You Can Go Maple Sugaring At These 3 Massachusetts Spots This March

It’s a miracle that humans learned how to get the sweetest syrup from the maple trees around us. While the science is behind maple tapping and sugaring is rather detailed, here’s the short of it: maple sap starts to flow when temperatures fluctuate between below freezing at night and above freezing during the day. Essentially, that’s springtime here in Massachusetts! And without further ado, here are 3 spots with family-friendly events that can show you exactly how maple sugaring is done this March:

1. Appleton Farms

Established in 1638 and maintained by nine generations, this North Shore destination is one of the country’s oldest continuously operated farms. In March, Appleton Farms hosts hands-on family maple sugaring workshops every weekend from Feb. 19 through March 27. Each two-hour session introduces the tools of maple sugaring, then you can practice tapping your own tree. You can also attend a free presentation on how it’s all done, too.

Find Appleton Farms at 219 County Road, Hamilton & Ipswich, MA.

2. Old Sturbridge Village

Our favorite old-fashioned village is back this March with their Maple Days events. Included with the price of admission into the village, these weekends will feature maple sugaring demonstrations as it was done in early 19th-century New England. You’ll be able to see the entire sugar-making process, from tapping the trees to ‘sugaring off’ the maple sap. It’s interesting, educational, and delicious!

Find Old Sturbridge Village at 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA.

3. Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary

Visit Mass Audubon’s Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary for the Maple Sugaring Weekend on March 12-13. This fundraising event includes a 90-minute outdoor, guided tour on a wooded trail, where you’ll learn about the sugaring process firsthand and meet costumed characters from the past as they create maple syrup. At the end, you can tour a sugar shack and get a taste of the final product!

Find Moose Hill at 293 Moose Hill Parkway, Sharon, MA.

[featured image: Facebook / Old Sturbridge Village]