The Backpacker

Sturbridge, a quaint town off of Route 90, or what New Englanders call ‘The Pike’ is a town that marries historic New England with Modern convenience. ‘Foodies,’ or food experts can find themselves in a lap of luxury with the burgeoning restaurants, eateries, specialty stores and bakeries.

Outdoor lovers, photographers and bird watchers are attracted to the area’s wildlife and hiking areas. History seekers will bask in the glory of Colonial buildings, Old Sturbridge Village and the historical Publick House.

Foodies and Alternative Health Seekers May Just Find Heaven in Sturbridge.




Sturbridge Town Hall
Historical District


If a place that has many unique food offerings, lush woodsy scenery and health and healing sound like a great escape for you, Sturbridge, MA could be your nirvana. Sturbridge is steeped in New England history and is dated back to 1790.

Old Sturbridge Village, OSV, is a living museum located in the middle of town. You can see costumed historians who act the part of a running village. With 59 historical buildings, heirloom gardens, farms with farm animals and hands on crafts, historians and history appreciators alike will find much to learn and explore. During the winter, visitors can try their feet at ice-skating in the OSV Common or take a ride on a Horse and Buggy. Inside Old Sturbridge Village is a gift store with unique book offerings to peruse as well as trinkets and memorabilia to take home. You will get hungry from all this learning. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch if you want to ‘brown bag’ it or you can eat cafeteria-style with hot entrees, sandwiches and salad bar served up at Bullard Tavern in the OSV common. Grab a Starbucks coffee and a fresh baked good at the Village Café. Or, if you desire something more fancy while visiting, try the Oliver Wight Tavern, a restaurant inside of Old Sturbridge Village offers ambience and delightful food and a varying menu. Head chef, Tim Quinn, in January 2011, won the ‘Iron Chef’ segment of the ‘Worchester’s Best Chef Competition’.


Check the Oliver Wight Tavern website for daily offerings Sunday brunch buffet says ‘Kids Eat Free’ and you can dine on pancakes, hams, eggs, desserts and baked goods.

After all of this exploring, you may want to relax for a little bit. You may wish to take a trip to the Simple Indulgence Spa on Main Street. There you will find a clean atmosphere and smiling faces waiting to pamper you. Get a massage, wax, manicure, pedicure or your hair cut, colored and styled. Seekers of alternative health will find a wealth of knowledge that will be worth the trip to Sturbridge, if not for the history or the delicious offerings.



 On Route 131, is the store ‘Nature’s Pathways.’ Owner, Lin Van Polson of Brimfield, is passionate about Endocrinology and has made it her life’s work. The California native is a Cancer survivor herself and wishes to share her knowledge base and make it more affordable for Cancer sufferers to fight the disease. She makes deliveries to seniors in the area and says it has been a 'win-win' situation for her store. Many seniors, she says, ‘are shut-ins’ and this is her way of making sure they have what they need. She offers a plethora of products to fight and prevent Cancer and autoimmune disease. Her main staple product is her Essiac Tea, she says. Rene Caisse, Caisse spelled backwards, named essaic Tea. It is made up of four herbs found in the wilderness of Ontario Canada and its original recipe can be traced to the Canadian Ojibwa Indians. The herbs purify the blood, detoxify the liver and sooth irritations and inflammations.

The four herbs are:

Call (508) 347-7321 for In Home Deliveries.

The Herbal Apothecary, located on Main Street, offers herbs in bulk and most are organic.
Owner Salli Greene, offers a wealth of knowledge of Alternative Medicine. One of their main focuses is detoxification of the body and spirit. For those wanting to experiment and make their own healing solution, you can get a bottle and make a custom elixir of herbs and oils. You will find lavender among the many scents available.

There are many interesting treatments for detoxification including one that draws bodily impurities out of your feet! ‘Ionic Foot Treatment’, you will sit comfortably while the ionic machine changes the vibration of the water to draw toxins from your organs. Pricing is $35 for one treatment and becomes discounted for a series of treatments.


Reiki is also offered at this store. The Japanese technique involves ‘laying on hands’ and is centered on stress reduction to bring healing. The idea is to help ‘create a sense of well being and return optimism.' (Brochure: http://www.alternatives-4health.com. Integrated Energy Therapy (IET), will link you to ‘the energy of angels’, or get a various array of Holistic massages here including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Ear Candling and Reflexology.

Other Treatments you’ll find at Herbal Apothecary:

Animals need Holistic Healing as well. Be sure to visit a unique store called Compatible Canine for Doggie treats and treatments for your beloved friend as well as ‘human grade’ dog food of many varieties and selections. Your dog will be pampered with the special items here and can be signed up for doggie training as well!

From quaint home-style breakfast places, like Annie’s Country Kitchen to specialty grocery stores, upscale Tappas, chain restaurants and specialty Sushi, there is something to offer every type of palette in Sturbridge, MA. If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, you can find lots of yummy choices.

Giovanelli’s is an Italian eatery located next door to Nature’s Pathways. When you walk in, you are greeted by a smile and ‘Hi, may I help you?’ You can order sandwiches, Espressos and Cappuccinos or you can sample one of their baked goods. You can take your order to go or you can find a few tables to enjoy your snack or coffee.

Across the road on 131, is a Produce and Specialty store called Paoletti’s. Inside are fresh fruits and vegetables, Boars Head Deli meats, homemade pasta salads and some cookies for good measure. You take your wonderful healthful fruits and veggies home in the box they came shipped in. This is a unique and thoughtful way to recycle and convenient to load in your car.

On Main Street, there is a fun store called Peas On Earth. The owners, Donn Flemming and Paula Aversa are driven to offer Natural and Organic Foods when they became parents. You can pick up freshly made Gluten-Free bakery items like individual apple spice cake that look like mini-Bundt cakes. Go and have yourself some fun browsing their various all-natural refrigerated and boxed items stocked in their shelves. Pick up yourself a tie-dye shirt and feel complete and earthy crunchy.

Another unique grocery store, found on Main Street is called Micknuck’s Fresh Market Place. Enjoy soups like homemade Chili with meat and sausage or chicken noodle. Sandwich specials of the day may be a Turkey Stuffing Sandwich with cranberry sauce. You will find A La Carte Meals you can bring home with you if you don’t have a far drive to home or a microwave in your hotel. Sample their nice selection of chocolate covered raisins and dried fruits. Enjoy picking out fresh fruits and vegetables including berries and mangoes. If you’re bringing a little one, they might enjoy their tot sized grocery carts so they can get in on the fun. Micknucks also carries an assortment of delightful pastries and cookies from a local bakery, Francesco’s.

If you want to grab a slice of pizza, Sturbridge offers several varieties. If you are in the mood for Brick Oven Pizza, try Enrico’s.For Greek Pizza, try Village Pizza who recently added a full bar to their family owned restaurant. Or, you can try George’s Greek Pizza. Napoli’s offers authentically made Italian meals served up with some spunk. Try their Eggplant Parmesan or their Party pizzas that come in squares. Dine in or out.

Historical Publick House will also bring you a happy bakery with delicious cakes, cookies and a wide assortment of pastries. Inside is a homey little nook where you can sit at black iron café tables and enjoy a treat. You can find key lime tarts, delicious pies and their signature ‘Smile Face Cookie’, a favorite with the kiddies.


Try their tea breads, Whoopie Pies, homemade sliced breads like Marble Rye and Oatmeal or have a luscious sticky bun. Have it with a coffee, tea or juice. While you’re there, look at cookbooks that local restaurants have put together, Publick House merchandise and country dishware. While you’re at the Publick House, you can have dinner or just walk around and view the historical library and conference room and fireside Dining Rooms.

Have a drink at the bar or you can go on a Sunday and enjoy a full brunch. Seasonal offerings like Holiday Brunches are there for the taking. Coming up is their Easter Brunch where you can dine on made to order omelets, ham, roast beef, seafood, mashed potatoes, eggs and a whole dessert table.


Coffee fans will find solace in The Sturbridge Coffee House, a unique spot because this was once the home of Sturbridge Inn. You can enjoy locally grown coffees, fireside, and pick from wide variety of baked goods. A changing coffee menu that offers flavors like Butterscotch Cinnamon awaits you here. The show, Seinfeld had an episode where it talked about Muffin Tops being the best part of the muffin and how just the muffin top should be sold. Well, the owner of The Sturbridge Coffee House, Pia, could very well be a Seinfeld fan. At the counter is Muffin Tops in assorted flavors like Pistachio, chocolate and Corn. Enjoy delicious soups like Cream of Mushroom and sandwiches that are made fresh just for you. Gluten Free items are here as well as a popular music time for kiddies on Fridays.

If you are a candy lover and crave homemade chocolate bark and fudge, chances are you’ll make time to visit Sturbridge Candy and Gift Shoppe. Inside the sunny store is a sprightly owner, Rose Beam, who creates her 'chocolatey' inventions.

Unique fudge delights await you like Mudslide or Pistachio fudge. After all that healing and exploring, Dark chocolate almond or White Chocolate Bark may be nice indulgent addition to your day.

Browse her jewelry and miniature glass figurines that make a wonderful gift or collectible for yourself.

Rovezzi’s, an upscale Italian Restaurant, offers a romantic and eclectic atmosphere and one of a kind menu items dreamed up by its owner, Chef Chris Rovezzi. Celebrating its tenth year, Rovezzi’s has drawn in out-of-towners who, by word of mouth learned about his exceptional talent for cooking. Kim Melanson, a local talented painter is finishing a few of the retaurant's themed rooms. One room, featured above is the ‘Sinatra Room’ and pays homage to one of Chris’s favorite celebrities. Rich red walls loved by a variety of Frank’s photos are strewn across the room; where you can envision the Rat Pack puffing on cigars and enjoying a brandy. Items on the menu are Bruschetta, Spanace (Spinach salad with roasted Butternut squash, apples, pecans and apple-cider dressing), and Bolognese, Paperdelle pasta with classic slow-cook meat sauce. Don’t be fooled by the menu item ‘Mac and Cheese’, this take on a classic meal is made of Rigatoni, Fontina Cheese, Wild Mushrooms, sausage and herbed crumbs. Find Seafood selections like Grilled Salmon with Chestnut vinaigrette or the daily recipe for Filet Mignon. Many dessert items can be found to spark your interest.

Other upscale restaurants are:

The Whistling Swan and Ugly Ducking (Upstairs, semi-casual with bar and live music some nights).
Upstairs, you’ll find the Ugly Duckling and it is more suited for families or parties wanting to relax and kick back. Enjoy a cocktail at their fully loaded bar and soak up the local flavor.


Downstairs, at the Swan, you’ll find ambiance and that old New England Feel with a rich, gourmet menu and ‘fine dining’. It’s a great place to bring a date and enjoy some quiet and delicious food. 

Cedar Street Restaurant, off of Main Street, offers cozy ambiance and an assortment of Tappas and wine. The show, Phantom Gourmet did a review and gave Cedar Street high ratings in the past. Lovers may find this a place where they can sit and enjoy a quiet dinner and excellent wait staff.

Wine Aficionados will bask in the glory that is Yankee Spirits. Offerings an enormous selection of wines, this place can easily keep you swooning for hours. No worries, their knowledgeable Wine Director, Joseph Astukewicz will find the right wine just for your occasion or liking. Quite often, Yankee Spirits offers wine and liquor tastings. Lois, a representative of Paradise Promotions, was doing a liquor tasting for Evan Williams Honey Reserve.

A large selection of beer is also here at Yankee Spirits as well as cocktail mixers. While you’re here, pick up those needed snacks like gourmet cheeses, crackers, chocolates, chip and pretzels.

Speaking of local Sturbridge culture, if you want to soak some up, be sure to visit Admiral T.J. O’Brien’s and order from a relaxed menu of comfort foods and boisterous atmosphere. Linger as long as you like and enjoy a night of live music on weekends.

Sturbridge is a town full of rich history and offers many unique treasures just waiting to be found. Passionate and talented people bring interesting restaurants and stores that can satisfy many tastes and it’s great outdoors make Sturbridge a perfect spot to bring your family, significant other, or favorite friend. A person can be satisfied body and spirit here and come back many times only to discover more about themselves and New England History.

Outdoorsy or Leisure, Picnics besides Old Sturbridge Village

Want to find out more about Sturbridge? Try these links!


More Information on the town of Sturbridge. Click on the Link and find Visitor Information on the bottom of the page.

http://www.town.sturbridge.ma.us

Find more information about the stores and restaurants in this article.
http://www.merchantsofsturbridge.com

Other Towns nearby Sturbridge:

Sources: 

Essaic Tea