What to do and see in Sturbridge, Massachusetts (MA): The Best Things to do

July 5, 2021 Joeann Galban

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. Simple Indulgence Day Spa

598 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 01518-1247 +1 508-347-5505 http://www.simpleindulgencedayspa.com/
Excellent
78%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

Simple Indulgence Day Spa

2. The Bird Store and More

4 Cedar St, Sturbridge, MA 01566-1303 +1 508-347-2473 [email protected] http://thebirdstoreandmore.com/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 7 reviews

The Bird Store and More

Bringing the best of nature into your backyard by providing quality products, knowledge and service! Established in 1993. The Bird Store and More is an independent, family owned business. Bill and Nancy began the business in 1993, and they continue to bring the best of nature into your backyard! You will always find Bill, Nancy or Dezeree on hand to answer your questions! We started this business with a love of nature and we want you to love it too! Got a question, problem, or story to tell, give us a call or just stop by. We can't wait to hear from you!

Reviewed By Purple_Snow_Lady - Woodstock, United States

I just love this store. Definitely worth the stop if you enjoy feeding and watching the wild birds. Big variety of specialty bird seeds! Lots of different feeders for birds, squirrels, etc. Nature jewelry, too! Great, happy, friendly, fun employees!

3. Brush It Off

559 Main St Suite 104, Sturbridge, MA 01518-1208 +1 774-241-3444 [email protected] http://www.brush-it-off.com
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Brush It Off

Join us in our Rustic, Cheerful Studio for some painting FUN! With a nice selection of Beers and Wines, grab a bite to eat to enjoy while you paint! We offer Canvas painting, Glassware, Birdhouses, Plaster figurines, No bake Ceramics, Lighted Wine Bottles, Wreath making, Resin Sea glass Frames. Most of our projects you take home with you the same day! You can view our calendar at www.brushitoff.com to see what's happening and register. We also offer private paint parties for all ages here at out studio or we can travel to you.

4. Escape the Pike (Escape Room Games)

179 Main St., Sturbridge, MA 01566-1158 +1 774-241-0508 [email protected] http://www.escapethepike.com
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Escape the Pike (Escape Room Games)

Escape the Pike offers escape the room games for the curious and clever. Our escape rooms feature high quality props and the workmanship of local craftsmen. Escape the Pike is locally-owned and operated by Army veterans who seek to entertain and challenge you with a variety of puzzles, problems, and clues for you to solve and uncover. Experience our games and become an enthusiast. Test yourself and become an escape artist.

Reviewed By crackerjackma

Escape the Pike is one of the best Escape Rooms we have ever visited. There is incredible attention to detail making it very challenging. We had so much fun and definitely want to go back so we were excited to hear that they are increasing the number of rooms. The game lasts about an hour and there is a short overview prior to starting. It's a great event to do with a group. Highly recommend.

5. Old Sturbridge Village

1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge, MA 01566-1198 +1 508-347-0290 http://www.osv.org
Excellent
70%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,404 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 GaryW18 - Wakefield, United States

I visited OSV today and full disclosure I am a member. Honestly, it was amazing to see what they have done to try and make the experience authentic for the guests considering the constraints which have been placed on them by the state. Some of the things I noticed were first they provided just as much if not more in the way of interpreters in each of the buildings. Ingeniously, they opened the windows and doors and had the interpreter stand inside in order to maintain the necessary distance. All were as usual dressed in costume and were more then happy to impart information. When the building would not work for this method of presentation they erected a variety of canopies all looking as if they had been made out of a muslin or canvas which fitted in beautifully with the time period. They all seemed unique which made it look like each household had created their own. These were roped off to maintain the appropriate distance but this was hardly noticeable. As for masks they made sure that each person who was presenting had a mask that coordinated with the outfit so it was actually not even noticeable as if it were natural for the wearer to have a face covering. The blacksmith had on a simple muslin type mask while some had calico and others colonial prints that fit in perfectly. It is this attention to detail that helped make the experience enjoyable. This is something I cannot say for any of the places I have visited this summer and certainly so much better than the embarrassing presentation at Mystic Seaport. I would also like to mention the people who work and volunteer there. This stands out more than anything. Having a love of history and being a teacher, I have visited many living history museums and by far and away the people who work at Sturbridge are the most approachable and frankly nice! They do not project the elitist attitude which I have encountered in Williamsburg, Plimoth and Mystic Seaport. They are always willing to answer the questions my grandson asks and he asks many! Now more than ever these living history museums need to look at the way they portray themselves if they wish to survive. I love the way OSV has presented many types of entertainment which use the village as a backdrop such as Christmas by Candle Light, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and even Charlotte's Web for my grand children. I went today with very low expectations due to the mandates issued by the state and was more than pleasantly surprised. I only wish that we could have gotten the chocolate chip cookies, but one cannot have everything. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE VISIT! This place is a true gem and you will not be disappointed. I have written several reviews of OSV over the years and I really feel like they listen to their patrons.

6. St. Anne's Shrine

16 Church St, Fiskdale, Sturbridge, MA 01518-1199 +1 508-347-7338 http://www.saintanneshrine.org
Excellent
75%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 60 reviews

St. Anne's Shrine

Reviewed By oldenewengland

Our bus tour group visited the Russian Icon collection at St Anne/St Patrick. The parish pastor greeted us and explained the history and significance of the Icon collection. The gift shop offers a wide variety of high quality, reasonably priced religious items. We visited in December when the surrounding grounds had been closed for the season. We limited our time to the gift shop and Icon chapel.. I highly recommend a stop here.

7. Westville Recreation Area

Breakneck Rd and Old Mashapaug Rd, Sturbridge, MA 01550 http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Westville-Lake
Excellent
62%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39 reviews

Westville Recreation Area

Reviewed By hanklav

Great spot for a picnic lunch with the family, letting the kids run wild, or simply enjoying the hike around the lake!

8. Sadie Green's Curiosity Shop

283 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 01566-1254 +1 508-347-1449 http://www.sadiegreens.com
Excellent
71%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 24 reviews

Sadie Green's Curiosity Shop

Our store and website have a lot to offer! Whether looking for the perfect jewelry or accessories to wear with any outfit or searching for a unique gift for someone special, we have something for everyone.

9. Hyland Orchard & Brewery

199 Arnold Rd, Sturbridge, MA 01518-1010 +1 774-200-1909 http://www.hylandorchard.com/index.html
Excellent
60%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

Hyland Orchard & Brewery

10. Rapscallion Taproom

3 Arnold Rd, Sturbridge, MA 01518-1145 +1 508-347-7500 [email protected] http://drinkrapscallion.com/sturbridge/
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 35 reviews

Rapscallion Taproom

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 jm242488 - Wrentham, United States

Awesome brewery. Fell in love with the apple pie wine (not made here, but worth ordering nonetheless). Their brews and atmosphere are great as well.

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