February is the time that nature thrills us with a treat: maple syrup! Syrup can only be harvested from mature trees, once we have reached the point where we have freezing nighttime temperatures and stay slightly above freezing during the day. Once trees begin to bud and temperatures stay consistently warm, the chemistry of the sap changes and the collecting season ends. There is a short window in which sap can be collected and prepared to become maple syrup.
Many Rochester-area farms produce fresh maple syrup and mark the season with special events during New York State Maple Weekend, usually held over the last two weekends in March. Below are local farms and sugar shacks where you can experience maple syrup season firsthand.
Maple Syrup Farms In Rochester
Kettle Ridge Farm | Victor
Kettle Ridge Farms has been producing maple syrup and honey since 2010. On weekends from February to mid-March, enjoy maple donuts, hot chocolate, cocktails and small alpine bites without hitting the slopes at Apres-Ski. Kettle Ridge Farms also reserves barn tables and igloos for their 5-course Sugarmaker Brunch events.
Schoff’s Sugar Shack | Victor
Schoff’s Sugar Shack has been a family-run, maple syrup-making business in Victor since 1976.
Shadow Hill Maple Syrup | Ontario
In addition to syrup, Shadow Hill Maple Syrup offers a variety of maple products—from maple-covered nuts and granola to maple barbecue and cotton candy! Family can enjoy their All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Sundays throughout the month of March.
Stoney Ridge Farms | Palmyra
During Maple Weekends, Stoney Ridge Farms offers many free activities for families as well as All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfasts, featuring their fresh syrup. At their store, you can pick up pure maple syrup and other maple products such as maple cream spread, maple barbecue sauce, maple cotton fluff and more.
Packard Valley Farms | Macedon
Packard Valley Farms hosts many free family activities and All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes during Maple Weekends.
Nature Centers & Educational Experiences
Genesee Country Village & Museum | Mumford
Families can step back in time at Genesee Country Village & Museum and enjoy their annual Maple Sugar Festival where you can learn about making maple syrup, shop for treats from local vendors and enjoy the Breakfast Buffet.
Helmer Nature Center | Irondequoit
Enjoy the Helmer Nature Center’s Maple Weekend Pancake Breakfast.
Cumming Nature Center | Naples
Enjoy a locally-sourced pancake breakfast before heading outside for tapping and boiling demonstrations on the trail to the Sugar House.
How To Make Maple Syrup At Home
Growing up, I wasn’t much for nature, and I still am not to this day. A day at the beach would be my ideal vacation vs. hiking in the woods.…
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