During Maple Weekend, which actually takes place over two weekends, almost 160 maple producers, farms, and sites across New York open to the public to share how maple syrup is made from the tree and brought to the table. Learn about the sugarmaking process, its traditions and taste pure maple syrup in its many forms – right from the source! Whether it’s pancake breakfasts, horse and wagon rides, tours of the facilities or sap collecting, there is an event for everyone. While celebrated across the state, these are just a few sites that we recommend taking an Amtrak train to.
The White Oak Farm sugarhouse. | Photo Courtesy of White Oak Farm
White Oak Farm
March 21-22, 28-29
You’ll find White Oak Farm nestled on a hill, overlooking the Croton Reservoir in Yorktown Heights, NY. The farm dates back to the 1800’s, and features open fields, renovated barns, an impressive sugarhouse, garden, sawmills, and dry kilns. The last remaining commercial maple syrup producer in Westchester County, NY, White Oak Farm taps over 2,400 trees and distributes all maple grades.
Visit White Oak Farm’s Maple Weekend on March 21-22 and 28-29 if you love maple syrup! This Maple Weekend event will include a tour, where you learn how maple syrup is made from the tree and put on the table. White Oak Farm also has a sugar-house to explore, a sawmill tour, and on the weekends, a farmers market.
Take Amtrak to White Oak Farm
Experience Maple Weekend at White Oak Farm via Amtrak to Croton-Harmon Station in the Hudson Valley—Don’t forget to use the Amtrak See New York and Save 15% discount! White Oak Farm is 8.1 miles from the Croton-Harmon Amtrak Station.
Get picked up from the Croton-Harmon Amtrak Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Croton-Harmon office today at 914-271-0100.
Tapping a tree at Tibbitts Maple. | Photo Courtesy of Tibbitts Maple
Tibbitts Maple
March 21-22, 28-29
Offering quality, pure New York State maple products, Tibbitts Maple is a family run business that is four generations and growing. The farm has been in operation and making pure maple products in since 1984.
On March 21-22 and 28-29, see how their pure maple syrup is made. Tibbitts Maple will show you not only how to make syrup, but also how to can it! Let their family tradition become yours. Tibbitts Maple will also be offering maple syrup, maple cream, and maple shapes to snack on.
Take Amtrak to Tibbitts Maple
Experience Maple Weekend at Tibbitts Maple via Amtrak to Utica Amtrak Station in the Central New York—Don’t forget to use the Amtrak See New York and Save 15% discount! Tibbitts Maple is 6.4 miles from the Utica Amtrak Station.
Get picked up from the Utica Amtrak Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Utica office today at 315-736-0002.
Maple tastings at Cedarvale Maple Co. | Photo Courtesy of Cedarvale Maple Co.
Cedarvale Maple Syrup Co.
March 21-22, 28-29
If you have a sweet tooth, Maple Weekend at Cedarvale Maple Co. is the place for you. On March 21-22 and 28-29, taste the first harvest of the year! Enjoy a free tour and try some free samples. Cedarvale Maple Co. will be operating their new evaporator, making maple cotton candy and other maple recipes. Explore their expanded sugar house, and take a spring walk in their sugar bush.
Take Amtrak to Cedarvale Maple Co.
Experience Maple Weekend at Cedarvale Maple Co. via Amtrak to Syracuse Amtrak Station in the Syracuse, NY—Don’t forget to use the Amtrak See New York and Save 15% discount! Cedarvale Maple Co. is 10.9 miles from the Syracuse Amtrak Station.
Get picked up from the Syracuse Amtrak Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Syracuse office today at 315-423-0022.
Tapped trees at Helmer Nature Center. | Photo Courtesy of Helmer Nature Center
Helmer Nature Center
March 21, 29
Helmer Nature Center will be celebrating Maple Weekend and the maple sugaring season with a pancake breakfast on March 21 and 29!
On Saturday March 21, from 12 p.m. to 3p.m., walk the trails as staff and volunteers take you through the sugaring process. Help collect sap, stop at the evaporator and watch it cook into syrup. Make and sample treats like sugar on snow, maple ice cream, corn bread with syrup, cookies and milkshakes! Enjoy fun crafts for kids, too! Refreshments include: hot dogs, maple baked beans, maple pulled pork, hot and cold beverages and desserts.
Sunday, March 29, stop by for the pancake breakfast from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.! Enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, maple syrup, coffee, milk and orange juice.
Helmer Nature Center Pancake Breakfast Tickets Prices:
Adults $8, Members $7, Children 5 and under $6
Take Amtrak to Helmer Nature Center
Experience Maple Weekend at Helmer Nature Center via Amtrak to Rochester Amtrak Station in the Rochester, NY—Don’t forget to use the Amtrak See New York and Save 15% discount! Helmer Nature Center is 5.2 Miles from Rochester Amtrak Station.
Get picked up from the Rochester Amtrak Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Rochester office today at 585-423-2220.
Tree tapping fun at Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village. | Photo Courtesy of Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village
Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village
March 21-22, 28-29
Go back in time to the 19th century, and see how trees are tapped for sap! Then watch it cook, and see how it turns into sweet maple syrup. Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village is participating in New York State’s Maple Weekend this year on March 21-22 and 28-29! Learn how to identify Sugar Maple trees, how to use the tools necessary to tap the trees and get a chance to meet the blacksmith of the tools! Hot cocoa and maple cookies will be served. A pancake breakfast is also included if you make reservations.
Take Amtrak from Buffalo Niagara Heritage Center
Experience Maple Weekend at Buffalo Niagara Heritage Center via Amtrak to Buffalo-Depew Amtrak Station near Buffalo, NY—Don’t forget to use the Amtrak See New York and Save 15% discount! Buffalo Niagara Heritage Center is 14.9 Miles from Buffalo-Depew Amtrak Station.
Get picked up from the Buffalo Amtrak Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Buffalo-Depew office today at 716-668-9400.
