One of my favourite outings with the kids at this time of year is to visit the local apple orchards. Heading out on a warm and sunny September day to fill a bag of juicy apples is just the best. I love sampling the different apple varieties. To date, I have to say the Honey Crisp are my favourite. Remember it is never a bad idea to call ahead, especially to the smaller orchards, to verify what varieties they are picking and that they have enough. Here are my recommendations for the best apple orchards in the Ottawa area.

Mountain Orchards

My family has visited Mountain Orchards a few times now, and we’ve always had a wonderful time. This well run farm is about 45 minutes south of Ottawa. Mountain Orchards is open 7 days a week and offer a number of different varieties of apples. You can pick your own, or buy some pre-picked apples. On weekends there is a bbq, bakery, and wagon rides. Mountain Orchards has a ton for kids to do – a corn maze, hay bale jumping, and a playground. It can get very busy on weekends, so be prepared.

For more on operating hours and apple varieties check out their website here.

Log Cabin Orchard

I this family-run apple orchard is a favourite with my gang. Log Cabin is located in Osgoode, about 30 minutes from Ottawa. The first time I visited with the kids, we went on a week day and I loved how quiet and laid back it was. On the weekends it gets busier, but there is also more to do. There are wagon rides, candy apples, churros and mexican tacos. Any day of the week you can walk around, visit the small petting zoo, and enjoy picking some delicious apples. Opening day is August 31.

For more information on operating hours and directions visit the Log Cabin website.

Cannamore Orchard

Cannamore is located around 35 minutes east of Ottawa. There’s a petting zoo, cow train, wagon rides, a pedal car track, several mazes, and play structures. An on-site chip wagon offers poutine, burgers and fries, while cotton candy and drinks are available at the canteen.  There are also frozen baked goods, jams, cider, honey, and fudge for sale. Unlike Mountain Orchard, and Log Cabin, you do have to pay an admission fee to take part in these family activities, and they don’t all operate on week days. All of the family activities open on September 7.

For more information check out the Cannamore Orchard website.

Pinewood Orchard

Pinewood Orchard is located off March Road in Kanata. This orchard is all about the apples. There are no activities here — nothing to do except pick some delicious apples from the more than 800 50-year-old trees  A variety of seasonal produce and vegetables, grown at the orchard or from local farms, is for sale on site as well. The U-pick season officially kicks off this Labour Day weekend.

For more information check out the Pinewood website.

Orleans Fruit Farm

Orleans Fruit Farm is nice and close, especially for east end residents. The fruit farm is an enormous apple orchard perched on a hill with spectacular views across the Ottawa River and more than 1,000 apple trees. U-pick is available on the weekends in September. Kids can climb on a play structure or an old tractor, jump in the straw or have a snack at the picnic tables.

For more information check out the Orleans Fruit Farm website.