Experience America 250 in Sturbridge: A 3-Day Historic Getaway

Lunch at 413 on Main

Start your America 250 getaway at 413 on Main, where New England-made cheeses and seasonal lunch fare celebrate the region’s traditions of farming, artisan food, and craftsmanship. Enjoy your meal upstairs or on the patio during warmer months. 

Check in to Publick House

Established in 1771, Publick House is one of Sturbridge’s most significant historic landmarks. Modern guest rooms are paired with exposed beams, fireplaces, tavern-style dining, and traditional New England hospitality in a setting that has welcomed travelers for nearly 250 years. 

Drive to Salem Cross Inn for the afternoon (and stay for dinner!)

Take a scenic 30-minute drive through the Central Massachusetts countryside to the Salem Cross Inn. Nestled on 600 acres of rolling farmland, this restored 18th-century farmhouse is one of the region’s finest surviving examples of early American architecture.

Originally home to the White family for eight generations, the property offers a window into rural New England life in the decades surrounding independence. Take time to explore the grounds before enjoying a leisurely dinner featuring fresh, seasonal American fare, including heirloom vegetables and herbs grown right on the property. 

Wind down with a drink at Publick House

Return to Publick House for a drink at the Historic Tap Room or Ebenezer’s Tavern—the perfect way to end your first day in Sturbridge. 

Start your morning at the Publick House Bake Shoppe

Fuel up for the day with breakfast at the Publick House Bake Shoppe, where freshly baked pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and locally roasted coffee make an easy start before visiting Old Sturbridge Village. 

Spend the day exploring Old Sturbridge Village

Old Sturbridge Village is the largest living history museum in New England. Spanning more than 200 acres with over 40 historic buildings, the Village recreates an 1830s rural New England community through working farms, historic homes, trade shops, and costumed historians. 

For an America 250 getaway, Old Sturbridge Village offers something unique: a chance to experience everyday life after independence and discover how early New England communities lived, worked, traded, and evolved during the nation’s first decades. 

The Village offers historical experiences all year round. Don’t miss: 

• Militia and Firearms Exhibit – Learn about Revolutionary-era military history and early American militia culture.  
• Grist Mill & Sawmill – Discover the labor, trade, and self-sufficiency that sustained early Massachusetts communities. 

If you’re visiting during America 250, look for seasonal programs including Independence Forever (July), Redcoats and Rebels (August), and the American Reflections exhibit. 

Pause for lunch at Bullard Tavern

Stay within the Village for lunch at Bullard Tavern, where casual family-friendly fare is served in an 18th-century tavern setting. Choose from sandwiches, salads, chicken pot pie, and more. 

(Please note that admission to Old Sturbridge Village is required to dine at Bullard Tavern.) 

End the day with dinner at Sturbridge Porterhouse

End the day at Sturbridge Porterhouse, housed in a restored horse barn just across the river from Old Sturbridge Village. Historic character and contemporary American cuisine make it a fitting finale to a day spent exploring early New England. 

Have breakfast at Sturbridge Coffee House

Grab a freshly brewed coffee and a breakfast sandwich in the heart of town. It’s the perfect place to ease into the day and experience the friendly, small-town atmosphere that continues to define the community today. 

After breakfast, take a stroll through the Sturbridge Town Common

Throughout the year, the Town Common hosts seasonal events, markets, concerts, and local gatherings that bring Sturbridge to life. During America 250, it becomes the heart of the celebration, hosting events like Family Fun Day and the Sturbridge 250 Parade and Festival. Take a leisurely walk through the Common and enjoy the town’s welcoming atmosphere while seeing how the traditions of early American community life continue to shape Sturbridge today.  

Before heading home, spend some time exploring Sturbridge's locally owned shops

Browse handcrafted goods by regional artisans at Chickadees, hunt for one-of-a-kind treasures at the Sturbridge Antique Shops and Vintage and Swoon, or stop by Micknuck’s Fresh Marketplace for locally made products and gourmet treats. Together, these small businesses reflect Sturbridge’s long tradition of craftsmanship, trade, and community connection—offering a fitting final glimpse into the town’s enduring character.

Wrap up your getaway with lunch at Cedar Street Grille

Known for its welcoming atmosphere and contemporary American menu, it’s a relaxed spot to enjoy one more lunch before heading home—an opportunity to reflect on three days spent exploring the history, landscapes, and community that make Sturbridge a memorable America 250 destination.