Massachusetts - Central Massachusetts/Sturbridge

Ten Great Things to Do in Central Massachusetts/Sturbridge Massachusetts

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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. 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.

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.

City of Peace for 50 Years

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Hancock Shaker Village on Route 20 in Pittsfield celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a special exhibit on Shaker culture and many events. Situated on farm, field, and woodland, the restored Village includes 18 historic buildings, heirloom gardens, 22,000 examples of Shaker furniture, crafts, tools, and clothes that depict daily life at the Shakers’ City of Peace, and spectacular hiking trails. There are daily tours, craft and cooking demonstrations, and a variety of activities for children and families, as well as a Museum Store and Shaker cuisine at the Village Harvest Café. Hours: Daily, April 3 to October 31. Phone: 800-817-1137.

Corn Maze That Qualifies as “Mega”

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Every year brings a whole new puzzle, theme, and all new challenges to guests of Davis’s Mega Maze on Redstone Hill in Sterling. This corn maze features more bridges than any other field maze in the world and the only double-decker bridge. There is more than one solution to the Mega Maze and there are several different levels of intensity at which the maze can be completed. All offer varying degrees of difficulty and a new maze experience every time you attempt them. Open through November 15, 2010. Call for schedule.Phone: 978-422-8888

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.

Handcrafted Beer, Bottled in the Bay State

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The founders of Wachusett Brewery, at 175 State Road East in Westminster, ditched careers in engineering and biology to found the Wachusett Brewing Co. in 1993. Wachusett Country Ale was introduced the following year. Tours of the brewery are offered Wednesday to Saturday starting at noon. Your tour guide will give you a brief history of the brewery and walk you through the operation. Children are welcome, but may not taste beer. The tour and the tasting last for about 1 hour, and tastings are limited to two 2-ounce samples. Phone: 978-874-9965.

Help Yourself to Some Music
With Those Vine-Ripened Tomatoes

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The Pepperell Farmers Market at the town field in Pepperell is a fine place to shop for fresh produce and meats every Saturday morning from July to October. You'll also find grass-fed beef, lamb sausages, honey, local cheeses, fresh baked bagels, goat soap products, and cut flower bouquets. If you need to buy a gift for yourself or someone else, several local artists and artisans show there wares here. Also, on most market days, live music from folk to classical adds that extra bit of flavor to market day. Phone: 978-433-0162.

It’s Iconic

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Enjoy beautiful artwork and learn about the religious traditions of old Russia at the Museum of Russian Icons at 203 Union Street in Clinton. The collection includes more than 400 Russian icons and is one of the largest private collections outside Russia. The collection spans six centuries, and includes important historical paintings dating from the earliest periods of icon writing to the present. Collections include images of St. George and the Dragon, St. Paraskeva, Christ the Pantocrator, Elijah, St. Nicholas, and John the Baptist. Open daily except Mondays. The museum fills a 150-year-old former mill building. Phone: 978-598-5000.