10 Authentically Canadian Maple Syrup Experiences This March

Warm maple taffy is a favourite Maple in the County experience. Credit: Prince Edward County

The warm late winter temperatures brings our favourite time of year – maple syrup season. Headlining maple season in The Great Waterway are three family-friendly events: Maple in the County in Prince Edward County, Maple Madness in Kingston and an open house at Gibbons Maple Sugar House in Frankville. Consider these 10 amazing and authentically Canadian experiences for your maple “bucket” list this March.

1. Eat pancakes (with syrup!) in a sugar shack

Piping hot pancakes piled high, slathered with butter and drizzled (or drenched) in freshly made maple syrup. It’s the ultimate maple season experience, made better when enjoyed in the company of friends and family. Whether your chosen side dish is bacon, sausages or more pancakes, this maple syrup experience is not to be missed.

Where to try it: Sweetwater Cabin/Hubb’s Sugar Bush (Rednersville, PEC), Gibbons Maple Sugar House and Museum (Frankville), Strictly Maple (Consecon, PEC), Sugarbush Vineyards (Hilliar, PEC), Fosterholm Farms (Picton, PEC), Waupoos Estate Winery and Sugar Bush (Waupoos, PEC), Walt’s Sugar Shack (Consecon, PEC), Three Dog Winery (Demorestville, PEC)

During your sugar bush hike, learn more about maple syrup on a fun scavenger hunt. Credit: Prince Edward County.

2. Hike through a sugar bush

With the crunch of snow under your boots and the refreshingly crisp smell of spring in the air works up an appetite for piping hot pancakes!

Where to try it: Sugarbush Vineyards (Hillier, PEC), Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area (Kingston),

3. Dash through the snow on a horse-drawn wagon ride

The clip-clop of hooves and the jingle of sleigh bells is a familiar sound during maple season. On a horse-drawn wagon ride, take in the bustle of a busy maple forest and look for signs that spring is right around the corner.

Where to try it: Sweetwater Cabin/Hubb’s Sugar Bush (Rednersville, PEC)

Snowshoe with your family or furry four-legged friends at Sugar Bush Vineyards. Credit: Prince Edward County

4. Snowshoe in a vineyard

A winery tour during the off-season is a winter wonderland delight (you may not have snow in your backyard, but we do!). Rent or bring your snowshoes for a peaceful walk through a lakeside vineyard. And just like hiking, you’ll be hankering for breakfast when you’re done! Weather permitting.

Where to try it: Sugarbush Vineyards (Hilliar, PEC), and the Fido-friendly Three Dog Winery (Demorestville, PEC), Sandbanks Estate Winery (Wellington, PEC), Trail Estate Winery (on the nearby Millennium Trail, Hillier, PEC)

Don’t miss the snow-chilled maple taffy at multiple sugar bushes. (photo: JamieW/Flickr Creative Commons)

5. Eat maple taffy off of fresh snow

Nature’s favourite candy – maple taffy – is a sweet treat that is best enjoyed in the warm spring sunshine. Dipping thickened maple syrup into fresh white snow is a delicious and timeless syrup season tradition.

Where to try it: Vader’s Maple Syrup (Cherry Valley, PEC), Walt’s Sugar Shack (Consecon, PEC), Norman Hardie Winery (Wellington, PEC), Gibbons Maple Sugar House (Frankville)

lumberjack demonstrations during Maple in the County

Lumberjack demonstrations will be held during Maple in the County. Credit: Prince Edward County

6. Learn how to be a lumberjack

Timber! Tom Mikel from the Prince Edward Land Stewardship Council will teach you how lumberjacks care for the environment and yes, cut down trees.

Where to see it: Sweetwater Cabin/Hubbs Sugar Bush (Rednersville, PEC)

Visit baby animals this spring during Maple in the County. Credit: Prince Edward County.

7. Visit baby farm animals

A sure sign of spring is the arrival of the most adorable baby animals in farms throughout the region. Cuddling with fluffy chicks, peeping ducklings and woolly lambs is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Children can enjoy pony rides at selected farms. Have your cameras ready for this cute photo op!

Where to see them: Nyman Farms (Picton, PEC), Gibbons Family Farm (Frankville), Heal with Horses (Hillier, PEC), Waupoos Estate Winery and Sugar Bush (Waupoos, PEC)

maple in the county in Prince Edward County

See how maple syrup is made during Maple in the County. Credit: The Great Waterway

8. See how maple syrup is made (from start to finish!)

Did you know that it takes 40 litres of sap to make 1 litre of maple syrup? When you visit a sugar bush, you will hear the fascinating history of maple syrup, see sap dripping into pails (or modern tap lines that zigzag through the forest) and peek at the giant evaporators where the magic of maple syrup happens! You’ll appreciate syrup so much more after hearing about the effort that goes into making this sweet treat.

Where to see it: Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area (Kingston), Gibbons Maple Sugar House and Museum (Frankville), Strictly Maple (Consecon, PEC), Sugarbush Vineyards (Hilliar, PEC), Nyman Farms (Picton, PEC), Vader’s Maple Syrup (Cherry Valley, PEC), Fosterholm Farms (Picton, PEC)

9. Indulge in delightful and unexpected maple syrup and local food pairings

The ideal experience for sophisticated palates! The spring season inspires farmers, artisan food producers and chefs to create flavourful maple themed meals. Caramel apples, haute mac and cheese, sausages, crepes, desserts, aged cheese, ribs, pulled pork, French toast and more tempt your taste buds with every stop along the self-guided Maple in the County route. Reservations required at some locations.

Where to try it: The Drake Devonshire Inn (Wellington, PEC), Campbell’s Orchards (Rednersville, PEC), Clossen Chase Vineyards (Hillier, PEC), The Grange (Hillier, PEC), Harwood Estate Vineyards (Hillier, PEC), Sandbanks Estate Winery (Wellington, PEC), Keint-he Winery and Vineyards (Wellington, PEC), Trail Estate Winery (Hillier, PEC), Huff Estates (Bloomfield, PEC), 66 Gilliead Distillery (Bloomfield, PEC), Macaulay House (Picton, PEC), Jackson Falls Country Inn (Milford, PEC), The Country Canteen (Picton, PEC), County Cider (Picton, PEC), Black River Cheese Company (Milford, PEC)

10. Sip maple inspired wine, cider and craft beer around a cozy bonfire or tasting room

With a nod to the mighty maple, local wine and cider makers and brewers infuse this seasonal staple into their beverages for a delightful sipping experience. Some wineries and breweries, like Barley Days, Trail Estate and The Grange have seasonal wines, waters and brews to you to enjoy, whereas our other wineries welcome you into their tasting rooms for you enjoy your favourite red, white or ale.