We recently received this great New England “cheap travel” question from a reader named Victoria…
How about staying in Sturbridge, Mass? It’s less than an hour from Hartford and a little over an hour from Lowell.
Stubridge is a nice New England town that has lots of small mom and pop shops selling arts and crafts items, modern fashions and furnishings, as well as featuring many antique stores and restaurants along Route 20. Sturbridge is best known as the home of Old Sturbridge Village — an amazing living outdoor museum that recreates life in the 1830s. When the winter arrives, it’s always nice to take a sleigh ride there!
In Sturbridge, you can event take in some live theater at the Stageloft Theater, located in the Fiskdale neighborhood!
Sturbridge is also next door to the Brimfield Antique and Collectibles Show, one of the largest of its kind in the United States. The Brimfield Fair takes place three times a year in May, July and September. FYI, The 2013 dates are May 14 – 19 July 9 – 14 and Sept. 3 – 8. Sturbridge is also 10-15 minutes from “The Brookfields,” consisting of three beautiful, traditional New England towns: Brookfield, West Brookfield and East Brookfield. The area also has many antique stores and scenic, winding country drives that bring you right into the heart of classic New England.
I checked for lowest hotel room prices at our VisitingNewEngland Sturbridge Hotel page, and found the lowest rate for two people, at this writing, at $70. Of course prices change on a regular basis, but this is a good indicator of affordable hotel pricing in the area.
As budget-minded people, we have found that spending time in the Sturbridge area comes out to a lot less than staying at some of the higher profile travel spots in New England. The local merchants tend not to rip you off by inflating the price of their merchandise the way some tourist traps do, and there are many cheap eats dining spots in the area. Plus, the area is so pretty and filled with outdoor activity opportunities through the many local parks, bodies of water, and open public spaces.
I also recommend logging onto the Sturbridge Web Site to learn more about all the things to see and do in the area. Hope this helps, and happy travels!
What else to see and do near Sturbridge:
Visiting West Brookfield, a classic New England town
Kayaking, canoeing the Quaboag River
Traditional New England dining at the Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield
The amazing Book Bear book store in West Brookfield
Enjoying Brookfield Orchards in North Brookfield
