How many times have I driven along highway 401 and seen that great big apple smiling at me from the side of the road? That apple has always been there; it is a part of my childhood, it is a signpost of my trips. If the Big Apple ever vanished, I would genuinely be sad.
With a mascot like that, looming over the roadway, you would think this would be a regular stop on my voyages south. You would be wrong.
The last time I stopped at the Big Apple was as a child. I remember going into the attraction (the giant smiling apple head), climbing to the top, and seeing amazing views of the surrounding area… and that is about it. The rest of the place didn’t really leave an impression on me. In fact, I have a vague memory of the place having been a little bit of a disappointment.
Now when I travel in the area, I am normally going for work or to visit relatives. I am focused on my destination. Stopping at a large road side attraction that I remember being a disappointment didn’t really appeal to me. But in September of this year, something changed.
My cousin had invited me to the live taping of a podcast we both enjoy, and I had taken the Friday off work to drive to her place. There was no rush, no specific time I had to be at my destination. On top of that, I had been traveling for months with work, and was sick and tired of ‘typical’ road food. Then out of nowhere, my funny little brain reminded me of the giant apple headed attraction from my youth; and my stomach thought… what the hell, let’s do it!
It was a grey and rainy day. At times, the rain was just a mist in the air; at other, it fell so hard, I worried for my safety. When I get stressed I eat, and parts of this drive where making me stressed. When I arrived at Kingston, I thought to myself: “Not long now.” For I had remembered The Big Apple being much closer to The Limestone City then it actually is.
I drove and drove, but that darn red apple never appeared. I was getting hungrier and hungrier, so I had to make a deal with myself: “30 more minutes. If I don’t see it then, we are going for fast food.” Thank the gods that at minute 28, the first sign for The Big Apple appeared.
I followed the highway signs to the exit, than easily found my way to the parking lot. It was raining the scary way when I got there; which meant that I did not take the time to really look at the outside of the place. I did notice a BBQ truck, and prayed that was not the only place to get food.
I got soaking wet walking to the building, but the minute I stepped inside I could tell my patience, hunger, and being soaked was well worth it. The place my parents later remember as being ‘rustic’, is now a rustic place in the best possible use of the word. The place is gorgeous. Carts full of apples greet you when you first walk in. A window behind the carts allows you to see the bakers making apple pies on an industrial scale. To your right is a pair of saloon doors that grant you entrance to a bakery stop of apple desert delights. To you left is a candy shop for both kids (with chocolate, and sweets) and adults (the cider brewery). But since I was a kid, I always judge a place based on their bathroom; these bathrooms were the height of barnyard chick. (I didn’t feel it was appropriate to take pictures in there. Sorry, but I hope you understand).
The bakery section (the place that sold everything apple and deserty), is where you can also get savory food to take away or eat on site. I was pleasantly surprised that my meal (which was more than I could eat) and a drink (in a glass bottle) came to just under 12$.
I sat by a window, and looked out onto the dreary day. I noticed that The Big Apple has a train, and mini putt, and a petting zoo. All, unfortunately, closed due to the dreary weather. But what a place to stop if you are a child! What a fun way to spruce up a boring car ride, then with a stop at this magical place.
After eating my fill, I returned to the bakery to buy deserts to share with my cousin. I highly recommend the Apple Cider Mini Donuts, they are to die for. I also made my way to the brewery to get a selection of Apple Cider drinks for my parents. (I don’t drink, but they assure be the cider was very good).
All in all, it was great place to stop. I ate some good food, got some gifts, and spent a little bit more money than I was expecting to. I am not saying things were expensive, there is just so many unique and interesting things to buy.
The Big Apple is such a refreshing change from the highway rest stops that litter the 401. Next time I am heading past Colborne, I will be stopping in for some more apple delights.
If you want to know more about The Big Apple, check out their website at www.thebigapple.ca
(I have not figured out how to add links in my posts yet, so sorry about the lack of a link)
Also take a look at my short slid-show below.
