This time of the year, whether we have snow on the ground or experiencing more balmy temperatures, behind the scenes, maple trees are doing their magic. It’s maple sugaring season in our area and it is a fascinating process that you and your family can see firsthand at many of the area’s environmental centers.
A few years ago, my kids and I attended a local event which included a short hike through the woods to see the trees that were being tapped and then a brief demonstration of how sap is turned to syrup as well as a tasting. The waffles were probably their favorite part, but it truly is a fascinating process. Maple sap is actually a clear and watery substance with barely a trace of sweetness when it exits a maple tree. The sap gets boiled to make syrup and on average it takes over 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of finished maple syrup.
Learn more about the interesting maple sugar process and view live demonstrations at nearby environmental centers. Be sure to check each destination for registration requirements and safety protocols before you go and enjoy this fun and educational activity.
Peter Wentz Farmstead, Lansdale, PA
February 24, 2024 – 10:00 – 3:30 Maple Sugar Day
March 2, 2024 – 10:00 – 3:30 Maple Sugar Day
Join the farmers as they create maple sugar from trees right at the Farmstead! Watch as they tap the trees, collect the sap, and create the syrup. Learn about the origins of maple sugaring and how the process has continued through to today. Philly Waffle Cabin’s food truck will be on site both days where you can enjoy one of their delicious Belgian waffles! NOTE: This program is weather dependent, if the temperature isn’t just right the sap may not flow! All ages and free, no registration needed.
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Churchville Nature Center, Churchville, PA
February 25, 2024 – Maple Sugar Day
Visitors to Churchville’s Maple Sugar Day can expect a fun day learning and seeing all of the steps that are taken to create maple syrup. This year you can register for the Maple Sugar Program ($6) from 1pm-3pm or the Pancake Breakfast ($13) from 11am – 1pm.
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Wissahickon Trails, Ambler, PA
February 25th, 2024 – Maple Sugaring Festival at Green Ribbon Trail & Four Mills Nature Reserve
See science come alive and learn how maple syrup and sugar are made! Guides will lead groups through the woods to see tapped maple trees and then follow the sap’s journey as it is boiled and converted into the products we know and love to eat. Tours are approximately 45 minutes and will end with hot chocolate and pancakes! Tours begin at regular intervals from 11:00am to 3:00pm. $10 per person (2 years+). Advance Registration Required. More Info
Peace Valley Nature Center, Doylestown, PA
March 2, 2024 – Maple Sugar Day
Bring family and friends or come as a group and experience the way maple sugar was collected and made during the pioneer days. We will travel to the sugar bush to bring back some maple sap for the addition to the boiling pot of soon-to-be syrup. No registration necessary.
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Pennypack Environmental Center, Philadelphia PA
March 2, 2024 – Maple Sugar Day at Fox Chase Farm
Join us for our annual Maple Sugar Day. Learn the process of maple sugaring, watch the making of maple candy, and sample pancakes with pure maple syrup. There will also be farm animals, crafts, games, and more! $5 Cash per person (2 years+). NO Registration Required. Stop by to join the fun. More Info
Dutch Hill Preserves, Canadensis, PA
March 9-10, 2024 10am-3pm – Maple Sugar Open House
Located in the Poconos, this event offers guided sugarbush walks, tour of a modern, working sugarhouse, tree tapping for the kids and samplings of this year’s maple syrup and other maple products.
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Warwick County Park, Pottstown PA
March 23, 2024 2pm – 4pm, Maple Sugaring at Warwick County Park
Maple tree sap begins to flow as the weather warms. Participants can learn how a maple tree is tapped and how the sap is boiled to make real maple syrup. Best for families and kids ages 6 and up – free admission.
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Wolf’s Hollow County Park, Atglen, PA
March 9, 2024 2pm – 4pm, Maple Sugaring at Wolf’s Hollow County Park
Maple tree sap begins to flow as the weather warms. For early residents of Chester County, this was the only local source of sugar. Learn how a maple tree is tapped and how the sap is boiled to make real maple syrup. Free admission.
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Lancaster County Central Park, Lancaster, PA
February 24, 2024 10am – 2pm, Maple Sugaring
It’s the sweetest time of the year – maple sugar time! Visit the sugar bush at pavilion 11 in Central Park for interactive demonstrations of the maple syrup making process. Drop-in any time during this free event as Park Naturalists teach you about the history of production, tapping the trees, boiling sap over a fire in the sugar shack, finishing the syrup and making candy. Participants are encouraged to complete this one-of-a-kind experience with a taste of freshly made maple sugar candy. Patterson Farms will be onsite selling syrup and many other maple products. No registration needed. Free event.
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Updated February 2024