The holidays can rush past us in a delightful blur, but winter is also a good time to hit pause, reflect on the year we’ve had, and re-energize for the new year. Sturbridge – with its cozy cafés, scenic nature trails, and relaxing spas – offers many great opportunities to slow down and reset.
Warm Up Indoors with Good Food and Coffee
Hot drinks are great, no matter the season, but they are especially inviting during the wintertime. Grab a journal, your latest read, or a friend, and head over to the Sturbridge Coffee House on Main Street, where the warm atmosphere sets a lovely tone for quiet reading and writing, or a good conversation. Saw Dust Coffee House is another coffee place worth checking out; the café offers a variety of baked treats and meals, and if you’re up for a livelier scene, unwind with a delicious selection of cocktails and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Take a Stroll Through Gentle Woodland Trails
While it may be tempting to spend all our days indoors during winter, there’s nothing quite like a peaceful stroll to help us internally reset and refresh for the coming year. (And it makes for great exercise too!)
If you’re looking for gentle woodland trails that are easy to explore during winter, the Heins Farm Conservation Farmlands is a good place to start. Check out Stafford Turnpike, Cabin Loop, and Pond View Loop for especially tranquil scenery. (You might spot a few ducks, herons, and spotted turtles at Pond View Loop.)
Wells State Park offers 12 miles of wooded trails snaking through 1,400 acres of forest. The park is especially magical and serene in winter, perfect for hiking at your own pace, or for taking in the forest view from spots like Carpenter Rocks.
Rejuvenate Your Mind and Body Through Our Spa Experiences
Choose from an array of relaxing spa treatments at the Simple Indulgence Spa near the Publick House in historic Sturbridge, or the Signature Touch Spa on Main Street. From facials to massages to manicures, these places will have you looking and feeling your best as you gear up for the new year.
An Invitation to Pause
Amid the joy of the holidays, Sturbridge invites you to take the quiet route – to pause, reset, and take a deep breath before stepping back into the bustle. Between its lovely scenic trails, rejuvenating spa treatments, and warm cafés, embrace the new year feeling especially refreshed and inspired.
