Things to do in Sturbridge
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Old Sturbridge Village
During the first half of the 20th century, brothers Albert and J Cheney Wells lived in Southbridge and carried on a very successful optics business. They were enthusiastic collectors of antiques – so enthusiastic that by the end of WWII their collections left no free space in their homes. The brothers bought 200 acres of forest and meadow in Sturbridge and began to move old buildings from the region to this land. Old Sturbridge Village opened in 1946, creating a mythic version of a New England town from around the 1830s, with 40 restored structures filled with the Wells’ antiques. Rather than labeling the exhibits, this museum has ‘interpreters’ – people who dress in…
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Icon Exhibit
Since WWII it has been illegal to export icons from Russia, so the collection of 60 rare works preserved at the icon exhibit at the St Anne Shrine is a treasure. Monsignor Pie Neveu, a Roman Catholic Assumptionist bishop, ministered to a diocese in Russia from 1906 to 1936. While at his post, Bishop Neveu collected valuable Russian icons, a hobby no doubt made easier by the collapse of the old order and the advent of secularist communism. The collection was further augmented by acquisitions brought to the USA by the Assumptionist fathers who served as chaplains at the US embassy in Moscow between 1934 and 1941. The collection was installed at the St Anne Shrine in 1971. T…
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Salem Cross Inn
If you haven’t had your fill of colonial reenactment at OSV, head to this inn, built in 1705 and set on 600 lovely acres in West Brookfield. The calf’s liver with bacon and caramelized onions is a house specialty ($15). Besides offering traditional New England meals, the inn hosts special events like the ‘Fireplace Feast’ and ‘Herb Sampler.’ Its Hexmark Tavern (dinner Tuesday to Friday) has less fancy fare for less fancy prices and the lunch menu incongruously offers ‘Mediterranean wraps’ and other items the colonists never heard of. Follow US 20 (2 miles west of Old Sturbridge Village) to MA 148 north; 7 miles along, turn left onto MA 9 and go 5 miles.
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Brimfield Antique Show
Six miles west of Sturbridge along US 20 is the Brimfield Antique Show, a mecca for collectors of antique furniture, toys and tools. More than 6000 sellers and 130,000 buyers gather to do business in 23 farmers’ fields here; it’s the largest outdoor antiques fair in North America, and possibly the world. The town has numerous shops open year-round, but the major antiques and collectibles shows are held in early to mid-May, early July and early September, usually from Tuesday through Sunday. The more ‘premium’ fields charge an admission fee of around $6, but most are free.
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Orchard and Brewery
This orchard and brewery is a 150-acre family-owned farm and craft brewery that produces its Sturbridge Amber Ale and a handful of other beers with well water. Try them all at the tasting bar. Lest you think this is no place for the kids, note that the brewery has a petting farm, pond, playground, ice-cream parlor and café. In the fall, pick apples while local folk and rock bands pick stringed instruments. To find Hyland, go west on Main St/US 20 to Arnold Rd, turn right and go 2 miles north on Arnold Rd to the farm.
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Cedar Street Restaurant
With a partially modern, partially classical dining room dressed in shades of off-white, you might feeling like you’re dining in a photo spread for a lesser version of Martha Stewart Living. In it you’ll consume bouillabaisse in a saffron sauce, mushroom risotto, racks of lamb, and booze from a generous wine menu.
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Rom’s
Rom’s is a roadside institution that seats 500 and serves big portions of traditional Italian-American fare (and drinks) for moderate prices. Locals flock to the all-you-can-eat buffets (Friday night and Sunday morning). It’s across the street from the Sturbridge Plaza shopping center.
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Ugly Duckling Loft
The Ugly Duckling is a popular, boisterous spot with a hefty menu of burgers and salads with mains that run the gamut from Swedish meatballs to stuffed sole. It’s the less upscale and more fun sister of the downstairs Whistling Swan restaurant, and there’s often live music on weekends.
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Micknuck’s
Tucked into the corner of this market is a deli counter serving massive gourmet sandwiches, a bag of chips and a superb deli pickle all for under $6. You can stock up on picnic standards like potato and pasta salads, too.
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