As late winter gives way to early spring in Milwaukee, that can only mean one thing: Maple sugaring season is here!
But did you know it takes 40 gallons of sap to make just one gallon of syrup?
In this blog post, you’ll find interactive, hands-on maple sugaring events throughout Southeastern Wisconsin that are perfect for kids and families.
Tap a sugar maple tree, see the syrup-making process up close, and steal a taste of that sweet, Grade A pure Wisconsin maple syrup that completes your pancake breakfast.
Maple Sugaring events typically occur at the end of February through early April.
Here are some of the best events happening in 2023:
1. Sugar Moon Family Hike (Schlitz Audubon Nature Center)
Tuesday, March 7th 2023, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
1111 E. Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53217
Website
Join Schlitz Audubon for an adventure under March’s full moon, known as the Sugar Moon.
Discover the history behind maple sugaring, examine our maple trees, and hike down to the beach to watch the moon shine over Lake Michigan.
Afterwards, enjoy maple treats by the fire while listening to indigenous maple sugaring folklore.
This program is designed for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This program will take place entirely outdoors.
2. Maple Sugarin’ Festival (Riveredge Nature Center)
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 12-4 pm
4458 County Rd Y, Saukville, WI 53080
Website
Riveredge Nature Center is the go-to destination for all things maple sugaring in Southeastern Wisconsin.
At the annual Maple Sugarin’ Festival, you can take a half-mile hike through the forest, where you’ll trade nature items for maple candies, collect wood cookies with a maple brand from a blacksmith, and complete a sappy scavenger hunt.
At the Sugarbush House, there will live music, sap tea, maple-sugar rimmed beer for the adults, the Riveredge special, pancakes and pickles!
You’ll learn just how sap is made into golden & sweet maple syrup.
New this year is the Maple Sugaring’ Adventure Challenge, where you can tree climb among Riveredge’s maple trees.
Pre-registration is highly recommended, but not required. Walk-in registrations will be available until they reach capacity.
3. Maple Sugar Days (Wehr Nature Center)
March 18-19, 2023, Noon-4 p.m.
9701 W. College Ave. Franklin, WI 53132
Pre-registration required
Website
Celebrate the spring thaw and out Wisconsin heritage at Wehr’s annual Maple Sugar Days event.
The program includes a short walk to the sugarbush, a visit to an old-time sugaring’ camp, a build down demonstration, and stories about the Native American origins of maple sugaring.
Everyone will receive a warm pancake with real Wisconsin maple syrup to enjoy, and other mail treats and DIY tapping equipment will be for sale.
Hikes begin at noon and will run every 20 minutes.
Pre-purchased tickets are required and available online.
Check Friends of Wehr’s website for the most up-to-date information and other maple sugaring events.
4. Hawthorn Glen
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Hawthorn Glen Outdoor Education Center
1130 N. 60th St., Milwaukee, WI
Facebook Page
Explore Hawthorn Glen in search of Wisconsin’s state tree, the sugar maple.
Learn how to identify and tap a maple for sap (to boil into syrup), and the traditional and modern way to create this valuable liquid food that once sustained the Native Americans.
5. Maple Sugar Time! (Schlitz Audubon Nature Center)
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 10-11:30 a.m., 12:30-2 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m.
1111 E. Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53217
Website
Hike through Schlitz Audubon’s trails and learn how maple sap turns into syrup, how to identify a maple tree, and practice tapping a log with a hand drill. Before you leave, enjoy a delicious treat.
Upon check-in, all participants will receive a wristband and a map via QR code. This program will take place both indoors and outdoors. Arrive anytime from the start of the program to one hour before the program ends.
6. Maple Syrup Family Day
Saturday, March 25, 2023, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Richfield Historical Park, 1896 State Road 164, Richfield, WI 53076
Admission: FREE
Website
See the syrup making process up close at Maple Syrup Family Day, a free vent from the Richfield Historical Society.
Experience pioneer life by helping render lard, watching a ‘smith’ at work, shelling some corn and more fun activities.
There will also be maple cotton candy and a pancake breakfast.
This year, the event has a new location at the pavilion in Nature Park.
Find more maple sugaring events on our Events Calendar.
Related Posts:
Easter Egg Hunts Around Milwaukee
April Fools Day Pranks for Kids
Nature Centers Around Milwaukee
mkewithkids
In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place. In 2019, she published "Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids", a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids. She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6's 'Real Milwaukee', B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News. Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.
