The Date Almanac
A strawberry and zoo day for families
Pick-your-own berries at Barrie Hill Farms, the animals at Elmvale Jungle Zoo, and the Elmvale market
A this-week family day southeast of Collingwood, while the strawberries are still on. Pick your own at Barrie Hill Farms in the morning, meet the animals at the Elmvale Jungle Zoo, and swing through the Elmvale market on the way. Three stops about 30 to 40 minutes from Collingwood, built for younger kids and berry season.
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Pick strawberries · Springwater
Barrie Hill Farms
A big Springwater farm near Barrie known for pick-your-own, with strawberries from mid-June, then summer berries and vegetables, and apples and pumpkins in the fall. A play area is included with admission, and the farm posts a daily picking update.
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Meet the animals · Elmvale
Elmvale Jungle Zoo
A long-running family zoo in Elmvale with big cats, primates, reptiles, and a walk-through layout that suits young kids. Open daily through the summer, roughly 9:30 to 5; there is no restaurant on site, so pack a lunch.
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The market · Elmvale
Elmvale Flea and Farmers' Market
A sales-barn market where farm produce and baked goods share aisles with antiques, vintage toys, tools and a record store, vendors spread inside and out across an 18-acre lot. Bring cash; there is no machine on site.
Before you go
- Strawberry picking is a late-June and early-July thing, so confirm Barrie Hill Farms' daily picking update before you drive out.
- Barrie Hill charges a small per-person admission that includes the play area, with baskets sold by size; weekends and holidays cost a little more.
- Elmvale Jungle Zoo runs daily about 9:30 to 5 in summer and has no restaurant, so pack a lunch and snacks.
- These stops are 30 to 40 minutes from Collingwood, the farthest of the day trips, so make a morning of it.
- Bring a cooler for the berries and sun cover for the picking field.
A free day out from the Home Almanac. Every stop is a verified place; days change with the season, so print it the week you go.