Sturbridge

The town itself is worth a stop. Beautiful, old houses line the common or central lawn, the old tavern still serves fine food in an ambiance of the past, and the cemetery with tombstones that date back hundreds of years identify and lend tribute to many of the original settlers. On the outskirts of town is the Old Sturbridge Village, a living-history museum; you should allow a full day to explore the re-creation of life as it was lived in the first half of the 19th century. Costumed actors inhabit the village by day, wandering the streets, manning the stores, and tending to the tasks of yesteryear. They bring history to life. Plan on spending one full day in Sturbridge before heading for the Connecticut shore, about an hour and a half beyond Sturbridge. You will definitely want to include at least one night based on the coast in order to adequately explore the towns of Essex, Old Lyme, and Mystic with its wonderful “living museum,” Mystic Seaport.