Adventure Trips

Whether it's on a hot-air balloon excursion with Bella Via Balloon Company or mushing through the snow on a dogsledding trip with Northern Exposure Outfitters, you'll not only find adventure in this area, but adventure like you've never seen before.

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Beaches

Beaches in Central Massachusetts? Yep. There are dozens of fresh water beaches, like Douglas State Forest's Wallum Lake, reservoirs, ponds and rivers,where you can go for a dip and enjoy the sunshine.

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Biking

By converting long-abandoned rail lines, the Massachusetts Central Rail Trail offers a unique way to explore the communities, sites and nature of Central Massachusetts.

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Camping

When it comes to camping in Central Massachusetts, the key word is "choice." If you're an experienced camper, head to Pine Acres, where you'll have access to Lake Dean and its 70 acres of water. If you want convenience, try Wells State Park. It's ideal if you're also planning a trip to Old Sturbridge Village. And if you're new to camping, rental cabins — rustic or full service — are available all year.

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Fishing

For information about fishing in Massachusetts, please visit Mass Wildlife.

Golf

You'll find some of the best golf courses in all of New England in this area, including Pine Ridge Country Club, Ellinwood Country Club, Grand View Country Club and the Woods of Westminster, From scenic to beginner to challenging, each course — and there are more than 25! — offers something a bit different from the next.

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Skiing/Snowboarding

Wachusett Mountain features a 1,000-foot vertical drop and 20 trails. Ski Ward Ski Area is family owned and offers nine trails, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals. The forests of Central Massachusetts and their miles of trails are available for cross-country skiing.

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Sports Teams & Venues

Professional sports do exist outside of Boston. Baseball's Worcester Tornados and the Worcester Sharks, AHL affiliates of the San Jose Sharks, play here. Add in many college teams and your shouting muscles will get quite a workout.

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State Parks & Forests

Go camping and hiking at Wells State Park. Explore the miles of woodland trails at Douglas State Forest, where you can hike, cross-country ski and snowboard. And in the summer, visit 2-acre Beaman Pond at Otter River State Forest for swimming, boating, fishing and more.

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Water Sports

Ready to tackle Blackstone River's Class II and III rapids? Just want to grab a canoe and set your own pace? Central Mass Paddlesports and Fin & Feather Sports offer kayak and canoe rentals, instructional programs and excursions on lakes, ponds and rivers throughout the area.

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Winter Fun

Are you a fan of winter? If so, you're really going to like Central Massachusetts. You can go dogsledding with Northern Exposure Outfitters. You can go tubing at Ski Ward Ski Area. And you can go ice skating and snowshoeing throughout the area — just find a frozen pond or a snow-covered trail.

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Featured Cities

Worcester:

The second-largest city in Massachusetts offers cultural attractions, fine dining and its very own minor league baseball team.

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Sturbridge:

With Old Sturbridge Village, Hyland Orchard and Brewery and many private and public campsites, there's a lot to see and do in this classic New England town.

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Princeton:

Situated along the south face of Wachusett Mountain, the quiet town of Princeton is the ideal place to visit for year-round outdoor activities.

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Featured Attractions

Fruitlands Museum

Take in the scenery here, and you might just think it's utopia ??? and you're not alone. Fruitlands recreates a short-lived 19th-century utopian settlement, and it's easy to see why they chose this site. Learn more>>

Worcester Art Museum

This hidden gem features contemporary and classic masterpieces in the vibrant city of Worcester. Learn more>>

Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor

Running from Worcester, MA to Providence, RI, the Blackstone River Valley is a national park, where you can hike, take a canal boat ride, learn about the Industrial Revolution and simply enjoy nature. Learn more>>