Old Sturbridge Village

Do you think these are the costumed historians they were referring to?

It really was a neat site as we entered the village.

We stopped at the first building we saw, the Fenno Barn.  My kids were drawn in by the sheep wandering in the field outside and I was drawn in by the costumed woman preparing some type of concoction nearby.  We eventually learned that she was dying yarn using natural materials and an age-old process.

Before we went much further with our tour of the property, we decided to make our way over to the Knight Store building and hop on the horse-drawn ride for a little tour.  I’m really glad we did because this was a great way to see the property and find out about some of the activities happening that day (e.g. we found out they were doing a fishing activity that morning).

The ride had plenty of room on board and my kids were completely mesmerized by the horses. Since we had a stroller with us, we decided to just grab our valuables and leave the stroller outside the building.  In hindsight, we should have and I wish we would have just folded up the stroller and brought it with us.  Not that there was any issue with leaving it outside the building, but the 20 minute ride makes a few stops along the way and it would have been nice to get off instead of riding all the way back to the starting point.

There was also an option to ride a stage-coach which looked like it would be a pretty fun adventure.  It picked up in front of Bullard Tavern and cost $3 per person (kids 3 and under were free).

After our tour, we headed back out to the countryside to visit the Blacksmith Shop, Freeman Farmhouse, and more.  It was a very quick walk to the countryside from the Knight Store where our ride had ended.

Plus, the walk was rather tranquil.

Along the way, we passed the entrance for the River Ride. Rides are an additional fee of $3 per person (kids 3 and under are free).  Fares can be purchased at the dock with cash or credit card. Life jackets are provided.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to take the riverboat ride on this trip, but next time we go that is top of our list.

We continued past a few other buildings until we found the Freeman Farmhouse.  My kids were set on seeing pigs and cows (and I was hoping those animals were actually going to be there).  Good news.  There were pigs, cows, bulls, chickens, sheep, goats and more.

The twins even got put to work sweeping out the barn!

There were a few other buildings to visit in this area.  We made it to some of them.

While we were there, we did make a stop at the restrooms located in the New England Changing Landscape building.  I was happy to see that a baby changing table was available.

After sufficient exploration of the countryside, we made our way back into town. While there, I discovered a few places to eat:

The Bullard Tavern Cafe was serving grab-n-go fare and had seating available both inside and outside.

Little Cakes was serving ice cream (though they only operate on a seasonal basis).

And the Miner Grant Store & Bake Shop was selling snacks and gifts.

We didn’t stop to pick up any goodies, though, because I had plans to gorge myself on the Sunday Brunch in just a bit.

We still had a little time to spare before our restaurant reservations, so we explored the last section of the Old Sturbridge Village. There was even more history to soak up in this section, but my kids were most interested in two things they saw: a playground and the (fairly new) beekeeping exhibit.

The playground was just a small space where the kids could run around.  It had this cool structure that combined tunnels and slides.  Bruiser’s favorites!

And there were things to climb on and explore.

But it was here that I took my absolute favorite picture of the day.  Now if you follow us on Facebook, you may have already seen this.  But if you don’t, get ready to smile 🙂

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Actually they all take pretty fun cut out shots (if I do say so myself).

Then last, but not least, we made a stop at the newest exhibit at Old Sturbridge Village, the Beekeeping Exhibit.  My kids were loving watching the bees do their thing.

Before we knew it, though, we were at the exit and heading towards The Oliver Wight Tavern in search of some brunch. Our Old Sturbridge Village tour was coming to an end.

But wait, it really doesn’t end there.

I will be back tomorrow with an inside look at the Oliver Wight Tavern and all that their brunch has to offer. (update: see my post about the Sunday Brunch here)

But until then, tell us about your Old Sturbridge Village experience.  Have you been? What was your favorite activity? Are you planning to go this month?  Let us know in the comments section below.

THE MOMSENSE:

Old Sturbridge Village – An 1830’s New England Living History Museum

1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA 

Phone:(800) 733-1830

Visit their website or follow them on Facebook

Hours:

• The latest hours information can be found here.
• Schedule at the time of posting:
  • April 1 – October 31: Daily, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
  • November 1  – December 1: Tuesday – Sunday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
  • December 2 – 25: Closed for daytime admission; open Friday – Sunday, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm for Christmas by Candlelight
  • December 26 – December 31:  Open daily, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
  • January 1 – March 31: Open Tuesday – Sunday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

Rates:

• The latest rate information can be found here.
• Parking is FREE
• Ticket Prices (2013):
  • Adults: $24
  • Seniors (55 and over): $22 (though half off during September 2013)
  • Children ages 3-17: $8
  • Children 2 and under: FREE
• Discounts and specials are available.  Check here for more details.
• Admission includes free re-admission to the village within 10 days of your first visit.
• Check your local library’s museum pass program to see if they offer a pass for free or discounted entry.
• A few activities inside the Village cost an additional fee.  Most accept credit cards, but bring cash just in case.  The stagecoach ride is $3 per person (kids 3 and under are free).  The river ride costs $3 per person (kids 3 and under are free). There is also a fee for some of the crafts.

Tips and Things to Bring:

• Bring a stroller or baby carrier for little ones.  There is a lot of walking involved.  I also saw a family with a wagon for the kids to use when they get tired.
• Parking is FREE and there was plenty available.
• Restrooms were available throughout the property. Most seemed to offer a baby changing station.
• The village map can be found here.
• There are a few eating facilities located in the village and a few located outside the village.  Get all the details here.
• Picnicking is welcomed in the village, so feel free to bring food in with you.  Here are the picnicking guidelines from their site:  You are welcome to bring food and non-alcoholic beverages into the Village. While eating is not allowed inside the historic buildings, there are several picnic tables located within the Village or in a pine grove at the top of the parking lot.
• You will be outside most of your visit, so bring the items you need to contend with the elements (warm clothing during winter months and suntan lotion and hats during the summer)
• The horse-drawn ride that meets in front of Knight House is free and goes throughout the property.  The stagecoach ride costs money and stays in the town center area.
• Feel free to fold up your stroller and bring it on the horse-drawn ride.  We saw many people doing just that and you may not want to ride it all the way back to the starting point and just get off along the way.
• The horse-drawn ride takes about 20 minutes.
• If you want even more information on Old Sturbridge Village, check out this video.
• Museum Guidelines:
  • Turn off cell phones
  • Please do not touch or feed the animals
  • Walk carefully on Village roads
  • Eating and drinking are not permitted in exhibit buildings
  • Please do not walk or climb on fences, walls, or trees
  • Smoking allowed only in designated areas

Meet Our Sponsors!

• The Independent Day School – Located on a rural campus in Middlefield, CT is a private pre-school, elementary and middle school, serving families from over 20 communities.
• Jessica’s Garden – This Marlborough destination is a gardening center and family-friendly eatery rolled into one. A great place to take the kids, relax and enjoy the beautiful grounds, and check out their ice cream and lobster shack.
• Kathryn Deane Photography – Kathryn is a natural light photographer specializing in maternity, newborn, child, family, and senior portrait photography.
• Moms in Training (MIT) – The newest branch of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. MIT is a Fairfield-based, flexible 8-week fitness program for moms who want to get fit, meet other local moms and help cure cancer!

Are you interested in becoming an Out and About Mom sponsor? Click here for more info.

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