Sturbridge, Massachusetts is a pretty, historic town in the beautiful hills of east-central Massachusetts right where the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) intersects with I-84, a major route to Hartford CT and New York City (map).

It's a convenient place to stop for a meal, a night's rest, and some sightseeing.

Old Sturbridge Village

Highlight of a Sturbridge visit is Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road (off US 20: map), a "living museum" of New England history and culture, with period buildings, traditional activities and crafts, and costumed re-enactors who take their work of historical recreation seriously.

Like Plimoth Patuxet Museums and Mystic Seaport Museum, Old Sturbridge Village is peopled with authentically-dressed interpreters, folks who perform the tasks of the village's daily life and explain to visitors how things were done in the America of 1790 to 1840.

Located at the intersection of Interstate highways 84 and 90, north of Hartford CT, east of Springfield MA, west of Boston and Worcester MA, Sturbridge is a convenient place to stop for a meal, a night's rest, and some sightseeing, so a visit to Old Sturbridge Village should fit easily into your itinerary.

Plan at least a few hours, or perhaps a full day, to get into village life. The admission fee entitles you to a map/guide to exhibits in the Village, and readmission the following day at no extra charge.

Within the Village are several varied places to eat: a bake shop, the Pantry, a cafeteria, and the Tavern, which serves full meals, cocktails and, from late May to late October, a luncheon buffet.

Wells State Park

Besides the obvious headline attraction in Sturbridge, you might want to have a picnic in Wells State Park, a few miles north of Sturbridge (follow US 20 east, then Route 49 north and follow the signs). Swimming and camping are available here as well. More...

Charlton Orchards Farm & Winery

A historic New England farm (1733) producing farm-fresh, naturally-raised beef, eggs and vegetables, it also has a bakery (home-made pies) and a winery producing vintages from the farm's own apples, plums and berries. More...

Brimfield Antique Flea Market

Don't miss the chance to pore over junk and treasures at the Brimfield Antique Show, in nearby Brimfield (seven miles west of Sturbridge along US 20; map). More...

Up to 2000 antique dealers fill several fields near Brimfield in mid-May, with similar fairs in early or mid-July and mid-September.

If Brimfield is not in session, you can still do some browsing in the many antique shops on US 20 between Sturbridge and Brimfield.

St Anne Shrine Russian Icons

Those interested in Russian icons will want to stop at the St Anne Shrine, 16 Church St., Fiskdale MA 01518 (map).

The icons were collected by Msgr. Pie Neveu, an Assumptionist bishop who served in Russia from 1906 to 1936, and by other Assumptionist fathers who served as chaplains at the US Embassy between 1934 and 1941. The collection of 60 treasured icons is rare, as they can no longer be exported from Russia.

To get to the shrine, go one mile west from Old Sturbridge Village along US 20. Drive through Fiskdale (a part of Sturbridge) and watch for a sign on the right. Just before the junction with Route 148, turn right on Church Street up the steep hill.

Where to Stay

Being near the junction of two major highways, Sturbridge also has numerous hotels, restaurants and other travel services. Use this handy Hotel Map with Prices to find lodgings that will fit your budget and itinerary.

Transportation

Sturbridge MA is located near the intersection of the Massachusetts Turnpike (Mass. Pike, I-90), and Interstate 84, in central Massachusetts (map). Here are some distances:

Boston MA: 60 miles (97 km) east

Hartford CT: 42 miles (68 km) southwest

Springfield MA: 32 miles (51.5 km) west

Worcester MA: 18 miles (29 km) northeast

Surprisingly, given its location at the intersection of two major highways, there is no intercity bus service to Sturbridge. The nearest bus and Amtrak train stations are in Worcester MA, 18 miles (29 km) away. You'll have to take a rental car or taxi between Worcester and Sturbridge.

Boston-Logan International Airport is the major airline terminus. Bradley International Airport, north of Hartford CT, is next in size. The Worcester Regional Airport has some flights.