We started doing a few seasonal activities as a family since our daughter was born and one of them is apple picking. As cliché as it sounds, I never went apple picking until I became a mom! The thought of picking my own apple for purchasing just didn’t seem as intriguing as it does now.
So what’s changed? Well the fact that my daughter’s face lights up just by the mention of it, is a good enough reason for me. I can probably list 50 new things that I started doing since becoming a mom and actually enjoy which I never even thought of doing before. What I’m trying to say is that apple picking has now become a must activity for fall and we try hard not to miss it!
We live in a city (Windsor, Ontario) that is surrounded by smaller towns with amazing farm lands. Some of the farms are major distributors of various fruits and vegetables in the province. So we not only do apple picking, we even enjoy strawberry or blueberry picking and my daughter’s most favorite is visiting a pumpkin patch. I kid you not, this year she’s been asking to go to the pumpkin patch since January!
Within a close proximity of where we live, we have not one but several options in terms of apple orchards. Our most favorite one is called Thiessen Orchards located in a town called, Leamington. It is a family owned farm, established in 1934 and currently run and owned by the 3rd generation of the same family who initially started the business.
At the farm you obviously have the option to pick your own apple for purchase but in addition to that they also have a “Kountry Kitchen” which serves their famous Mennonite sausage on a bun, fresh apple fritters, delicious cinnamon sticks, yummy caramel apples and many more deliciousness.
They have a super fun play area called “Fun-Acre” which is located right in the middle of their orchard and has 2 huge swings, 2 giant tube slides, bouncy castle, climbing areas and much more!
They also have a corn maze and mini golf which is just a cherry on top to all the fun activities they already have. This year they introduced a jumping pad which is so much fun for kids of all ages. Lastly, their annual special attraction is their “Haunted Barn” for some ghoulishly good fun. “The Scaredy Cat Barn” starts mid September and is only open on weekends. It’s suitable for families with young children 4 years old and up. We have not visited it yet as my daughter is only 4 but this is something we would like to try next year.
Honestly if you want to enjoy everything from apple picking, enjoying their delicious treats, let your children play in the play area or visit the corn maze or the haunted barn; one day is not enough to cover everything. You need to come back at least twice may be three times to fully enjoy ALL that they have to offer. So if you live in the area or are visiting Windsor or Detroit area and looking for an all in one fun place to visit or just want to click some photos in a picturesque orchard, you must visit Thiessen’s Apple Orchard!
Lastly while you’re on your way home, don’t forget to pick up some fresh flowers from their flower shop!
