The Arboretum is home to 18 species of maple trees including the four most commonly tapped for their sap; sugar maple, silver maple, red maple and boxelder. Sugar maple is considered the best tree to tap because it generally has the highest sugar content. In honor of these amazing trees, the Arboretum is celebrating Maple Fest! Join us to learn more about maple trees and indulge in a delicious pancake breakfast (pancake tickets sold separately).
Schedule
Maple Fest will consist of various family-friendly activities across the Arboretum grounds. Learn more about the activities below. Please note the pancake breakfast requires a special ticket, but the educational activities are included with general daily admission.
All Day - Scavenger Hunt
Grab a scavenger hunt sheet from the welcome table and complete it as you go! Visit 3 or more locations and return your sheet for a prize.
8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. - Pancake Breakfast
The pancake breakfast is back! Enjoy a plate of pancakes with maple syrup. Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-in tickets will be available if space allows. Pancakes are proudly made with SturdiWheat pancake mix.
Reservations
2025 Pancake Breakfast Pricing (these tickets include admission to the Arboretum):
Members (adults and children 11-15): $15
Non-member Adults: $25
Children (ages 3-10): $5; Children ages 2 and under are free
9 a.m.-2 p.m. - Activity Stations
Experience maple syrup being made, from tapping the trees to boiling the sap into sweet syrup at the maple education activity stations. Visitors can also meet our syrup maker, Richard DeVries, at the Sugar House to see the whole process in action. Learn more about each station below.
Maple Fest Stations
Station 1 at the Wood Duck Pond trailhead: Map the sap flow with Citizen Science
Station 2 Frog Hollow Parking Lot: Tap and learn
Station 3 at the Sugar House: Sap to syrup
Station 4 at Frog Hollow: Sugar tasting and spile making
Station 5 at the Learning Center: Taste testing, please touch greenhouse and play yards
Station 6 at the HRC: Sweet Alternative - Black Walnut Syrup
These stations are created and staffed by the Arboretum Youth Education Team and volunteers at Frog Hollow and the Learning Center.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. - Andersen Horticultural Library
Visit the Andersen Horticultural Library to view their rare books featuring maple trees and marvel at the Flora and Fauna Illustrata maple-themed artwork on display for Maple Fest.
10 a.m., Noon and 2 p.m. - Black Walnut Syrup Tours
Take a shuttle from the Learning Center to the Horticultural Research Center to learn about the most recent research on Black Walnut tree syrup. The shuttle bus will be running from 9:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Tours will take place from 10-11 a.m., 12-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. - Gift & Garden Store
Shop for Arboretum maple syrup and products for sale in the Gift & Garden Store.
