Massachusetts - Central Massachusetts/Sturbridge

Ten Great Things to Do in Central Massachusetts/Sturbridge Massachusetts

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A Doggone Wild Experience

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Dog sledding is not just for Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. If you love dogs and the outdoors, a dog sled ride or lessons in mushing could give you wonderful memories for a lifetime. At Northern Illusion on Old Winchester Road in Warwick, in the upper central part of the state, expert dog handlers and mushers offer short or long rides, multiple-day rides with overnight accommodations, and instruction on operating your own dog sled, from harnessing to unharnessing and everything in between. The experience is relaxed, giving you time to spend with the dogs, and never overbooked. Look into it for a really different winter adventure. It’s a pawzi-traction, fur-wheel drive. Phone: 978-544-5515.

Art of the World on Display in Worcester

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Worcester Art Museum on Salisbury Street in Worcester is a hidden gem that features contemporary and classic masterpieces in the vibrant city of Worcester. World-renowned for its 35,000-piece collection, WAM features must-see masterpieces spanning the globe from ancient mosaics to contemporary art. Treat yourself to a delectable lunch in the Museum Café or browse the Shop for unique gifts and mementos. Enhance your museum experience by joining a tour, lecture, gallery talk, concert, performance, family day, party or other event offered throughout the year. This is a busy place, with many imaginative ways to enjoy the art that is at the center of it all. Phone: 508-799-4406.

Brick Is Also for Baking

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Olde Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge is a 200-acre re-creation of a 1830s New England community with more than 40 original buildings and staff members in period costume demonstrating daily life in a typical New England town of the mid-19th century. Many seasonally themed events throughout the year as well as tours and lectures. Perfect for stimulating children’s imaginations through fun. Phone: 508-347-3362

Broad Meadow Also Offers Woods, Streams, and Marshes

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Within the 400 acres of woods, fields, streams, and marsh at Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary on Massasoit Road in Worcester, visitors can hike, cross-country ski, watch birds, look for 78 species of butterflies, prowl for owls, or learn to snowshoe. The lobby of the new conservation center has interpretive exhibits, including a large 3-D model of the entire sanctuary and a wall-to-ceiling map of the Blackstone River watershed. Nature-related gifts, children’s books, assorted field guides, and conservation advocacy and community resource information are available at the center, which also serves as a visitor site for the National Park Service’s Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Trails are open daily, dawn to dusk, and the Nature Center is open daily except Mondays. Phone: 508-753-6087.

Butterflies Like a Warm Home

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You’ll find out when you visit the steamy glass conservatory at Magic Wings in South Deerfield that butterflies like it warm. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens consists of an 18,400-square foot facility that includes a large glass conservatory filled with butterflies, moths, and tropical vegetation. The heart-shaped pond with Japanese koi graces the center of the conservatory. Other attractions are the Iron Butterfly Outdoor Garden, planted with flowers that attract butterflies; food court; Monarchs Restaurant; and gift shop. Open daily, year-round. Phone: 413-665-2805.

By All Means, Dribble Here

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The rich history of basketball comes alive at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on West Columbus Avenue in Springfield. This state-of-the-art venue has dozens of hands-on exhibits, a regulation-sized basketball court and more than 900 artifacts on display. Phone: 877-4HOOPLA.

Canterbury Offers Skiing, Skating,
Snowshoeing, Soup

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Do your cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating in a beautiful country location. Canterbury Farm on Fred Snow Road in Becket has 14 miles of double tracked and corduroyed trails, skating lanes, a complete ski, snowshoe and skate rental shop, and lessons. If you want to explore, the property is surrounded by 2000 acres of private and state lands, October State Forest, and three mountain lakes. After skiing, hot chili, soup, and snacks are available. Phone: 413-623-0100.

Did Someone Say “Shop”?

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The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley Mall is an open- air mall that is becoming popular with area shoppers and visitors. Located at Route 146 and McCraken Road in Millbury, and very close to Route 20 and the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Shoppes has a megaplex cinema, many restaurants, and every big-name or boutique store you have every visited, yearned to visit, or hope to visit again. Why wait?

Fourteen Galleries; No Waiting

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The Fitchburg Art Museum on Elm Street in Fitchburghouses permanent collections of American, European, and Asian works. Fourteen galleries house a diverse collection of American and European paintings, prints, drawings, ceramics and decorative arts as well as Greek, Roman, Asian and pre-Columbian antiquities. In addition, the Museum organizes temporary exhibitions of works from other museums and private collections. There is always something new to enjoy at this treasure house of world art. Open Wednesday-Sunday, year-round. Phone: 978-345-4207.

Hold On to Your Toes!

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Have you ever fall fallen from 13, 500 feet? No? Well you can, now. Take a sky ride with help from JumpTown, located at the Orange Municipal Airport, in Orange , for a lifetime experience you’re not soon to forget. Jumptown’s licensed United States Parachute Association instructors consider safety the top priority and offer tandem and AFF, Accellerated FreeFall jumps. Customers are invited to try skydiving as a company team-building experience or a special birthday or anniversary party. Go ahead, climb aboard; we’ll hold the coats. Phone: 800-890-JUMP