Time for another review. The creemees are a bit larger than last year it seems, and the prices are still super-reasonable. No surprises at the Sugar Shack, a delightful trip through rural NY and South-Western Vermont, albeit 40 plus miles one way for us. Been there perhaps a dozen times since 2024, still have found nothing that would make me even think about a rating less than 5 stars. I am a picky, demanding, relatively hard to please customer. I believe that the key to running a business is consistency. Run whatever kind of business you want to run but be consistent. The customer has a right to know what to expect next time, after his first visit . Any business can hit it just right and deliver a world class experience once; the key to a steady 5 star rating is to deliver that time and time again. Sugar Shack does exactly that. Their creemees are, quite simply put, perfect. First time, third time, eighth time, twelfth time. Never varying in intense maple flavor that tastes just like syrup right out of the jug. Never poor consistency. Always, always, thick and creamy and substantial. I did notice one difference late last summer; the size of the large cones increased a bit with no corresponding price increase. Prices for the creemees are super reasonable. Five of us went there the other day and the bill was pennies over $20. Two larges, 3 smalls. For a premium quality cone filled with plenty of ice cream, being sold in a touristy area, that is phenomenal. Don't like ice cream? What the heck is wrong with you???? :) Nevertheless, their apple cider donuts, especially the cinnamon coated version, are really good. Always fresh, and much less greasy than the genre is known for. Not heartburn, no disgusting grease soaked bag on the way home, just plain great flavor and freshness. Time for a bit of a ramble. These people, and their business, are real. The two young ladies that run the store are charming and efficient. They are nice to customers because they are nice people, not because there is a tip jar on the counter. I have been on enough cruises and eaten in enough restaurants in my 76 years to have developed a pretty accurate sense of someone being phony because they are in a tipped position, and being blunt, this ain't that. It would seem that the key to the Sugar Shack for me is the realness, the staff, the creemees. Somehow though there is more. They have a wonderful tree shaded side yard with old fashioned picnic tables. Those tables outside, so unassuming, so very not fancy, so utterly 'country', just fit perfectly with the trees and the overall rural ambiance. Going there is relaxing and brings me back to being a much much younger version of myself. Born and raised in NYC, at 14 the family moved to a town in Upstate NY with a population of 1200. Sugar Shack brings back memories of little roadside ice cream places and snack bars and a slower, more peaceful, just plain better time. The owner and her staff (relatives if I understand correctly) are providing a lot more than ice cream and maple syrup and assorted delicious premium treats and foodstuffs. They are bringing us back in time to when business was interactions between people, not transactions with a multi-national corporation. Well done, ladies, well done. read more

We took a 2 hour drive from New Hampshire just for their apple cider donuts. We were very disappointed. Donuts weren't hot even at 10am, and they weren't very tasty. They didn't taste like apple at all, just cinnamon/sugar. The positives: Plenty of local Vermont syrup and they did have a public bathroom. read more

Their maple creemees are sooooo delicious! Cold, creamy, and the perfect maple flavor!! The cider donuts are also delicious. If you want a taste of both, you can order the "cider sammich", which is the homemade hot cider donut sliced in half and filled with and topped with the maple creemee!! Plus, they offer gluten free cones, no extra charge, and their prices are very reasonable!! They even offer a baby cone, but I guarantee if you get one of these, you'll go back in for a second! We make sure to visit for a maple creemee every fall! It's also a little gift shop with maple syrup and other fun things to look at or buy! So much fun! read more

Sugar Shack - Souvenir Shops Near Me - Arlington, Vermont

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Best homemade maple donuts! Purchased a jug of their maple syrup. Our go to spot to stop at on the way to Stowe. read more

Sugar Shack - Maple donut - Souvenir Shops Near Me - Arlington, Vermont

I was looking for something super Vermonty when visiting from out of town and Sugar Shack did not disappoint. I stopped by around 11 am on a Friday and my husband and I were the only customers. They had samples of different maple syrup's to try which was nice. We got lots of maple goodies including amber syrup, maple candy, maple butter, maple coffee beans and a maple ice cream milk shake. Yum! Will plan our next visit for when we can watch them make the syrup. Also, pleasantly surprised to walk through the Norman Rockwell exhibit in the store. So random but idealistic! read more

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I was just driving around and came across this little place. It's a sugar shack, they have a lot of maple syrup for sale and such. But also, there's a Norman Rockwell exhibit. Very random but I liked it! And of course I had to get a creemee and it was so good! read more

Sugar Shack - Sign out front - Souvenir Shops Near Me - Arlington, Vermont

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We had to try a maple creemee while in Vermont and this was the spot we picked. My husband and I shared a Maple Creemee and Apple Cider Donut Sammie and a Maple Frosted Cookie. The cookie was nothing special, but the maple creemee/apple cider donut concoction was delicious. We also bought some cheese and other maple goods while we were there that we enjoyed. If you're driving by, I'd definitely recommend stopping here for a maple creemee and apple cider donut! read more

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Had our first maple creamy here in March. It was amazing! They were just starting to bowl sap for the season.

This is a fun stop on route 7A as you drive through Arlington. They of course have a general store type of setup with maple syrup, cheese, meats and other snacks and gifts, and they also have the bakery and the ice cream stand. We tried a couple different kinds of syrup and got some lunch and cider donuts, because when in this part of the country that's what you do. They have some tables outside and you can eat there in nice weather. Friendly staff too. read more

Wonderful little business in Arlington Vermont. Reasonably priced items of great quality. Pretty much the Vermont maple syrup experience in one destination! The Norman Rockwell exhibit is not to be missed. Also the creamy with a cider donut/-Just heavenly!! read more

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There are many constants in Vermont life: picturesque mountain beauty, maple syrup, and my truly unmanageable maple creemee addiction. The Sugar Shack in Arlington is directly responsible for that last one, and I'm not even mad about it. Owner Kim and her dream-team, Amy and Hannah, are the kind of people who restore your faith in humanity. Every single visit feels like walking into a hug wrapped in flannel. They somehow remember faces, stories, and creemee preferences like family does - and they treat you that way, too. I'm notorious for inhaling 2-4 maple cremees per visit (yes, per visit), and instead of judgment, I get smiles, gentle teasing, and they make my sugar spiral feel like a lifestyle choice worth celebrating. The shop itself is pure Vermont perfection turned up to eleven - gleaming glass cases, handmade wood shelving, a whiff of syrup in the air, sunlight bouncing off jars of local honey, and maple products so beautiful you'll want to photograph them before you eat them. You'll find maple candies, buttermilk pancake mix, candied bacon, house-made fudge, jams, jellies, hot sauces, hand-poured candles, old-fashioned toys, local art, wearable merch and enough syrup varieties to make a sommelier blush. Many of these are The Sugar Shack's own creations, and every other item is sourced from neighboring Vermont artisans who actually live and make here - small farms, family kitchens, and independent craftspeople keeping the local economy real. The shelves are bursting with treasures that make even the Vermont Country Store look over its shoulder. You can smell the sweetness and nostalgia before you even open the door. It's impossible not to leave with a bag full of something delicious or beautiful (probably both). And while Vermont has an almost mythic reputation for being all flannel-clad, salt-of-the-earth friendly folks, I regret to inform - Southern Vermont isn't exactly Mayberry. For the record, the mythical kinfolk DO exist - but everywhere else in the state. Since moving here in 2019, I've been pretty heartbroken to discover that Bennington and Rutland counties can be... well, a little less "wholesome kinfolk" and a little more "if being insular were an Olympic sport." For whatever reason, Southern Vermont doesn't exactly live up to the brochure. There's a lot of small-town drama, second-home snobbery, and folks who think a smile is a scarce resource. That's why The Sugar Shack stands out so sharply. The kindness here feels like a full-body exhale. Kim, Amy, and Hannah embody the Vermont that I wish existed everywhere - welcoming, funny, unpretentious, and genuinely good. I've seen and heard of the staff deal with some of the most impressively entitled customers to ever crawl out of a Yelp page. You know the type: the ones who think patience is optional and manners are vintage relics. Yet somehow, Kim, Amy, and Hannah handle them with grace, professionalism, and the kind of patience that could qualify them for sainthood. Lesser mortals (myself included) would've escorted them out with a snow shovel. But Kim, Amy, and Hannah? They smile, they serve, and they somehow radiate grace. Those people deserve less grace and a good kick in the pants from their mothers, but these women choose kindness every time. If Vermont had a customer-service Hall of Fame, these women would be in it, maple-glazed medals and all. The Norman Rockwell Exhibition inside the Sugar Shack deserves its own standing ovation. Rockwell lived and worked in Arlington for years - some of his most famous paintings were inspired right here. The Shack honors that history beautifully, with a rotating collection of prints, letters, and stories about his life, plus a separate little building next door where they show short films about him. You can feel the history here, not just see it. I've visited other Rockwell "tributes" in the area, but this one actually captures his heart. It's authentic. It's local. It's love, not marketing. The Sugar Shack isn't just a shop; it's a heartbeat. It's history, humor, sugar, and sincerity all in one cozy wooden building. You'll come for the syrup, stay for the stories, and leave carrying not just maple goodies but a sense that good people still exist - and they just happen to work right here. If you're anywhere within 100 miles, go. Don't think, just go. Get a creemee (actually, get four), grab some syrup (I recommend Sugar Bob's Smoked Maple - one drop and no other syrup will stand up to it for the rest of eternity). Say hi to Kim, Amy, Hannah, and the rest of the family, and let them ruin you for every other tourist stop forever. I've made peace with the fact that The Sugar Shack owns my heart, my wallet, and probably 40% of my bloodstream at this point - and honestly? Zero regrets. read more

I'm so glad we stopped here. I knew we were going to try the Cold Hollow legendary Apple cider donuts so I wanted to compare it to something. They sold the apple cider and maple donuts in pairs so we tried it. My husband liked the maple and I liked the apple cider. It wasn't a cake donut. Just regular donut. I also bought several flavors of maple syrup and Norman Rockwell artwork (copies). I also learned how short the maple harvest season is and how little amount of maple comes from one tree. It should cost more in stores. read more

Sugar Shack - a truck parked in front of a store - Souvenir Shops Near Me - Arlington, Vermont

On a hot August day in our trip in the Arlington/Manchester area, this is such a gratifying stop. A nice store with a good collection of maple syrups or all kinds including their own (relatively better priced too). Try the maple creamee/soft ice cream.... imho theirs just taste much better than any other ones in Southern VT. Friendly service, and you're always welcome to peruse the respectably sized Norman Rockwell collection (with plenty of description of each artwork, including the who's who in the Arlington area lucky enough to be picked by the master as models in his paintings). read more

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This is a must stop In Vermont. Excellent selection of Vermont products, food items and souvenirs. Take a look.... Plus the adjacent Norman Rockwell exhibit is a treat with recollections from many local townfolk who posed as models. Michelle, is just one of the staff members, who treat you exceptionally well. read more

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I LOVE this place! Delicious Maple Creamies, doughnuts, cookies, and pies. Amazing selection of Maple Syrup, and a very cute Norman Rockwell museum. Definitely pay a visit when in the area. read more

Friendly service and the maple frosted cookies were some ofthe best I've ever had. Apple Cider donuts were yummy.

Seriously. What could be bad. Sugar, sugar, maple maple, candy candy, HAPPY HAPPY!! Cider donuts. Maple ice cream. All different kinds of maple syrup....the light stuff AND the darker stuff (my preference...not always easy to find elsewhere). The shed next door is where the magic happens...so cool. There's a Norman Rockwell exhibition in the back but it was dark as we arrived shortly before closing time. The young girl that was working there was friendly, lively and lovely. This place rocks. read more

You know that episode of Friends when Chandler and Ross take a road trip to Vermont, and Ross eats all that maple candy? Well, that show is all I could think about as my family and I took off on weekend trip to VT, and Sugar Shack is exactly what I imagined when Ross talked about those roadside candy stops. This unassuming cabin caught our attention because all my mom talked about was trying a Maple Creemee, and Sugar Shack was the first place we passed that advertised this summertime delight. It was fate. Not only did they offer delicious maple soft-serve (I had mine smushed between a warm apple cider donut - HEAVEN/DIABETES!), but there's wall to wall maple flavored everything from taffy to the fresh jugs of pure syrup.There's also a unique array of souvenirs and knick knacks and a large tribute to Norman Rockwell and his various VT inspired works. Next door, you can see the equipment used to extract the maple syrup, and if you plan accordingly, they'll even give you a tour, demonstration, and a little free education. What made this stop especially noteworthy was the staff. The day we stopped, the store was manned by two lovely, extremely kind and welcoming women. One said, "I like your hair!" and I responded, without even thinking, "I like YOU! You're nice!!" Kindness goes a very long way with me, and the ladies at the store this day were so accommodating and genuinely friendly. If you're touring the area, Sugar Shack is worth a visit! read more

Wow! We were just there and had their CIDER SAMMICH and it was incredible! The sweet and silky maple cream was the ideal compliment to the soft, freshly made donut with its perfect amount of sugar. The samples of syrups, cheeses, jams and chutneys are a great touch for the guest to engage in the store's purpose. If you are anywhere in the area, you would be selling yourself short not to visit. The Norman Rockwell exhibit and large souvenir selection in addition to the warm, friendly staff made our experience unforgettable. read more

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Some friends told us we should stop at the Sugar Shack when we are in that part of Vermont. They were right and we didn't eat anything. They have an amazing collection of Norman Rockwell pictures and art. This is in the town where he lived for a number of years and the pictures and stories are priceless. You must take a few minutes at this place if you are in the area. read more

Sugar Shack - Souvenir Shops Near Me - Arlington, Vermont

This place is a diamond in the rough, I went there to see Norman Rockwell exhibition and Sugar Shack are the same establishment, they have the best maple syrup I've ever had and you cannot leave there without getting their apple crisp or triple berry pies that they make in house. I was delighted we were given a tour on how they create their high quality maple syrup since they have their own evaporator on-site and sell at a low price compared to others in the area.. It's my favorite place to go when in Vermont! I love this place. I highly recommend this place to everyone and any upcoming artists paying tribute to Norman Rockwell. read more

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Want the real deal in Maple syrup? Have been going to Vermont on vacation for over twenty years and have shopped around for a good source of maple syrup. The only thing I can say is, lots of time in life you get what you pay for. The best place I've found is the Sugar Shack on Rt. 7A in Arlington. They produce the various types of syrup on sight (great to see if they are processing) and they know their products. So not only for the products they produce themselves, the products they locally source, some quite unique and all are of top notch quality. We always make it a point to stop in and stock up. You can also order online. Bob Nunn Bayville NJ read more

We decided to stop off here randomly when we saw it from the road. It's my new goal to try all the cider donuts I come across so I had to stop. The place is really small but had a super cool normal Rockwell exhibit. The employees are nice and helpful. So the donut was just ok, I would say a 2 out of 5. It tasted more like a plain cinnamon sugar donut which is delicious in its own right, but definitely not apple cider tasting! One of my lower ranking Apple cider donuts for sure but still tasty! read more

A fun stop, where you can see a pretty sizable Norman Rockwell exhibit as well as pick up some sweets and maple syrup. The apple cider doughnuts are top-notch--the few remaining even tasted good the next day. read more

A gift store with maple syrup. However.... Totally sweet Norman Rockwell history and exhibit with tons of prints, post cards and books for sale. Reproduced prints have an interesting side by side comparison of the models and the artist himself. Pies, t-shirts, syrup, candy and cheese round out the offerings. read more

Why does the Rockwell exhibit (no originals) close at 4pm while store stays open until 4:30pm? And, by closed, I mean they turn off the lights in the room with the exhibit, which is open and connected to the store (no door separating the two). This is super weird. They acted like I'd broken a cardinal rule when I asked where the light switch was (I hadn't noticed the posted hours). This is what we who grew up in the south used to call a "Yankee trap." Very unwelcoming. Drive down the road to the Wilcox ice cream stand instead. read more

My wife and I wanted to go and give this a try, but when we looked it up on Yelp it said they were closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I thought that peculiar so I gave them a call. And we are glad we did. We loved it! You have to have maple syrup when in Vermont and this is the place! FYI: THEY ARE ONLY CLOSED TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY DURING THE WINTER. read more

Always interesting to stop. Donuts are good. They always have something interesting...last time was a maple glazed donut. Maple glazed cookies are amazing. Maple syrup is a little pricy. Lots of good samples of jellies, jams, and spreads. Would recommend stopping if you are looking for a sugaring house or something different. read more

Love this place. Kim the owner is awesome. Their pies and donuts are a must whenever we come to vermont. They also have a good selection of souvenirs as well as a whole room dedicated to norman rockwell pictures. Highly recommend read more

Sugar Shack - This is maple madness and is amazing - Souvenir Shops Near Me - Arlington, Vermont

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Good cider donuts. Didn't get to try the creamies since we came late October and they were no longer available. It's interesting to see the locals that posed for Rockwell. Worth a quick stop to pick up souvenirs and whatnot. read more

Was looking forward to going here on a reco from a friend but unless you like your maple syrup with a side of racist hate politics don't patronize this establishment. While shopping here I overheard the shop keeper and another customer make many racist comments that upset me so much I had to leave. You have the right to speak your mind but it doesn't mean anyone should contribute money towards an establishment that thinks Pakistani children shouldn't take a computer class for fear they will make a bomb. Was on a Vermont high! Loved the state and our vacation but this was a sobering experience that reminded me that small towns often come hand in hand with small minds. read more

The maple shakes, donuts, and ice cream are amazing. I wish I could rate this place 10 stars!!!

We're recommended to this place by a local Welcome Center. It's all we look for, plus more. Their amber syrup is so good! Need gifts for your families n friends? Come to Sugar Shack. It has a sugar house on site! read more

The BEST pies in the world and at the best price! Become a rewards member (they keep tab!) and get a free pie for every 10 you buy. This is our go-to stop for dessert no matter the occasion. The apple pies are full to overflowing. Some friends prefer strawberry-rhubarb while others love the blueberry, very-berry or caramel-apple-walnut. YUM! Kim and her crew are always friendly and so happy to help. read more

Great maple syrup! The maple creemee ice cream is a bit of a rip off Barely any ice cream and over priced! The cone was empty and the ice cream had a space in the middle read more

Getting smaller and smaller by the year this is a place to stop to quickly grab a fresh pie or some maple syrup. They do have a selection of tshirts that have been there as long as I can remember, and some other knick knacks that are much more recently acquired. read more

Okay,they earned the 5th star. I ordered 3 dozen Maple Sugar Cookies to take to a friend's as a dinner/dessert/thank you gift. I hope they're not dissappointed when they only get 2. People were GREAT. Also impressed by the clerk who was very knowledgeable about sugaring&syrup when she answered a customer ahead of me. read more

This place is amazing. The maple syrup is great and the maple cookies and ice cream. You have to try them. Also, they have horseradish mustard and garlic mustard that I sampled and 3 days later regret not buying. I wish I could have tried the doughnuts, but they only make them on weekends. read more

Went in to the store today, great selection and plenty to choose from. Glass bottles, quarts, maple syrup in tin cans. Lots of other local products, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. I will be back. read more

Absolutely terrific apple pie. Not too sweet, melt in your mouth crust. Delicious. Just off the path to Killington. We'll be stopping by both for the Norman Rockwell exhibit and the Sugar Shack experience on our trips from now on. read more