Are you suffering from spring fever? Do you need an excuse to leave the house after a long winter? Then you can look no further than Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Here you’ll find endless springtime activities, from gorgeous parks and outdoor excursions to unique festivals and culinary experiences. With the promise of sunnier days ahead, you’ll find there’s no better place to spring into season than picturesque Sturbridge.
Spring Has Sprung in Sturbridge
Altruist Brewing Company
Celebrate the end of the work week with a delectable meal and hand-crafted drinks at Altruist Brewing Company. Relax on the patio while you enjoy one of their locally crafted beers. Four-legged friends are welcome!
Check In At…Sturbridge Host Hotel
Looking to get the most out of the springtime scenery? Sturbridge Host Hotel offers the perfect lodging for anyone who wants a tranquil retreat surrounded by nature. Celebrate the return of warm weather and sunny skies with a stroll along their private, guests-only beach and enjoy sweeping views of Cedar Lake. Tucked away by the water, the Host Hotel offers you privacy and reprieve but is conveniently still just a couple of minutes from the center of town.
On-site Dining: The Oxhead Tavern – Originally built as a meetinghouse in 1820, the Oxhead Tavern is now a casual family restaurant and bar, serving classic New England dishes and American cuisine. Enjoy outdoor dining that overlooks sparkling Cedar Lake, as you savor a piping hot bowl of clam chowder or a caramelized New York Strip steak.
Get Up Early To Score A Deal
When the first flowers of spring start to bloom, you know it’s time for the annual, world-famous Brimfield Antique Flea Market Show. Boasting high-quality goods, rare collectibles and stellar vintage finds, you’ll get the best deals if you show up when doors open at 7AM.
Grab Brunch at Cedar Street Café
A popular coffee and breakfast joint, this eatery boasts handcrafted coffees, pastries made from scratch, and a wild selection of lunch and breakfast items. Take your beverage to go or dine inside their renovated, historic farmhouse, or on their outdoor patio.
Celebrate the Return of Baseball!
Springtime means the return of baseball, and there’s no better place to kick off the Minor League season than at Polar Park Stadium, home of the Worcester Red Sox! Be sure to catch a game if you’re in town, it’s guaranteed fun for the whole family!
Visit Old Sturbridge Village
Spring is one of the best times to visit Old Sturbridge Village when the farm is buzzing with newborn arrivals, The Towne Garden is blooming with floral delights, the trees are being tapped for maple syrup, and the pesky throngs of summer tourists are still far out of sight. The largest outdoor living history museum in New England, OSV allows visitors to experience first-hand what life was like in the 1830s. You’ll wonder if you traveled back in time as you walk through this quaint slice of early American life, where horse-drawn carriages roam the streets, farmhands tend to their livestock, and blacksmiths hammer away in coal forges. Guaranteed to be a delightful, unforgettable experience for history buffs and novices of all ages.
Dine at Enrico’s Brick Oven Pizza
If you need an excuse to saddle up to Enrico’s bar, it’s for the direct view you’ll have of their 900-degree, wood-burning brick pizza oven. Featured on The Phantom Gourmet and certified by The Association of True Neapolitan Pizza, Enrico’s pies are as authentic as it gets. If you’re not in the mood for pizza, you can also indulge in a variety of pastas, salads, sandwiches, and desserts, along with your seasonal draft of choice. Conveniently located on Main Street, Sturbridge’s premier thoroughfare of shops, dining, and entertainment.
Start Your Day Off Right
Fuel up for a day spent outdoors, enjoying the warm weather. Grab a hearty bite at any one of these fabulous breakfast eateries, whose plates are sure to power you through the day:
Sturbridge Coffee House
Beloved by locals, this coffee shop pours anything with caffeine, from double espresso shots to spicy chai teas and lattes topped with pure maple syrup.
Saw Dust Coffee House
Stop by the newest addition to the Sturbridge coffee scene to fuel up on paninis, quiche, fresh baked goods and more! Be sure to also visit during the evening to sample their sizzling cocktail menu, and on Sunday mornings for their famous acoustic brunch.
Annie’s Country Kitchen
Treat your family to a delicious breakfast at Annie’s Country Kitchen, where they serve classic American comfort food, cooked to perfection, at an unbeatable price.
Play a Round or Two
For some people, the best way to spend a gorgeous Sunday is on an 18-hole fairway. If you’re one of those people, head to Hemlock Ridge Golf Course. This luxurious course is set on acres of rolling hills and sparkling waterways, surrounded by statuesque oak, elm, and hemlock trees. Enjoy the peaceful, gorgeous scenery of The Last Green Valley as you work on your backswing and score that hole-in-one. Non-members can call ahead for available tee times and openings.
Welcome Back Spring
Looking to reconnect with the great outdoors? There’s no better time to go for a nature walk than springtime when plants and animals alike are emerging from their winter slumber. Delight in hearing the cheerful calls of returning songbirds, as the first buds of the year poke through the ground and bloom into color. Whether you’re a novice or an avid hiker, there’s a trail in Sturbridge waiting for you.
Wells State Park
There’s a reason why Wells State Park is the most popular park in Sturbridge. With over 1,400 acres of oak-hickory forest and freshwater, there’s something for every kind of nature lover! Explore its 12 miles of trail on foot, mountain bike, or horseback. Dip your toes in Walker Pond, which also offers kayaking, canoeing, an assortment of fishing, and a campers-only swimming beach. Be sure to visit Carpenter Rocks, whose summit boasts a scenic lookout over the surrounding forest.
Leadmine Mountain Conservation Area
A robust, multi-purpose area, Leadmine Mountain boasts five marked trails totaling 11 miles, spanning everything from oak and pine forests to submerged wetlands. Visitors are invited to use the trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing (motorized vehicles are not allowed). Fishing and hunting are also permitted on the property, so be sure to wear bright orange during the hunting season.
The Trustees’ Tantiusques Reservation
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Tantiusques Reservation is an outdoor excursion and history lesson rolled into one. The reservation was once a great source of graphite and was mined for centuries by the native Nipmuc tribe and local English colonists until it was abandoned in the late 1800s. Today, hikers can still see an open mine shaft and partially-filled mine cut, the only remnants of New England’s first-ever mining operation.
