The Big Apple

So summer has been winding down to an end and a new school year is about to start. But this time things are a little different. Normally we knew that school was ended because in the last week of August we would go to the CNE. But with COVID around a lot of events and activities have been cancelled. If you know me then you know I have a bouncing bubbling, curious, happy, loving, four year old. Since COVID we've pretty much locked ourselves in the house. By July our Premier had lifted quarantine and so I was looking at safe ways where my little explorer could go out and enjoy the world.

A while back my friend took a picture with her and her family at The big apple. Now let me pause here for a second before people slideeee in my DMs. No, I did not go to New York, although provinces are allowed to go out ( following the social distancing guideline of course) the Borders between Canada and the US are still closed. The Big Apple is a tourist attraction located in Colborne, Ontario right of the 401 ( literally off the TransCanada highway you really can't miss it, there's a huge apple)

Last time I went to the big apple I was in my early twenties coming back from a wild Caribana weekend. It was a nice pit stop to explore and take pictures and I always thought to myself this would be great for families with kids. Now in 2020, I figured this would be a great place to bring my 4-year-old. So much has changed since I last went, for one there is a petting zoo. Where you would find rabbits, donkey, Llama, and so many other animals. Once you go into the building there is so much to see. There are so many homemade goodies to buy and indulge on from apple pies to granola bread, strudels and cookies. There are even things for adults, such as Ciders. There are more than just apple-based product that is there for sale you can buy teas, maple syrup ( and I mean the real stuff not your Aunt Jemima, no shade) and so much more. Hungry? you can even have lunch in their cafeteria where they serve things like fries, wings, hamburger, hotdogs etc.

So I'm sure you're thinking so that's it? Only a petting zoo? Well, you'll be happy know they have mini putting and a kiddie ride ( which I think they shut down due to COVID...insert eye roll) they also have food trucks where you can get some beaver tail and many other goodies. Oh and before you ask, no we don't actually eat the tail of the beaver. Beaver Tail is a fried-dough pastry made with whole wheat flour and pulled by hand to resemble the long, flat tail of a beaver. It's then topped with a myriad of delicious garnishes — anything from the classic cinnamon and sugar to whipped cream and Nutella (Oh Canada).

What was cool to see is you could watch the bakery bake various sorts of goodies. I did notice the food trucks were not operational. We went on a weekday to avoid large crowds and so we just concluded they are probably only operation on the weekends ( which is to bad I was looking forward to some beaver tails) We did explore the apple Orchards which were just beautiful my daughter enjoyed running through the orchard and even picked an apple ( even though I don't think we were allowed to do that, oops)

Even though its a great place to go with kids I must warn you there is a candy/gift shop so if your kid has a heavy sweet tooth PROCEED WITH CAUTION...or just avoid the candy/gift shop like the plague.

So, what are my thoughts? it's a great place to bring younger children under the age of ten as there is something to do. It's a great place to spend a couple of hours but definitely not enough activities or things to do to be spending the whole day. And it's a great trip to stock up on some goodies. We purchase their apple crisp which was so good! Will I be going back. Damn Skippy! I think I will be taking my kids again next end of summer as a way to wrap up the summer.

Check out our latest vlog where we go to the big apple!