When winter arrives, many people feel the need to hunker down inside. We love to snuggle by the couch and sit by the warm fire. This winter, bundle up the family and venture outside for a fun experience. One way to enjoy the great outdoors this winter is to experience maple sugaring. That’s right! You can learn all about the process to make maple syrup right here in NJ. No need to travel all the way to Vermont (although that is really fun too).
New Jersey offers some fun and unique maple sugaring events. From story times to hikes to tastings, there are maple sugaring experiences the entire family will love. I have put together a list of amazing maple sugaring events in NJ. I will be updating it as new events arise so make sure you check back frequently or bookmark this post. If you know of any events we missed, please leave it in the comments section below and I will make sure to add it!
Maple Sugaring Experiences in NJ
Environmental Education Center, Basking Ridge
This winter head over the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge for exciting maple sugaring events. This 60-minute family experience will take guests on a journey through the maple syrup process, past and present. Families will also enjoy a 1/2 mile hike. These events will take place every Saturday and Sunday in February.
Happy Day Farm, Manalapan
In March, Happy Day Farm will offer their Maple Festival. Guests will enjoy a Sugar Shack demonstration that involves learning how sap is turned in maple syrup. Attendees will also enjoy a tractor ride around the farm. Pancakes and maple syrup will be for sale. Tickets will only be sold at the door and cost $18/person. This event takes place March 9, 10, 16, and 17.
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Township
Step back in time at the Howell Living History Farm and learn all about the maple sugaring process. This winter, adults and kids will explore this NJ tradition firsthand with 2 exciting events. Guests will help the farmers collect sap, make syrup, and have a tasting with whole wheat pancakes. Tap the Sugar Maples will take place February 3 and Maple Sugaring will take place February 17 and 24.
Hunterdon County Division of Parks and Recreation
Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation is offering a fun Maple Tree Tapping event on January 28, 1pm-2:30pm. This event is for ages 6 and up and costs only $8/family. Participants will take a nice winter stroll to the Echo Hill Park Sugar Bush to learn how to identify a sugar maple and tap a tree. They will also be offering Maple Sap Collecting on February 4 and 18. This is a fun hands-experience for ages 5 and up and only costs $8/family.
Reeves Reed Arboretum, Summit
Celebrate the start of maple sugaring season at Reeves Reed Arboretum in Summit with their Tap That Tree event on February 2. Families will enjoy a true hands-on learning experience as they are taught how to tap a tree at the Arboretum. Registration is required. The event is $10/child member and $20/child non-member (ages 5 and up). On February 21, children ages 3-5 (with an adult) can enjoy a Maple Sugaring class that includes hiking, story time, and arts & crafts. Registration is required for this event. Reeves Reed Arboretum closes out the maple sugaring season with their Maple Sugaring Fest on March 3 that includes demonstrations, hiking, and maple sugaring challenge. This event is FREE for members and $5 for non-members.
Schiff Nature Preserve, Mendham
Enjoy a hands-on learning experience this winter at Schiff Nature Preserve. On March 2 and 3, families can attend Maple Sugaring Demonstration Days where guests will learn how to identify and tap a maple tree as well as process the sap. The presentation will also explain the history of maple sugaring, the life cycle of a maple tree, and how maple syrup is made. An optional 2-mile walk to the working maple grove will also be available. This event is free for Schiff members and only $8 for non-members.
Stony Brook Millstone Watershed, Pennington
Families are invited to Stony Brook Millstone Watershed in Pennington to learn all about the history, folklore, and science of the maple sugaring process. It is an 1-hour long experience that includes learning how to find and tap trees using drills and spiles as well as taste delicious maple syrup. The event takes place February 10 and 24 and is recommended for ages 5 and up.
Tenafly Nature Center, Tenafly
Tenafly Nature Center offers fun Maple Sugaring for all ages. Guests will learn about the history of making maple syrup along with how the technology has changed. The event even includes a sweet treat! The event takes place every Saturday January 28 – March 17.
The Great Swamp, Chatham
Maple Sugaring Demonstrations at The Great Swamp in Chatham offer an amazing maple sugaring experience the entire family will love. Guests learn how to identify and tap maple trees, collect the sap, and make syrup over a fire. Participants will even get to taste the maple syrup. It is a fun outdoor experience that gives kids a new appreciation for nature. This event is only $6/ages 5 and up and takes place every Saturday and Sunday January 20 – March 3.
The Hermitage Museum, Ho-Ho Kus
Enjoy a fun maple sugaring event at The Hermitage Museum on February 17. Families will learn how Native Americans and colonists tapped trees and collected sap to make maple syrup. Participants will even get their own tap to take home. Admission is $35/family.
Trailside Nature and Science Center, Mountainside
The Trailside Nature Center is offering The Journey of Sap to Syrup, an outdoor event recommended for ages 4 and up. Families will learn what is needed to collect sap and participate in a taste test. This event will take place on February 17.
Van Vleck House & Garden, Montclair
On March 2, take a drive to Van Vleck House & Garden for their Maple Sugaring Program. Families will learn how to identify a maple tree and turn sap into syrup as well as visit a tapped tree. Registration is required and costs $25/family for members and $35/family for non-members.
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