All Things Maple

Did you know that Connecticut is ranked in the top 10 maple syrup producers in the United States? So not surprisingly, our state is home to many magnificent maple syrup farms.

Take a tour or watch the syrup being tapped directly in front of you at these fantastic farms:

Grab the family or a group of friends and enjoy some of the sweet festivities celebrating maple all month long! Check out these events for Maple Season:

Tap-a-Tree Maple Sugaring Program, Wilton - February 3, program runs to mid-March
Learn the science and history of maple sugaring by being a hands-on part of the process. You can come out to the Farm to collect sap from your tree. See the sap get boiled down the sugar shack and then get your own bottle of Ambler Farm Maple Syrup to bring home.

Maple Sugar Fest Sundays, Stamford - February 25, March 3, March 10
Experience the sweetness of the maple sugaring season at this annual festival at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Learn how sap is turned into maple syrup, and enjoy other seasonal activities.

Maple Sugaring & Pancake Palace, Middlefield - February 26, March 4
Kids and adults can try their hand at tapping a “tree” before or after you indulge in a delicious 'Pancake Party' brunch menu.

Maple Sugaring Open House, Wilton - March 2-9
Come experience a New England tradition: turning sap into syrup! Kids and families will have an opportunity to tap a tree, take the maple syrup taste test, learn about Native American, colonial, and modern methods of making syrup and, of course, taste Ambler Farm’s very own maple syrup over vanilla ice cream. Bottles of Ambler Farm Maple Syrup will be available for sale.

Pancake Breakfast and Maple Sugaring Demonstration, Bristol - March 9 
Not only can you enjoy a pancake breakfast with bacon/sausage and your choice of breakfast beverages, you can enjoy Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut's own maple syrup and see demonstrations on how it is made, with their syrup and maple candy available for sale. 

Syrup Saturday, New Canaan - March 9
Celebrate maple season at this fun brunch as well as other maple-themed activities.

Eastern CT Maple Festival, Storrs - March 9-10
A celebration of all things maple featuring live music, artists, food trucks, and lots of kids activities.

Maple Sugaring in Your Own Backyard, Canton - March 10
Learn the entire maple syrup-making process from identifying the tree to the best part, tasting the final product.

Hebron Maple Festival, Hebron - March 16-17
Townwide celebration all-things maple.

Maple Fest Weekend, New Milford - March 16-17
Learn maple syrup techniques used by indigenous peoples, early Colonists, and the Civil War era.

Maple Weekend, Maple Syrup Producers Association - March 16-17
During these two days, many sugar houses across Connecticut will be open for tours and selling their maple products. Learn how maple sap is collected and turned into the sugary products we love.

If you’re mad for maple and just can’t get enough, Connecticut is filled with hidden gems ideal for getting that sweet fix. From maple ice cream to cocktails to tasty appetizers, if you want it, Connecticut’s got it.

For a wide array of pickings, The Sugar House in Burlington has a variety of maple treats, including maple kettle corn, maple sugar coated mixed nuts, maple lollipops, and maple walnut caramels.

Join the maple donut craze by trying the Maple Bacon donut at The Flanders Donut & Bake Shop in East Lyme or at The Bakers Dozen, which features various locations throughout the state. There's also the Stuffed Maple French Toast donut at Donut Crazy.

For something really unique, head to Maple View Farm, where they turn sap into beer at their brewery! Or try the Batcher’s Maple Bourbon at Litchfield Distillery, which is made through the process of aging craft maple syrup in retired bourbon barrels, then refilling them with straight bourbon. If you’re a coffee drinker, the Vanilla Bean Cafe in Pomfret has a Maple Cinnamon Latte to satisfy all your maple cravings.

Indulge in a maple staple, maple walnut ice cream, which can be found at Gofer Ice Cream in multiple locations, A.C. Petersen’s in West Hartford, and J. Foster’s in Avon and Simsbury.

Try maple in savory dishes like the Beet Whipped Ricotta at the North House in Avon, or the Arugula & Beet Salad at The Abbey Restaurant & Bar in New Milford.

But of course, maple syrup would not be maple syrup without scrumptious breakfast dishes as its mate. Check out these great meals to make it a maple morning:

• The Peaches and Cream Stuffed French Toast at The Corner Restaurant in New Milford.
• The Signature Sloppy Waffle at The Sloppy Waffle Restaurant in Newington.
• The Crepe Pancakes at Tony’s at the J House in Riverside.
• The Whole Wheat Apple Walnut Pancakes at The Hungry Tiger Music Club & Café in Manchester.
• The Challah French Toast at the Boathouse Restaurant at Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport.