Always a great visit, but this time I have notes. My family and I went to the village for the first time in 8 years. Everything was very much the same, except they were hosting a nighttime event, called Frankenstein or something. If you visit during one of these days where there is a night event, there will be a lot of buildings closed off. I was disappointed to not be able to go into the Salem Towne house, the big church, and many other buildings. Otherwise, it was beautiful to look at, as always. read more

We have gone to two of the Phantoms by Firelight events here, and I have to say the one in 2024 was much better than the one this year. From the time you pull in there is ample parking and they get you through the entrance line very quickly. Generally, it is always a nice night out with family or friends, and the dark candlelit/foggy spooky atmosphere is great to explore in. I liked how this time around more of the buildings were open and there were employees dressed up telling stories from that time period. However, the shows for the Frankenstein event specifically were a let down an were too oddly spaced apart time-wise. We were only able to catch the laboratory and the finale. The laboratory event was a bit odd, just a guy shaking to some dubstep music. Hopefully next years is better. read more

It's an interesting place to visit and a unique experience. If you want a taste and feel of how New England once was this is the place to go. read more

We enjoyed several hours walking around old Sturbridge village. We also got to ride on a horse buggy ride which looped around at a certain part of the town.There were several demonstrations going on around the village and we got to see sheep, goats and pigs. The food at the tavern Cafe was delicious. I'm mentioning specifically the chicken pot pie and new england clam chowder, which we had and was really delicious. The gift shop was worth visiting as well. We brought home a Christmas ornament and some pottery made there. read more

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I love American history and have been wanting to go there. My partner had been there several times in the past and wanted to go back, very disappointed. Most of the buildings are falling apart and there are very few staff, a blacksmith and pottery person. Sad place felt bad for the few animals. Lot of buildings closed. Nothing is as it used to be to be . read more

I wanted to take my family and granddaughter to the phantoms thing for my birthday and my granddaughter loves Frankenstein the tickets are astronomically expensive and ridiculous at 45$ especially for a 4 year old how can family's of 4 be able to enjoy these things WAY TO EXPENSIVE! read more

"If I could turn back time If I could find a way" (Cher) Let's turn back time to America in the 1830's. The young country is flexing its industrial muscles and very slowly moving from an agrarian to an industrial society. The Civil War is about one generation away. Old Sturbridge Village puts you squarely into what that world of the 1830's was like. It's a "living history" museum with over 40 buildings of the time period, so you'll see homes, commercial buildings, public meeting houses, water powered mills, farms and gardens. As you walk around the complex there is plenty of great scenery -meadows and lakes and farm animals. But the heart and soul of OSV are the costumed historians who demonstrate early American crafts and commerce. We chatted with most of them - a cabinet maker, an ox cart driver, two cooks and bakers, a pottery maker, a sawmill operator, a gardener, and a bookbinder. I tried my hand at crafting a book by folding up a big sheet of paper into precise patterns so that the finished product would be in the correct page order and reasonably well centered. Let's just say I'd still be an apprentice after my miserable attempt. Walking around OSV on a beautiful summer day, taking in all the sights and scenery, and enjoying our interactions with the historians was a great way to spend a few hours. read more

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It was great weather on Wednesday and I had such a great experience with this place. All the set up were very natural and right stuffs at right places and fun to listen their stories. Great place to get fresh air and have a long stroll too. read more

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I hadn't been to sturbridge village since I was a kid. First as a field trip in elementary school, and then my parents had a membership for a year (while still in elementary school). That was probably 1977 or so. We happened to go on seniors day, (2 for 1 entry) after the sting of being a senior wore off (hahaha) we went in and checked it out. It's a big place, as a child I thought it was VAST!! I think we spent 4 to 4.5 hours walking through the buildings and talking to the enactors. I've read biographies of the US presidents of the period so was able to have some very good conversations talking to folks about life, education, etc. during that time. I thought it was a great day. It would be nice to visit during the different seasons to see how they impact people's lives during the periods represented. I highly recommend a visit. read more

We went to Phantoms by Firelight for the first time since their Sleepyhollow show (which was wonderful) the Frankenstein one was a significant downgrade. Dubstep with AI voiceover an a bunch of guys walking around. Not worth the ticket price and not worth the time. read more

Unexpected stop on our way home from Boston. But my whole family enjoyed it! It is beautiful and peaceful! We really enjoyed just walking around at our own pace. read more

Old Sturbridge Village - Did I mention it's beautiful - Museums Near Me - Sturbridge, Massachusetts

I've been visiting Old Sturbridge Village since I was a kid, and no matter what age I've been, it always makes for a great day trip from CT. We last visited for their Christmas by Candlelight, and it was such a cute holiday celebration. The actors are always knowledgeable and take their roles seriously. We love visiting the different buildings and seeing the authentic artifacts. Can't wait until our next visit! read more

I love OSV and have visited many time over the years. I also attended the Phantoms by Firelight 2024 event there, which was fantastic. However, this year's Frankenstein experience was a huge disappointment. The "scenes" were incredibly short (like 5 minutes) and were a sort of interpretative dance choreographed to recorded dialogue from the book. At the "new lab" it turned into a weird rock opera thing for the last minute or two. A person behind me said, "This is so bad it's almost funny, but it's not supposed to be funny," and that pretty much sums it up. We expected the actors to speak the dialogue and provide the audience some context for the story. The only "scene" that did this was in the Arctic Shed. The schedule is set up in a linear order where you're following the Creature or Victor through the experience, with a lot of overlap between the two. So, essentially the audience is moving en masse to each "scene" and therefore each location is overly crowded with most of the audience having to stand. Nothing on OSV's website indicates this, but you have to be at the first scene by 4:40 in order to follow the entire trajectory. The "scenes" were crowded, distracting, and not "immersive" at all. The piped-in recorded dialogue and music were super loud -- you could hear the "wedding" scene during the Arctic Shed event, even with the doors closed, which was very distracting. OSV's grounds are perfect to recreate Mary Shelley's Regency-era landscape and offer a living history of the time in which the book takes place, but they didn't take advantage of the opportunity. The walkways were sufficiently spooky once it got dark, and the Mourning Bell duo performing live music outside the "Frankenstein Estate" was great, but that was it. Also, be warned that both the Bullard Tavern and the Ox and Yoke Cafe were both closed, so there was nowhere inside to sit down and eat/warm up (and no bringing home delicious baked goods for the following day) -- they've changed it to a pop-up shop within the Visitor's Center with packaged candy and souvenirs instead. We arrived expecting to stay until the final event, as we had previously, but we left by 7:30. We'd seen enough of the repetitive "scenes." I know a lot of work goes into this sort of event, and I applaud the effort, but the experience just didn't work. Phantoms by Firelight was going to be an October tradition for us, but sadly, we likely won't return. read more

Longtime visitor, former volunteer. The good- OSV is an invaluable historical resource and wealth of information, research, and a breeding ground of historical interpretation methods. If you go to any history or museum conference, you'll find staff and former staff there. They're some of the best in the game, and their staff are unbeatable experts in very niche subjects. Their focus on rural social history was revolutionary when it started and still is revolutionary today. A lot of museums will teach you about political history. Not a lot will teach you about domestic life in OSV's level of detail. For visitors, OSV is sort of a "you get what you want out of it" experience. Some visitors come wanting to talk to interpreters and learn, others want to walk through quickly. Those people don't learn as much. The not so good- management seems more interested in running money laundering charter schools than retaining or paying their excellent staff. I've seen historians who have been interviewed in books and documentaries leave for much less prestigious jobs because it's just not worth it for them to stay. The price- day admission price is really high. I wish more people know there lower cost options. Many regional libraries lend day passes. read more

Very cute area being throwback into a more simple time. It is very well preserved, and the people working there are very good at their job. I would recommend this place to all different people. Perfect day out for families. read more

Had an amazing time here for the Christmas by Candlelight experience. Highly recommend!!! Be ready to walk and bundle up! I learned so much and want to go back already! read more

Easy parking and entry process. We came for Sturbridge by Candlelight. Loved this so much. It was so festive and just the place to get into the holiday spirit. We had hot chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, cocktails and fresh popped popcorn. Loved sitting by the fire. Would def do again read more

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October visit We had a really good time during our mini vacation to the area. Traveling to New England 1800's was amazing. To learn a lot about history and how they lived back then. And a plus, enjoyed some yummy lunch at the Bullards Tavern Cafe at the Village.. We are for sure coming back next year because next time I dont want to miss the Phantoms by Firelight event. read more

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Had a fantastic time at the Phantoms by Firelight a couple of weeks ago! And boy do they put on a party. I think in the past they've had more structured performances for halloween - but this was much more in the vein of spookier version of Old Sturbridge Village rather than a play at Old Sturbridge Village. Granted, I've never been to a normal day at Old Sturbridge Village (though we did see Big River performed there years ago and that was excellent) The special event had small performances by spooky vampyre themed circus artists across the property. There were historical re-enactors ready to give you death and grieving themed historical tid-bits. There was a wake being reenacted, which my friend didn't want to see - but I'd have been totally into if I were alone. They had a "trick or treat" stamp situation bringing you from village house to village house and a labyrinth. The performers were very good we saw some aerialists and fire eaters. We got the 4:30 ticket and arrived at 5:00 but the line was so long we did not get in until after 5. If I'd realized we would have gotten there for 4:30. I felt like there wasn't enough time to do everything but that's a positive I guess. Everything was so fun. The property is very beautiful even in the dark - the pileons burning in the lake were a great spooky touch. We weren't that impressed with the food in regards to price and quality of food but, if I ever do this again I am going order early for pick up to save time. So, it's not so off-putting that I wouldn't eat it again. It was fine. The only other grumpy statement is I wish they'd had more staff to sign people in at the beginning of the party so we could have gone in quicker and had more fun. read more

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The Christmas by candlelight was so peaceful. The mulled cider was an awesome treat to keep warm in the cold. The cookies are to die for and probably the best cup of hot cocoa I've ever had. Reading the "make a wish" area under the bridge makes you really take a look at life **I thought the lighting ceremony would have been a little more organized, we all waited about 10 minutes past the lighting time, the light came on and that was it. No cheers, no leading up to the lighting. Just on and done with. read more

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Map was not accurate, none of the buildings were labeled even though they had a number on map, went for reenactment where the crowd and the "media" was very poorly managed, waited over an hour to make sure I could see to find out that is where all the media (anyone with a cellphone and at least one follower) were allowed to stand in front of you with their families blocking your view, many people found benches to sit arriving on time just so the late comers could crowd in and stand in front of them. Drinks were scarce and the line to get one was at least half hour long. A couple of jugs with free water given in 2 oz cups was warm. Food wait over an hour with one cart and one tavern serving food through out the entire property. read more

The beauty of this property is truly good for the soul. Even if all you did was walk around and enjoy the countryside, it would be worth the price of admission. That there are people dressed and in character to educate you about what life was like back then is a priceless experience. They were firing up the pottery, making shoes, making baskets, yarn, tending to the farms.. The historic charm of Old Sturbridge Village is incomparable. I used to be a member and bring my kids 2-3x a month just for a few hours (90 min drive)... I never grew tired of it, and neither did they. For me I think it's the beauty, and the fun of watching my kids enjoy themselves there too. read more

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This place sucked! Read all the positive reviews and was excited to go. What we saw however was a bunch of closed up, dark buildings, almost none of the advertised activities were happening, the smell of horse shit was overwhelming, and everyone was complaining about how underwhelming the experience was. Total let down! Wouldn't recommend this to anyone!! read more

We've love coming here, sometimes just to take a 30-minute walk around the village (including the River Walk, Pasture Walk and Woodland Walk), and in other instances to attend fun events including: * Antique Car Show * July 4th Fireworks * Apple Festival * Dog Days * Thanksgiving Dinner * Christmas by Candlelight * And many more... The village is a recreation of a rural New England town in the 1830's, with costumed historians who conduct life tasks from that era (gardening, dyeing wool, baking, pressing apples, tin making, blacksmith, pottery, carpentry, etc.). They have over 200 acres plus 40 historical buildings to explore, and exhibits such as a antique clock exhibit and a working beehive. They also have animals including sheep, pigs, chickens, oxen, etc. for viewing, not petting. They often have interesting demonstrations from a small hot air balloon, to musket firing, to blue grass bands. This is a great "living museum" and a worthy destination for children and adults. Check it out! read more

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This place is a nostalgic treasure for those who want to experience what it may have been like to live in New England during the 1830's. The entire grounds can be toured in about 5-6 hours, with plenty of time for shopping & eating in between. What I liked the best is that the actors are eager to engage in conversation with (you) when you stop in one of the many period homes that are replicas of early 19th Century life. I recommend checking out the Thompson Bank and their vintage printing press. Lots to learn, love, and enjoy here. Leaf peepers will love the photo options that abound. You can scan QR codes in some of the houses to get a brief audio recording presentation which tells you a little more history about the specific site. Food was reasonably priced & includes comfort foods like pot pies & mashed potatoes along with kid friendly options like chicken tenders. The fall weekends are probably best since most of the pedestrian traffic from the schools & other tourists is noticeably gone. Plenty of free parking. This was my first trip and I will return. read more

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This is an absolutely the most enjoyable way to learn American history. It transports you to a time of simplicity and elegance in craftsmanship and liveliness. You'll even catch a glimpse or two of the townsfolk strolling the grounds and interact with them as well. You can easily spend the entire day here just don't mind the occasional horse poo. We were here on 4th of July, what's a better time than this to be here! We saw the reading of the declaration, naturalization of new citizens (grand ceremony), firing of cannons. All in honor of the day. Well preserved old buildings and lifestyles of the bygone era. There's plenty to see and photograph here. Parking is free but the entry is a bit steep. They do have a few cafes where you can grab some lunch but the foods just ok. Apart from that everything else is 5star. read more

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Take a step back in time as you pass through the entrance of OSV. This historic recreation of a rural 19th century New England town has been open to the public as a museum since the 1940s. Each season displays a different canvas of striking beauty here, and this year we decided to attend "Christmas by Candlelight". I recommend going around 3pm to leisurely look around, admire the pink sky as the day turn into dusk, and find peace the darkness by candlelight. The workers are not "characters" or "actors" but rather knowledgeable interpreters of history. They explain different processes of working and living in the 1830s and are able to juxtapose the past with the present. Money spent here goes towards maintaining and restoring this historical property. In a world gripped by smartphones and technology, our visit to OSV brought peace to my soul and gratitude to my heart. read more

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My family and I had such an enjoyable day here. I definitely recommend coming out and visiting especially if you're looking for not only a nice setting but also a place that is rich in history. The actors walking around in clothes of the olden days really make the village come to life. You can truly imagine what it must've been like living here back in the 1800's. I like that they not only mention the good but also the bad, that even includes how native indians and workers from Africa and Caribbean islands lived as well. People had to work really hard just to get basic necessities and for me personally, it helped me reflect on how far we've come, but also what we can look forward to in the future as well. I recommend checking out their website before visiting as you can probably find ways in which you can get a discounted ticket. They make visiting accessible to everyone which is great. You'll see people from all walks of life here from little kids who are on field trips, to older folks who are just looking for a peaceful respite from the modern world. They do sell food here, things like soup, sandwiches, salads, a few side dishes like mashed potatoes, wedges (which were really good actually). The gift shop however was selling cookies and they were soft, chewey, and really great on that cold afternoon. Definitely worth the trip. read more

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We went to Phantoms by fire. $45.00 a piece. There werent as many people as the last tomevwe were there. However, we could not go around the lake to see the fires n the lake. Then we went to the green to see the bonfires. They didnt have that as well. There were no horse and buggy rides. 1/2 the houses were closed and the blavksmith was closed as well. All in all a terible time. I wont waste my hard earned money there ever again. read more

This might be as close as it comes to finding a wormhole and traveling back in time. Sturbridge Village is huge, offers a ton of replica homes and business, nearly everything functions - from the blacksmith to the printer to the tin shop. Everyone working there is in period costume and plays the role perfectly - they also know a ton about their craft. I can't wait to return for the Christmas Village! Highly suggest as something to do near Boston and for anyone interested in experiencing American history. read more

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Found this spot in my deep dive of Boston sites. About a 45min drive outside of Boston. Beautifully historic 1800s Village located in a pretty isolated area. Location wise they had plenty of space and parking. We checked in and got our tickets. We immediately started our walk through the village. You can scan QR codes in some of the houses to get a brief audio recording presentation which tells you a little more history about the specific site. Just on the size and activities of the place, you can definitely get lost here for a good 3-5 hours. There's shopping and restaurants. There's also period actors walking around the grounds. They are so interactive and filled with historical information. We loved checking out the blacksmith's shop. They were in-depth with the process. The grounds themselves are more than enough reason to visit. The village is next to the water and so beautiful and rustic. The architecture is more than enough to keep coming back. Great experience. read more

A fun and educational experience for everyone of all ages! Come early and spend the whole day learning about what life was like in rural New England in the 1800s. I recommend coming during the Fall when the leaves are changing and the weather is cool - it's the perfect combo for a museum where most of your time is spent outside. Wear comfortable walking shoes because there will be a lot of walking! There's plenty to do and see. Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. read more

Visited on 7/22/22. Wonderful place for children and adults to learn about American history. The staff all dress as "period correct" as possible and they are very friendly and knowledgeable. It took us about 3.5 hours to casually walk through the entire complex making many stops along the way. Definitely cool to get the vibe of a simpler time, but an obvious harder life pre industrial revolution. read more

Fun for young families, probably not so much for adolescents. Lots to todo, from visiting historic sites to hands-on activities to reenactments. Lots of great places to eat. read more

The Christmas by Candlelight was not worth the money. The village itself is cute but the reenactments of the past could have shared actual history of what they were doing or about the village. Each house is crowded with people and mostly children and most of the employees really did not engage with us or it lacked any personalization/enthusiasm. They hand out very tiny gingerbread cookies and tell you to go online for the recipe. They hand out cider but do not discuss how they made it. There also is a lack of signage. If a house was not an entry point there is not a historical significance of what's its role in the village was at that time. If OSV wanted to improve - it needs to start with employee training on external engagement and enthusiasm , they need to have some type of listening device if their employees will not cover the historical details. The website details versus the actual experience is completely lacking. If you want walk around the dirt roads of the village and see the old structures, then go, but if you're looking for historical context, it won't really be found here. The ticket cost $36 and they should have been $5-10 for the experience you walk away with. read more

Beautiful historic village in western Massachusetts! I hadn't been in 15-20 years so I was excited to come back as an adult. We went on a hot summer day (88 degrees!) and there were still lots of spots in the shade. The village has lots of interactive games and stations for kids. They also have horse drawn carriage rides and hiking trails. We ended up walking almost three miles! The one disappoint was that the River ride was not operating. We were really looking forward to that one, especially on a hot summer day! Hopefully that comes back soon! Re Covid safety precautions: As of June 2021, masks were still required for any of the inside areas even if you are vaccinated. You could take your mask off as you walked around outside! read more

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This is a great recreated community with active reenactors demonstrating late 1800 crafts.

This is solely based on the Christmas experience there. I'll be honest.. I hate history. It really bores me but I went here because it was a different Christmas event than what I was use to and honestly... I enjoyed it! I spent about 3 hours here... yes it was cold, so dress warm. They had food and drink options, 2 or 3 gift shops, horse carriage rides, Christmas music in the church. You went into several houses which had people dressed like they did back in the day and explaining how things worked back then during Christmas. They also offered some very yummy samples of drinks and food you would have back in the day during Christmas. The place was rather large, lots of walking. This was a really interesting, informative place. I would recommend! read more

Definitely worth a visit! I hadn't really heard of it other than it was small and "no Colonial Williamsburg" but there was enough to see for a full day (and I came back for another day). As a living museum, there are a bunch of buildings (many authentic but moved from other locations) to create a feeling of an 1830's New England town. Not only are there a variety of buildings, but there are a lot of historic interpreters who demonstrate skills and jobs of the period and are thorough at answering questions. The interaction was the most interesting part. When we went there was a "military" themed weekend with a sham battle and cannon firings and militia uniform displays and an appearance by the Marquis de Lafayette. Other weekends have other special events, and every day has a list of when demos are, so you know what you will want to see. This was great for adults and there were lots of families here as well. There are a few places to eat (including a cute ice cream parlor) and plenty of parking. One day is $28 and a season pass is $35, so if history is something that interests you and you CAN come more than once, it's worth it to invest in the pass for a little more, as there are varying special events. Definitely glad I visited. read more

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OPEN DURING COVID A pleasant place to visit, take a relaxing walk, and learn something about life in early-1800's new England. Don't miss Dummerton bridge, one of only 12 covered bridges still remaining in Massachusetts (originally built in Dummerston VT in ~1870, but moved here in 1951). Not very crowded. Easy to do social distancing (masks are required at all times), since the actor-historians are mostly outside (or you stick your head in a doorway to talk to them without entering a building). Online ticket purchase in advance is required. You pick a time window within which you are required to arrive, but you can stay to closing if you like. Cafe with outdoor seating. Lots of parking. read more

Old Sturbridge Village - Mmmm...I mean Moo! - Museums Near Me - Sturbridge, Massachusetts

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