For a perfect fall road trip in Durham Region, Archibald’s Orchard & Winery stands out as a must-visit destination. Set among the rural countryside of the region, this family-run orchard offers a some of the best apple picking, hard ciders, and handcrafted wines in Ontario that truly capture the essence of the season. With vibrant fall foliage as the backdrop and cozy country charm, it’s a refreshing escape from the city.
The Archibald’s apple orchard was planted by the family back in 1968 in rural Bowmanville, just north of Highway 407. Covering 40 acres, the orchard is now home to over 10,000 trees with 13 different varieties of apples. Fred and his wife, Sandy, took over his family orchard in 1981 and have grown it into a must-visit family-friendly destination that goes beyond apple picking. As a hobby wine maker, Fred set about playing around with his bounty of apples. After perfecting his apple wine recipes, Fred and Sandy set out to prove that fruit wines deserve the same recognition as traditional wines, transforming their apple farm into Archibald’s Orchard & Winery in 1997. In the 25 years since, they have grown their initial wine list of 8 to 20. They are still as passionate as ever about apples, apple wine and the business and love sharing their place and knowledge with visitors.
A visit to Archibald’s makes for a fun fall day trip from the city or wherever you’re coming from. Set among the rolling countryside of Durham region, there’s plenty of fall leaf peeping along the backroads. Whether you’re keen to enjoy a family day out this fall or looking for a fun place to day trip to with your girlfriends, this is the place!
Don your cozy sweaters and pack the kids into the car for a day of unforgettable fall memories. Pull on up to grab your bag to fill and drive on through the apple orchard. There’s no admission fee to enter, just the purchase of the 20-pound bag to fill per car. Among the thousands of trees, you’ll find cozy vibes and an assortment of apple varieties. There’s everything from Gala to McIntosh and Honey Crisp to Silken and so many more! After frolicking among the apple trees, if the kids are still full of energy, they’ll love a romp around the Archibald’s playground. This fun play area is made from recycled farm equipment.
Ladies, grab your girlfriends and plan the perfect fall road trip with a stop at Archibald’s! Enjoy some fun as you frolic in the orchard and snap photos of yourselves in your favourite autumn outfits. Plus, splitting the 20-lbs bag of apples amongst you, makes for a budget-friendly outing. Then pop into the shop to relish in a complimentary tasting of some of the incredible Archibald’s award-winning wines and ciders. Ranging from very dry to sweet dessert types, you’re each bound to find one you’ll want to bring home. You’ll also want to take a peek at the rest of the treasures in the shop. Along with their wines and ciders, the shelves are lined with other local products. They also sell a variety of baked goods, like their famous apple blossoms!
What Else to Do
Archibald’s Orchard & Winery is one of the many gems in the area. So, if you’re looking for more places to add to your road trip, head north for the best donuts in Ontario! A short five-minute drive north of Archibald’s is Tyrone Mills. This historic mill dates back to 1846 and will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you enter their store. However, you’ll likely be drawn inside by the sweet smell of their warm and fresh famous apple cider donuts. Every bite is like a cozy hug! Tyrone Mills and Archibald’s are both stops on the rural self-guided driving tour ‘A Country Path’. While you are in the area make sure to stop at some of the other wonderful hidden gems.
Another great stop in the area for the whole family is Pingle’s Farm Market. This farm and year-round market features a Harvest Festival that takes every fall. Enjoy a wagon ride, meet the farm animals, live music or test your luck at the corn maze. There’s a tracker full of fun games and activities for the kids too, like barnyard playland, mini-putt, a bubble barn. Be sure to browse their marvelous market that’s full of baked goods like pumpkin pies, donuts as well as savory snacks.
If you are looking to make your day trip into a weekend getaway, check out Our Valley View B&B or a hotel in Bowmanville like Bowmanville Marina Inn & Suits or Comfort Inn & Suites Bowmanville
Archibald’s Orchard & Winery is the perfect spot to savour the flavours of fall, from fresh apples to handcrafted wines. It’s an ideal stop for a day trip with family or friends, and pairs well with other local attractions. Apple picking kicks off September 7th and daily wine tastings are available. So, start planning your visit to pick, sip and soak in the season with a scenic fall drive to Archibald’s!
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