Maple Sugaring in Fairfield County

Visit local sugarhouses and taste the sweetness of locally made products during the annual two-day celebration of all things maple. Many sugarhouses across the state will be open for tours and demonstrations in addition to selling their wonderful products. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the age old process of collecting maple sap and turning it into delicious syrup, candy, fudge, confections and more!

One of only two official maple sugar producers in Fairfield County, The Stamford Museum & Nature Center makes their own maple syrup from the more than 200 mature maple trees right on its 118-acre campus. Visit the Sugar House & Cidery and taste the seasonal maple syrup and sugary treats. 

This year's Maple Sugar Fest Sundays are March 8 & 15 from 10am-2pm, featuring new attractions, enhanced programming, fun seasonal offerings, free giveaways, and traditional favorites like Native American, Colonial and Modern sugaring demonstrations until 2pm. New for this year: Sugar Fests will include Planetarium Experiences for the whole family to enjoy!

On Saturday, March 7, you can see the maple sugaring process in action at the Trumbull Nature & Arts Center – from tapping trees to watching the sap run from their enormous maple sugar tree, and then taking a short walk to the firepit to observe the evaporation process. All participants will get to taste a sample of real Connecticut maple syrup. Morning session: 11-11:45am; afternoon session: 12-12:45pm ($20 per family).

Experience the time-honored New England tradition of tapping trees and turning sap into syrup at Ambler Farm in Wilton on Saturdays, March 7 & 14, from 11 am-12 pm. 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 maple syrup, and taste Ambler Farm's very own maple syrup over vanilla ice cream. Bottles of Ambler Farm Maple Syrup and merchandise will be available for sale. This event is free and open to the public. No registration required.

Bring the whole family for the annual Syrup Season Celebration at The New Canaan Nature Center on Saturday, March 14, from 8:30-11:30 am. You won't want to miss their famously delicious Pancakes & PJs Party, complete with TONS of fun syrup-related activities! They'll be serving up flapjacks with syrup and an array of tasty toppings. The day will also include tree tapping demos, a real maple sap "boil down," maple-inspired crafts, roasting marshmallows over the campfire, and a "real vs. fake" maple syrup taste test. And in fine syruping tradition, they'll have bottles of NCNC Maple Syrup for sale. Don't forget to wear your PJs! (Pre-registration recommended)

 

Treat the family to waffles and authentic maple syrup at Gemstone Farm in Wilton during their Maple Sugar Open House on Saturday, March 21 (10 am-1 pm). Learn about the maple sugaring process, see a live sugar boiling demonstration, and sample the sweet work of Gemstone (don’t leave without trying their Maple Gold Prospector Popcorn!) Reserve your spot for a maple house tour by completing the RSVP form on the website. This is a rain-or-shine event; boots are recommended.