At the heart of what it means to be Canadian there’s surely something maple. Celebrating our first sign of spring and capturing the essence of the season points us to stands of maple trees and the nearby sugar shack producing Canada’s iconic liquid gold. Stratford Tourism invites you to tap into something sweet on the Stratford Maple Trail, offering 18 modern maple tastes. This self-guided tasting tour presents a unique culinary experience celebrating spring the Canadian way from March 1 to April 30. 

The seasonal Stratford Maple Trail was launched today with a visit to the source, McCully’s Hill Farm, where the Canadian tradition of making maple syrup continues after more than 170 years. Their offer on the trail is of course, a bottle of pure maple syrup, or, for a truly Canadian spring experience, admission for one to their Maple Syrup Festival on weekends during March. 

Start your Maple Trail with savoury tastings of mouth-watering maple bacon poutine at Downie Street Burgers or try the always popular maple balsamic dressing on a Canuck Fresh Bowl at The Pulp. Then indulge with sweet offers of copper kettle fudge at Rheo Thompson Candies and decadent maple cupcakes made from scratch, almost too pretty to eat, at Kandy Cakes. Let us tempt you further with pampering options of a hand-made maple scrub at The Spa Near the Tracks and natural maple soap at Dee Image Co., perfect to enjoy while sipping maple tea from Distinctly Tea or a fresh brewed cup of maple mocha coffee from Buzz Stop. 

“The Maple Trail inspires us to explore our Canadian flavour on a spring adventure. Trail participants will love the variety of choices, and will be tempted to go more than once,” says Lori DeGraw, Executive Director of Stratford Tourism Alliance. 

Local culinary artisans and food purveyors invite you to sample delicious maple creations along our self-guided trail. Participating businesses include: 
• Black Angus Bakery, 443 Erie Street
• Blowes Cards & Gifts, 34 Wellington Street
• Bradshaws, 129 Ontario Street
• Buzz Stop, 17 York Street
• Dee Image Co., 100 Downie Street
• Distinctly Tea, 18 York Street
• Downie Street Burgers,107 Downie Street
• Gentle Rain Natural Health Food Store, 30 Rebecca Street
• JENN and Larry’s Brittle ’n Shakes and Ice Cream Cakes, 49 York Street
• Junction 56 Distillery, 45 Cambria Street
• Kandy Cakes, 47 York Street
• McCully’s Hill Farm, 4074 Perth Line 9, St. Marys
• Olive Your Favourites, 21 York Street
• The Pulp, 10 Downie Street
• Rheo Thompson Candies, 55 Albert Street
• Samsonite, 753 Ontario Street
• The Spa Near the Tracks, 20 Cooper Street
• Treasures, 151 Ontario Street

 
Purchase trails at Stratford Tourism, 47 Downie Street, Stratford for $30.00 (+ HST). Choose six of 18 delicious maple treats and learn more visiting local culinary artisans and purveyors. Present one voucher at each of your selected stops for one maple treat. Gift certificates are also available online or in person at www.visitstratford.ca/mapletrail where full details are available. This seasonal Stratford Maple Trail is offered only from March 1 to April 30. Share your delicious maple experiences using hashtag #MapleTrail and follow us on twitter @StratfordON. Please check the times and dates each location is open to avoid disappointment.