maple syrup tapping tours

Visit These 13 Vermont Sugar Houses to Learn How Maple Syrup is Made

By Author Tara Schatz

Posted on Published: February 5, 2024

If not for maple syrup, March in Vermont would be all about mud season.

Thank goodness that the grey days and muddy roads of early spring go hand-in-hand with one of Mother Nature’s most wonderful inventions!

Drive any back road in Vermont during February and March, and you will undoubtedly come across metal buckets hanging on roadside maple trees and lines of plastic tubing running from sugarbush to sugar shack, where clear maple sap is magically converted into pure maple syrup.

Vermont’s 600+ sugarmakers produced 2.5 million gallons of maple syrup in 2022, leading the country in production.

What’s even more exciting is that many Vermont sugar shacks open their doors to the public so that the rest of us can learn how maple syrup goes from tree, to tap, to table each spring.

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2024 Vermont Maple Open House Weekend

The sweetest weekend in Vermont will celebrate the 2024 crop of maple syrup. Visitors will dig into pancake breakfasts, try sugar-on-snow, enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, and learn about the maple sugaring process with sugarhouse tours.

This is an ideal weekend to visit Vermont, celebrate a time-honored tradition, and stock up on maple syrup and maple products for the coming year.

This year’s two Maple Open House Weekend will be March 2t3h and 24th, 2024. The Vermont sugar shacks listed below are all taking part in the festivities, and you can find even more participants at Vermont Maple Sugar Makers .

What’s more, many of these Vermont sugar houses are open to the public during maple sugaring season (outside of Maple Open House Weekend).

Ready to take advantage of Vermont’s sweetest season? Put these 12 Vermont sugar shacks on your must-visit list!

Vermont Sugar Shacks Map

There are Vermont maple syrup farms and sugar shacks to visit all over the state, but the ones listed below are generally open to the public for tours and farm visits.

Stop in during Vermont Maple Open House Weekend, or anytime you’re visiting Vermont!

The Sugar Shack in Arlington, Vermont

Not only can you witness maple sugaring in person at The Sugar Shack in Arlington, but you can also indulge in delectable maple creemees (or maple waffle sundaes!), purchase real maple syrup and other goodies, and check out the onsite Norman Rockwell exhibit.

The Hawley family has more than 90 years of experience producing award-winning maple syrup, which they sell in four different grades. Samples are available every day, and you can also purchase Vermont products and souvenirs, cheddar cheese, jams, jellies, and fudge. Fresh-baked goodies, including cider donuts, pies, and maple-frosted cookies, are created daily.

During Maple Open House Weekend (March 23 and 24), The Sugar Shack will be giving tours and free samples, as well as free silver dollar pancakes from 10 am to 2 pm. There will be syrup giveaways and plenty of maple products for sale.

The Sugar Shack is currently open Thursday through Saturday, from 9 am to 4 pm. Visitors are welcome to pop into the sugar house to watch the maple-sugaring process firsthand.

Green Mountain Sugarhouse in Ludlow, Vermont

Located on beautiful Vermont Route 100 in North Ludlow, Vermont, Green Mountain Sugarhouse is open year-round. The red-roofed sugarhouse is perched on the edge of Lake Pauline, and there’s no better place to relax with a maple creemee.

In addition to pure maple syrup, Green Mountain Sugarhouse produces other maple specialties including maple cream, maple candy, and maple nut brittle.

Green Mountain Sugarhouse will participate in Vermont Maple Open House Weekend on March 23 and 24, 2024. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., they will serve sugar on maple creemees and donut holes with maple cream.

Outside of Maple Weekend, the Sugarhouse is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.

Merck Forest & Farmland Center in Rupert, Vermont

A visit to Merck Forest & Farmland Center is an experience that can’t be duplicated. This nonprofit working farm and forest in Rupert, Vermont includes sixty acres of farmland that are managed using low-impact, ecologically sensitive practices.

Visitors to the farm can say hi to the animals and purchase farm products, including pick-your-own blueberries (in the summer), pastured pork, grass-fed lamb, fleece products, and of course, real maple syrup.

Merck Forest is comprised of more than 3,100 acres surrounding the farm, with 30 miles of trails in the Taconic Mountains. The terrain is perfect for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.

This forest also provides an abundance of maple syrup. Merck Forest taps approximately 2,900 trees and invites the public to learn more about the process.

Merck Forest & Farmland Center will celebrate Maple Open House on Saturday, March 23, from 11 am – 3 pm. Visitors will be treated to tapping and boiling demonstrations, storytelling, children’s activities, farm animals, and more. A $5 suggested donation per person is appreciated.

Read Next: Delightfully Rustic Cabin Camping at Merck Forest & Farmland Center

Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in Montpelier, Vermont

Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks , Vermont’s oldest sugarhouse, is an 8th-generation farm in Montpelier that loves visitors.

They offer free sugar house tours and tastings throughout the season, as well as multimedia displays, a nature trail, a country store, and an outdoor Vermont farm life museum.

Morse Farm is open daily year-round. Visitors can walk the “maple trail’ winding through the sugarbush and visit Rex and James, the Morse Farm goats.  Pieces of folk art and antique farm implements can be found throughout the property.

Be sure to try one of Morse Farm’s famous maple creemees, which are available all year long.

Sugarbush Farm in Woodstock, Vermont

Sugarbush Farm is located on 550 beautiful acres outside of Woodstock, Vermont. Not only does the Luce family make wonderfully rich maple syrup, but they also specialize in award-winning cheese, including extra sharp cheddar and smoked maple cheese.

Sugarbush Farm is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm. During sugaring season, you can visit the sugar house and learn more about the art of making maple syrup. During other times of the year, you are free to walk the sugarbush and watch a short video about how maple syrup is made.

You will likely find delicious cheese samples to savor and farm animals to visit with. The views are gorgeous no matter what time of year you choose to visit.

During Maple Open House Weekend, Sugarbush Farm will be offering tours and providing samples.

Read Next: Plan a Fall Weekend in Woodstock, Vermont

Bragg Farm Sugarhouse and Gift Shop in East Montpelier, Vermont

With more than 2,200 traditional sap buckets and a wood-fired evaporator, Bragg Farm Sugarhouse and Gift Shop in East Montpelier has been making syrup the old-fashioned way for eight generations.

The Bragg Farm sugarhouse is open year-round, not to mention the enticing maple ice cream parlor and gift shop, which carries a large selection of Vermont crafts, gifts, and specialty foods.

During Maple Open House Weekend, Bragg Farm will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop in for a maple creemee or milkshake, maple-frosted donuts, or sugar-on-snow sundaes before visiting the farm goats.

Take a free guided tour of the sugarhouse and sample Vermont’s finest maple syrup before choosing a bottle to bring home for your pancake breakfasts and maple lattes.

Baird Farm in North Chittenden, Vermont

Established in 1918, Baird Farm encompasses 560 acres of forest and fields in North Chittenden. This Vermont farm is known for its certified organic maple syrup, as well as maple syrup infused with either mint or spruce tips (great for cocktails).

Baird Farm is participating in Vermont Maple Open House Weekend on March 23 and 24 from 10 am to 4 pm with free sugarhouse and sugarbush tours, maple tastings, free rosemary waffles, outdoor maple activities and giveaways, and tree tapping demonstrations at 1 pm.

Mount Holly Beer Co. will be serving maple-themed beer, and the farm store will be open to purchase all of your maple goodies.

Outside of Maple Open House Weekend, Baird Farm is open year-round from Wednesday to Monday, 9 am to 5 pm. Free tours must be booked in advance.

Bread Loaf View Farm in Cornwall, Vermont

Bread Loaf Farm maintains a 30-acre sugarbush in Cornwall, Vermont, just three miles from Middlebury College. Head sugar maker Kenn Hastings manages the sugarbush and produces intensely flavorful maple syrup and maple products for all to enjoy.

Bread Loaf Farm is dedicated to combining time-honored maple sugaring practices with cutting-edge technology to produce the richest, most delicious syrup imaginable.

Throughout the year, Bread Loaf View Farm hosts numerous community-wide gatherings including pancake breakfasts, group tours, and special events.

Mahar Maple Farm in Middletown Springs, Vermont

Welcome to Mahar Maple Farm, where the Durfee and Mahar families have created a small Vermont maple sugar farm together in the beautiful, picturesque mountains of Middletown Springs. Mahar Maple Farm combines traditional sugaring techniques with modern technology to make flavorful, award-winning Vermont maple syrup.

The Sugarhouse will be open for Vermont Maple Open House Weekend. Visitors are welcome to visit the state-of-the-art, wood-fired evaporator in a spacious sugarhouse. There will be free samples, maple snacks, and specialty maple products for sale.

You are welcome to visit Mahar Maple Farm outside of Maple Weekend, but appointments are suggested as boiling times and days are weather-dependent.

Silloway Maple in Randolph Center, Vermont

Silloway Maple , located just off Interstate 89 in Randolph Center, Vermont, has been boiling sap into syrup since the 1940s. Their award-winning Vermont maple syrup is made using solar power and a traditional wood fire.

Visit Silloway to witness the process of boiling sap into syrup, or visit year-round to learn about the history of maple syrup, tour the sugarbush, enjoy maple creemees, and stock up on maple products.

Judd’s Wayeeses Farms in Morgan, Vermont

Formerly the Wayeeses Boys Camp that operated from 1923 until World War II, Judd’s Wayeeses Farm in Morgan is a fourth-generation sugaring operation specializing in pure maple syrup and maple sugar.

You can visit the farm anytime and purchase syrup at the onsite cannery or strap on snowshoes to trek about a mile to the sugarhouse. To find out if they are boiling in the spring, give them a call at (802) 895-4418.

Want to spend more time in the region? Rent the nearby cottage on Seymour Lake in the summer months for $125 a night.

Shelburne Sugarworks in Shelburne, Vermont

Shelburne Sugarworks is a third-generation operation that started during World War II when Marjorie Palmer began making maple syrup when traditional cane sugar was rationed.

Since those humble beginnings, the Palmer family has expanded the sugarhouse and incorporated new technology, including a natural gas-fired evaporator, expanded tubing and vacuum systems, and a reverse osmosis system for more efficient processing.

Shelburne Sugarworks opens the doors to its post-and-beam sugarhouse every weekend from early March to early April, from 12 – 5 pm.

During Vermont Maple Open House Weekend, they will offer free samples, maple cotton candy, maple ice cream, and guided tours. Don your snow boots (or snow shoes) for a walk in the sugarbush.

The 170 acres of woodland trails around Shelburne Sugarworks are open for hiking and mountain biking all year.

Trapp Family Lodge Sugarhouse in Stowe, Vermont

In the early 1940s, the von Trapp family toured the United States as the Trapp Family Singers before eventually settling in Stowe, Vermont. Today, visitors are welcome to come stay in their Austrian-style lodge on 2,600 acres. Trails crisscross the property, and there are several restaurants and a brewery onsite.

Every March, when the days become longer and warmer, maple sugaring begins at Trapp Family Lodge , where 800 gallons of maple syrup are produced the old-fashioned way, using sap buckets and a wood-fired evaporator.

Visitors can book a Maple Sugar Tour during their visit. It’s a casual, one-mile hike around the property where you learn about maple sugaring before enjoying a tasty treat. While you’re there, you can visit with the lambs and cows, hike or bike a trail, or dine in one of the fantastic restaurants or the Von Trapp Brewery.

Read Next: Easy and Moderate Day Hikes Near Stowe, Vermont

More Vermont Maple Events to Check Out in 2024

Vermont Maple Open House Weekend may be the most anticipated maple event of the year, but it’s not the only one! Here are a few more ways to indulge in and learn about Vermont’s liquid gold!

• March 11, 2024: Governor’s Annual Tree Tapping : Join Governor Phill Scott at  Buck Family Maple Farm  in Washington County for this year’s tapping to kick off the maple season. The ceremony begins at 11 am.
• March 23, 2024 : 16th Lunenburg Maple Festival : Enjoy a pancake breakfast, a student sugaring demonstration, raffles, door prizes, maple cotton candy, tours of six sugarhouses, and pie!
• March 30, 2024: Lambing and Maple Sugaring at Shelburne Farms : Shelburne Farms invites you to their spring event! Visit the sugarhouse and taste this year’s syrup, then visit the new lambs. Ages 6 and up. $5.
• April 20, 2024: Kingdom Maple Festival in St. Johnsbury : Celebrate St. Johnsbury’s history as the “Maple Center of the World.” The festival will showcase local maple history and producers, along with delicious treats and fun activities for the whole family.
• April 26-28, 2024: 57th Annual Vermont Maple Festival in St. Albans : This huge celebration of all things maple includes live entertainment, tours of Vermont sugar shacks, an annual sap run, a maple parade, maple photography and cooking contests, and a Fiddler’s Variety Show.

Follow us on social media for more Vermont inspiration!

Tara Schatz is a freelance writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of Vermont Explored and Back Road Ramblers , an American road trip blog. She is also the co-author of the 3rd edition of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont, released in May 2023, and the author of 100+ Wonderful Ways to Experience Vermont.

Saturday 9th of March 2024

Hi everybody! This year between 8/16; 17(my 59th Birthday); 18/24, I'm planning on visiting the best Vermont Sugar Shack! Out of the 12 Vermont Sugar Shacks that's listed on this website, which is the best one to visit that has all the amenities? Thank you.

Wednesday 13th of March 2024

@Tara Schatz,

I understand!

I Googled Merck Forest as well as Shelburne Sugarworks.

What I'm seeking is the best near by hotel lodging; tour of the grounds on what it has to offer to give the best experience possible; a decent breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant as well as a souvenir shop. If possible, all close to the proximity of each establishment!

I'm just looking for a complete package to give my Birthday the most enjoyable experience as possible!

Tara Schatz

This is a hard question to answer as they are all so different! Merck Forest is has a great sugaring operation, plus they have farm animals and hiking trails, so that would be my pick in Southern Vermont. I love Shelburne Sugarworks up north and Baird Farm. So hard to choose!

21 Fun Maple Experiences and Festivals to Sweeten Your Spring

It’s sugaring season and Pennsylvania has the sweetest events and festivals to add to your calendar! Come celebrate at one of the many maple festivals taking place throughout Pennsylvania. Most feature a pancake breakfast complete with oh-so-sweet, PA-made maple syrup!

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1. Montour Preserve Maple Sugaring Open House

Learn all about maple sugaring at Montour Preserve’s Maple Sugaring Open House . Start (or end) your visit at the Environmental Education Center for a showing of the movie, “A Visit to a Maple Sugar Farm”; then take the Goose Woods Trail to the preserve’s Sugar Shack where you’ll be surrounded by the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of maple sugaring! Before you leave, be sure to pick up some delicious, Roloson Brothers maple products to enjoy at home.

When: Feb. 24    Where: Danville    Cost: Free (donations welcome)

2. Maple Sugaring at the Peter Wentz Farmstead

Watch farmers from the Peter Wentz Farmstead follow the time-honored tradition of Maple Sugaring as they tap maple trees and collect the sap to create tasty maple sugar and syrup from the farmstead’s maple trees. Afterwards, it will be hard to resist the Philly Waffle Cabin ‘s food truck and their delicious Belgian waffles onsite each day starting at 10 a.m.!

When: Feb. 24, Mar. 2    Where: Lansdale    Cost: Free

3. Strawberry Hill Maple Madness

Tap into the history, science, and culture of maple sugaring at Strawberry Hill’s Maple Fest . Treat yourself and your friends and family to an all-you-can-eat, fireside pancake breakfast at Camp Eder. Then, enjoy several all-new hands-on activities the whole family will enjoy including storytelling, a tree-tapping competition, and demonstrations of maple sugaring techniques from the past to the present.

When: Mar. 2-3    Where: Fairfield    Cost: $20 for adults; $15 for children

4. Maple Sugaring Days

Make your late winter days a sweet one by joining York County Parks for some family-friendly fun at Nixon Park’s Maple Sugaring Days . Watch the art of maple sugaring come to life with a self-guided tour and learn about the process through special, interactive exhibits and displays. Enjoy tasting syrup samples, shopping unique maple products, and looking on as little ones participate in activities throughout the day.

When: Feb. 24-25, Mar. 2-3    Where: York    Cost: $3; Free for park members and children under age four

5. Maple Sugar Magic

Green Lane Park is the place to be for some Maple Sugar Magic . Enjoy demonstrations of tree-tapping and sap gathering and boiling to make syrup. You can also learn about the discovery of maple sugar dating back to the 1500s. Be sure to pick up some Pure Pennsylvania maple syrup, candy and ice cream that will be available for sale.

When: Mar. 2    Where: Green Lane    Cost: Free (Pre-registration required)

6. Maple Sugar Day at Peace Valley Nature Center

Syrup lovers, bring your family and friends to Maple Sugar Day at Peace Valley Nature Center. Experience the way maple sugar was collected and made during the pioneer days. Travel to the sugar bush to sample some maple sap and learn the history behind this delightful gift of Mother Nature. Be sure to purchase some fresh Bucks County maple syrup to enjoy at home.

When: Mar. 2    Where: Doylestown    Cost: Free

7. A Sweet Stroll Through Maple History

Take A Sweet Stroll Through Maple History at the Jennings Environmental Education Center and learn how sap taken from a maple tree is transformed into syrup. You’ll first learn about the key role sap plays in a tree’s overall functioning, then enjoy a guided walk through the history of maple sugaring. Your final stop is at a working evaporator offering a taste of spring itself, real maple syrup! Be sure to stop by The Nature Shop at Jennings where a variety of delicious, local maple products will be for sale!

When: Mar. 3    Where: Slippery Rock    Cost: Free (Pre-registration required)

8. Maple Weekend Taste and Tour

Enjoy a weekend filled with all things maple at Somerset County’s signature Maple Weekend Taste and Tour . The free, self-guided tour is hosted by the Somerset County Maple Producers Association. Explore area farms to learn about maple syrup production and sample a variety of delicious maple products from those who know maple best!

When: Mar. 2-3, Mar. 9-10    Where: Somerset County    Cost: Free

9. Maple Tour 2024

Enjoy a scenic tour of central Pennsylvania during the River Valley Maple Producers Association’s Maple Tour 2024 weekend. Five of the area’s maple producers along with the Snyder County Conservation District are offering a weekend filled with fun activities including wagon rides, interesting fun facts and demonstrations of the maple producing process, and, of course, lots of maple deliciousness!

When: Mar. 2-3    Where: Fulton, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Snyder, and Union Counties    Cost: Free

10. Maple Sugar Festival

Fort Hunter Park is the setting for an afternoon filled with fun and sweet delights during the Maple Sugar Festival . You can try your hand at tapping a tree; watch as maple syrup and candy is made; and learn about the different types of maple syrup. The event features plenty of children’s activities and also delicious PA maple products for sale.

When: Mar. 3    Where: Harrisburg    Cost: Free

11. Maple Madness

Learn how people have used maple through the ages during Maple Madness sessions at the Buffalo Creek Nature Park, Beechwood Farms Nature Preserve, and Succop Nature Park properties of the Audubon Society of Western PA. Tour their maple sugar demonstration trail and discover the history and science of maple syrup — and how to collect and make your own. Be sure to stop by their Nature Stores to purchase some delicious maple syrup and maple candy to enjoy at home.

When: Mar. 9 (Buffalo Creek Nature Park), 16 (Beechwood), 23 (Succop)    Where: Sarver, Pittsburgh, Butler    Cost: $6.00 for members; $12 for non-members; pre-registration required

12. Maple Open House

Bring the whole family to Hills Creek State Park to learn how pure maple syrup goes from tree to table during their Maple Open House . You’ll find out how to identify maple trees even in winter; how to tap trees and collect sap; the history of maple syrup making; and how the finished product is made, complete with a taste. For more maple-themed fun, this event is being held in conjunction with the Potter/Tioga Maple Producers 20 th Annual Maple Weekend.

When: Mar. 16  Where: Wellsboro  Cost: Free

13. Loch's Maple Open House

The Loch family invites you to Loch's Maple Open House . Watch as gallons of sap are boiled down into a gallon of the delicious syrup. Prepare to be amazed by all the marvelous maple-based products this long-time producer has on its shelves including maple mustard and other maple seasonings, maple coffee and tea, maple vinegar, maple jelly, and, of course, maple syrup!

When: Mar. 16  Where: Springville  Cost: Free

14. Annual Maple Weekend

The Northeast (PA) Maple Syrup Producers Association invite you to enjoy some tasty treats at their Annual Maple Weekend . Download the brochure and look for the open house signs at the 12 participating sugar houses along the way to learn how the sap from a maple tree is transformed into maple syrup and lots of maple-y treats. Enjoy a delicious (and filling!) pancake breakfast to fuel your adventures along the way!

When: Mar. 16-17  Where: Lackawanna, Pike, Susquehanna, and Wayne Counties  Cost: Free

15. 20 th Annual Maple Weekend

Maple farms throughout Potter and Tioga counties welcome you to the 20th Annual Maple Weekend for a true behind-the-scenes peek at the maple syrup making process. This year’s 22 participating maple farms offer tours and demonstrations of the various sap collection methods — from the classic hanging bucket to modern tubing and vacuum pump techniques — and the various stages of maple syrup production. Each farm has its own special maple-y treats including classic syrups and candies, maple salad dressing, and not-to-miss maple milkshakes! Be sure to download their 2024 brochure with a map and all the places serving up a delicious pancake breakfast!

When: Mar. 16-17  Where: Potter and Tioga Counties  Cost: Free

16. Annual Maple Taste & Tours Weekend

The Northwest Pennsylvania Maple Syrup Producers Association welcomes you to their Annual Maple Taste & Tours Weekend featuring 16 participating maple farms and sugarhouses throughout the five counties. Each farm and sugarhouse has its own unique approach to maple sugaring and is guaranteed to be fun and informative (with lots of maple candy and snacks, of course). You'll find maple products that go beyond the classic sugar candy and syrup, including maple mustard, beer, butter, peanut butter, maple sap dogs, and even a rum-barrel-aged maple syrup!

When: Mar. 16-17  Where: Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, and Venango Counties  Cost: Free

17. Maple Harvest Festival and Pancake Breakfast

Step back in time as costumed interpreters demonstrate old-world maple farming techniques from Native American and Colonial times to today's modern harvesting techniques at the Maple Harvest Festival and Pancake Breakfast at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center. Explore the Sugar Shack to learn how maple sap is transformed into syrup and dance to live music at this two-day festival of all-natural sweetness.

When: Mar. 23-24  Where: Petersburg  Cost: Price varies (timed entry ticket required)

18. 77 th Annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival

Join thousands of maple lovers for the 77 th Annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival . The festival includes a grand parade with marching bands, floats, and the newly crowned Maple Queen. There are also special activities for the kids, antique street rod shows, an old-fashioned horse-pulling contest, artists and crafters galore, a quilt show, antique tractor and farm show, and a dinner theater featuring the Maple City Players. Ramp up your sugaring skills by learning how to tap a tree, boil sap into syrup, make sugar cakes, and twirl spotza.

When: Apr. 20-21, 24-28  Where: Meyersdale  Cost: Price varies

19. Beaver County Maple Syrup & Music Festival

Now in its 44 th year, the Beaver County Maple Syrup & Music Festival promises a fun and “ maplelicious ” good time! There will be live music performances along with children’s activities, antique tractors, Revolutionary and Civil War demonstrations, a Fun Run, crafters of all types, and loads of maple-y treats including cotton candy, lollipops, and maple-coated cashews rounding out the fun. The festival is sponsoring a food drive to help out community members in need.

When: Apr. 20-21  Where: Beaver Falls  Cost: TBD

20. 42 nd Annual Endless Mountains Maple Festival

Saddle up for a wild celebration of this year's maple harvest at the 42 nd Annual Endless Mountains Maple Festival . Attendees can enjoy maple demonstrations, a monster truck show and demolition derby, amusement rides, games, and live entertainment. Cooks can compete in the Macaroni & Cheese Cook-Off, while others participate in the pancake eating contest. Non-competitive pancake lovers can enjoy the all-day pancake breakfast. Stop by the maple product and maple wine contests to see which are judged best of show for 2024!

When: Apr. 27-28  Where: Troy  Cost: Price varies

21. Tapped: A Maple Trail

Experience maple mania year-round on VisitPA’s curated road trip Tapped: A Maple Trail . The trail has two sections, one in the Laurel Highlands and one in the Pennsylvania Wilds, that take you through wooded areas flush with all types of maple product producers, including coffee shops, distilleries, candy makers, restaurants, farm tours and historic sites.

To see a full list of the events and festivals happening this winter , check out the visitPA website. Be sure to follow us on Facebook , X (Twitter) , Pinterest , YouTube , and Instagram to stay up-to-date on even more great trip ideas and places to visit around the state.

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Haunted Vermont, Folklore & much more…

Vermont’s World Famous Maple Syrup and Sugar Houses to Visit

Vermont is known for its high-quality maple syrup , which has been an important part of the state's culture and economy for centuries. The history of maple syrup production in Vermont dates back to the indigenous peoples who inhabited the region. These early inhabitants, including the Abenaki, Iroquois, and Algonquin tribes, discovered that maple trees produced a sweet sap that could be collected and transformed into syrup or sugar. They used the syrup as a sweetener and as a trade item with other tribes and European settlers.

Famous Vermont Maple Syrup

Maple syrup production became more widespread in Vermont in the 19th century, as settlers learned how to tap the trees and collect the sap. The process of making maple syrup involves drilling a hole into a maple tree and inserting a spout, or tap. The tap is connected to a bucket or a plastic tubing system that collects the sap as it flows out of the tree. The sap is then boiled down to reduce its water content, resulting in maple syrup.

Vermont's maple syrup industry has grown significantly over the years, and today the state is one of the largest producers of maple syrup in the United States. Vermont's maple syrup is known for its high quality and distinctive flavor, and it is enjoyed by people around the world.

Vermont maple syrup is known for its rich, smooth flavor and high quality

It is produced in the state of Vermont, which is known for its maple trees and maple syrup production. Vermont maple syrup is made by tapping maple trees and collecting the sap, which is then boiled down to create the syrup. Vermont is known for producing some of the best maple syrup in the world, and many people consider it to be a specialty product. The flavor of Vermont maple syrup is often described as being rich and complex, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and nuts. It is often used as a sweetener and flavor enhancer in a variety of dishes, including pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, and other breakfast foods. Many people also enjoy using Vermont maple syrup as a topping for ice cream, yogurt, and other desserts.

These are a few popular Vermont maple syrup farms in northern Vermont for you to visit this Spring

In no particular order, these are five of the best Vermont maple farms that you will find while driving around northern Vermont. To be fair, there are many others including some small, family farms such as the Thompson Family Farm in Colchester which is certainly one of the best! We will be expanding this article to feature more sugar makers in the future but for now, these truly are some of the best places to visit. An older article about Vermont maple sugaring and maple syrup can be found here .

Here are just a few of the Vermont maple syrup farms that offer a wide range of maple products, gifts and fun things to do for the entire family.

Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks

Visit the Morse Sugarworks a few miles on the outskirts of Montpelier, Vermont for walk-through tours, tasting, multimedia displays, a nature trail, an authentic country store, and outdoor activities on the grounds of a rural farm experience. Visit an outdoor Vermont farm life museum making up the Morse Farm experience. Sprinkled throughout the property, are whimsical carved folk life characters created by Burr Morse.

Morse Farm is open daily year round, but their hours do vary with the seasons. June 12 – August 29 open 10 AM to 7 PM August 30 – December 31 open 10 AM to 5:00 PM New Years Day – June 11 open 10 AM to 5 PM

Goodrich's Maple Farm

Nothing tastes better than the taste of True Vermont Maple Syrup . This is the most loved natural sweetener from the Green Mountains of the state. Checkout maple syrup and maple recipes at Goodrich’s Maple Farm Facebook Page .

A 40,000 tap operation. Enjoy free educational tours of the maple process & their sugarhouse. Bus tours welcome. Large groups welcome. Learn all about Vermont maple from their trees to your table. Gift shop, taster's table. Retail, Wholesale & Mail order. Maple syrup, candies & confections. Local Crafts & Gifts. Conveniently located on US RT 2, in Cabot, VT, just minutes from other local Northeast Kingdom attractions. Handicapped accessible. Sugar on snow parties in season.

Bragg Farm Sugar House & Gift Shop

Visit their Maple Ice Cream Parlor, Gift Shop, and Tasting Table to view a great selection of Vermont items and specially selected maple products and cheese. Shop their retail gift shop and ice cream parlor.

Vermont Maple Syrup Recipes

You can order Vermont maple syrup here and get started with some of the following recipes below, which are from the May 3, 1922, issue of the Orleans County Monitor : Courtesy of the Vermont Northland Journal

• Maple Candy Two cups maple honey, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoonful soda, lump of butter half as big as an egg. Boil until brittle when dropped in water and then take off and cool on plates. When cold, pull and cut up.
• Maple Cream Two cups of maple sugar, one-half cup of cream. Let it boil until it hairs [forms threads off the side of the spoon] and then stir in one cup of nuts, butternuts preferable. Pour into buttered tins and when nearly cold cut in squares.
• Maple Sugar Fudge Two cups of white sugar, one cup of maple sugar, two-thirds cup of sweet milk. Cook 12 minutes after it begins to boil. Remove from stove and add a piece of butter the size of a walnut and 1 cup of walnut meats. Stir until it thickens then pour into a buttered tin. When nearly cold cut in squares.

A few More Maple Syrup Recipes – Order Vermont Maple Syrup here

• Maple syrup pudding: Combine 1 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of maple syrup, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and boils. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Pour into individual serving dishes and chill in the fridge until set.
• Maple syrup cookies: Cream together 1/2 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup of brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in 1 egg and 1/2 cup of maple syrup. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined. Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
• Maple syrup ice cream: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 cup of whole milk, 3/4 cup of maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool. Once the mixture has cooled, churn it in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze until firm.
• Maple syrup granola: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of rolled oats, 1 cup of chopped nuts (such as almonds or pecans), 1/2 cup of maple syrup, 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Spread the mixture out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the granola is golden brown and fragrant. Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
• Maple syrup bread pudding: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together 4 cups of stale bread cubes, 2 cups of milk, 1/2 cup of maple syrup, 1/4 cup of butter, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the pudding is set and the top is golden brown.
• Maple syrup fudge: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of maple syrup, 1 cup of sugar, and 4 tablespoons of butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of mini marshmallows and 1 cup of chocolate chips until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour the fudge into a greased 8×8-inch pan and refrigerate until set.

A Sweet Bit of History – Making Maple Syrup in Vermont

The following article is from the December 20, 1873, issue of the Essex County Herald:

Maple Sugar Making

The manufacture of Maple Sugar is an important interest to farmers in this vicinity, and the idea of making a superior article is getting to be of greater moment every year.

Now is a good time to think and get ready to act. The first requisite is neatness or cleanliness, in everything pertaining to the business.

Harvesting Maple Sap

In tapping the tree one-half inch hole is big enough, cut with an instrument that will cut as smooth and with as little bruising as possible so as to leave the grains open. As to the depth, the outside grains are the best, but the sap circulates freely so far as the wood is white some time during the season.

To bore through to where the wood is colored is injurious. Some kind of spout or conductor with a small aperture fitting the hole nicely so as to make tight without marring the tree unnecessarily and prevent the hole from seasoning, which very quickly checks the flow of sap. Catch in wooden buckets, kept clean and sweet by washing and scalding. Tin buckets will make white sugar, but as the season advances sugar made from sap caught in tin buckets will have terribly repulsive and disagreeable taste, caused by the action of the sun on the tin. If one wishes to make a nice article be must gather often, even if sap runs slowly. Boil quickly in shallow pans with skimmer in hand; have a hand to stand right over it and give his or her whole attention to it, and you can have the sap in your boiling pan quite shallow and boil very rapidly, putting in cold sap often and skimming continually.

Boiling Maple Sap

Boil small batches, washing your boiling pan often. The heater with tubes is saving of wood, does the work rapidly, but boils in the scum and so colors the sugar. We prefer fine even threaded cotton cloth for strainer, running it through before it gets so sweet as not to go through readily.

Now for some of the things we have to contend with. One of the worst is silex or silicia [silicic] acid, more or less pervading the sap as it comes from the tree, colorless and kept nearly so if you are particular; if careless, a black gritty substance on the boiling pan and in the sugar. This substance is not discernable till near the granulating point or very thick molasses. It can be got rid of in this state by settling. Another difficulty is the grit or dust blown from the bark and lichens on the trees, some of which will go through almost any filter or strainer; the remedy for this is skimming and settling.

Another thing to contend with is rinsing from maple bark in stormy weather, which not only colors but is better when it is very bad. I throw it away sometimes and sometimes boil it but do not put it into the market. After all, sourness or acidity is the most troublesome thing in the manufacture of sugar to contend with. Washing and scalding are my remedies. Those using the patent evaporators, so far as I have been acquainted, come very short of making as white sugar as we are able to with the common pan. When the Vermont State Fair met at St. Johnsbury , the specimens presented there from the evaporator were decidedly inferior to what we are able to manufacture with common pan. Cooling and heating have a tendency to color the syrup.

If there is anything in the sap before it is boiled that can be filtered out, it is well to do so. If these few hints shall help anyone to improve the quality of their sugar the desired object of the writer will be gained.

Lunenburg, Vt., Dec. 15, 1873

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• Visit a real-life sugarhouse on these Vermont maple syrup tours

Each fall, thousands of travelers journey to Vermont for its rolling hills dappled with autumn colors. Much of the vibrant foliage belongs to the sugar maple, Vermont’s state tree and the source of its famous maple syrup. From the first metal sap spout in the 19th century to the local sugarhouses still thriving today, the tradition of harvesting maple syrup every spring is deeply woven into Vermont’s history. Be sure to experience it with a sugarhouse tour when you book one of our Vermont vacation rentals.

Baird Farm – Chittenden

Tucked away on 560 acres, Baird Farm harvests some of Vermont’s finest syrup. The farm produces certified organic syrup via strict USDA and VOF (Vermont Organic Farmers) guidelines. Learn about the process on a guided tour, which you can schedule on their website.

Baird’s gift shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, and the sugarhouse offers free samples anytime. It’s a family operation in a gorgeous corner of the state!

Vermont vacation rentals near Baird Farm

K. Ruane Maple Farm – Tinmouth

K. Ruane Maple Farm is a small, family-run operation where guests are welcome year-round. They love giving tours of their farm and produce a whopping 3,200 gallons of maple syrup every year. If you make it out during open house weekend, you’ll be treated to fresh pancakes topped with their signature syrup.

Sugarbush Cheese and Maple Farm – Woodstock

Around 8,500 trees produce the Luce family’s famous maple syrup at Sugarbush Farm , open to tourists nearly every day of the year. Taste four different grades of syrup as you learn about the sugaring process, and sample some homemade cheddar while you’re at it.

A nature trail winds through the woods, taking you past the farm’s animals and trees. Every part of the year offers something different here, from peak sugaring season to the bustling summer months to enchanted snowy holidays.

Green Mountain Sugar House – Ludlow

Make Green Mountain Sugar House a destination on your quest for the best maple syrup. This down-home operation educates visitors about sugaring and, of course, offers samples.

Visit the gift shop for all manners of maple products, including a crowd-pleasing pancake mix and syrup combo package. Order a maple creemee—Green Mountain’s signature maple soft serve in a cone—and enjoy it on the spacious lawn.

Vermont vacation rentals near Green Mountain Sugar House

Mitch’s Maples – Chester

A sugaring staple for over 70 years, Mitch’s Maples opens their sugarhouse daily to the public, selling their wares and showing off the sugaring process. During the harvest season in the spring, they offer tours on the weekends while the syrup is boiling.

Maple syrup isn’t the only treat to come from trees here—maple candy and maple cream fill the shop’s shelves, too. If you’re craving their sweets after a visit, Mitch’s products can be purchased online, so you can restock your maple stash from anywhere.

Goodrich’s Maple Farm – Cabot

Ever been to a sugar on snow party? Goodrich’s hosts them during the sugaring season when there’s snow on the ground. Here, hot syrup (231 degrees, to be exact) meets fresh snow and instantly caramelizes, turning into chewy taffy candy.

Goodrich’s offers group tours of the farm, too. Just be sure to call in advance to make your reservation. Pick up some of their maple products on the way out as a souvenir for anyone who wasn’t lucky enough to come along.

Merck Forest & Farmland Center – Rupert

Merck Forest and Farmland Center teaches visitors the importance of sustainable farming and forestry, which includes the production of their delicious organic maple syrup. Tour the farm’s 40-acre sugarbush, where about 3,000 taps produce syrup yearly.

Visitors can explore the grounds and even hike on-site. Family-centered events are available year-round, so stick around for farming demonstrations, hiking opportunities, festivals, and more. Of course, sweet syrup can be purchased in their gift shop on your way out.

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QUICK DETAILS

🗓️ 2024 Dates :

May 18 – October 27

Saturdays & Sundays

June 25 – August 30

Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday

10:30am and 1:30pm

General (12+) $25.00 +HST

Children (3-11) $15.00 +HST

Infants (0-2) No charge

⏳ Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours

📍 Location: 2519 Effingham St., Pelham

⭐ Must be booked in advance ⭐

We believe something this good and this rare deserves to be celebrated all year ✨

Follow Our Expert Guide

Beneath the iconic maple leaves of the  off-season sugar bush , witness how in our four generations of sugar-making, we still craft our syrup 100% pure and simple.

Discover the  modern world of maple  syrup production, the traditions that have survived the centuries, and the innovations that make today’s farms thrive.

Take shade under the mighty maples for a legendary sugar bush treat Maple Taffy-on-Snow !

Finish the tour with a tasting of the 4 flavours of maple syrup : Golden, Amber, Dark and Very Dark

Ask Questions

What’s the science that causes maple syrup to get  darker and stronger  later in the season?

Why is maple syrup production often compared to  wine ?

How does the  soil  make Ontario maple syrup unique?

Add a Tasting Board

Enjoy the complete experience by adding a maple-inspired charcuterie board to see how we use maple syrup beyond the breakfast table

• Start out in our  Sugar Shack , the hub of maple production
• Embark on a tractor-pulled  wagon ride  to the heart of our forest
• Venture along our groomed  walking trails  with our expert Guide
• Take shade under the mighty maples for a legendary sugar bush treat —  Taffy-on-Snow !
• Finish the tour with a  maple syrup tasting  and see how we use maple beyond the breakfast table
• Add a Tasting Board of authentic Canadian specialties after your tour (optional)

How should I prepare for the tour?

Dress for the weather — sometimes umbrellas, boots and raincoats are a good idea. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare to walk outdoors for at least an hour . Sunscreen and a bottle of water on hot summer days may come in handy!

Do you offer a picnic lunch?

We no longer offer the country picnic lunch. Tasting Boards are available as well as a selection of ready to eat snacks in the Maple Sweet Shop .

Year Round Farm Policies

Rules of the Farm

There is no smoking and no pets policy for the farm. There are many wood buildings on the property and we take no smoking very seriously.  Smoking is permitted in the parking lot and there is a butt container at the entrance to the farm from the parking lot.  Sometimes we have fires going in the sugar bush for demonstration but for the care of the wildlife and courteousness of the other guests there is no smoking allowed in the forest.

Accessibility

We do have accessible parking spaces near the entrance to the farm in the parking lot.  The Maple Sweet Shop and the Sugar Shack are wheelchair accessible. Our washrooms are wheelchair accessible — up to 32” wide.

The trails in the Sugar Bush are not wheelchair accessible as there are several steep hills and the ground can be uneven with loose stones in places. Proper outdoor footwear when visiting is recommended. Our trails are stroller friendly ! Sport models or styles with larger wheels are recommended; fold-up, umbrella style strollers are not. You’ll have to lift the stroller up the steps to the wagon if visiting our sugar bush, please ask one of our helpful staff to assist you in this, if needed.

Discover Maple Tour Policies May-October

Booking Rules

Online tickets can be purchased up until 1 hour before the tour start time. We strongly recommend purchasing tickets online to guarantee your spot and ensure that the tour will run. If we have not received at least one advance booking for any given tour, the tour will not operate. Walk-in tickets may be purchased at our farm, however there is no guarantee that walk-in tickets will be available.

Ticket Refunds

Tickets are refundable up to 24 hours before the tour.  You can cancel directly through your online booking confirmation email until midnight the day before your tour. Cancellations via email/phone can be refunded up until 5:00pm the day before your tour. No shows are nonrefundable.

Late Arrivals

The tour starts at the stated time so arrive early as to not miss your tour.  If you have gotten lost or traffic is holding you up and you know you are not going to make it on time, it is advisable to call the farm.

Late arrivals cannot be accommodated after the wagon has left for the sugar bush.

Cancelled Tours

Any cancelled tours due to weather or unforeseen circumstance will be refunded. In the event of a cancelled tour, we will send out an email as soon as possible prior to the tour time booked.  If you do not have access to your email on the day of your tour and it is inclement weather (pouring rain, high winds, etc.) call the farm to find out if your tour has been cancelled.  If we have not cancelled the tour and you do not wish to participate it is up to you to cancel 24 hours before your tour to get a refund. No shows are nonrefundable. Tours Booked Through Third Party Vendors (ie. Trip Advisor):

If you purchased tickets through Trip Advisors or another third-party vendor, the cancellation policy as applicable to that vendor applies. Different vendors may have different cancellation policies, be sure to carefully read through and understand the details before you purchase tickets. White Meadows Farms is not responsible for processing refunds for tickets purchased through a third party vendor.

Read our full Farm Tour Policy here

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Free Admission - Free Samples Open 9am-5pm weekdays, weekends and holidays.  No reservation needed.  Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

5 fun, family-friendly maple sugar adventures in Massachusetts this month

Maple sugar season is underway in Massachusetts and here are some sweet events you and the family can tap into in March.

Maple Days at Old Sturbridge Village

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in March, 9:30 a.m.– 4 p.m.

Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge 

Included with standard daytime admission or Village membership

Step back in time see how maple sugaring was done in early 19th century New England. Watch the Village’s working sugar camp demonstrate the entire sugar-making process, from tapping the trees to “sugaring off,” and learn why maple sugar was more commonly used than maple syrup in early New England. Costumed historians will also cook period foods made with maple products and the potter and cooper will make maple related items. For more information visit osv.org .

More: 7 things to know about maple sugaring in Massachusetts

Maple Happenings at Appleton Farms

Saturday and Sundays in March, 12-4 p.m.

Appleton Farms, Hamilton & Ipswich 

Weekend maple-flavored fun at Appleton Farms continues through the end of March. Try sugar on ice, see demonstrations of maple sugaring in the Sugar Shack, sample food trucks and local craft beer vendors on site, from 12 to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Take home homemade maple-filled food items, right from the farmstead kitchen. Fire Pit Picnics will also continue through maple season. Tickets for hikes, walks, guided tours and fire pits must be purchased separately. Parking fee at Appleton Farms is $10 on weekends for nonmembers. All visitors will be required to follow Covid-19 guidelines, including wearing face coverings, maintaining social distance, and not visiting the property if you are experiencing symptoms. For more information visit thetrustees.org

More: Where to find maple syrup in eastern and central Massachusetts

Maple Sugaring Saturdays

Saturdays, March 6, 13 and 20. Hour-long tours at 1, 1:15, 1:30, and 1:45 p.m.

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield

Member Adult: $11; Member Child: $9; Nonmember Adult: $12; Nonmember Child: $10

Learn the age-old tradition of maple sugaring during a guided tour through the sanctuary's sugar maple woodland . On our naturalist-guided tours, learn how to identify a sugar maple, observe tapping and sap collection methods, watch the sap being boiled down in the sugarhouse, and get a sweet taste of the final product. Bottles of freshly made maple syrup will be available for purchase. Tours last about an hour and run in all weather. Warm clothing including waterproof boots are recommended as the trails may be wet, muddy or snow covered. Following Covid-19 protocols are limited to 11 preregistered participants. Children under age 3 cannot be admitted. Participants are required to wear a face covering and follow social distancing guidelines. For more information visit massaudubon.org

Maple stroll at Appleton Farms

Saturdays and Sundays in March, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Member Adult: $12; Member Child: $6; Nonmember Adult: $20; Nonmember Child: $10

Take a seasonal stroll through Appleton Farms to learn about maple sugaring; the process for tapping trees, extracting the sap and making maple syrup. Hikes are weather permitting and appropriate clothing and boots suitable for walking in wet, muddy or uneven terrain is recommended. Space is limited for the event and pre-registration is recommended. The parking fee at Appleton Farms is $10 on weekends for nonmembers. All visitors will be required to follow Covid-19 guidelines, including wearing face coverings, maintaining social distance, and not visiting the property if you are experiencing symptoms.  For more information visit thetrustees.org.

Maple Sugaring at the Boston Nature Center

Saturday, March 6, 10-11:30 a.m., 12:30-2 p.m., 2:30 –4 p.m.

Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, Mattapan

Member Adult: $10; Member Child: $10; Nonmember Adult: $12; Nonmember Child: $12

Learn how to tap, collect, and boil down sap from maple trees found at the Boston Nature Center . Visitors will discover different techniques and equipment used for maple sugaring across New England and see why Sugar Maple trees are so unique. Explore the Nature Center’s trails during a self-guided story book walk and scavenger hunt and enjoy a tasty maple treat. Groups are limited to 25 pre-registered children and adults. Participants are required to wear a face covering and follow social distancing guidelines. For more information visit massaudubon.org.

Maple Sugaring Tours

Thank you all for a lovely 2024 maple sugaring season tours are now finished and we are looking forward to 2025., freezing nights in the 20s and warm days in the 40s trigger the sugar maple sap run, which starts our sugaring season.

C’mon down and learn the science and history of “sugaring.” Around our campfires, visitors will learn Indigenous people and Colonist historical techniques for making maple sugar. Learn about tree identification, qualities of sap and syrup, how to tap, and more at our outdoor displays and tapped trees. If the weather’s just right, we’ll watch sap dripping into buckets and boiling in our sugar shack.

. . . And even though Mother Nature can’t guarantee the sap run (and boiling) on any given day, tours are still interesting and fun, and offer visitors a fascinating view of this enduring New England tradition.

• Tours open to the public
• 16 spots/tour
• $10 per person
• babes in carriers free
• Private groups, schools and scouts: Email [email protected]
• Campfires lit Saturdays only
• Tours run rain or shine—no refunds
• 100% outdoors—dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear
• While leashed dogs are welcome on the farm the rest of the year, they are not allowed on the tours.

Please note we cannot guarantee sap will be running or that we will be boiling on any given day – our maple sugar season is dictated by mother nature. 

Advanced registration required

($10 registration fee per person in your group).

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[email protected] - 508.655.2204 - 117 Eliot Street, Natick MA 01760 © 2018 All Rights Reserved Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Natick Community Organic Farm is a registered 501(c)(3) organization

Corey's Sugar Shack

Did you know that New York is one of very few places in the world where Sugar Maple trees (our official state tree) thrive and maple syrup is produced? Historians say Native Americans taught early settlers in this area how to create this delicious natural treat. 

Today New York State is one of the world’s top two producers of maple syrup. Contemporary sugar makers begin harvesting sap as winter wanes, usually around the beginning of March. Warmer days give way to freezing nights, creating ideal conditions and increasing sap flow.

To harvest maple sap, a tap is driven into each tree. The method of collection varies - from old-fashioned buckets to state-of-the-art piping that snakes along trees. Once collected, the sap is boiled down to remove excess moisture. What remains is pure maple syrup. The syrup is processed, tested and graded using industry standards.

Here at Corey's Sugar Shack, we are dedicated to education, and we will be hosting Maple Tours for a charge of $5.00 during NYS Maple Weekend for anyone interested in seeing the Maple Syrup process first-hand. We encourage attendees to dress warm and wear comfortable shoes. Each tour and tasting lasts approximately 30 minutes, and there will be plenty of our 100% pure Maple Syrup for sale at the end of each tour.

We will be open from 10am to 3pm every weekend in March 2024 and appointments are strongly suggested.

Call John at (845) 706-2484

$5.00 CHARGE PER  PERSON AND CHILDREN UNDER 5 FREE FOR EACH TOUR

In the meantime, check out this blog post from Hurds Family Farms about their visit to our sugar shack

Plan your whole Maple Weekend!   Places to Stay: Check out these great local places to stay for the weekend. Hampton Inn, New Paltz - 845-255-4200 Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa - 845-795-1310 Great Spots to Visit: Don't miss these amazing shops and tourist attractions in the area. Hudson Valley Distillers, Clermont Walkway Over The Hudson, Highland/Poughkeepsie Franklin D. Roosevelt Estate, Hyde Park   Samuel Morse Estate - Locust Grove, Poughkeepsie   Good Eats: These are some of our favorite places to grab a bite to eat!   Bagels n Bites - 3499 Route 9W, Highland Sal's Place - 99 Vineyard Avenue, Highland Local Colleges to Visit: Got a teenager that's looking at colleges in the area? Make it a family event for Maple Weekend. Marist College - Poughkeepsie Vassar College - Poughkeepsie SUNY New Paltz - New Paltz The Culinary Institute of America - Hyde Park Mount Saint Mary College - Newburgh Informational Resources: Looking for more information about the Hudson Valley and NYS Maple Weekends? Check out these great sites. NYS Maple Weekend Dutchess Tourism Ulster County Alive  

Download the app

"NYS Maple Weekend"

on your mobile device for turn by turn directions to any participating sugarhouse or pancake breakfast!

Rooted in Ohio

14 Sweet Ways to Enjoy the Ohio Maple Syrup Season

Does your mouth water as you watch maple syrup slowly drizzle over a stack of freshly made pancakes or waffles? Did you know that Ohio is the fifth largest maple sugar-producing state in the United States? Are you wondering where you might be able to find an Ohio maple syrup festival near you this spring?

You’re in luck! The state is not only a major maple sugar producer but also home to many places that offer maple sugar tours, opportunities for tapping maple sap, and festivals dedicated to maple syrup. When you’re in the Buckeye State, you don’t need to go far to see and taste real maple syrup.

The Ohio Maple Syrup Season

The maple tree tapping season begins each February. Across Ohio, small holes are drilled into the trunk of sugar maples, spouts are inserted, buckets are attached to the spouts, and maple syrup is collected.

How is this possible? The warm sunny days and cold freezing nights make the perfect tapping conditions. These temps allow the sap to thaw in the trees, and as pressure builds, it’s ready to be tapped.

Believe it or not, it takes somewhere between 40 to 50 gallons of sap to produce just 1 gallon of sweet maple syrup.

The Maple Madness Driving Tour in Ohio

Now that you know where sap and maple sugar come from, where in Ohio can you go to find them? The short answer is, you don’t have to go far.

If you want to create your own maple syrup adventure, consider doing a driving tour. You can go where you want to, and the good news is that all roads lead to quality maple products made by Ohio producers.

The Maple Madness Driving Tour , which takes place on the first two weekends in March, will take you around Northwest, Northeast, and Central Ohio. We’ve highlighted a few of our favorites below.

Lucius Maple Syrup

In Northwest Ohio, you can check out Lucius Maple Syrup in Bucyrus. Here, you can watch second-generation maple producers create scores of delicious goodies with maple sugar, including maple icing and maple candy.

Butcher Family Maple Products

Afterward, turn the wheel toward Central Ohio, where you’ll find a region chock-full of maple producers.

One, in particular, is Butcher Family Maple Products in Mount Vernon. It offers guided tours of its production facility and samples of maple syrup and renowned maple products, such as cotton candy and maple cream spread.

Mowry Maple Farm

Next, head to Northeast Ohio to check out Mowry Maple Farm in Lexington. You can take a ride through the woods to see how sap is collected. Then, watch them boil down the sap. Before you leave, you can purchase different kinds of maple syrup, such as habanero-infused and bourbon barrel-aged syrups.

Dolce’s Sugar Shack

Not too far away from Mowry Maple Farm is Dolce’s Sugar Shack in Mansfield. You can fill up on a delicious pancake and sausage breakfast. Then, watch hourly sap tapping demonstrations. Also, you can watch horse-drawn sleds carry all that collected sap through the woods.

Fitch Pharm Farm

In Ashland, you’ll come upon Fitch Pharm Farm . Here, you can find all kinds of naturally-made products, including maple taffy, syrup, tea, and coffee.

Wakeman Maple Farms

Farther north, you can check out Wakeman Maple Farms in Wakeman. It gives you the opportunity to experience hands-on sap tapping, collecting, and bottling. While you’re here, you can check out local food trucks and vendors too.

IQ Maple Syrup

In Chagrin Falls on the other side of Cleveland, IQ Maple Syrup offers something for adults and kids alike. More than 500 sap buckets are put out for collecting, and you can see the whole process from start to finish.

Kids will delight in interacting with the animals on site, including goats and donkeys. Additionally, there’s plenty of great maple-flavored food!

Burton Log Cabin & Sugar Camp

The Burton Log Cabin and Sugar Camp in Burton offers a chance to watch syrup demonstrations in a 1930s log cabin. The cabin itself is a working sugarhouse that makes maple syrup every spring and produces maple candies throughout the year.

On top of that, Burton is an Amish town with a rich history and culture!

Swine Creek Sugarhouse

If you’re looking for a shot of history on your maple tour, check out the Swine Creek Sugarhouse in Middlefield. You can experience the tapping and boiling methods used throughout history back to old Native American traditions. Then, you can try the maple syrup for yourself.

These are just a few of the places you can visit along the Maple Madness Driving Tour, so check the tour map for other great Ohio maple syrup tour stops.

Maple Sweet Stops in Ohio

Of course, no tour of a maple syrup farm or a visit to an Ohio maple syrup festival is complete without picking up some sweet treats. There are a couple of places in Northeast Ohio that really stand out to us.

KC Maple Syrup & Candy

In Montville, make a stop at KC Maple Syrup & Candy . You can see how sap is gathered and processed, as well as sample some unique goodies — maple-flavored popcorn and bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup. It even offers maple-flavored dog treats that you can take home to your furry family members.

Richards Sugarhouse Maple

While you’re on the hunt for sweet treats, check out Richards Sugarhouse Maple in Chardon. You’ll find some unique creations that are sure to delight your taste buds.

While you’re there to buy homemade maple syrup, you can also enjoy hot dogs cooked in maple sap and try maple samples, cotton candy, coated nuts, and maple candy. If you’re looking for a sweet taste of spring, this is one of the best places to find it.

Ohio Maple Syrup Festivals

If you’ve never been to an Ohio maple syrup festival, there’s never been a better time to go. You can not only sample some decadent goodies but can also learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about maple syrup.

If you go, dress warmly because some festival activities will be outside. You should wear shoes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty as well.

Camp Lazarus Maple Fest

The Camp Lazarus Maple Fest offers a lot for visitors for just $15. A preregistration package gives you the chance to get a commemorative patch and an all-you-can-eat pancake feast.

You can also visit the Adams Mullins Sugar Shack to learn how syrup is made and meet the syrup makers. In addition, there are lots of free activities — rope making, nail making, and pioneer games.

Malabar Farms Maple Festival

In Lucas, about one hour from Columbus, you can visit the Malabar Farms Maple Festival during the first two weekends in March. Visitors can experience sugar camp up close with historical demonstrations, wagon rides, and, of course, food and maple products.

More Maple Tapping Festivals

Hocking Hills and Charles Alley Nature Park host Maple Tapping Festivals in Ohio too. You can savor the taste of the season as you watch sap being boiled down and discover the many methods used to make syrup throughout history.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ohio Maple Syrup Season

What maple trees are native to ohio.

Three members of the family of maple trees are native to Ohio — red, sugar, and silver maple. All three appear in large numbers throughout the Buckeye State.

Can you make maple syrup in Ohio?

Yes, you can make maple syrup in Ohio. The best time to do it is in late winter or early spring when tree sap thaws and is ready to be tapped.

Are there sugar maple trees in Ohio?

Yes, there are a lot of sugar maple trees in Ohio. You can find them in meadows and forests throughout the state. In particular, these trees flourish in the cooler Northeast Ohio climate and are prized just as much for their wood as their sap.

Can you tap maple trees every year?

Yes, you can tap trees for Ohio maple syrup every year. In fact, if a maple tree is on a good growing site and treated well, it can be tapped for sap indefinitely.

When should I tap my maple trees in Ohio?

When you can tap maple trees for sap and syrup depends on the weather. Most years, tapping begins near the end of February and early March. During that time, the tree sap thaws and becomes clear and very watery, so it’s easier to tap.

Start Your Ohio Maple Syrup Adventure Today

If you want to see Ohio maple syrup made up close or you want to experience the thrills of an Ohio maple syrup festival, what are you waiting for? No matter where you travel in the Buckeye State in February and March, you’re never far from a maple syrup producer or a festival.

You can get all the delicious goodies that your heart and taste buds desire, and you can see how the sweetness is made right from the source. Round up the family, hop in the car, and hit the road.

There are myriad places to check out for the best Ohio maple syrup. The only limit on your adventure is just how far you’re willing to travel.

Born and raised in Ohio, Matt Heffner loves to share his knowledge of the state at the heart of it all. Founder and chief explorer of Rooted in Ohio, his articles provide local insight to some of the best hidden gems in Ohio.

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Small town with a big name

Prior to that this area was known as Huffman Settlement and for a brief time just before settling on Moscow it was called Springfield. Today this rural area is known for its farmland and lakes nearby.

• Close to Camden and Varty Lake
• Camden Lake Provincial Wildlife Reserve is a great spot to spend your day. Pack your hiking gear, this beautiful reserve has two trails to choose from: The Blue Heron Trail and Cedar Point Trail, both with an easy to navigate asphalt path. You can also launch your boat here and go fishing here.

L&A County Trails – Bike Routes

Reasons to live in moscow in stone mills.

Moscow in Stones Mills  is a great place to live. Here are some of the reasons why residents enjoy living here.

• Lower housing costs
• Reasonable cost of living
• Low crime rate
• Great location
• Access to health care

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• Moscow Travel and City Excursions

Our 20 Best Moscow Day Tours of 2022

See all that Moscow has to offer by choosing one or more of our incredible Moscow day tours. Visit Red Square , St. Basil’s , the Kremlin or perhaps a vodka museum and the fantastic Moscow metro system , we have it all. Our expert, informative and fun guides will help you get to know Europe’s largest city. Please click on the day tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page.  You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous Bolshoi Theatre, and the former KGB headquarters...

• Schedule Daily 09:00 - 20:00
• Languages English-speaking guide is guaranteed. Other languages are on request.
• Walking tours Transportation is not included
• PRIVATE TOUR This is a private tour, there won't be other people in your group

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will escort you on a route that includes Vorobyevi...

• Schedule Daily 09:00 - 18:00
• Tours by car Transportation by private car/minivan is included

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious life of different Jewish families, as well...

• Schedule Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 11:00 - 20:00 Friday 10:00 - 14:00 Saturday not available

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened to two and a half times its original size,...

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to the victims of the repression. You will then...

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the street’s many craftsmen....

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury and the workplace of the Russian President....

• Schedule Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00 - 17:00 Thursday not available

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and 19th century including works by Rublyov, Karavak,...

• Schedule Monday not available Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday 10:00 - 17:00 Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 - 20:00

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure served as a convent for women of noble birth...

• Schedule Daily 09:00 - 17:00

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians themselves and for visitors from abroad....

• Schedule Daily 10:00 - 17:00

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was here that Donskoi celebrated his victory over...

• Schedule Monday not available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday 10:00 - 17:00 Saturday 11:00 - 18:00

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra) was built in the first half of the 1340s by...

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic gothic style. The complex includes a landscape...

• Schedule Monday not available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 11:00 - 17:00 Saturday 11:00 - 19:00 Sunday 11:00 - 18:00

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history dates back to 1715, when the village of Kuskovo...

• Schedule Monday, Tuesday not available Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00 - 18:00

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone centuries. You will get to know the story...

• Schedule Daily 10:00 - 19:00

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy and his family including books and personal...

• Schedule Monday not available Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00 - 17:00 Thursday 12:00 - 19:00

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's collection includes more than three thousand...

• Schedule Monday not available Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12:00 - 19:00 Thursday 14:00 - 21:00

Express to Russia specializes in Moscow city excursions, an essential part of your Moscow travel itinerary. We offer a large variety of day excursions throughout Moscow and its suburbs. From  Red Square  and the  Kremlin  to a city tour of Moscow’s  Old Arbat Street  or the  Moscow metro , an excursion specializing in Stalin and the KGB and much more. No travel to Moscow is complete without taking a few of our day tours that most meet your interest in Russia.

Moscow City Tours

Our Moscow day excursions can be organized on foot or with transport. All of our excursions are led by an experienced guide, specializing in the subject matter of the tour. Excursions are privately run and can be booked for 1 traveler all the way up to large groups of travelers. We run our Moscow city tours in every season. This is because travel to Moscow is excellent in any season. In the summer take a stroll through  Gorky Park  or take a riverboat tour along the Moskva River. In the winter, see Moscow’s winter wonderland of ice and snow and then settle in for a cozy lunch or dinner with a hot bowl of borsht. In winter, spring and fall, you can beat the crowds at all of Moscow’s main attractions and museums. Regardless of when you come, Express to Russia will make sure that your trip is one of your best vacations ever.

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THE 10 BEST Moscow City Tours

City tours in moscow.

• Private Tours
• Walking Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• Garden Ring
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Moscow Private Tours

2. Moscow through the Eyes of an Engineer

3. Moscow Free Tour

4. Bridge to Moscow

5. Spanish Guide Moscow - Day Tours

6. Go Russia Travel Company

7. Privilege Tour

8. Moscow Navigator

9. Put-in Tours

10. Walks With Folks

11. Moskovskiye Gulyaki

12. Moscow Bike Tours

13. Happy Moscow Tours

14. Tour of Moscow - Day Tours

15. Kremlin Tour

16. Tsar Visit

17. Excursions in Russia

18. IdeaGuide - Your Personal Guide in Moscow

19. VikiTours

20. Moscow Greeter

21. MoscowMe

22. Gulyayem po Moskve

23. Tour Gratis Moscu

24. Tour-Moscow

25. Gorodskoi Voyazh

26. Rusiatourmoscu

27. Moscow 360

28. Express to Russia

29. Russia With Love

30. Angel Taxi - Day Tour

What travelers are saying

• Put-in Tours
• Spanish Guide Moscow - Day Tours
• Walks With Folks
• Happy Moscow Tours
• Moscow Bike Tours
• IdeaGuide - Your Personal Guide in Moscow
• Moscow Private Tours
• Tour Gratis Moscu
• Moscow Free Tour
• YourLocalGuide Moscow
• Moscow Navigator
• Moscow through the Eyes of an Engineer
• Angel Taxi - Day Tour
• Your Moscow Guide & Driver
• Excursions in Russia
• Vadim Pavlov Guide and Driver in Moscow