Central Mass.

See why families return every year to make this historic inn their vacation headquarters

Families have been making the Publick House Historic Inn the centerpiece of their vacation plan for generations, and it’s easy to see why. The 1771 inn offers spacious, comfortable rooms and suites, some of them pet-friendly. There’s an outdoor pool, spa and fitness room, two casual restaurants where comfort food is a specialty, and a Bake Shoppe that you might never get the kids out of once they sample the pecan sweet rolls and other mouthwatering treats. Nearby activities include hiking, biking, beach-going, skiing and snowboarding in the winter, shopping, and a variety of cultural venues and museums to explore. And, of course, Old Sturbridge Village, a re-created 1830 New England village with many hands-on activities for families, is a must.

Otter River State Forest is a popular camping place with a pond, and lake, water sports, and hiking trails. It encompasses the Lake Dennison Recreation Area. There are 85 campsites, including yurt camping. - Trail Map (PDF) - Reserve a Campsite

Season & Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset.

The major activities at this wooded park are camping and hiking. The campground has 60 sites. The swimming beach at Walker Pond is limited only to campers. Wells is five miles from Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum of New England village life in the 17th century and a popular, year-round family attraction. - Trail Map (PDF)

Set along the shores of a 200-acre lake, the Tully Lake Campground is a walk-in, tent-only campground offering modern conveniences and superb recreational opportunities in a wilderness-like setting. Paddle around Tully Lake in a canoe or kayak, hike the shoreline footpaths or the 18-mile Tully Trail, mountain bike on nearby trails, or take a day trip to scenic waterfalls and overlooks. Amenities include a modern bathhouse with hot water, toilets and showers, ice and firewood for sale onsite, volleyball, horseshoes, and canoe and kayak rentals.

Art museum’s dining venues provide visitors with creative offerings, locations

Be inspired by art indoors and out when you dine at the Worcester Art Museum. The awe-inspiring Renaissance Court is the inviting location for the museum’s Cafe. Enjoy coffee drinks, pastries, fruit and a variety of lunch options surrounded by inspiring art and architecture in an immersive space. Try a Lebanese yogurt cup, a Korean cold noodle bowl, or a special salad or sandwich. Kids’ sandwiches are available. The cafe is open during regular museum hours. In the evening, unwind with drinks, music, a bit of art and nature in the summer beer and wine garden in the Stoddard Garden Courtyard and Lancaster Room. Wine, locally brewed beer and snacks will be served and flowers and houseplants offered from Sparkle on Park.

PYO Produce and Seasons: Strawberries, early June to early July; cherries, late June to mid-July; blueberries, early July to late August; peaches and nectarines, early August to early September; blackberries, early August to early September; apples, late August through late October; pumpkins, mid-September through late October. Reservation for PYO blueberries

Hours: Call for hours, which vary with seasons

Also: Farm includes a bakery featuring fresh made fruit desserts, ice cream, and refreshments. Children's play area and barnyard animals.

PYO Produce: Fall raspberries and apples in late summer and autumn.

Hours: This self-serve farm stand is open, selling broccoli, beans, squash, cucumbers, blueberries, fresh eggs and honey. Pay in the box or on your phone with Venmo.

PYO Produce and season: Blueberries, July and August; raspberries, August and September; nectarines, peaches, August and September; apples, August through October.

Hours: PYO, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; cider barn, Thursday, Sunday, holiday Mondays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; retail store, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Also: Farm stand with apple cider, gourmet lemonade for sale, pre-picked produce.

PYO Produce: Strawberries (mid-June); raspberries (July to end of September or frost); sweet purple and tart red cherries (late June to end of July); blueberries (mid-July to late August); peaches (August to mid-September); plums (mid-August to mid-September); apples (September to end of October); pumpkins (mid-September-Oct. 31); Christmas trees (Thanksgiving to Christmas).

Hours: The farm stand is open 7 days a week, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call ahead to confirm picking days and hours.

Also: Farm stand with fresh produce, baked goods, lunch items, meals-to-go, cut flowers, cider donuts, pies and gingerbread houses, dining area, and free Wi-Fi. Petting barn with farm animals, family photos, seasonal festivals. Offering hop-on hayride tours, birthday parties, children’s events

Covid info.

PYO Produce: Pick your own blueberries starts in mid-July; pick your own apples from early September to mid-October. Wagon rides to PYO pumpkin patch September. 28-October 18, weekends only, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; apples are September 12-October 18, daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hours: June through December; open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For PYO apples, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.

reservations for PYO blueberries.

Also: As off summer 2020, the farm store is closed; farm offers online and curbside pickup only. During healthy times, this farms has a converted turn of the century dairy barn is filled with gourmet food, fresh fruits and vegetables, cider, cheeses, baked goods, lunch sandwiches and soups, as well as a wide selection of gifts.

PYO Produce and Seasons: Berry picking begins the weekend after the Fourth of July and runs at least through mid-August. Call for specific days and hours. Apple picking begins Labor Day Weekend and runs daily through late October, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Christmas tree cutting begins Friday after Thanksgiving and continues on weekends from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. until sold out.

Hours: Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Labor Day weekend, rain or shine (apples). Call after July 4 for blueberry hours

Also: Peaches are available at the farm stand from the middle of July until mid-September. Cider and honey and Christmas trees. Farm has 60 acres to wander and enjoy.

Covid information

PYO Produce and seasons: Blueberries (mid-July to mid-August), peaches (mid-July to late August), nectarines (late July to late August), apricots (mid-July), plums (mid July to early August), apples (mid-August to end of October), pumpkins (October)

Hours: Fall hours: Sunday, Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m to 6 p.m.; closed Mondays except Columbus Day

Call ahead for picking conditions. Picking hours: Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but there are Extended self-serve hours, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., for those “good at reading instructions and understanding maps.”

Also: Cider donuts, home-baked pies and goodies, candy and caramel apples, pies, live music

PYO Produce and Seasons: Strawberries (June); taspberries (July); blueberries (July); apples, start the end of August.. Varieties include MacIntosh, Cortlands, Macouns, Royal Gala, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Honey Crisp and Paula Reds. Pumpkins in the fall.

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Also: Farm store with kale, herbs, greenhouse tomatoes, greenhouse cucumbers, Swiss chard, snap peas, rhubarb, strawberries. On sale in cold-weather months: fresh-baked pies, fudge, cider, soups, hot mulled cider

Reservations required.

Covid info.