9 Things to Do in Sturbridge That You Shouldn't Miss

September 9, 2017 Darwin Bolte

History comes to vivid life in Sturbridge. The town is a portrait of old New England charm, with grassy commons, distinctive antique shops and boutiques, country orchards and creameries, wooded trails and delightful bed & breakfasts. Nearby Wells State Park boasts miles of trails and a picture perfect pond for swimming or canoeing. Learn firsthand about 18th and 19th century New England life at Old Sturbridge Village, a living museum with landmark buildings, stagecoaches and interactive crafts.
Restaurants in Sturbridge

1. Old Sturbridge Village

1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge, MA 01566-1198 +1 508-347-0290
Excellent
71%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Old Sturbridge Village

A recreated New England village, with authentic period buildings, provides vistors with an intimate view of life in the early 1800s.

Reviewed By GeorgeH-LI_NY-ExPat - Surf City, North Carolina

We visited during summer several years ago, (sorry for the late review) it was hot & the demos reflected a summer life style of New England in the early 1800s. Some of the demonstrations I enjoyed were; the blacksmith, tin shop, & the pottery. I...MoreThank you for visiting Old Sturbridge Village! We're glad that you enjoyed your visit several years ago and hope that you will come again in the future, perhaps in a different season or for a special event.

2. St. Anne's Shrine

16 Church St, Fiskdale, Sturbridge, MA 01518-1199 +1 508-347-7338
Excellent
76%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 52 reviews

St. Anne's Shrine

Reviewed By Maurene_K - Dover, New Hampshire

Fiskdale sounds as though it’s some remote place. It isn’t. Fiskdale is part of Sturbridge.

My interest in visiting St. Anne's Shrine was mainly to see the special exhibit of Russian icons. Many icons in the exhibit dated from the 19th century.

It was a very well done exhibit and worth the trip to see them as works of art for a person of any religious faith.

The exhibit was easy access. It was though the back of the gift shop.

I did go around the grounds. It’s a well-kept site. The grounds are quiet and serene as the shrine is away from the main road. Even a non-Catholic can enjoy a contemplative religious experience here.

The bookstore/gift shop was nice. Most of the merchandise was religious in nature. I got some postcards and a couple of prayer cards that were appropriate for any Christian.

This attraction is a hidden gem.

I rate the site and the exhibit at 4.50.

I highly recommend a visit to this shrine even if it’s just to see the exhibit.

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3. Wells State Park

159 Walker Pond Rd, Sturbridge, MA 01566-1072
Excellent
39%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 56 reviews

Wells State Park

Reviewed By k123-foodie - Phoenix, Arizona

A small area set aside for nature by the wells family estate. Not a big deal but cool little park to get away Nor really a destination good for a stroll. Nice to have been donated by a nice family.

4. Westville Recreation Area

Breakneck Rd and Old Mashapaug Rd, Sturbridge, MA 01550
Excellent
65%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Westville Recreation Area

Reviewed By Kenneth W - North Brookfield, Massachusetts, United States

Nice facility with picnic facilities, benches, etc. Mostly I have gone there just to hike. It is very easy hiking with few hills of any size. There are options for continued hiking or biking down the rail trail that heads west. Great place for a relaxed day. I have been there numerous times!

5. Stageloft Repertory Theater

450A Main St, Sturbridge, MA 01518-1296 +1 508-347-9005
Excellent
50%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 50 reviews

Stageloft Repertory Theater

Stageloft Repertory Theater has been delighting audiences and critics alike with our high quality, live theatrical productions since 1994. Our cozy, intimate theater seats 120 and is air conditioned and fully handicapped accessible. Our performance season runs February through December. We produce one show per month, which runs for either three or four weekends depending on the time of year. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM. Some productions have added Saturday matinees. Our February and November productions are programmed to appeal to families and youth audiences. These productions have earlier performance times to accommodate our younger audiences. Youth theater workshops are available in July and August and have daytime performances on Fridays and Saturdays at the end of each workshop. Please visit our website to check the performance schedule for each production to confirm the performance dates and times.

Reviewed By alliyanna - OXFORD

I had been assigned a seat after needing to exchange my original ticket due to an unexpected conflict. I arrived at 155pm for a 2pm show, My assigned seat was D13. The staff showed me to my row.. The row consisted of 7 ( I was the 7th seat ). The patrons sitting in Row C told me it would be " easier " for me to enter my seat at the end of the row.... so they would not NEED TO MOVE, as the " chair comes out ". I foolishly walked to the end of my row, moved the chair from Row C in front of me, had to step on a large black structure, then attempt to move the chair back, before I could sit down. At this point someone from their staff did come over only to replace the Row C chair. This definitely was not the first time this happened. It would be SUCH an improvement to remove C-13, to allow for space to enter that Row from the end. Yes, it would reduce the capacity by 1 seat but nothing compared to a patron falling. There was no disability of the 6 patrons that I saw as they all got up at Intermission.

6. Hyland Orchard & Brewery

199 Arnold Rd, Sturbridge, MA 01518-1010 +1 774-200-1909
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 22 reviews

Hyland Orchard & Brewery

Reviewed By Sunshinedreamin

This place is a hidden gem. My friends and I met here for the first time on a Saturday afternoon and had no idea what we were in for! The place was full of people in the outdoor area- kids, dogs, apples, beer, music inside and out (bonfire was started as the sun began to set). What a phenomenal find! We sat outside with our beers watching the tractors go by and enjoying the people watching. Everyone there was jovial and taking in the beautiful fall day. We eventually went inside to listen to some blues and play Jenga (completely unexpected). The beer was great- I enjoyed the Blonde and Blueberry- my husband likes the Horizon IPA. Such a great atmosphere- I wish I had packed us a dinner so we could have stayed longer. The service was awesome, facilities were clean and the vibe was perfection. We will return!!

7. Rapscallion Brewery

195 Arnold Rd, Sturbridge, MA 01518-1010 +1 508-347-7500
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
5%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Rapscallion Brewery

Rapscallion is a unique destination. 13 of its beers are poured in its tap room at any given time, along with a local hard cider, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. It offers free brewery tours every weekend, regular live music and a number of seasonal events, along with an outdoor beer garden, an 18 hole disc golf course, and the backdrop of an apple orchard. Dogs welcome!

Reviewed By Peter_01039 - Western Massachusetts

Fans of craft beers, my wife and I stopped in to the Rapscallion Brewery on a Sunday afternoon. We were totally unimpressed. We each ordered a coffee stout, and they were lackluster in character compared to most similar brews. The fact that the beers left us underwhelmed paled alongside our overall experience.

We visited the brewery 3 days after a snowstorm, and the walkway from the parking area to the entrance had never been shoveled. It consisted of tramped-down snow. Apparently it is okay to bring your dog into the brewery, and on our way out, a dog had left its calling card on the walkway. Of course, his owners pretended that never happened.

When entering and exiting the brewery, we had to walk through a cloud of cigarette smoke, courtesy of both patrons and employees.

Upon entering, our first impression was the overwhelming smell of chlorine, apparently from a recent bathroom cleaning. Both bathroom doors were left open, perhaps to air out. We ordered our beers and food from the adjacent food truck. When I asked for coasters for our beers, the bartender told me that there were none. A bar without coasters?

When we brought our beers to our table, the table needed to be cleaned of crumbs and spilled beer from previous patrons. Of course, that was our responsibility. When our food came from the food truck, it came without utensils.

The atmosphere in the brewery is as unimpressive as was our overall experience. A concrete floor and just a somewhat grubby feel. Sorry, we wanted to like this place, but we did not. We would not return, and we would not recommend it to others.

8. Sturbridge Flea Market

559 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 01518-1208 +1 413-263-9280
Excellent
65%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
5%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 34 reviews

Sturbridge Flea Market

3 LEVELS INDOORS & YEAR ROUND In a Grist Mill that was built in 1827! We call it the Fun Place! Unlike any other Flea Market/Co-op you have ever been to! We have Antiques, Primitives, Vintage, Collectables, currency, gold, silver, and so many other items that our vendors bring in every week! If you are in the area stop in and have some fun while you shop! We are open Year round. During the weeks when Brimfield Flea Market is in town we have extended hours.

Reviewed By debi513 - Knowlton NJ

lots of other's people junk but might find a hidden gem, somewhere but need to out up with the old musty smell

9. Tantiusques

Leadmine Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566
Excellent
16%
Good
68%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
16%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 6 reviews

Tantiusques

Follow a loop trail through quiet woodlands then visit the site of a former lead mine used by Native Americans and, later, European settlers.

Reviewed By Tina P - Worcester county, Massachusetts

Fun hike for all. There is a graphite mine shaft here. It's not very deep and is a dead end at the beginning of the trail. A very pretty walk and plenty of rocks for the kids to climb on. During hunting season, remember to wear bright colors!!

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