The Big Apple Colburne Ontario Canada

The Big Apple Ontario—A Red Apple, A Camera, and a Few Surprises

I pulled off Highway 401 eastbound, somewhere between Toronto and Kingston, and there it was—impossible to miss. A giant, grinning red apple sitting in the fields like it had been rolled there by giants. I wasn’t planning to stop. But the photographer in me doesn’t drive past strange things without taking a closer look. The Big Apple in Colborne is one of those quirky, distinctly Canadian places that feels part roadside attraction, part bakery, part small-town theme park.

Planning a visit or just curious what’s fresh out of the oven? Check out the latest hours, menus, and attractions straight from the source: The Big Apple in Colborne, Ontario

A Giant Apple and a Lot More Than Pie

The first thing I noticed was the sheer size of it. This apple isn’t just for show—you can climb it. I didn’t, because I was too busy photographing it from every angle: wide shots with the bench in frame, a few close-ups that caught the sunlight off its glossy red skin, and one wide-angle shot that included the mini golf course and kids darting around in the background. The place hums with that summer road-trip energy—families, couples, retired RV folks, everyone either holding a coffee or a box of baked goods.

Inside Apple’s Core: A Working Bakery

Let me be clear: this isn’t just a tourist trap with some packaged treats. The Big Apple’s bakery is the real deal. I walked in expecting a few apple pies and maybe some tarts, but the variety hit me like a wall of cinnamon-scented nostalgia. I counted at least five kinds of pie (yes, they have sugar-free versions), racks of freshly made apple bread, and something called “mumble crumble,” which tastes better than it sounds. You can even watch the pies being made through a glass window—rows of them moving down the line like apple-scented soldiers. I picked up a warm mini apple bite—cinnamon sugar coated and just the right size for the road.

Quirky Eats and Rural Charm

They serve lunch too—grilled cheese on apple bread, which I didn’t know I needed in my life until that moment. I sat on one of the outdoor benches with my sandwich and a bottle of cold apple cider, soaking in the quiet hum of families playing mini golf and the smell of warm pastry from the bakery vents. You can easily kill an hour here without realizing it. There’s a petting zoo, a miniature train for the kids, and a gift shop filled with local honey, maple syrup, and apple-themed everything.

If roadside icons and rural charm speak to you, there’s more where that came from—see the full series in my Ontario Photography Collection.

For the Photographer: Framing the Unexpected

From a photography standpoint, the Big Apple is a fun challenge. It’s bold and colourful—designed for Instagram, sure—but there’s a realness here too. Kids in motion blur, the contrast between glossy red paint and blue summer sky, and the slightly faded signage all make for interesting shots. I especially liked the bench in the corner of the frame—something about its placement made the scene feel like a memory rather than a postcard.

Worth the Stop

I hadn’t planned to stop. But that’s how some of my favourite roadside discoveries happen—accidentally. The Big Apple may be known for its pies and smiling mascot, but for me, it was a reminder that even the most touristy-looking places can be unexpectedly human: real people, real food, and a moment of small-town charm that breaks up the drive.

If you’re ever headed down the 401, roll down the windows and keep your eyes open near Colborne—the apples are waiting. Just make sure your camera battery isn’t dead.