Find the sweet spot at these Hudson Valley farms during March Maple Weekends
Heather ClarkThe sweetest time of year is back.
Throughout March, farms and nature centers around the Hudson Valley will celebrate Maple Weekends by inviting the public to take part in the traditions and process behind making maple sugars and syrups.
Some are celebrating with pancake breakfasts while others are offering hikes through the woods. Check out some of the events being held around the area celebrating something sweet.
Some farms and centers, including Teatown nature preserve in Ossining, have sold out of their tickets or reservations, so it is best to call ahead before heading out.
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March 13
Taconic Outdoor Education Center: 75 Mountain Laurel Lane, Cold Spring. There are limited spots available for each of the center's three time slots: 8 to 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to noon, and 12:30 to 2 p.m. Spots are on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, go to parks.ny.gov/events.
March 19 & 20
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum Outdoor Discovery Center: 120 Muser Dr., off of Angola Road, Cornwall. The Discovery Center will host 1-mile moderate Sugar Bush Tour hikes to the Sugar Shack at 11 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m. They will also offer Maple Lane Tours at noon and 3 p.m. that take hikers on a short walk from the farmhouse to the Gran Sugar Shack after a tour of the sugar maple stand. For all tours, masks and social distancing are required at all times. There will be a 20-person capacity per tour including children 5 and younger. Pre-registration is required and walk-ins will not be permitted. Register online at hhnm.org or call 845-534-5506. Admission is $9 for nature museum members ages 6 and up or $11 for non-members. Children ages 5 and younger are free but do require a ticket.
March 19 & 20, 26 & 27
Since 1995, New York State has celebrated Maple Weekends, which originally began as one-day events. It has now grown to two weekends each year, returning in 2022 after a 2 year hiatus. A number of Hudson Valley farms in Westchester, Dutchess, Orange and Ulster counties are opening their doors for community members. To learn more, visit mapleweekend.nysmaple.com
White Oak Farm: 680 Croton Lake Road, Yorktown Heights. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aside from maple education on their grounds, White Oak Farm is also throwing a pancake breakfast at Yorktown Grange Hall. There are two seatings each day at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $20 per adult and $10 for kids ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 years of age are free. For more information visit whiteoakfarm1.com.
Soukup Farm: 271 Halls Corners Road, Dover Plains. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can go on a maple tour, enjoy samples of Soukup Farm's product, enjoy sugar on snow, and watch syrup making if the weather should hold out. Go to soukupfarms.com/maple-weekend.
Corey's Sugar Shack: 105 Hawleys Corners Road, Highland. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Corey's Sugar Shack will have educational tours and show visitors the process of making maple syrup from beginning to end and how to do do it from home. There will also be a free tasting. Tours are $5 per person, while kids ages 5 and younger are free. It is suggested to make an appointment before heading out. To set up appointments, call 845-706-2484. Check out coreysfarm.com for more information.
Finding Home Farms: 140 Eatontown Road, Middletown. Finding Home Farms will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 19 and 26 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20 and 27. The farms will be offering tours of their sugarhouse, maple ice cream and cotton candy, syrup tastings and more. On March 26, not only will Finding Home Farms be celebrating the maple season, but also the opening of their new coffee shop and cafe at the sugarhouse. There will be live music from noon to 3 p.m. For more information, check out findinghomefarms.com.
March 26
Fresh Air Fund Sharpe Reservation: 436 Van Wyck Lake Road, Fishkill. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Fresh Air Fund's Sharpe Reservation will welcome revelers back to nature for their Sugar Maple Celebration. During the free event, visitors can learn about the process of making maple syrup and take a taste. The celebration will also have a planetarium show, activities for children and an area for local venders to sell their wares. Visit freshair.org/maple-celebration for more information.
March 26 & 27
The Ashokan Center: 477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge. The Ashokan Center will hold Maple Fest 2022 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 26 and 27. Included in the price of guest's tickets are a pancake breakfast, campfires, live music, guided hikes to visit the center's sugar shack, and blacksmithing demonstrations. Everything, aside from blacksmithing, is outside. Tickets are $15 per adult and $7.50 for children ages 5 to 12. Kids younger than 5 can enter for free. Go to ashokancenter.org/product/maple-fest-2022 for more information.
Times Herald Record, Poughkeepsie Journal and The Journal News/lohud.com Features Planner Donna Kessler contributed to this report.
Heather Clark covers business openings and closings throughout Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. Keep up on the latest comings and goings by joining our Facebook group at What's going there Westchester, Rockland, Putnam. Contact Clark via email, hclark@lohud.com.