New York Maple Weekend
Spring in New York State means one thing—maple sugaring season! Each year, as winter fades and the temperatures begin to rise, local sugarhouses across the state open their doors to visitors for New York State Maple Weekend. This beloved annual event invites families, food lovers, and nature enthusiasts to experience the magic behind pure New York maple syrup.
From learning how maple trees are tapped to tasting fresh syrup straight from the evaporator, Maple Weekend offers a unique opportunity to see where your favorite maple products come from. Whether you’re a longtime maple lover or discovering this tradition for the first time, this event promises a fun and educational experience for all ages.
What is New York State Maple Weekend?
During New York State Maple Weekend, guests will have the chance to see maple syrup production up close. Local maple farmers will demonstrate how sap is collected from sugar maple trees and boiled down into the golden, delicious syrup that has been a staple of New York agriculture for centuries.
Each sugarhouse has its own unique process, with some using traditional wood-fired evaporators, while others utilize modern techniques to create high-quality New York maple syrup. Visitors will also learn about the ideal weather conditions needed for sap to flow, how trees are tapped sustainably, and the differences between syrup grades.
What to expect at the New York Maple Weekend
Maple Tastings & Pancake Breakfasts
No Maple Weekend is complete without delicious maple treats! Many participating locations will offer free samples of their freshly made syrup, allowing visitors to taste the subtle differences between light, amber, and dark syrups.
Several sugarhouses will also host pancake breakfasts, where guests can enjoy fluffy pancakes drenched in pure New York maple syrup. Beyond pancakes, expect a variety of maple-infused delights, including:
- Maple candies
- Maple cream and butter
- Maple-glazed donuts
- Maple cotton candy
- Maple BBQ sauces and marinades
Family Friendly Activities
In addition to syrup-making demonstrations, many sugarhouses offer a range of family-friendly activities. Visitors can enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, hiking through maple forests, and hands-on demonstrations that showcase both historic and modern syrup-making techniques.
For kids, some farms even have petting zoos, scavenger hunts, and interactive learning stations about trees and wildlife. It’s a perfect way to enjoy New York’s great outdoors while experiencing a cherished tradition.
When is the New York Farm Show?
Maple Weekend runs on two consecutive weekends: March 22-23 & March 29-30, 2025.
Featured SugarHouses
With over 150 sugarhouses participating in New York State Maple Weekend, visitors have plenty of options to explore. Here are a few standout locations offering unique maple experiences:
White Oak Farm (Yorktown Heights, NY)
Situated in the scenic Hudson Valley, White Oak Farm offers visitors an immersive maple sugaring experience. During Maple Weekend, guests can tour the sugarhouse, observe the syrup-making process, and sample fresh maple products.
Tibbitts Maple (New Hartford, NY)
Located in Central New York, Tibbitts Maple is a family-run operation known for its high-quality maple syrup and products. Visitors during Maple Weekend can enjoy guided tours, learn about tree tapping, and taste a variety of maple treats.
Helmer Nature Center (Irondequoit, NY)
Just outside Rochester, Helmer Nature Center offers a unique blend of environmental education and maple production. During Maple Weekend, visitors can participate in interactive demonstrations and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding area..
These sugarhouses provide excellent opportunities to experience New York State Maple Weekend with the convenience of nearby Amtrak stations. Be sure to check each location’s specific event details and consider making transportation arrangements in advance to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit.
Find the farm you’d like to visit here.
Take Amtrak to New York Maple Weekend
For Directions to Utica Station, click below.
Experience the sweetness of New York via several Amtrak stations
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.
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.
Click here to reserve your car or call the Croton-Harmon office today at 914-271-0100.
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.
Click here to reserve your car or call the Rochester office today at 585-423-2220.
Attractions & Things to do near maple farms
There’s no shortage of things to do in Syracuse.
