Maybe you’re like me and want to learn more about the process or take the kids to learn how maple syrup is made. I asked around and people gave me lots of suggestions.
It’s going to be hard to choose which to visit (or even purchase maple syrup from!)
It Runs in the Family
People who responded liked the friendliness and family owned nature of the businesses they recommended. I was especially impressed by how many are multigenerational, which is becoming less common. It really says a lot about love and pride, by both the people who continue to support them and the families who continue to produce quality products. Here’s where locals recommend.
Maple Syrup Open House
Make sure to stop by on March 23-24th, 2019 for maple syrup open house. If you can’t make it then, check the sugar shack’s hours and stop by during the month of March and beginning of April. You can find participants of the open house at the NH Maple Producers website. There’s a map and when the maple producer will be open to the public.
The Recommended Sugar Houses to Learn about Maple Syrup
MacNamara Farm in Plainfield.
Enjoy lots of samples, “super nice crew,” and maple ice cream “that is out of this world.” You can also visit the farm animals and learn about maple sugaring.
Raymond Sugarhouse Hartland.
People say that make the best maple candy they’ve ever had. Buy gifts and maple goodies year round from them. You can even see a video of making maple candy on their active Facebook site (link above).
Sugar Bush Farm in Quechee.
Here you can learn how maple syrup is made year round from a display, but you can see it made in March and April. Sample cheeses and maple syrups. The staff can tell you all about the process. There are things to do year round like walk the trails, visit the chapel, and pet the animals. This sounds like the perfect educational opportunity for me!
Taylor Farm in Meriden.
This is a four generation family owned farm that specializes in cheese and maple syrup. They’re a local favorite. During the maple sugaring months you can learn about the maple syrup process, try some samples, and purchase some goodies to go. Stop by their cheese business, Garfield’s Smokehouse, across the street for some yummy cheese samples as well.
Silloway Maple in Randolph Center.
This sugar maple operation is powered by wood and solar fuel. This family was featured last year on CBS This Morning about their operation. I was most impressed by the number of family members who live nearby and work at Silloway Maple (24!)
CDA Maple in Randolph.
They have an active Facebook page so you can see what’s going on even before the official season. I like the posts about tramping out into the snow to tap the trees and even their first boil in January.
Johnson Family Sugarhouse Chelsea, VT.
Last year they had some food along with their maple syrup experience for those attending the open house. Check them out in the Spring and watch maple syrup being made.
Slack Maple Farm Bradford, VT was recommended but I can’t find an online presence for them.
I know there are lots of other wonderful sugar shacks out there. Where do you go to get your maple syrup and where would recommend people to learn about how maple syrup is made?
Other Local Maple Syrup Producers in the Upper Valley
Tomapo Farm Storrs Hill Rd. Lebanon
Patch Orchards Walhowdon Way Lebanon
Daisy Hill Farm Dunbar Hill Rd. Grantham
Take a Trip to the White Mtns.: A Hands On Maple Learning at the Rocks Estate
Check out a working sugar house and interactive museum in Bethlehem, NH during the month of March. See a hands on demonstration, talk to a fourth generation maple sugarer, help tap the trees and more. Click here to learn more.
Make it an weekend trip. The Buttonwood Inn and other participating inns are hosting a March Maple Madness event with special pricing and amenities on March 24-25, 2018.
