A sweet bonus season
In the Adirondacks, there are a few bonus seasons in addition to the standard seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter – think stick season, black fly season, mud season, and maple sugaring season, which is hands down my favorite season of all! This is a special time of year, when sugar makers within the region continue the long-standing tradition of collecting sap from sugar maple trees and boiling it down to concentrate the sugar within it. Maple syrup is a sap to syrup 40:1 ratio, meaning that it takes 40 gallons of tree sap to produce 1 gallon of syrup. The sugar within the sap can be concentrated further beyond the syrup stage to produce maple taffy, maple butter, and hard maple sugar. The practice of maple sugaring is unique to the region of northeastern North America where sugar maples grow, and is a tradition started hundreds of years ago by the indigenous and First Nations residents of this area. Today, New York State is the second largest producer of maple syrup in the United States, and Tupper Lake is situated right in the heart of the maple sugaring region. Maple syrup or maple sugar has a uniquely identifiable sweetness and can be enjoyed in countless ways – stirred into coffee or tea, drizzled over a bowl of porridge, or used in place of refined sugar in a recipe. There really is no limit to what you can do with this wonderful treat, and adding maple turns any drink or meal into a special occasion! Lucky for us, in Tupper Lake, it's easy to find maple products and creative and delicious maple treats, produced right here at home, so whether you're local or a visitor to the area, you'll want to be sure to indulge in something maple-icious this season.
Maple syrup is nature's way of giving us a little taste of sweetness.
The Woodshed on Park
Opt for a night out! Settle in at a cozy table at The Woodshed on Park and bask in the warm, welcoming atmosphere. The Woodshed on Park offers a unique menu that is bursting with creativity and features fresh, house-made, specialty items, painstakingly prepared daily by Chef Evan Sloan, that you won't find anywhere else. This is the perfect setting for every special occasion, and a select spot for sampling a creative and delicious maple treat!
Our recommendations: Indulge in a creatively sweet twist from the specialty cocktails menu as you sip the Woodshed on Park's maple signature drink that incorporates Adirondack maple into its recipe and is appropriately named the Sugar Shanty. For dinner, choose the friend chicken entree, served with roasted broccolini, corn bread and maple thyme butter – trust us, this is a one-of-a-kind, can't-go-wrong meal. In the mood for dessert? Ask for the house-made maple rosemary ice cream!
Raquette River Brewing
Maple syrup and hops fermentation go together like – well, like Raquette River Brewing’s Maple Cream Porter! Sweet, creamy and maple-icious, this porter is brewed with milk sugar and locally-produced maple syrup from The Wild Center's Tupper Tappers, a community maple program. Local maple, local brew, happy you! Stop by Raquette River Brewing for a full selection of brews and fun merchandise. Or – check online to see where RRB's beers are offered, and be sure to ask at your favorite local spot for your RRB favorites!
Spruce and Hemlock
Stop by Spruce and Hemlock, where you'll find a delightful selection of Tupper Lake and Adirondack souvenirs, including jewelry, candles, clothing, home decor, gifts and (you guessed it) locally-produced maple syrup from nearby McClelland Family Farm! Stock up your own supply so that you'll never need to check the pantry before deciding on pancakes for supper or a drizzle of maple syrup on your bowl of ice cream, and be sure to purchase extra for family and friends. Maple syrup makes a great gift, any time of year, and is the perfect "just because" pick-me-up treat for your favorite people. Spruce and Hemlock offers a selection of freshly baked goods, and a bakery/deli, open for lunch on select days of the week (check their website for current hours of operation).
Psst: Coming soon! Stay tuned for the unveiling of a new maple initiative in town, featuring maple from McClelland Family Farm!
However you choose to enjoy this wonderful time of year, treating yourself to some maple goodies should be high on your list! As you plan your trip, explore the town's great restaurants, overnight accommodations, and special events that will make your time in Tupper Lake even sweeter.