Just Next Door: Central Massachusetts and Beyond 

Worcester’s central location makes it ideal for visits to favorite New England attractions. In addition to Cape Cod, Newport, Rhode Island, and Boston, Central Massachusetts offers a variety of attractions, outdoor recreation and shopping venues.   

Central Massachusetts is made up of four distinct regions:Metropolitan Worcester, Sturbridge and The Brookfields, Blackstone Valley, and the Johnny Appleseed Trail. Each area offers something unforgettable. 

Sturbridge and The Brookfields 

Sturbridge and The Brookfields offer a taste of quintessential New England. Picturesque town commons, splendid Colonial, Federal, and Victorian homes, and a host of quaint shops await you there. Old Sturbridge Village is an 1830s era authentic village, a living museum featuring the history, homes, crafts, farms, and working economy of the time. Costumed villagers go about their daily lives providing fascinating  demonstrations and educational entertainment as they transport you back in time. In addition, Sturbridge and The Brookfields offer many shops replicating the fine hand-craftsmanship of the 1800s with products such as furniture, curtains and home goods. Nobody should miss the extraordinary Brimfield Collectibles & Flea Market Fair, when over 4,000 exhibitors turn this peaceful corner of Central Massachusetts into a veritable antique paradise three times each year. The region is perfect for a day, a weekend, or a week. Summer concerts and covered bridges, fall foliage and harvest festivals, winter sleigh rides and warm hearths, spring flowers and antique shopping. 

The Blackstone Valley 

The Blackstone Valley is also known as the Birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution. The Blackstone River, which gives the region its name, has a rich history. Mills rose swiftly alongside its banks, as it presented the perfect conditions for the generation of waterpower, and robust growth followed in the early to mid-1800s. The Blackstone still provides tremendous opportunities for outdoor recreation, and canoes and kayaks are common sights today. Equally at home along this majestic river are hikers, bikers, and fishermen. 

The Blackstone Valley contains over 10,000 historic buildings and sites. The Blackstone Canal, built alongside the river to transport goods downstream to Providence, will soon become a bike path. 

The Johnny Appleseed Trail 

Legend says Johnny Appleseed walked across this country planting apple seeds as he went. The 25 towns along his chosen route are filled with stunning natural beauty, delightful shops and restaurants, and fascinating historical sites that attract visitors year-round. And true to Johnny’s legacy, the area is blessed with abundant apple orchards and farms that are well worth exploring. Interesting and unusual shops, farm stands, and orchards can be found all along the Trail. 

For more information on what to do in Central Massachusetts, please visit the Visitor's bureau on the web at  www.centralmass.org .