Did you know that New York is one of the few places in the world where you can find Sugar Maple trees (our official state tree) that produce maple syrup? The process of tapping maple trees, collecting the sap, and making maple syrup can be a fun experience for kids. We are lucky that this activity can be enjoyed right here in Westchester County!
Maple sugaring season, when maple syrup is made, typically starts in late February and runs into April (depending on weather). There are several local Westchester County farms and nature centers that are offering outdoor, distanced opportunities for kids to give maple sugaring try. We have detailed these below. If you are interested in participating make sure you register in advance where necessary and expect distancing and health guidelines to be in place (like mask wearing and capacity limits). Enjoy!
Maple sugaring season, when maple syrup is made, typically starts in late February and runs into April (depending on weather). There are several local Westchester County farms and nature centers that are offering outdoor, distanced opportunities for kids to give maple sugaring try. We have detailed these below. If you are interested in participating make sure you register in advance where necessary and expect distancing and health guidelines to be in place (like mask wearing and capacity limits). Enjoy!
Muscoot Farm
51 Route 100, Katonah, NY
At their Tapping the Trees & Maple Sugaring events, kids can learn about sugaring with their family inside the sugarhouse. You will participate in a thirty-minute private demonstration with just your family.
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, beginning Sunday, Feb. 7 through March 21 from 10am – 2:30pm
Pricing: $20 a family per session
51 Route 100, Katonah, NY
At their Tapping the Trees & Maple Sugaring events, kids can learn about sugaring with their family inside the sugarhouse. You will participate in a thirty-minute private demonstration with just your family.
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, beginning Sunday, Feb. 7 through March 21 from 10am – 2:30pm
Pricing: $20 a family per session
Greenburgh Nature Center
99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale, NY
The Nature Center is currently offering Maple Sugaring programs through their ongoing Back to Nature Series. These programs are for small groups and families with children of all ages. They are led by their expert Naturalists and range in topics for interactive 1 to 1.5 hour experiences.
Starting in late January through early February, kids can travel back in time to learn about maple sugaring throughout history. They will learn how Native Americans discovered maple sugar and our modern day techniques to collect and create syrup at our outdoor sugaring sites. This program will also include a small seasonal treat.
As a bonus, at the end of the season on a weekend in early March, participants can return to the Nature Center to watch them make maple syrup in their Sugar Shack. Any groups who participate in the program through the season will have the opportunity to go home with a small jar of fresh maple syrup.
Dates: Starting in late January through early February
Pricing:
Members—$150 (groups of up to 6, $15 per additional person for max of 9)
Non-Members—$200 for non members (groups of up to 6, $15 per additional person for max of 9)
99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale, NY
The Nature Center is currently offering Maple Sugaring programs through their ongoing Back to Nature Series. These programs are for small groups and families with children of all ages. They are led by their expert Naturalists and range in topics for interactive 1 to 1.5 hour experiences.
Starting in late January through early February, kids can travel back in time to learn about maple sugaring throughout history. They will learn how Native Americans discovered maple sugar and our modern day techniques to collect and create syrup at our outdoor sugaring sites. This program will also include a small seasonal treat.
As a bonus, at the end of the season on a weekend in early March, participants can return to the Nature Center to watch them make maple syrup in their Sugar Shack. Any groups who participate in the program through the season will have the opportunity to go home with a small jar of fresh maple syrup.
Dates: Starting in late January through early February
Pricing:
Members—$150 (groups of up to 6, $15 per additional person for max of 9)
Non-Members—$200 for non members (groups of up to 6, $15 per additional person for max of 9)
Teatown
1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining, NY
Warren’s Sugarhouse is open for family tours! Join a Teatown educator for a demonstration of tree tapping and visit the sugarhouse to learn how sap is made into maple syrup! One family (no more than 5 people) for each 20 minute tour. Health and safety measures are in place.
Dates: Saturdays, February 27, March 6, 13, 20 and Sundays February 28, March 7, 14
Pricing: $10 per family (members), $15 per family (non-members)
1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining, NY
Warren’s Sugarhouse is open for family tours! Join a Teatown educator for a demonstration of tree tapping and visit the sugarhouse to learn how sap is made into maple syrup! One family (no more than 5 people) for each 20 minute tour. Health and safety measures are in place.
Dates: Saturdays, February 27, March 6, 13, 20 and Sundays February 28, March 7, 14
Pricing: $10 per family (members), $15 per family (non-members)
White Oak Farm
680 Croton Lake Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY
Head to their Backyard Sugaring Workshop to learn how to make your own pure, delicious maple syrup. White Oak Farm is the only commercial maple syrup producer in Westchester County with 2400 trees tapped and the southernmost producer in New York State. Visit a traditional sugarhouse and learn the techniques to make your own high quality syrup with a focus on the history of maple syrup production, tree identification, tapping, collecting, boiling, filtering, and packing.
Dates: Saturday, February 13th & Saturday, February 20th from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Pricing: $75 per person.
680 Croton Lake Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY
Head to their Backyard Sugaring Workshop to learn how to make your own pure, delicious maple syrup. White Oak Farm is the only commercial maple syrup producer in Westchester County with 2400 trees tapped and the southernmost producer in New York State. Visit a traditional sugarhouse and learn the techniques to make your own high quality syrup with a focus on the history of maple syrup production, tree identification, tapping, collecting, boiling, filtering, and packing.
Dates: Saturday, February 13th & Saturday, February 20th from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Pricing: $75 per person.
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Lenoir Preserve
19 Dudley Street, Yonkers, NY Families can try Sugar Maple Tree Tapping this winter overlooking the Hudson River,. One family at a time will learn how to tap the maple trees at the preserve. Thirty minute timeslots are by reservation only by calling (914) 968-5851. SOLD OUT. Dates: Saturday, Feb. 13 through March 13 from 10am - 2pm Pricing: $20 per family per session |
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Stamford Museum & Nature Center
151 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT
Head up to CT for First County Bank Maple Sugar Fest Sundays. In lieu of their traditional festival weekend, there will be three enhanced Sundays for health and safety. Kids can participate in making maple syrup from the 200+ mature maple trees found right on their 118-acre campus.
Each Sunday they will open their site at 10 am with added attractions, enhanced programming, and fun seasonal offerings, including traditional favorites like maple syrup treats and tree tapping demonstrations! General registration opened January 14.
Dates: February 21 & 28 and March 7 from 10am - 2pm
Pricing:
Members: $10/person
Non-members: $20/person
Standard admission rates apply after 2pm
151 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT
Head up to CT for First County Bank Maple Sugar Fest Sundays. In lieu of their traditional festival weekend, there will be three enhanced Sundays for health and safety. Kids can participate in making maple syrup from the 200+ mature maple trees found right on their 118-acre campus.
Each Sunday they will open their site at 10 am with added attractions, enhanced programming, and fun seasonal offerings, including traditional favorites like maple syrup treats and tree tapping demonstrations! General registration opened January 14.
Dates: February 21 & 28 and March 7 from 10am - 2pm
Pricing:
Members: $10/person
Non-members: $20/person
Standard admission rates apply after 2pm
In the past the following locations have held Maple Sugaring events. No 2021 events have been announced to date due to the pandemic. Given things are always changing, you can check back on their sites to see if any events have been added.
Hilltop Hanover Farm
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum
Rye Nature Center
Trailside Nature Museum
Westmoreland Sanctuary
Hilltop Hanover Farm
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum
Rye Nature Center
Trailside Nature Museum
Westmoreland Sanctuary
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