In New England, there’s a lesser-known fifth season that comes right in between winter and spring: maple sugar season.
This sweet pre-spring treat draws visitors to the Lakes Region from all over the world — especially during New Hampshire’s Maple Weekend (March 15-16). As the snow melts and the weather warms up, maple trees start to produce sap, which is then collected and boiled down to make smooth and delicious liquid gold.
The Lakes Region boasts a plethora of maple sugar houses, offering tours and tastings for visitors to indulge in this sweet tradition. From pancakes drizzled with fresh maple syrup to maple candies and fudges, our maple sugar season is a true culinary delight. Here are 10 ways you can celebrate the sweetness of the season with us!
1. Tap Into Maple at Prescott Farm
Every Saturday through March 22, experience the old-fashioned New England maple syrup-making tradition at Prescott Farm in Laconia. Guests will participate in 90-minute, hands-on maple syrup-making activities, from tapping trees to taste testing. Along the way, the farm’s environmental educators will help attendees identify the correct trees to tap, share historical and modern tree-tapping tools, and explain the chemical process and physical science that goes on during the boiling process. The program kicks off with a quick 20-minute walk to the farm’s Sugar House and ends with a hike back after, so be sure to pack proper footwear. All ages are welcome, and pre-registration is highly encouraged.
On Saturday, March 29, Prescott Farm will also host a Maple Candy Making event, offering participants the chance to turn maple syrup into two styles of maple candy. Tickets are $15 for members and $30 for non-members. Pre-registration is also highly encouraged.
2. Maple Weekend Package at Indian Head Resort
Want to dedicate a full weekend to maple season celebrations? From March 14-16, Indian Head Resort is offering a Maple Weekend Package complete with lodging, two tickets to The Rocks Maple Experience, a Kid’s Club on Saturday night, and maple treats available throughout the weekend.
During The Rocks Maple Experience on Saturday, March 15, discover the fascinating history of maple sugaring at The Rocks Estate, a 1400-acre scenic conservation property in Bethlehem. Learn maple sugaring techniques, admire the sights on a horse-drawn carriage ride through the estate, and speak with a fourth-generation sugar maker. Cap off the experience with a stroll around the New Hampshire Maple Museum, located just next door to the sugar house.
3. Maple Day at Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum
On Saturday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum is hosting its annual Maple Day. The family-friendly event will teach guests how Native Americans identified trees and first discovered how to make maple syrup. From a snowshoe hike to a scavenger hunt and historic displays, the day is jam-packed with maple-focused activities. Outdoor events at the museum are free, but regular admission applies to tour the museum.
4. grab a goodie from just maple
Tilton’s Just Maple gift shop is open year-round, selling maple goodies like syrup, candies, cream, sugars, nuts, and gift baskets. Plus, the maple syrup glass containers can be personalized — the perfect party favor or gift for anyone with a sweet tooth.
5. Maple-Inspired Cocktails at Tamworth Distilling
From March 11-16, Tamworth Distilling will offer up a maple-themed cocktail menu, featuring the distillery’s signature Maple Jack cocktail, plus the Chocorua Maple Rye and Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup. For those who want to learn how to shake up a sweet drink, there’ll be a Sugar Shack Cocktails workshop on Saturday, March 15, at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance and include a guided demonstration, hands-on creation of three craft cocktails, and a housemade lite bite.
6. March Maple Madness at Seven Birches Winery
Seven Birches Winery is celebrating the season with a maple-inspired picnic platter (cheddar cheese, locally smoked maple syrup, crackers, pepperoni, and of course, some maple candy). The $26 platter — which is only available for a limited time, and pairs perfectly with their handcrafted wines — can be savored at the winery’s tasting room or at home when ordered for pickup. Learn more.
7. Sugar Shack Stay N’ Tour Package at Purity Spring Resort
This Maple Weekend, your two-night stay (March 14-16) at Purity Spring Resort in Madison includes accommodations, a maple sugar welcome package in your room at arrival, a $50 gift certificate towards dinner, drinks, and dessert (including maple-themed specials) at Traditions Restaurant, Cafe & Pub. The package also includes a personal tour of three locally owned, family-operated maple sugar shacks: Brooks Family Sugar House, Turkey Street Maples, and Mooney Hill Maples.
8. Sugar Maple Mead at Sap House Meadery
In honor of Maple Weekend, Sap House Meadery is showcasing its Sugar Maple Mead. The complex, smokey drink is created from wildflower honey and maple syrup fermented together. Visit Sap House Meadery’s tasting room and pub in Ossipee, or head to downtown North Conway to check out the full restaurant and bar, bottle shop, honey bar, patio, and roof deck.
9. Sugar Moon Fest at Hobbs Brewing Company
Hobbs Brewing Company’s annual Sugar Moon Fest will feature a sweet maple twist this year! Head to the Ossippee Tap Room on Saturday, March 15, to sip the barrel-aged Sugar Moon Wee Heavy, brewed with New Hampshire maple syrup and candy cap mushrooms. The free-to-enter event will also feature live music from local acoustic artist George Brown and bites from the food truck M.C. Street Eats.
10. Kanc Country Maple Porter at Woodstock Inn Brewery
What better way to end a day of sampling the flavors of New England than with a fresh brew infused with sweetness? The Woodstock Inn Brewery is toasting to maple season with the return of its Kanc Country Maple Porter, made with Fadden’s Sugar Shack maple syrup. Pick up a four-pack of the smooth, dark winter brew at 135 Main St. in North Woodstock.
