March is Maple Syrup Season in Milwaukee! Every year, at the cusp of winter meeting spring, and around the time when snow begins to melt, majestic Maple trees graciously share their sap so it can be made into sweet maple syrup.

Families are encouraged to come watch the process – from sap to syrup – and enjoy interactive demonstrations. These family-friendly events often include sugary samples and in many cases, pancakes, too! Every child deserves 100% pure maple syrup drizzled over pancakes, in the woods, at least once in their life!


 
    River Bend Nature Center - Sugarin’ Off Pancake Breakfast

     (760.2 mi)

    9 am - 1 pm

    Shila:  River Bend Nature Center will once again host the spring time tradition of Sugarin’ Off pancake breakfasts to celebrate the maple sugar harvest. Pancakes with 100% Wisconsin maple syrup, sausage, orange juice, coffee, tea, or milk are on the menu. Following your breakfast, hike through the woods to observe and learn the process of maple sap collection and syrup production. Volunteers will tap 70 maple trees on the nature center grounds and collect sap to make the syrup.

    Cost: $8 for adults, and $5 for kids (3-10)

    Hawthorn Hollow - Maple Sugarin’ Class

     (761.1 mi)

    10 am - 12 pm

    Shila:  The Sugar Maple and history of maple sugaring is an important part of Wisconsin’s heritage. Participants will experience through hands-on activities the arts and traditions of tapping a maple tree. The visit provides a history of Native American traditions and techniques for capturing, collecting and cooking of maple syrup. Keep in mind that this is a 2 hour outdoor program, so dress for the weather! Registration required.

    Cost: $10 for kids and $5 for kids

    Petrifying Springs - Maple Syrup Hike

     (761.1 mi)

    Hikes at 11 am, 1 pm and 2:30 pm

    Shila:  It's time for maple syrup! Join in for one of three hikes in Petrifying Springs County Park. Meet at Pavilion #6.

    Cost: free, donations accepted

    Schlitz Audubon Nature Center - It's Maple Sugar Time

     (775.0 mi)

    10 am – 12 pm and 1 pm – 3 pm

    Shila:  Bring your big boots and sweet tooth. Begin inside with a story of how maple sugaring may have been discovered. Then travel outside through the stages of making maple syrup, from tapping trees to boiling sap with the sugar farmer at the evaporator. Top the morning off with real maple syrup over silver dollar sized pancakes. Registration required.

    Cost: $15 per person for non-members

    Urban Ecology Center -From Sap to Syrup! Maple Sugaring

     (776.4 mi)

    1 - 3 pm

    Shila:  * CANCELLED *

    Come out and enjoy learning how to make maple syrup at Washington Park! You'll also get to enjoy pancakes with some homemade maple syrup. Be sure to dress for the weather. Registration required.

    Cost: $20 - $28 per adult and accompanied child

    * CANCELLED *

    Wehr Nature Center - Maple Sugar Days for Families

     (777.8 mi)

    9:30 am – 10:30 am (2 year olds) and 11 am – 12 pm (3 year olds)

    Shila:  

    Celebrate the spring thaw and bring your little ones to learn about maple syrup! The program includes reading a store about maple syrup and going out to look at maple trees. A pancake with real maple syrup will top off your day. Regisration required.

    Ages: 2 - 3 years

    Cost: $7 - $12 per child

    Riverridge Nature Center - Maple Sugarin’ Festival

     (790.2 mi)

    10 am - 2 pm

    Shila:  Riveredge’s Maple Sugarin’ Festival will take you on a journey through the sugarbush. Along the way, you’ll learn how to tap a maple tree, observe live demonstrations, participate in hands-on activities, enjoy music & more! See how sap is transformed into syrup & enjoy pancakes with 100% pure Riveredge maple syrup. Lunch & refreshments are available for purchase. They'll also have a live blacksmith branding demonstration, syrup tasting, indoor crafts and games, make your own pancake mix, tree tapping treks, music and more! Registration recommended.

    Cost: $10 - $12 per person for non-members

    Riveredge Nature Center - Pancake Breakfast

     (790.2 mi)

    9 am - 1 pm

    Shila:  Morning never felt so good. A unique treat featuring Riveredge’s 100% pure maple syrup, all you can eat pancakes made with organic flour along with ham, coffee, and other beverages. With a live band, expect a party! Dress for the weather as the event held outdoors at the evaporator in Riveredge’s Sugarbush. Registration required.

    Cost: $12 for adults and $8 for kids (2-12), discounts available for members

    Richfield Historical Society - Maple Syrup Family Day

     (800.7 mi)

    11 am - 4 pm

    Shila:  Bring the family and enjoy a day outdoors! Come see maple trees tapped, sap drip - drip - dripping into the bags fastened to the trees and steam hovering above the boiler while the sap bubbles. In addition to maple syrup demonstrations, they'll have blacksmithing demonstrations, story times, and much more! They'll even have maple syrup cotton candy! Food available for purchase.

    Cost: free admission, tours of mill & mill house are $5 per person

Primary photo:   Nadine Primeau on Unsplash

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