Central Massachusetts visitors flock to the major attractions in every corner of the region. This is your guide to exploring beyond the first destination - check out the small businesses, the hidden gems, and the family-owned and operated hot spots that will keep you coming back again and again. While this list doesn't include everywhere you need to know, it's a great shortlist to start with!
 

Worcester Attractions

About the EcoTarium EcoTarium is New England’s leading museum of science and nature, an indoor-outdoor experience dedicated to inspiring a passion for science and…

dining nearby

Worcester's Shrewsbury Street, known as "Restaurant Row," is a short drive from the EcoTarium, offering dozens of great options for families looking for a sit down lunch or dinner.

Via Italian Table

  • 89 Shrewsbury St.
  • (508) 754-4842

VIA Italian Table is a restaurant that is both urban and rural, sophisticated and casual, old world and remarkably new. It is a place where singles mingle with…

Root and Press Cafe and Books

  • 156 Shrewsbury St.
  • (774) 823-3878

Worcester’s independent bookstore with an in-house café serving breakfast, lunch, and more. Follow the link below to view our menu which includes many vegetarian…

Basil N' Spice

  • 299 Shrewsbury St.
  • (774) 317-9986

Born and raised in the Sukhothai province of Thailand, the owner of this family run restaurant immigrated to the United States in 2001 with the rest of her…

Volturno

  • 72 SHREWSBURY St.
  • (508) 756-8658

Volturno is the only local source of this traditional art of pizza making and is certified by the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana. Our pizza is charred…

dining nearby

Worcester's Canal District offers new and established dining with a wide range of atmospheres. Boston Magazine recently called the Worcester Public Market a "United Nations of flavor" and American Flatbread recently brought candlepin bowling back to the city where it was born, along with their amazing brick oven pizzas! 

Worcester Public Market

  • 150 Green St.
  • (508) 290-7579

The new Worcester Public Market will be a multi-vendor, food-oriented marketplace in the European tradition, featuring produce, meat, seafood, cheese, baked goods…

Green Island Oyster

  • 90 Harding St.
  • (508) 988-8808

Green Island Oyster is a seafood restaurant and rum bar featuring oysters, lobsters, wood oven roasted fish and hand made pizza. Classics and riffs from the bar with…

Birch Tree Bread Co.

  • 138 Green St.
  • (774) 243-6944

BirchTree Bread Company is a bakery/cafe that specializes in artisan breads, pastries, sandwiches, and hearth baked pizzas. We source as much local and organic food…

American Flatbread Worcester

  • 85 Green St.
  • (508) 734-3933

Nestled in the birthplace of candlepin bowling, American Flatbread Worcester brings together two great passions under one roof: delicious, wood-fired pizza made with…

Founded in 1896, the Worcester Art Museum's encyclopedic 37,500-piece collection covers 51 centuries of art. Highlights include the Medieval Chapter House…

dining nearby

Adjacent to the Salisbury Cultural District you'll find walkable options on Highland Street, including the city's best seafood! Head a little further to Main Street or Park Ave for even more options.

The Sole Proprietor

  • 118 Highland St.
  • (508) 798-3474

The Sole Proprietor has been named Worcester's best seafood restaurant annually in local reader polls for more than 30 years running. It has also been named one of…

Bean Counter Bakery Cafe Worcester

  • 113 Highland St.
  • 508.754.0505,508.754.0505

Recently awarded the prestigious Best of The Knot Hall of Fame award! Bean Counter Bakery is only one of the less than 2% of wedding professionals across the nation…

deadhorse hill

  • 281 Main St.
  • (774) 420-7107

deadhorse hill is a seasonal American restaurant located on main street in downtown Worcester. A restaurant inspired by the New England landscape. We rely on the…

Altea's Eatery

  • 259 Park Ave
  • (508) 767-1639

Altea's Eatery serves thoughtfully sourced, honest American food with a French twist in a modern and comfortable space. Altea's is the second location for owners…

The Worcester Bravehearts offer Minor League-style baseball excitement just off I-290 / Exit 11. As members of the Futures League, the Bravehearts compete against 9…

dining nearby

Nearby Fitton Field where the Bravehearts play home games, are hidden gems you should explore when you're in the area!

Wooden Bakery

  • 4 Knowlton Ave
  • (774) 312-6319

Wooden Bakery is a new bakery on the Worcester scene! We offer an extensive selection of baked goods (sweet & savory) and breads with a menu that changes every 2/3…

Mrs. Moriconi's Ice Cream

  • 3 Brussels Street, Suite 140
  • (508) 373-2461

Award winning ice cream right here in Worcester! Local dairy from Massachusetts is used to make fresh ice cream in a production kitchen here in Worcester. When you…

Market on Brussels

  • 3 Brussels St.

Market on Brussels Sundays, 11 AM – 3 PM | Weekly through October 26 📍 MJ Whittall Mills, behind the former Rotmans Furniture – 3 Brussels Street…

Discover Sutton

With a town common seemingly out of a Norman Rockwell painting, Sutton has maintained commitment to conserving both nature and history. You won’t want to miss a hike through the geologic preserve, Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, and celebrate your hike with an ice cream nearby afterwards.

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation

  • 198 Purgatory Rd.
  • (508) 234-3733

A unique natural landmark, Purgatory Chasm runs for a quarter of a mile between granite walls rising as high as 70 feet. Popular with picnickers and rock-climbers alike, the Chasm is believed to…

West End Creamery

  • 481 Purgatory Rd.
  • (508) 234-2022

West End Creamery is open for Ice Cream, Mini Golf, and The Barnyard Jump (ages 3+). Enjoy a cone of delicious ice cream or try a round of golf on our beautiful 18 hole miniature golf course…

Discover Sturbridge

With colonial roots and peppered with modern amenities, Sturbridge dawns grassy commons, antique shops and boutiques, orchards, wooded trails and quaint bed and breakfasts.

Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Step inside more than 40 original…

Baba Sushi Sturbridge

  • 453 Main St.
  • (774) 304-1068

SUSHI, HOT POT, AND MORE! Welcome to Baba Sushi Wilson also invites you to try his Chinese Hot Pot, a delicious and fun way to enjoy all of your favorite foods. So…

The Duck

  • 502 Main St.
  • (508) 347-2321

For more than 30 years, the Greek revival–style building with the prominent columns and the attached Barn, on Main Street, has housed one of Sturbridge’s…

The Publick House Historic Inn

  • 277 Main St.
  • (508) 347-3313

Publick House Historic Inn, Sturbridge, MA, is nestled on acres of beautiful countryside in the heart of New England. It is where delicious homemade food and…

Cedar Street Café

  • 420 Main St.

Cedar Street Café is building on the success of the Table 3 Restaurant Group’s offerings of innovative and creative fare, but with a focus on morning and lunch…

Discover Mendon

The pristine waters of Lake Nipmuc run through Mendon, along with the largest zoo in New England and a vineyard you won't want to miss.   

Southwick's Zoo

  • 2 Southwick St.
  • (508) 883-9182

Located in the heart of the Blackstone River Valley, just minutes away from Routes 495 and 146, Southwick’s Zoo offers a full day of adventure for guests of all ages! Spanning over 200 acres…

Discover Webster

Webster’s richest asset is the freshwater Lake Chaubunagungamaug, which you can enjoy while riding the Indian Princess. Nearby you'll find charming cafes, restaurants, historic attractions and a concert venue.

The Indian Princess is a modern day replica of the grand riverboats that plied the Mississippi River in the late 19th century. Cruising out of Webster…

Indian Ranch

  • 200 Gore Rd.
  • (508) 943-3871

Since 1946 Indian Ranch has been a resort and entertainment venue situated along the shores of historic Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg in…

The Rose Room Cafe

  • 4 E Main St.
  • (508) 461-5344

Join us for locally sourced, handcrafted, sustainably delicious foods, fresh baked sweets, specialty coffee, beer, wine, and craft cocktails! Serving breakfast and…

Samuel Slater Experience

  • 31 Ray St.
  • (508) 461-2955

Webster Museums Incorporated was founded in 2017 as a 501 (c) (3) to foster public knowledge about the history of the American Industrial Revolution in New England…

Samuel Slater's Restaurant

  • 200 Gore Road
  • (508) 943-1639

Named after the former Webster, MA resident and "Father of the American Industrial Revolution," Samuel Slater's Restaurant is Indian Ranch's flagship restaurant…

Discover Boylston

Boylston is a small, scenic town with a couple attractions, like New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. Cyprian Keyes is a popular nearby golf course that also offers excellent dining, especially if you're looking for a beautiful outdoor patio.

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

  • 11 French Dr.
  • (508) 869-6111

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is a garden destination and horticultural resource in the heart of New England. Located in Boylston, MA, the Garden is operated on 200 acres by the…

Cyprian Keyes Golf Club

  • 284 East Temple St.
  • (508) 869-9900

Cyprian Keyes Golf Club is a versatile location. From the Championship Course to the Par 3, Cyprian's restaurant and four separate function rooms, it is great for hosting weddings, showers…

Discover Princetown & the Surrounding Towns

The Wachusett region is best known for Wachusett Mountain and its many summer and fall season festivals (and the obvious, winter skiing and snowboarding!) Nearby the mountain there are also visit-worthy gems in all directions.

Wachusett Mountain is a ski resort in located in the towns of Princeton and Westminster. With a summit elevation of 2,006 feet and a vertical drop of 1,000 feet…

Thirsty Robot Brewing Company

  • 265 Summer St.
  • (978) 895-5931

We are a Taproom and Brewery serving a great selection of beers brewed onsite and featuring our own delicious BBQ offerings, also smoked onsite. We have a selection…

TimberFire Pizza

  • 455 Highland Avenue

Located at the Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, Massachusetts, TimberFire Pizza serves Neapolitan pizza from a wood-fired pizza trailer. Think food truck – with…

More Ideas for your Central MA Adventures