Old Sturbridge Village Review

Less than an hour from Boston, this is a flashback to the 1800s to a preserved town, style living museum. Old Sturbridge Village merits a full day trip. Their cafeteria was the only thing out of place (ie pizza, burgers.). So we ate at a historic lodge 4 minutes drive.

OSV is a great place to spend the day and learn about life in the 1830s. There is plenty to see and with special events happening throughout the year, it is always fresh and new.

The grandchild of Daniel Burnham meets John Dewey. Very cool!

Historical New England Village, reenactment of living in early New England. Historical displays of arts and crafts the way things were hundreds of years ago. Very nice surrounding, good place to take the family and kids on a weekend trip

Beautiful representation of an 1830s New England town, with actual buildings brought in from all over New England - informative, a living classroom of the life - all funds go back to restoration and growth of the Village.

This is a reality type museum. THE role playing staff is very informative. Be prepared to walk and spend the whole day as there is alot to see and do. There are activities and lectures throughout the day. It really is like visiting a town from the 1800s. I learned alot on this adventure.

Great place to spend a day. Bldgs are actually structures relocated from towns and cities in New England

Nice Christmas family experience although amount of tickets sold per day should be limited. Most people were bringing children too young or old to appreciate. They really should emphasize geared to ages 5 to 12 and their parents. Younger ones were screaming their heads off and older ones continually rolling their eyes. Major traffic jam trying to enter lot.

Sturbridge Village is fun and educational, a unique museum in all regards. Every time I go I enjoy myself.

So many interactive activities! Our kids all loved it so much (ages 4 through 10). I reccomend the blacksmith and the wool dying.

One of my favorite places to visit, especially in the fall. The museum and its staff are very informative of New England life in the late 1700s, early 1800s. There are so many interesting activities to witness during the different seasons, such as log cutting and apple cider making in the fall. They have places to eat within the museum itself too so you don't have to leave and come back. Lots of variety in what to see and do, but the museum is not so large that you can't do it in a day. A great place for all ages! I've been going to Sturbridge Village since I was little kid, and I couldn't recommend it enough. Always check the calendar before you go; the do different activities on different days, and they change the activities, events, etc. to be seasonally appropriate.

Wonderful place to visit for all ages, with outdoor experiences sending you back in time to the 1800s. Historic houses and working farms, live stock, carriage rides, good food at the Bullard tavern. Arrive early to be able to spend the day as there is so much to see.

I enjoyed walking around with my daughter and letting her be amazed by the history and animals. Due to covid there was minimal exhibits open however it was still a great visit. I enjoyed the small trails to walk in the woods and she loved asking them all what they were doing. We enjoyed a short trip on the horse and carriage ride together as well.

Really enjoyed going to the Village with my family for brunch. The room is huge who knows when it was built you feel like you were transported back in time , so it can be loud, but the food was outstanding, fresh, the wait staff so accommodating, with Arron, at our table and manager Kim checking in and making sure our visit was everything we hoped. Best brunch around with family atmosphere, great job folks. We will be back and highly recommend.

So much to see and do! There were some minor issues with some of the displays, and I wish the water-powered mills were running. But the interpretive staff were so well informed. Really. The depth and breadth of their knowledge and skills were phenomenal. I've been to many if these living history museums and this was the first time in a while that I learned something new. Oh, and the chicken pot pie isn't bad either!

It was great. The guide who was driving a Clydesdale wagon was so knowledgeable about the history he made it come alive. Almost worth the money (it was way too expensive for what we got on a gray and drizzly day-everything was closed).

Whats not to love they have great advents. Learn how people lived back than

I have always loved this place. Don't miss the Scoop Shop for ice cream or the horse-drawn ride.

An excellent historical immersion experience. Allow enough time to listen to the cast as they share "their" reality.

Even with the pandemic, Old Sturbridge Village is still a wonderful experience. The interpreters do an excellent job of sharing information and bringing the Village to life.

The family loves coming here. So much history to learn. It's beautifully decorated at X-Mass. The staff are 100% professional and always have answers to your questions. Wonderful flowers in the Spring. It's worth a visit if you live in New England.

Always fun. Bring your walking shoes. We did over 5 miles and left before seeing everything.

Almost every year I take my two grandchildren to Sturbridge Village for the weekend. My granddaughter dresses in her "Sturbridge Village clothes". We stay overnight at a nearby hotel with a swimming pool and go back the next day and enjoy the brunch at the tavern. Even though my granddaughter is 14 years old and my grandson is 12, they still look forward to this trip. I brought my first son there when he was young enough to be in a baby carrier and I continue to be delighted with the changes they have made over the years. This is one of my favorite places.

Old Sturbridge Village holds a special place in our hearts. Our family visits many times each year. Every season holds something new to learn and enjoy. The costumed staff are engaging and knowledgeable. The children always have a blast, but there is just as much to enjoy as an adult. It's worth a visit any time of year!

All the period characters are always very knowledgeable and skilled, a visit to Old Sturbridge Village is a great way to learn colonial New England history!

Awesome place. Love the Sleepy Hollow Experience!!!!

Very disappointing. Maybe because it was a Monday holiday but many of the demonstrations were not available. We had a membership years ago when we lived in the area. We thought this would be a great experience for our grandchildren. They did enjoy the demonstrations that we saw however. We were looking forward to the warm fresh baked cookies but the shop was closed. The line in the cafeteria was so long we had to look for another place for lunch. We found the Wight Tavern where the waiting line wasn t long but it took along time to be seated even though there were many empty tables. They were short staffed & it took forever to order & get our food. The clam chowder was excellent but the meat meals were too dry. We left half of our lunch unfinished. A few of the buildings that were not sponsored seemed to be in need of maintenance. Overall a disappointing trip.

Sturbridge Village is always a nice place to stop and see. It's on beautiful property, it feels like you went back in time. The farm animals are always a must see. I think it's fascinating to still be able to hold onto that much history and for people to still be interested in that. I've been there twice, first time in grade school. Mind you it's been over 20 years since I've been there and it feels like nothing has really changed. They haven't added anything new. It was hard to find a "actor/actress" a lot of the houses were empty. I felt like it was lacking some history telling. And I really don't feel like it's worth $28 to see again.

Very Nice village with many people who explain you their job.

I went when i was in 5 th grade some years ago and still love it till this day and im 34 now and want to come back to see the new and old come together

Had a great time, gingerbread art was great,the Christmas effects were awesome.

We've been going for years and have always had a great time. Most recently we went for the socially distanced Christmas by Candlelight, my mom and I had a wonderful time.

This place is incredible. The team who works here are dedicated people. I loved every second and learned so much! And many thanks for honoring veterans day with admitting our families for free!

its ok i guess but kinda boring unless your hands on....the gift shop is super expensive and everything i bought there broke the next day.

If you're in the area you definitely need to check this place out with the kiddos.

Love it here, bring your family if you've never been.

Amazing experience. A small village with historic atmosphere to show us how our ancestors in the late 1700's and early 1800's lived in New England and similar places outside. Homes with a different layout than we have today. Mechanical and wooden technology how to make basic items that we use on a daily basis. Firearms and cannons for war. Local villagers wear old school outfits. Very interesting if you like history.

Saw Big River. Great show. Great venue. The cast was amazing!

This is an update on an old review from last year. I still leaving 5 stars because almost every time we have gone it has been fantastic
Last night 10/24/2020 we went to Phantoms and Fires was totally disappointed .
They present it as a family event , but honestly it is an adult event . Kids ( I do not have any ) were completely bored resulting in them misbehaving running around , talking ect during performances.
They stated that they had goody bags for young an old but when we tried to retrieve ours we were told they needed our stamp sheet some game that boone explained to us and honestly you are trying to read the activity paper in the dark so that is not really fair being how they advertise as if it is a giving with your ticket , our ticket was for 6 30 we made the circle starting at the church , and it was not enough time before they closed we missed 2 or 3 performances and did not get to go into any of the open buildings . The restaurant inside the park was open with live music we did not get a chance to enjoy any food , there wasn't enough time . We were already going to miss performances and I think there were 6 so when u missed 2 or 3 u did not get your monies worth . So if u are going to stand in line at each location for a stamp , be aware they may miss performances.

I am not sure why they are doing the separate ticket sales being how those that come in earlier are not made to leave after being there for 90 minutes like those coming in at 6 30.
There is no one enforcing social distance anywhere employees should be at each performance enforcing the 6ft rule and I did not see any hand sanitizer anywhere except at entrance and exit and both were completely empty .
My advice , do not bring kids , do your ticket for at least 6 pm or sooner if u plan to eat inside .

This is not one of Sturbridge's best events so do not go with your normal Sturbridge expectations . But do remember they usually nail a fantastic event anytime so even though this was not the best they still deserve 5 stars for effort and previous events .

2019 review
I love this place , we go every Easter as our first Warm weather activity .
This year we did there Sleepy Hollow event during the month of October . Well worth it , even though I was freezing I did not want it to end . It truly was like stepping back in time .

We also decided to do the Christmas Carol evening event , what a different experience than being there during the day .

We will definitely be going back !!

Very interesting place with exhibits about 1830s life in New England.

OSV is always a good time. I average 6+ visits per year and always find something new each time. The stories, the things you will learn... amazing! I'd recommend at least 4 hours minimum to visit. From the regular daytime hours to the special events... nothing beats it.

ALWAYS A GREAT ADVENTURE TO BE HAD !!

FOUNDERS DAY - I would bring my Family courtesy of my employer Awesome !!

Great experience for the whole day. Many activities for the kids. Liked live musket firing and cow milking.

This place gives you a lot of inspiration and you learn and explore and have fun

For who likes history this is the place. It is amazing. Also there are animals good restaurants it is the best there if you want to relax with family you should go there.

Very friendly workers. People seem to love their jobs!

OSV is an awesome place, easy going day for the family, nice exercise without realizing it, fun staff and a slice of American history. Membership is worth every penny, bored in June with a couple of kids? Let them run around seeing sheep and old houses! Easy day!

A great place to visit and learn about the past. The cookies at the Miner general store are homemade and delicious. Just don't go on free Friday. It is a mob scene.

Fun place to take the family. Animals, boat and carriage rides, reenactments.

Nice place to visit with kids and learn some history. Really good recreation of early settlements. The sandy streets, old houses and the actors take you back in time.

Spot on historical accuracy and very very entertaining.

An incredible learning location which expands the minds of young and old alike. Went as a 30 year old and I enjoyed it even more than when I was a kid.

2nd time seeing this I think they do a great job! Sleepy Hallow is alive in Sturbridge

It's like a trip back in time. We had so much fun. The staff is great

Great historic adventure. The staff are very knowledgeable and the facility meets the time period with their collection of buildings and holding of character of the staff.

You need more than one, two or three visits to truely cover the museum and take it all in. This is great for all ages and they have truely put so much thought and planning into the museum. All the staff is wonderful, and accommodating. (Even when I run into them outside of work they are extremely nice!)

I came back with more interest in general things so I got more out of my visit. Not sure if I miss the 100% in character actors or not. The smithies were fun. A few closed exhibits saddened out group. Might have been a lot less fun if it was raining.

Great place to learn about the past and enjoy a simpler time. Excellent spot to bring kids.

Very nice place to visit for understanding life condition in New England in early 1800s

I love everything about this wonderful place. The staff is so helpful and informative about any questions you might have.

Great as always. I appreciate the staff with their knowledge, and willingness to talk or chit-chat. I also appreciate Sturbridge Village giving military members a discount on entrance fees. Thank you.

Visited during a cool autumn day. Easy walking and a ton of things to see and learn about.

Great place to visit, interesting look into the past.