Updated September 5, 2022.
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 in the blurbs 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!
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
Cannamore Orchard, Crysler
You can pick your own Paula Red, Lobo, McIntosh, Cortland, Spartan or Empire apples at Cannamore Orchard. In addition, for $15 per person, you can enjoy wagon rides, mazes, a “cow train” pulled by a tractor and more on family activity weekends (September 3 through Thanksgiving weekend). Pre-picked apples are available in the orchard’s store, which also sells honey, fudge, cider and other treats. And starting on September 30, 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 until Thanksgiving. Other fun includes kids’ games and and educational beehive onsite. In the shop, you can buy apples, pumpkins, plums, cherries, cider and more. More details, including directions, are available on the orchard’s Facebook page. 20, montée Berndt, Lochaber-Partie-Ouest
Apple destinations south of downtown Ottawa
Log Cabin Orchard, Osgoode
You can pick a variety of apples at the 33-acre Log Cabin Orchard in Osgoode, about 35 minutes south of Parliament Hill. The orchard shop—housed in the namesake cabin—also sells cider, candy apples, churros (!) and more. Round off your visit by visiting with the barnyard sheep and pigs. 6121 Cabin Road, Ottawa
Mountain Orchards, Mountain
Here’s another 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 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 several varieties of apples, including the somewhat uncommon Joyce’s heritage apple. 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, chutneys, gift baskets 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 pick your own apples, and buy 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 cranapple 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 a ploughman’s lunch and a cider on the patio overlooking the duck ponds or take a tour of the cider-making operation. Open Wednesday 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
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. Its products are made from wild apples and wild yeast, which the owners explain makes the beverages more similar to ciders produced generations ago than to modern mass-produced ciders. You can order online for pickup at Ugly Cider. 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, cider, ice cream, condiments, cheese 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
Looking for more tips on things to see and do in Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais, northern New York state and beyond? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your Weekend Getaway Guide.
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