While the ski slopes of northern New England are greeting families on winter vacation with abundant snow, Connecticut Sugarhouses are preparing for the start of their maple sugaring season.

And this is what makes New England so fascinating and diverse.

While one part is still locked in ice and snow and the grip of winter, another region is preparing for spring, and in New England, spring means maple sugaring. And the first state to get the tapping equipment installed is Connecticut.

And here’s why…

While Connecticut is not usually the first state to come to mind when thinking about maple syrup (Vermont is the largest producer in the world), because of its milder temperatures and southern proximity the spring thaw comes first here compared to the rest of New England.

In the reverse of the fall foliage which sweeps down from north to south during September through October, the tapping of the sugar and black maple trees starts in early February in the south and works its way northward through early April.

The maple sugaring season in Connecticut is usually from early February until late March depending on weather conditions. And these conditions can frustrate the farmers as the sap needs the exact right conditions before it runs and continues running, and no sap means no maple syrup.

Freezing nights and warm sunny days are necessary for the maple tree to yield sap, and during the usual six weeks of the season the maple produced runs from a light amber color early in the season to the dark amber of late march. And these produce very different tastes and uses by purchasers. The sap stops running when the freezing nights stop, and then its time for the farmer to store his equipment for another year. Yes, the season is short.

The Maple Syrup Producers Association of Connecticut lists a bunch of Connecticut Sugarhouses open to the public and where you can see the actual tapping of the trees and the boiling of the sap into maple syrup using huge evaporators.

It’s always worth calling ahead to the suagrhouse to make sure they’re boiling up a steam so you can see it being made, but most are open all year to the public anyway - I just think it fun to visit when they’re making the stuff, and you can buy the maple when it’s still warm. It’s a great and educational family day out, and a chance to brush off the long winter blues.

Here’s just a small selection of Connecticut Sugarhouses open to the public which offer tours or where you can watch the syrup being made…
WARRUP’S FARM, WEST READING - FAIRFIELD COUNTY:

Syrup making demonstrations given first 3 weekends in March, Noon-5:00pm. Warrup’s Farm is located at the west end of John Read Road, a dirt road. It’s off Route 107, half way between Redding Center and Putnam Memorial State Park, and opposite the Redding Country Club. Web site is: www.warrupsfarm.com or phone 203-938-9403.
LAMOTHE’S SUGAR HOUSE, BURLINGTON - HARTFORD COUNTY:

Public viewing of syrup being made from mid-February to end of March on Saturday and Sundays 1-5pm. From Hartford area, take TR 84 west, exit 39, straight off exit, follow RT 4 west, through Farmington and into Burlington, at the light in Burlington center, take a left onto 69 south. Travel approximately 3 miles, left onto Reservoir Road, to the stop sign, and go right. Take next left onto Stone Road. The sugar house is #89, and on the left, but just look for the smoke and smell the syrup. Web site is: www.lamothesugarhouse.com or phone 860-675-5043.
GREAT BROOK SUGARHOUSE, NEW MILFORD - LITCHFIELD COUNTY:

Operated by the Youth Agency, educational tours of the sugaring operation are available by calling ahead and open house weekends are held during March where displays of early techniques can be seen. Address is 140 Park Lane, Route 202, New Milford, CT 06776, and phone 860-354-0047.

BROOKSVALE PARK SUGAR SHACK, HAMDEN - NEW HAVEN COUNTY:

This sugar shack is used mostly for educational purposes but visitors are welcome to strop and take a tour when it’s operating, usually late February to mid-March. Brooksvale Park is located just off Whitney Avenue (Route 10) in northern Hamden near the Cheshire town line. Traveling north on Route 10 you’ll pass the Sleeping Giant Golf Course on your right and then a small strip mall will come up also on the right. Take a left here onto Brooksvale Avenue. Follow Brooksvale Avenue about a mile until you see signs for parking on the left. Web site is www.brooksvale.org or phone 203-287-2669.

MIK-RAN’S SUGARHOUSE AND SPECIALTY SHOP, BROOKLYN - WINDHAM COUNTY:

Free demonstrations in mid February and March, weekend 1-5pm. Address is 86 Stetson Road, Brooklyn, CT 06234, and phone 860-774-7926.

For a full list of MSPAC Connecticut Sugarhouses open to the public check out their official web site here: www.ctmaple.org where you can download a brochure with more details.

And don’t forget the 18th Annual Hebron Maple Festival on March 8 & 9, 2008. More information for that event can be found at: www.hebronmaplefest.com

For more ideas and suggestions on things to do in this region check out my Connecticut vacation and trip planner section by clicking here.

Cliff Calderwood
Editor
Online Guide to New England Vacations