Did you know March is the peak of maple syrup season?
Here are a few places you can find the sweet treat (and other maple products) in Central New York.
Critz Farms – Cazenovia’s Critz Farms offers family-friendly activities throughout the year. During maple season, families can take a wagon ride to the sugarbush, learn about production, and sample syrup.
Where: 3232 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia.
More information: critzfarms.com.
Dutch Hill Maple – Dave Williams founded Dutch Hill Maple in 1968 with 15 maple trees. Since then, the number of taps has grown to more than 7,500. Maple syrup, maple crunch, maple BBQ sauce, and maple pops are all available for purchase, but keep in mind, orders must be shipped or picked up.
Where: 1435 Dutch Hill Road, Tully.
More information: dutchhillmaple.com.
Red Schoolhouse Maple – Located south of Lake Ontario, Red Schoolhouse Maple produces pure maple syrup. Make sure to also try some of its specialty products, including maple cream, hot maple mustard and sweet maple and apple cider vinaigrette.
Where: 2437 County Route 4, Fulton.
More information: redschoolhousemaple.com.
Schoolyard Sugarbush – Schoolyard Sugarbush’s name comes from its roots – the business started outside a one-room schoolhouse. Now in its fourth generation, it offers maple sugar, maple candy, and maple cream, along with several grades of its maple syrup.
Where: 5967 Appletree Point Road, Moravia.
More information: schoolyardsugarbush.org.
Shaw’s Maple Products – Inspired by a visit to a local high school during Maple Weekend, Shaw’s Maple Products was founded in 2007. Customers can choose from a variety of maple products: cotton candy, popcorn, seasonings, and of course, syrup.
Where: 7945 Maxwell Road, Clinton.
More information: shawsmapleproducts.com.
Skaneateles Sugar Shack – Skaneateles Sugar Shack collects more than 100,000 gallons of sap each year, according to its website, shipping its products all over the world. Stop by its retail space about five miles south of the village to purchase maple syrup, maple cotton candy, maple sugar, and more.
Where: 2234 Benson Road, Skaneateles.
More information: skaneatelessugarshack.com.
Smokey Hollow Maple Products – Nearly five decades ago, the Hotaling family started making maple syrup with a wash tub and a campfire, eventually turning their hobby into a business in 1986. These days, they use a more modern process, selling everything from maple syrup to maple coated nuts to maple mustard.
Where: 8597 Pierce Road, Jordan.
More information: smokeyhollowmaplesyrup.com.
Tibbitts Maple – For five generations, the Tibbitts family has been producing syrup (and other maple treats) in New Hartford. Current products include maple syrup, granulated maple sugar, and maple cream.
Where: Tibbitts Road, New Hartford.
More information: tibbittsmaple.com.
Yardley Maple – Joseph Yardley, the founder of Yardley Maple, purchased his first evaporator when he was just 12 years old. Nowadays, the family-owned business taps more than 3,300 maple trees, according to its website, offering maple syrup, maple granulated maple, maple candy, and more.
Where: 524 County Route 64, Mexico, NY 13114
More information: yardleymaple.com.
This year, the annual statewide event will be held March 19-20 and 26-27. It will feature many family-friendly activities, including tours and pancake breakfasts. To learn more, visit mapleweekend.nysmaple.com.
