March is Maple Month! Family Sugarhouse Tours & Breakfasts around the Seacoast!
I’m out to breakfast with my sister the other day when she whips out a small Tupperware container from her purse and sets it on the table. “That’s my syrup,” she says. “I can’t eat pancakes without real maple syrup.”
Well sister, this month is for you! March is affectionately known as Maple Month around these parts and there’s plenty of authentic maple products to be found. Check out all the sugarhouse tours, shopping and family fun happening around the Seacoast this month!
Sugaring Off Tours, Topsfield
You won’t want to miss the Sugaring Off Tours that start this weekend at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield, MA. On this naturalist-guided tour, you’ll to learn how to identify a sugar maple tree, observe tapping and sap collection methods, watch the sap being boiled down in the sugarhouse and get a sweet taste of the final product. Afterwards, warm up by the woodstove in the Barn where hot dogs cooked in maple sap (aka sap dogs.) The gift shop will be open with a selection of maple products including freshly made maple syrup.
Sugaring Off Tours are held Saturdays & Sundays through March 21. Tours are between 10:30am-2:30pm. Tours last about one hour and are held rain or shine and are completely outdoors (dress accordingly). Cost is $12 nonmember/$10 nonmember. Advance registration is required. Register online at massaudubon.org at or call 978-887-9264 x7710.
Spring Flapjack Fling & Sugaring Tour, Topsfield
This is the perfect event to multitask your maple intake! On Saturday, March 21, bring your family and friends to the Ipswich River Wildlife for a special breakfast of pancakes topped with authentic Ipswich River maple syrup, fruit, orange juice, coffee, tea, and milk are on the menu. The breakfast sitting is 45 minutes, followed by an hour-long sugaring tour to see and learn about the transformation from sap to syrup.
Breakfasts seatings are every hour from 8:15am-12:15pm. Cost for the Breakfast and Tour: $20 Adults; $15 Children; Babies on laps are free. Reservations required. Call 978-887-9264 or visit massaudubon.org.
Charmingfare Farm Maple Express, Candia
This tour, which transports you by horse-drawn carriage, offers a maple sugaring family experience on a real New Hampshire working farm. Visit an authentic sugar shack, maple tree-tapping, syrup taste-testing and get up close and personal with the animals in the Oakhurst Dairy Discovery Barn.
Events run March 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 & 29, 2020 from 10:00am-2:00pm. Admission is $12-$22 per person, (Children 23 months and under FREE). Space is limited be sure to reserve your seat on the Maple Express today! Visit visitthefarm.com for more info.
New Hampshire & Maine Maple Month
The NH Maple Producers Association hosts Maple Sugaring Month from March 7 – March 29, 2020 when sugar makers statewide open their doors inviting the public to share in the centuries-old craft of maple sugaring. Many will be offering free samples of fresh syrup, maple candies and confections, coffee and doughnuts. Some locations have pancake breakfasts, petting farms or horse-drawn rides.
To see a list of participating locations, visit nhmapleproducers.com where you can narrow your search by region and date. Each location will include a description of activities offered, products for sale and business hours.
The weekend of March 21 & 22 is considered “Maple Weekend” with locations open and bustling with fun activities. Within the Seacoast region, participating locations include Folsom’s Sugarhouse in Chester, Sugar House at Morningstar Farm in Plaistow, Spring Harvest Maple Farm in Barrington, and more. See the NH Maple Producers website for a list of all NH locations.
I know what my waffle maker is going to be doing this month. Enjoy!
