‘Tis the season—to go maple sugaring! For families with a sweet tooth looking for something fun to do this winter, check out these places around NJ with maple-sugaring events, so you can see how the real thing is collected and made and taste-test different varieties around the state. You might even come home with a bottle of homemade goodness to drizzle on your pancakes and waffles. Mmmmm!
(If you arrive home with fresh NJ maple syrup, try making one of these tasty recipes.)
Duke Farms
February to mid-March (call for exact dates)
1112 Dukes Parkway W., Hillsborough
908-722-3700 ext. 2
Echo Hill
Maple Sugaring Living History Farm
March 14
42 Lilac Dr., Flemington
908-782-1158
Take a tour of the farm, plus learn how Native Americans discovered the sweet sap and how syrup became produced in the 1930s. Watch a tree tapping, visit a sugar evaporator and have a taste of real syrup on a pancake.
Environmental Education Center
February 22-23, 29, March 1, 7-8, 14-15
190 Lord Stirling Rd., Basking Ridge
908-766-2489
Fernbrook Farms Environmental Education Center
Winter Break Camp for Kids
February 14, 17 and 18
142 Bordentown-Georgetown Rd.
609-298-4028
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm
January 18-19, 25-26, February 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29, March 1, 7-8
73 Kahdena Rd., Morristown
973-326-7645
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center
January 18-19, 25-26, February 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29, March 1, 7-8
247 Southern Blvd., Chatham Twp.
973-635-6629
Nature Center at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville
March 7-8, 14-15
Participate in a hands-on demonstration of home maple sugar production and see how it’s all done.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Maple Sugaring Fest
March 1
165 Hobart Ave., Summit
908-273-8787
Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Reserve in Pennington
February 29
31 Titus Mill Rd., Pennington
Head to the Watershed Center for the Maple Sugar Brunch where you’ll learn about the science and history behind maple sugaring, plus dig into a pancake with fresh syrup.
Tenafly Nature Center
Sundays from February 16–March 22
Stop by on March 29 for a Pancake Brunch and Maple Sugaring, too.
313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
201-568-6093
Trailside Nature and Science Center
February 17 and 19
452 New Providence Rd., Mountainside
908-789-3670; ucnj.org