Local Flavors &
Farm Trails

Farming has shaped this region for generations, and you can still feel it in the rhythm of the seasons and the food on the table. This itinerary invites you to follow those flavors as they unfold, stepping into a sugarhouse while sap boils in early spring, wandering berry rows in high summer and orchards and pumpkin patches in the fall, and ending the day with a pint brewed just down the road.

Along the way, you’ll meet people who take pride in how they care for the land and what they produce. Whether you’re here for the first sweetness of spring or the abundance of harvest, there’s always something to taste, and someone ready to welcome you in.

Morning:

Start Among Orchards or Sugar Bush

Begin your morning by following the season’s lead. In early spring, steam drifts from boiling sap in a sugarhouse evaporator, and you can learn the story of how sap becomes sweetness during Maple Weekend. In summer and fall, berry farms and orchards open their fields and farm stands to share berries warmed by the sun, apples ready for picking and other fresh delights such as locally baked pies and homemade jams.

Midday:

Farm Stands & Picnic Provisions

Midday is a good time to gather what you need for a picnic. Stop by places like Hemingway Farms in Charlestown, Edgewater Farm in Plainfield, or Beaver Pond Farm in Newport, or pick up prepared foods and provisions from spots such as Sunapee Cellar & Pantry or The Bend at Sugar River deli in Sunapee. Explore our Eat & Drink and Farm Stands listings for these and other options across the region that make it easy to put together something simple and memorable.

From there, take your picnic wherever the day leads. Spread out at the top of one of the hikes in our Sugar River Region Hiking Challenge, settle in at the picnic shelter in Moody Park, head to the beach at Sunapee State Park, or enjoy a quieter moment back at your inn, on a dock, or by the pool.

Afternoon:

Farm Visits & Sweet Stops

Follow winding backroads to a family farm where care shows up in what’s grown, made, and shared. Depending on your interests, you might visit Five Sisters Farm to meet the Shetland sheep and browse the wool and gift shop or visit Sanctuary Dairy in Sunapee to indulge in an ice cream and a chance to pet the animals. Explore Claremont Growers Collective to find find out more about the food systems and local producers in the region. From U-pick farms to farm stands to local restaurants featuring local products, there are many ways to support our growers.

Evening:

A Taste of the Region

Close your day at a brewery or farm-to-table restaurant. Our taprooms serve small-batch pours with an easygoing atmosphere, while farm-focused restaurants highlight produce and meats raised just down the road. Whether you prefer a casual pint or a seasonal meal, the evening brings the day’s flavors full circle. Explore options at Food & Drink.

Inspiration