards in the Outaouais
Coronation Hall Cider Mills, Bristol
At Coronation Hall Cider Mills in Bristol, Quebec, watch apple cider being pressed, try a tasting or browse for apple goodies in the shop. Call ahead to check whether there is a pressing that day. 206, chemin River, Bristol
Verger Croque-Pomme, Thurso
At Verger Croque-Pomme, a large West Quebec pick-your-own apple orchard, you’ll find some 3,000 trees loaded with Spartan, Cortland, Eden, Honeygold and many other kinds of apples. It’s open Thursday through Monday during apple season. Other fun includes wagon rides, a kids’ play area and an educational beehive. In the shop, you can buy apples, cider, vinegar and more. More details, including directions, are available on the orchard’s Facebook page. 20, montée Berndt, Thurso
Apple destinations south of downtown Ottawa
AppleStock Orchard, Winchester
You don’t even have to drive as far as Winchester to get to AppleStock Orchard; it’s about halfway between Vernon and Winchester, just off County Road 31 (which is what Ottawa’s Bank Street becomes when it crosses the city limits). You can pick your own McIntosh apples at this orchard, which is open from 9am to 5pm daily during apple season. Check their Facebook and Instagram pages for current conditions and season ending date. 1341 Merkley Road, North Dundas
Mountain Orchards, Mountain
Here’s one spot where you can pick apples near Ottawa. At Mountain Orchards, there are 11 varieties growing on almost 10,000 trees across 25 acres. Wagon rides are available daily, the farm fires up a barbecue on weekends, and other amusements include a corn maze, a playground and a straw jump. Apple butter, pie kits, cider, doughnuts and butter tarts are among the treats available in the orchard store. 10175 Clark Road, Mountain
Ireland’s, Easton’s Corners
Located between Merrickville and Jasper, Ireland’s sells 14 varieties of apples, including the somewhat uncommon Greensleeves and Tolman Sweet apples. It expects to be open for apple picking and sales in late September 2023 (check the orchard’s website for updates). 1761 County Road 16, Easton’s Corners
Smyth’s Apple Orchard, Iroquois
While its postal address is in Iroquois, Smyth’s Apple Orchard is actually closer to the small community of Dundela. And why is that important, you ask? Because Dundela is the birthplace of the McIntosh apple. As well as many varieties of apples, Smyth’s sells pies, jams, jellies, cakes, cider and other goodies. 11652 County Road 18, Iroquois
Dentz Orchards and Berry Farm, Iroquois
At Dentz Orchards and Berry Farm near Iroquois, you can buy Honeycrisp apples, sweet corn, potatoes, tomatoes, jam, honey and other goodies. In the summer, there are beans, cucumbers, strawberries and raspberries, too. Closed Sundays. 4766 Brinston Road (County Road 16), Iroquois
Hall’s Apple Market, Brockville
You’ve likely dropped by a Hall’s stall at one of Ottawa’s farmers’ markets, but did you know you can also visit the original Hall’s Apple Market near Brockville? If you can think of a product made from apples, you can likely buy it here: anything from cran-apple cider to apple syrup, apple butter and apple cider vinegar. Spread across 80 acres and growing 29 varieties of apples, this family-owned business—which dates back to 1947—even sells apple wood and apple peelers. Open Monday to Saturday year round, and on Sundays from Labour Day until Christmas. 2930 2nd Concession Road, Brockville
BUSL Cider, Mallorytown
Family-owned BUSL Cider is located on a 280-acre farm in Mallorytown, about halfway between Brockville and Gananoque. It makes a wide range of apple ciders, including straight-up apple, apple-pear, apple-cherry, apple-haskap and—intriguingly—apple-raspberry-hibiscus. Relax with snacks and a cider on the patio overlooking the duck ponds or take a tour of the cider-making operation. Open Friday through Sunday. 75 Quabbin Road, Mallorytown
Apple orchards west of downtown Ottawa
Pinewood Orchards, Kanata
In the Greenbelt just east of Beaverbrook, Pinewood Orchards sells a wide range of apple varieties, including Melba, Atlas, Lobo, McIntosh and Cortland apples, from its orchard of 800 trees. 101 Herzberg Road, Kanata
Saunders Cider, Munster
Technically, Saunders Cider is “southwest” of downtown Ottawa, but I put it in the “west” section due to its proximity to Kanata and Stittsville. People have been heading to Saunders Farm for years to enjoy mazes, zip lines, playgrounds, scary Halloween activities and other fun. But did you know that the farm opened a cider house in 2021? You can buy Saunders hard and soft cider, play games like giant Jenga on the patio, do a cider tasting, and have a meal in the 180-year-old building. Check the website for details on live music and special events. 7893 Bleeks Road, Munster
Ugly Apple Cider and Wines, Lanark
It may be tucked away in the Lanark Highlands, but Ugly Apple Cider and Wines in Lanark still managed to bring home a silver medal from the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition in 2018. Unfortunately, a poor harvest year in 2021 means that they are currently not offering tastings, but you can order cider online for pickup onsite. 1940 Concession Road 4B Dalhousie, Lanark
MacLaren Orchards, Renfrew
As well as many varieties of apples from its 4,000 trees—including McIntosh, Summer St. Lawrence, Paula Red and, of course MacLaren Red—MacLaren Orchards in Renfrew sells apple pies, apple cider, maple syrup and honey. 3376 Burnstown Road, Renfrew
Apple destinations elsewhere in Ontario
Grills Orchards Country Market, Belleville
A reader recommended Grills Orchards Country Market, just off Highway 401 between Belleville and Trenton. You can pick your own apples, or drop by the shop to browse for pre-picked apples, baked goodies, honey, ice cream, meats, hot sauces and more. There’s a corn maze, too. 886 Grills Road, Belleville
The Big Apple, Colborne
It’s a bit of a hike, but if you’ve ever driven to Toronto along the 401, you’ve surely seen The Big Apple in Colborne. The giant red apple (known officially as Mr. Applehead) is a well-known landmark that attracts passersby to the site. Pick up cider, apple bread and other goodies. 262 Orchard Road, Colborne
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