Located in the heart of New England, Central Massachusetts shines in every season. | Photos provided by Discover Central Massachusetts + Chelsea Ouellet
Skip the long-haul flights and tourist hotspots — sometimes, the best getaways are closer than you think.
If you’re looking for a unique escape without the hassle of endless travel, consider switching things up and planning a road trip to Central Massachusetts. Just over an hour’s drive from downtown Boston, this region offers a mix of adventure, history, and plenty of small-town charm. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick day trip or relaxing weekend getaway, Central MA has something for everyone.
Here are seven reasons why Central MA should be on your 2025 travel bucket list:
Seasonal outdoor adventures
Wachusett Mountain | From carving the slopes in winter to soaking up breathtaking views on a hike, Wachusett Mountain is your year-round outdoor playground.
Purgatory Chasm | No, you’re not actually in purgatory — but you will feel the thrill. Explore dramatic rock formations by hiking or climbing, or pack a picnic and soak in the beauty of this natural wonder.
Small towns, big charm
Old Sturbridge Village | Travel back in time at New England’s largest outdoor history museum, where you can wander through a recreated 1830s town spread across 200+ acres.
Grafton | Spend a day strolling charming streets, boutique shopping, and grabbing a bite at local spots in this picturesque town.
Vibrant cultural + arts scene
Hanover Theatre | From Broadway hits to local productions, enjoy world-class performances at this award-winning theatre.
Worcester Art Museum | A treasure trove of art spanning centuries, this museum is a must-see for any art lover.
EcoTarium | Explore hands-on exhibits, live animal habitats, nature trails, and even a seasonal train ride at this family-friendly museum.
A. History: Explore museums, landmarks, and charming small towns B. Adventure: Hike, bike, and enjoy the great outdoors C. Relaxation: Unwind at a cozy café or winery D. Other
Women’s Day Dinner | 6-9 p.m. | Grana | $215 | Celebrate Women’s History Month with a four-course meal + wine pairing in support of the local nonprofit, Women’s Lunch Place.
Friday, March 7
Female Founders of Boston: March Coffee Meetup | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | 186 South St. | $30 | This casual meetup is the perfect chance to network + get to know other female entrepreneurs in the Boston area.
RuPaul: “The House of Hidden Meanings” | 7 p.m. | Orpheum Theatre | $58+ | The iconic TV personality and drag megastar is touring in support of his memoir — hear his personal stories first-hand.
Saturday, March 8
Frost Fit: End of Winter Celebration | 1-3 p.m. | Hatch Grove | Free | The closing event of the winter series will include a pop-up musical performance, dance party, hot cocoa, and family-friendly activities.
Swirls Around the World Foundation Pub Crawl | 1-5 p.m. | Faneuil Hall | $30 | Hop to Sissy K’s, Ned Devine’s, Margaritaville, and Wild Rover — all proceeds benefit the Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli Scholarship Fund and support families impacted by pediatric cancer.
Lunasa | 7 p.m. | Somerville Theatre, Somerville | $50+ | This Irish music group named for an ancient Celtic harvest festival is known to blend traditional + contemporary sounds in their energizing live performances.
The Revelry Ball | 8-11:30 p.m. | Royale Boston | $90+ | This 21+ shindig will feature circus acts, burlesque, aerialists, and live music from Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys.
Sunday, March 9
Boston Chili Takedown | 4-6 p.m. | First Street Market, Cambridge | $30 | Sample home-cooked chili from Bostonians and vote on the best as contestants battle for prizes + bragging rights.
International Women’s Day 2025 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Boston Public Library | Free | Listen to a panel discussion featuring influential women leaders driving change in our communities; a $22 donation is encouraged.
Locals submitted 1,200 ideas for how Boston should allocate $2 million through the city’s participatory budget initiative, Ideas in Action. Six winning proposals were recently announced, including projects to expand access to fresh foods in Boston and rental assistance for local youth ages 16-24. See the funding breakdown.
Concert
Yes, I feel wonderful tonight. Iconic guitarist and 18-time Grammy winner Eric Clapton will return to the US for a handful of 2025 tour dates, including a show at TD Garden on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m. General public tickets go on sale tomorrow, March 7, at 10 a.m.
Edu
Colossal Biosciences, which has operations in Boston, has created “woolly mice,” fluffy, gene-edited rodents with similar (but much, much tinier) features to the woolly mammoths that once roamed the tundra. “De-extinction” scientists say this marks a milestone in their ongoing mission to recreate a “mammoth-like, Arctic-adapted elephant.” (MIT Technology Review)
Open
South Boston’sSTATS Bar and Grille has joined the lineup of local food vendors at Hub Hall near TD Garden. STATS’ new outpost will offer sandwiches, salads, and homemade chicken tenders. This puts Hub Hall at full vendor capacity — check out the many food options.
Coming Soon
Thrift + consignment shop Covet Boston will soon open a new store on the South End. Can’t wait? Get your shopping fix in the meantime by visiting its three other locations in Beacon Hill, the Back Bay, and Southie, and brush up on how to become a Covet consignor.
Weather
Don’t forget to spring forward this Sunday, March 9 — daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m., so turn your clocks forward one hour. This means the sun will start setting at ~6:45 p.m. in Boston next week, giving you more daytime to play around our city.
Announced
This is pretty fly — The Offspring are bringing their “Supercharged Worldwide in ‘25” tour to Xfinity Center on Wednesday, July 30. Presale tickets are available now with the code “FUNKY” and general public tickets go on sale tomorrow, March 7, at 10 a.m.
Legacy
“It still doesn’t feel real.” Grief lingers deeply at The Skating Club of Boston, the training grounds of several figure skaters killed in the Washington, DC plane crash earlier this year. Read how the club’s athletes continue striving for greatness while honoring their tight-knit community and the friends they’ll forever miss. (The Boston Globe)
Small Biz
Own a small biz? We’re gearing up for Small Business Week, a celebration of local enterprises from Sunday, May 4 to Saturday, May 10. If you own a local small business, let us highlight you by filling out this form by Sunday, March 16.
Eat
The wait for every foodie’s three favorite weeks in Boston is over. Book your table and secure incredible deals on can’t-miss meals during Dine Out Boston, now through Saturday, March 15.*
Finance
Drum roll, dear readers... one of the best balance transfer cards is here. Say “see ya” to high-interest debt with 0% intro APR into 2026 (plus no annual fee, and cash back on your buys). Apply.*
Health
Did you hear that? Most hearing aids have one processor. These bad boys have two, making speech clearer and crisper by processing speech and noise separately. No wonder 540,000+ customers love them.*
Pets
Veterinary clinics are being pushed to focus on profit, resulting in higher bills. Pet insurance could help you offset some of these rising costs — with up to 90% reimbursement. Find plans starting at only $10/month.*
Biz
Calling all business owners. For a limited time, we’re offering 15% off your first advertising purchase on our self-service ad portal. No long-term contract required — simply use the code NEW15 at checkout to redeem the discount.
Wellness
Want thicker, fuller hair in just 3-6 months?† Through Hims & Hers, you can get access to personalized, clinically proven treatments all from the comfort of home. No office visits, no insurance hassles — just real results. Get started.*
†Based on separate individual studies of oral minoxidil and oral finasteride. Prescription products require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Restrictions apply. See website for full details and important safety information.
City Guide
City Guide
🥗 What’s for lunch?
Multiple low cost options are served at Gene’s. | Photo by @jimkhaw87
Looking for lunch in Boston? Don’t compromise — or break the bank. We’ve got the best lunch deals around town and because we know proximity is key when it comes to a midday meal, we’ve broken up these spots into their respective sides of town.
Cambridge
Roxy’s Grilled Cheese | There are multiple grilled cheese options for under $12 here, but the Hot Honey Bacon grilled cheese is the best.
Downtown/Financial District
Gene’s Flatbread Cafe | The $11.95 House Noodle Soup is made with thin, hand-rolled noodles in chicken broth with pork + vegetables — and it’s even got a little spice.
Allston/Brighton
Rhythm ‘N Wraps | Opt for the $5 vegetarian tacos like the Fueguito with Impossible meat chili, the Pull Up with barbecue jackfruit, or the Cosmic Tofu taco. Specials like the Beantown Burrito or Beantown Bowl are $15 or less.
Looking to spruce up your wardrobe before spring? Boston’s big vintage market series FOUND is hosting an indoor vintage market featuring 80+ vendors this Saturday, March 8, at Artists for Humanity on West 2nd Street.
Tickets cost ~$7 and there are three dedicated shopping slots — 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. — so be sure to snag your spot before you go. Happy treasure hunting, friends.
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