Top 12 ways to find maple merriment in Mt Washington Valley, NH

News from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce – March 9, 2021

MARCH MAPLE MADNESS IN MT WASHINGTON VALLEY

Top twelve “mapleishous” must-do’s during March

North Conway, NH – As the days gradually begin to lengthen in March and we hit nature’s perfect balance between day and nighttime temperatures, the sap begins to flow in maple trees throughout New England, including Mt Washington Valley, NH. Once collected, the maple sap is boiled down and turned into liquid gold, creating that delicious maple syrup, made locally at sugar houses throughout New England.

Maple is the flavor of the month in March, and there are so many ways to enjoy it throughout Mt Washington Valley.

Top dozen ways to find maple merriment in Mt Washington Valley

Maple dishes, drinks and more in Mt Washington Valley’s restaurants:

Of course, and maple tasting restaurant tour will need to start at the Sweet Maple Café in Conway where Maple Pumpkin Muffins, Maple Pecan Danish, Maple Walnut Scones on top of the good old maple syrup atop pancakes and French Toast are all served.

Maple lovers will also want to head to the White Mountain Cider Companyin Glenfor their Roasted Winter Vegetables with Maple Sage Butter topped off with Champlain Orchards Mac & Maple Semi-Sweet Hard Cider or a Lil Mapley In Mexicococktail made with Tres Agaves Anejo, Amontillado Sherry, Maple Syrup, and Bitters.

At the first local harvest of the year, the Black Cap Grille in North Conway purchases all their syrup directly from local Sap Hound Maple Company in Brownfield ME. The menu at Black Cap currently features entrees, desserts and cocktails that get their unique flavors from maple syrup. Maple lovers will want to try the Maplewood Plank Roast Haddock with a maple glaze, Maple Crème Brulee, Carrot cake with a maple cream cheese frosting, and the White Mountain Mule cocktail with vodka distilled nearby in Tamworth, NH, ginger beer and a drop of local maple syrup on top!

What’s better than the sweet taste of maple on a cupcake?? Adding bacon, of course! The White Mountain Cupcakery in North Conway’s Settlers Green features their signature Maple Bacon Cupcakes, available on Wednesday and Sunday’s only. This tasty combination of pure New Hampshire maple syrup and maple bacon bits topped with maple buttercream, more bacon pieces and drizzled with semi-sweet chocolate is enough to send anyone into maple dreamland!

Everyone loves the Red Parka Steakhouse & Pub for their steaks and ribs, but maple connoisseurs will probably gravitate toward the Chicken & Waffles dish on the menu including a buttermilk and sea salt brined boneless fried chicken breast atop a Belgium malt waffle with jalapeno cole slaw all finished off with a fabulous maple glaze.

Finally, breakfast is included at most of Mt Washington Valley’sinns and B&Bs. Hit it on the right day and your breakfast entrée of pancakes, waffles or French Toast may just be topped off with sweet local maple syrup.

Hit the Maple goldmine at these stores:

Zeb’s General Store in North Conway village has so many offerings, they created a page dedicated to maple on their website.Browse in store or online for maple syrups, maple cream, granulated maple, maple sugar candy, maple gift baskets, maple coffee or tea, maple lollipops, maple salt and maple pepper, and the list goes on.

Similarly, Veno’s Specialty Foods & Meatsin Conway has perfected a pasta salad with Italian dressing made with maple syrup. In addition, come here for Maple Chipotle Wings, Maple Smokehouse Wings, Tuckerman’s chicken, Maple Mustard Chicken, Maple Bacon Sausage and Maple Chipotle steak tips. The maple used in their recipes is from local, Tamworth, NH Mac’s Maple. Photo credit: Veno’s Specialty Foods & Meats.

Soyfire Candle in North Conway Village offers up two maple fragranced soy candles. Choose from the Apple Maple Bourbon Soy candle or the Bourbon Maple Sugar candle. Both come in various sizes including jarred candles to tarts or melts.

Ski the Maple Villa Ski Trail:

Relive the places legendary skiers once shushed. Ski with Backcountry Alliance to get the full explanation of the Maple Villa trail and its significance.

Enjoy a Romantic Maple Sugaring Getaway at Snowvillage Inn, March 26-28, 2021:

Come to the Snowvillage Inn for a hands-on experience of one the of oldest New England traditions, maple sugaring during New Hampshire’s Maple Sugaring month. The Snowvillage Inn’s Romantic Maple Sugaring Getaway is offered March 26-28 an includes a two night stay, Special Maple Sugar House Breakfast, Snowvillage Inn Signature Mugs and Thermos, 2 Pints of Maple Syrup to take home, a 3 Course Dinner for 2 and breakfast at the Inn with freshly baked muffins and hot entrée choices all starting at $579 per couple

Maple Month at the 100-Acre Wood Sugar Shack, Intervale, NH:

Get an up close and personal view of how maple syrup is made. The 100-Acre Wood Sugar Shack is now open and welcoming visitors (masks required) on March weekends to celebrate Maple Month. Visitors to the 100-Acre Wood Sugar Shack will be treated to a sample of warm 100-Acre Wood Pure NH-Made Maple Syrup, a variety of maple products available for purchase and a sneak peek of the behind the scenes operation. Families interested in learning the process of making maple syrup can not only enjoy a self-guided tour through a Maple Storybook Trail right next to the sugar shack but also take a wonderful walk while greeting familiar storybook characters here.

Due to safety protocols, the sugar shack will welcome one group at time all visitors must wear a facemask. The 100-Acre Wood Sugar Shack is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm every weekend throughout sugaring season. No reservations are accepted. Groups will be admitted in on a first come, first serve basis. Can’t make it? No worries the 100 Acre Wood Maple Syrup can be purchased online too. All net proceeds from the 100-Acre Wood Sugar Shack directly support Believe in Books Literacy Foundation’s literacy programs.

Pick up the Spring issue of VIBE, the Valley’s free magazine filled with inspiring photography and stories about life in Mt Washington Valley. You’ll find a complete list of active sugar houses in the Valley in the next issue, available in early April at locations throughout the region.

To make plans for your March Maple Madness getaway to Mt Washington Valley, go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org for all the trip planning resources you need. Learn more about vacations to New Hampshire at www.VisitNH.gov.

Photos:

• Sugar Shack at the 100 Acre Wood (photo by WiseguyCreative.com)
• White Mountain Mule Cocktail at Black Cap Grille (photo by Black Cap Grille)
• Delicious foods flavored with maple syrup from Veno’s Specialty Foods & Meats (photo by Veno’s)