March marks Maple Month in Massachusetts, and Franklin County’s sugarhouses are bringing the sweet taste of spring as maple sap starts to flow.
Celebrate the season with a hearty sugarhouse breakfast or stock up on fresh maple syrup, candy, cream, and other delicious treats.
Be sure to visit during Massachusetts Maple Producers Association's
Massachusetts Maple Weekend on March 8-9, 2025,
for special events and a behind-the-scenes look at sugaring in action!
Franklin County is at the heart of Massachusetts’ rich maple syrup tradition, home to numerous sugarhouses and family-run farms that keep this time-honored craft alive. In fact, about 75% of the state's 350 maple syrup producers are located in Franklin, Hampshire, and Berkshire counties, contributing between $7 million and $10 million to the local economy each year.
Sugaring season typically begins in late February or early March and lasts four to six weeks. This period, often called "sugar weather," occurs when cold nights and mild days create the perfect conditions for sap to flow in sugar maple trees. Visitors and locals alike can experience the magic of sugaring season by visiting sugarhouses, enjoying fresh maple products, and witnessing the age-old process of turning sap into syrup.
Shelburne
Open February 22 - March 30
Saturdays & Sundays 8am - 3pm
We are a sugar house restaurant open in the spring. For 2025, the restaurant is open from February 22 to March 30, 2025. Maple, raw milk, eggs, and beef are available all year.
Established in 1770, this picturesque farm boasts 2,500 tree taps and a welcoming, communal dining experience. Guests are seated at large tables, creating the perfect setting to connect with new friends. The from-scratch menu features a full breakfast, including their beloved Finnish pancakes—an oven-baked, custardy delight that falls somewhere between Yorkshire pudding and a traditional pancake.
While waiting for a table, head downstairs to watch the working evaporator in action and learn about the syrup-making process. Don’t forget to spot the unique stained glass window showcasing maple samples!
Everything’s Better with Maple
RT 2, Shelburne
This family-owned farm produces a diverse selection of high-quality agricultural products and offers an extensive variety of local food and gifts. Located on Route 2 (the Mohawk Trail) in Shelburne, Massachusetts—across from Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters—the farmstand features a wide assortment of maple products, including syrup, sugar, candy, cream, granulated sugar, coated peanuts, and jelly.
Visitors can also enjoy a scoop of ice cream, with the maple ice cream being a customer favorite. They also have a Maple Monster Sundae, Maple Soft Serve Ice Cream, Maple Latte, Maple Mocha Freeze all made with Hager's Maple Syrup!
On Fridays-Sundays, they open their grill and serve many maple inspired menu items such as Maple Breakfast Sandwich, Maple Burger, and Grilled Maple Turkey Sandwich along with many other menu options. A copy of there current menu can be found at: Hager's Farm Market Weekend Menu
In addition to maple goods, the stand offers pasture-raised beef, pork, and chicken, along with fresh bread, spices, local beer and wine, seasonal produce, and unique gift items.
With 13,000 maple taps, the farm produces pure, high-quality maple syrup. Its grass-fed Hereford cattle graze on lush pastures, and their health and well-being are a top priority. The farm does not use growth hormones and is committed to responsible and sustainable farming practices.
This Shelburne farm provides a true taste of local agriculture, welcoming visitors to experience the best of the region’s farm-fresh offerings.
Pictured: Hager's Maple Monster Sundae made their own maple soft serve, topped with maple sugar, maple syrup, maple candies, whipped cream and a cherry on top.
Shelburne Falls
Indulge in seasonal treats like Raspberry Lemonade Babycakes, Cheesecake Brownies, Mixed Berry Pop-Tarts, and flaky Chocolate or Plain Croissants.
Pair your favorite pastry with a Maple Latte—perfect for Maple Weekend—or savor a cozy London Fog tea with a touch of maple while enjoying the view from our café.
And don’t miss a Mo’s favorite… Maple Fudge made with locally sourced Davenport’s maple syrup!
Celebrate the transition from winter to spring with an unforgettable evening of fine dining. Chefs John Perdue and Michelangelo Wescott will present a five-course meal thoughtfully crafted to highlight the rich flavors of maple.
This one-of-a-kind Maple-Inspired Wine Dinner will take place on Monday, March 17, at 6:00 PM
Seats are limited—reservations are recommended.
Graves Glen Farm Sugarhouse in Shelburne
2025 Maple Weekend March 8th & 9th - Open Saturday & Sunday, Self-serve.
Maple, beef, pork, eggs, straw, compost. Stock 1st & 2nd cut hay, 20,000 plus bales. Oldest house built in 1762 in Shelburne.
Bear Hill Sugar Farm
2025 Maple Weekend March 8th & 9th - Open Saturday & Sunday
Stop in pick up some maple syrup or just check out the sugar house.
Boyden Brothers Maple In Conway
2025 Maple Weekend March 8th & 9th - Open Saturday & Sunday from 10–4pm
(and hope to be boiling some of this year’s crop!) Samples available.
Bring home or ship (we ship within the U.S.) any or all of our products available all year – maple syrup, candy, cream, granulated maple sugar, and gift boxes of products including pancake mix.
Cranston's Tree Farm in Ashfield
2025 Maple Weekend March 8th & 9th - Open Saturday & Sunday, 12-5pm.
*Cranston's will not be boiling on Saturday but the sugarhouse is open for samples, education and sugar on snow from 12-5pm.*
Cranston’s Sugarhouse: 197 Bellus Rd, Ashfield, MA
***This is a different address than tree farm!***
If traveling via RTE 116 North, continue to Ashfield and take Baptist Corner Rd. (Do not abide by GPS instructions to turn off in Conway.)
Offering tours and a complete explanation of how syrup and products are made, as well as samples of different grades of syrup and cream. Also will be making sugar on snow. They will be boiling if weather conditions are favorable. Syrup and cream will be available for purchase. Cash or check only.