Was disappointed last year but still gave it another chance this year. Sadly, even more…read moredisappointed this year to see how much the experience has declined. What was once a special local farm and family tradition now feels increasingly commercialized. We were charged $7 per person just to enter and take our annual photo by the growth chart, even though we weren't using the playground. We have been taking photos of our kids at the growth chart for over 15 years. The market was also significantly overpriced: the same Niagara peaches that sold for about $7 at grocery stores were $16, and corn was $1.25 per ear compared with 24 cents at a local grocery store. The frozen yogurt, once made with fresh fruit from the farm and real yogurt is now a frozen premix product loaded with sugar and tastes horrible. The issue isn't simply higher prices, it's paying more for lower quality and a less authentic experience. After 16 years of returning, our family will no longer be among those customers. If these changes continue, Barrie Hill Farm risks losing many of the loyal families who helped support it for years.

We went last weekend, it was a lot of people and kids there. This is a huge farm that lots of…read morevarieties to pick. Now it's a good time to pick strawberries, raspberry, blueberries, peas, and corns. There are wagons to take ppl from one field to another. We got off at the strawberry field, but we don't really into the strawberry, so just took a look; then we got to the raspberry field, they looked good, but we barely eat raspberry; then we went to the Blueberry field, our destination was here. We saw another side of the field was having big blueberries, but they didn't open that side to us. And they said it was noon already, most of the big ones had been picked. I tasted a few, they were sort of big, but soured. We moved to other sides, but still the same. When we went home, most of them we made smoothies with honey. We also went to the peas field, not too many people. The peas were so sweet that we could eat them raw. But we went home to boil them with the skin, the skin was hard to eat, it was not snow peas, and too expensive when weighed with the skin. Good experience for the kids. They were happy.

Such a fun time at Applewood Farm! We paid $12 per person for general admission and it came with a…read morefree pumpkin or squash to take home! The rows upon rows of apple trees were breathtaking, and you can pick between a small bag for $20, or a large bag for $35. We loved walking through the fields, checking out the pumpkin patch, and of course the fresh cut fries followed by the butter walnut tarts! Great little gem, check them out!

We went apple picking the first weekend it opened and the Gala apples (my favourite) were…read moreplentiful. With the $13 per person entry, you get to pick your own pumpkin or squash. They also have a few animals, a playground, a tractor ride, a little store and a place to get snacks. Parking is plentiful with two parking lots. The only downside - the crowds! It was so busy that we decided to forego the playground, as there were too many people for it to be an enjoyable experience.

I came on a Saturday afternoon, and it wasn't packed at all, and it was such a beautiful and fun…read moreexperience! There's free parking on site. You need to pay for admission ($12) + pick your own flowers ($18) if you choose to do so. I highly recommend it though! There's so many flowers to choose from. Tip: fill your glass with water before you start getting flowers or they will wilt by the end. There are water stations around the farm. The farm is very big, and you can spend a few hours just exploring, looking at flowers, photo opportunities, feeding animals, and playing with the corn hole and bubbles. There's also an area for kids to play with sand by animals. There's goats, piglets, chickens, and alpacas to look at. We also got ice cream afterwards at Daisy's Dairy the ice cream stand. Great options to choose from, from lemonade to sundaes. We ordered the Shirley Temple Sundae ($9.50) and Cookies and Cream Sundae ($9.75). These were a bit on the expensive side but after a hot and sunny day, they hit the spot. It's filled with vanilla ice cream, so it's on the sweet side. Overall, I highly recommend coming! It's such a cute date, family outing, or hang with friends.

Love coming here every year during the fall season, such a big area so even though it seems busy…read moreit's actually very spacious! Also a must try is their pumpkin sundae

Always a fun and amazing family experience. From a young age, my family and I attended the annual…read morePumpkin Tree Lightings where local school children carved pumpkins and Fernwoods would arrange the pumpkins into a tree-like structure and host a festival event to countdown to the lighting of the pumpkins. I believe the first annual tree lighting was a fundraising event for my brother when he was going through some health challenges so it's amazing to know and recognize the efforts that Fernwoods went to to assist in the care of my brother when he was sick. Fernwoods offers fresh produce in addition to fun, family activities, especially in the summer and fall seasons. Please be sure to visit! They are closed for some months in the winter so be sure to pay attention to their signage posted outside the business building on site.

Such a nice escape hidden in the heart of Toronto. From the small park just before the entrance to…read morethe beautiful large trail behind the zoo, this area really feels like a quaint little secret. Its not busy and its free to enter! An actual zoo and includes barnyard animals you can get right up close to! This is even encouraged. Some stools in the barn, perfect to help your litte ones get the perfect view. So much fun! Highly recommend!

Love this little free farm (we do donate every time we go) in the city with animals to observe…read more Been taking kid since she was a baby and we all love it. Now they have a centre open for babies and toddlers! Awesome!

Owner was very passionate and super nice. The tour was very fun and the alpacas are very cute…read more Totally worth the money and we had a very fun time learning about alpacas. The stories of the individual alpacas were adorable and memorable. The owner was very excited to answer our questions. Feeding the alpacas and touching them was such a great experience. Would totally recommend to anyone looking for something fun to do!

From the owner: Looking for a unique experience?…read more Come meet our alpacas up close and personal. For a truly unique experience come meet our alpacas up close and personal - you'll be amazed at how unique each alpaca is. Get the whole family involved with our family-oriented tours are suitable for all ages. For the majority of your private tour you will be able to interact directly with the alpacas. You'll get to handle, pet and feed them treats as well as take lots of selfies with the alpacas. Be sure to bring a camera as crias (baby alpacas) are very photogenic! You'll also be entertained with lots of interesting and amusing stories. Be sure to ask questions too.

This morning as I was pulling my toast from the toaster oven, I suddenly craved something other…read morethan mere butter or jam to slather on it before consumption. Propped elbow on the counter, cocked an eyebrow, stroked chin thoughtfully and then *ding!* That little yellow light bulb from "Merrie Melodies" cartoons materialized above my head as I remembered a hoarded and cherished jar of Lavender Hills Farm honey stashed in the cupboard. And not just any honey, but honey blended with tahini. Ta-honey? It tastes as if a jar of mild, nutty peanut butter rolled right into a jar of honey, like in "The Missing Piece Meets the Big O", and they discovered they were meant to be all along. Add in a sliced banana and you've got childhood -- or Elvis -- between two slices of toasty bread. All Lavender Hills honey products are "raw", which means the honey is pulled straight from the comb and isn't heated or pasteurized, so you get all the health benefits of bee pollen with every golden, dripping spoonful. Aside from jars of regular raw honey, Lavender Hills sells creamed raw honey; raw honey blended with ginger, sweet and spicy all at once; raw honey mustard which is hot, and I love; raw honey fudge sauce made with African cocoa and coffee, you won't believe your taste buds. For hand-farmed, harvested, and produced honey, the prices are really a steal. They also make body cremes, lip balms, and candles from the botanicals growing on their farm and beeswax from their apiaries. Aside from the fantastic products, the people who work at Lavender Hills Farm are all wonderfully down-to-earth and friendly. It's a pleasure visiting with them each summer in Ontario, and we always look forward to a return trip. Raw honey with tahini. Genius.

Stopped here last week for country drive & enjoyed seeing all the fall coloured leaves !…read moreThe market is not totally huge but does carry a nice selection of homemade goods, meats, baking, etc. We bought sweet crisp apples and a home baked pie to take home. There is an ice cream shop that would be nice in summer to enjoy ...

Great produce in summer...awesome cinnamon buns and very helpful friendly staff...amazing catering…read moreand delicious food!

I was staying with some friends and they suggested a Saturday morning trip to the Barrie Farmer's…read moremarket. I was pleasantly surprised with the size and the variety of offerings. Bests: Gigantic Jars of honey for $9, Braided Garlic (14 Organic Cloves for $25), Bags of Beets Carrots etc for $4-5 a bag. Really Nice looking Quiches and the Hempola Farms products. Surprisingly, a Chinese run booth had dumplings cooking all day and I had takeaway rice and Chana Masala that wasn't bad for $5. Frank (Frankie Flowers of Breakfast Television fame) was there shopping with his family too, he lives in the area. Really Nice Produce, Ample Parking if you have to drive. Decent prices. Barrie's Farmers market is held at City Hall.

Delicious local food and ingredients at fabulous prices! Produce tends to be available from mid-May…read more(asparagus) through to late October (squashes and root vegetables). Meats and fish are generally available year-round. Maple syrup arrives in early April. Vendors also offer prepared foods and arts & crafts. Support our farmers! Buy local!