From late February through early April, farmers in nearly every hill town village in Massachusetts honor an old New England tradition. They take to the woods with buckets, tubing and drills to gather the sap from sugar maple trees, boiling it down to pure maple syrup.

Sugaring is the first sign of the annual agricultural awakening. Old-man winter disappears in puffs of sweet steam from weather-beaten sugar houses. The warmth of the evaporator and the aroma of hot syrup contrast with the lingering chill outside.

It's time for maple syrup poured over pancakes or waffles in a farm kitchen. Or for hot, thickened syrup dribbled over a pan of clean snow to make a rich taffy, called "sugar on snow." Our Massachusetts sugar houses welcome visitors to share the joy of the first true "rite of spring."

All of the sugar houses listed in this directory are open to the public during the sugaring season (late February through mid-April), but its best to call ahead to get their hours and boiling schedules. Many sugar houses offer eating facilities where you can enjoy a sugarhouse meal of steaming hot blueberry pancakes covered with freshly made pure maple syrup, as well as many other farm-fresh maple treats. Some areas of western Massachusetts have many sugar houses located a short drive from each other, so its possible to take a day or weekend trip and visit more than one.

Many country inns and Bed & Breakfasts are located in maple sugaring country; write to or email our Association for more information.

MAPLE INFORMATION The Massachusetts Maple Phone number is (413) 628-3912. From late February through early April, a recording about the boiling season is updated regularly. At other times of the year, you will hear summary reports. You may leave a message at the end of the recording if you need additional information.