Find Chill Vibes in Central Massachusetts
In any season, Central Massachusetts offers an escape from the day-to-day hustle, so you can relax and find enjoyment at a destination that is your vibe. We've curated a short list to help inspire your next getaway.
Winter Wonderland
Ski at Wachusett Mountain, voted into the "Top 20 Resorts to Ski in the East" 2025, and ice skate on the rink featured in Lifetime's "Christmas on Ice" and critically acclaimed film "The Holdovers." Shop at Vaillancourt Folk Art, world-renowned for their Christmas collectibles for over 40 years. Discover why visitors love our featured destinations and winter activities by reading more below.
featured destinations
- 499 Mountain Rd.
- (978) 464-2300
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, Wachusett Mountain boasts 26 trails over 110 acres. While the longest trail, known as Balance Rock, is a mile and…
- 455 Main St.
- (508) 799-1175
The Worcester Common Oval offers year-round events and programming in one of the country's oldest and most historic parks. During the winter season, a 12,000-square-foot rink, complete with amenities such as piped-in music, skate rentals, concessions, and holiday lighting offer…
- 1000 Main St.
- (508) 842-6346
Minutes from Worcester and less than an hour from Boston, Ski Ward is open year-round offering skiing, snowboarding and tubing in both the winter and summer along with birthday parties, group outings and corporate functions. Ski Ward is also host to the Slopeside Bar & Grill…
- 9 Main St.
- (508) 476-3601
Founded in 1984, Vaillancourt Chalkware is recognized as the highest quality Christmas collectible in the market. In addition to the fine art quality chalkware that is made in Massachusetts, the Vaillancourt Retail Gallery is a celebrated experience that combines unique shopping…
- 260 West Main St.
- (508) 867-2345
RESTAURANT ON SITE The Salem Cross Inn is a restaurant that specializes in preparing delicious food using the freshest ingredients available to us in each season of the year. CONFERENCE & MEETING SPACE Our site is a 1700s restored farmhouse and attached barn on 600 acres of…
- 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 Worcester County Horticultural Society, one of the oldest of its kind in the country…
Local traditions light up the region each season, with holiday spectacles and wintertime wonder.
Festive Fall on the Farm
By far one of the best seasons to visit Central MA, autumn brings fall harvest, farm festivals, and hay rides at local farms across the region. Think hot apple cider, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and farm animals. The region's vibe is cozy, the foliage is on point, and the seasonal specials at restaurants are made even better by the locally sourced ingredients.
featured destinations
Stowe Farm
- Stowe Farm, 6 Stowe Rd
- (774) 808-6035
Stowe Farm is a family fun festival for all ages . Come enjoy our farm with lots of animals, pony rides , mechanical bull rides and more. Parents can enjoy an ice cold beer at our Bad Apple…
Bemis Farms Nursery
- 29 North Brookfield Rd
- (508) 885-4247
Welcome to Bemis Farms Nursery – Your Premier Garden Center and Plant Nursery in Spencer, Massachusetts. Explore a world of green possibilities at our garden center, where you'll find a…
Must-Visit Fall Favorites If you're traveling to New England to experience fall, you'll enjoy the best of the season visiting destinations across Central…
Four Seasons of Family Fun
Some of the best attractions in Central Massachusetts offer things to do all year round. In fact, New England Botanic Garden, voted a Top Botanic Garden in the U.S. by TravelAwaits, attracted 66,000 visitors to their annual winter-season "Night Lights" exhibit last year. Cornerstone Ranch is a great place to ride horses through the woods, the EcoTarium has a wide range of indoor and outdoor attractions, and Old Sturbridge Village gives you a chance to step back in time to see how life was lived in the 1790s through 1830s.
featured destinations
Old Sturbridge Village
- 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd.
- (800) 733-1830
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…
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…
Cornerstone Ranch
- 29 Dowds Lane
**Experience an Unforgettable Adventure in the Enchanting Forests of Princeton and Rutland with Guided Horseback Trail Rides and Horse-Drawn Sleigh and Wagon Rides**…
EcoTarium
- 222 Harrington Way
- (508) 929-2700
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…
91 Things To Do With Kids
Keep the kiddos content all year long with local favorites to do, see and experience. 1. Explore the Canal District and peruse the shelves at Bedlam Book Cafe . 2…
Unique Outdoor Destinations
If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, try visiting a unique landmark like Bancraft Tower, or take an Indian Princess riverboat cruise on Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg (yes, that is really the name!)
featured destinations
Bancroft Tower
- Bancroft Tower Road
- (508) 799-1175
Bancroft Tower is a 56-foot-high natural stone and granite tower, which looks like a miniature feudal castle. It is located in Salisbury Park, in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts…
Indian Princess
- 200 Gore Road
- (508) 943-3871
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, Massachusetts, she is one of the few…
Central Massachusetts is home to farms, orchards, trails, chasms, wildlife sanctuaries, and more. If you love to be outdoors, there is plenty to explore.
Getting on the Golf Course
Sometimes the perfect escape is found on the golf course. Whether you're just squeezing a round in during a business trip, or you're seeking to explore championship courses, the region has destinations for you to discover.
featured destinations
Blackstone National Golf Club
- 227 Putnam Hill Rd
- (508) 865-2111
Championship Golf in Central Massachusetts Blackstone National Golf Club is an Par 72 - 18 Hole Championship Golf Course located in the heart of Central…
Cyprian Keyes
- 284 East Temple St.
- (508) 869-9900
Cyprian Keyes Golf Club is a versatile location. It is great for hosting weddings, showers, private parties, business meetings and golf outings. Their clubhouse has…
X-Golf Worcester
- 287 Grove St.
- (774) 389-4653
X-Golf Worcester is a year round destination for new and experienced golfers alike. We feature 9 state of the art golf simulators on which you can play any one of…
Green Hill Park and Golf Course
- 50 Skyline Dr.
- (508) 799-1190
Green Hill Park is Worcester’s largest municipal park. It is over 480 acres and houses a number of activities and facilities. It contains two ponds, a zoo, picnic…
Green Hill Golf Course Difficulty rating: 7/10 Sourced by @seven_hills_golf | Green Hill Golf Course photo by @jeffvalois As one of the region’s “best…