Sterling is a small town just north of Worcester in Central Mass. It’s home to great ice cream, Mary from the iconic nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and more Apple trees than people it’s a wonderful place to spend a day. I grew up in Sterling and while it’s not the Central Mass town I reside in now, it will always be home.
While Sterling is well known for Davis Farmland, a favorite for so many families, I have gathered some other great places to check out while you spend a day in Sterling:
Morning
What better start to the day than at Emma’s Cafe? The smoothies are homemade and the corn beef hash is to die for. There are also Cafe Fresh Bagels if you’re in the mood for something quicker. All of their bagels are delicious but their breakfast sandwiches are my favorite.
Next, head up the hill to Maplebrook Farm to get local eggs, raw milk, honey, meat, ice cream, cheese, and fresh flowers. Say hi to the baby goats and calves, and if you’re lucky get a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. Hannah, the owner of Maplebrook Farm, offers goat hikes! They tend to fill up so check out her website if you’re interested!
Then head to Oh My Gosh! Antiques where you can easily get lost in the huge converted mill turned antique shop. This is a great place to mosey for hours. Not ideal for little hands but if you’re able to carve out some time for yourself this is the perfect place to explore.
Next, you can walk along the Sterling Rail Trail. While dogs aren’t allowed because of the local water sources, it’s a beautiful place to run, bike, fish, or stroll.
Afternoon
For lunch, my favorite place is Meadowbrook Orchards. Here you can find sandwiches and baked goods, but don’t forget to get fresh apples while you’re there. Meadowbrook also has a highly sought-after ultimate frisbee course!
After lunch head over to Notown Goods. This a a great little boutique filled with seasonal items and newly added children’s sections.
Evening
Finally, end the day with a huge margarita and chips with guacamole at The Brick in the center of town.
Don’t forget to get ice cream at one of the many ice cream shops on your way out!
While Sterling may be small in population, it’s full of rolling hills, apple orchards, and some of the kindest people in Massachusetts. Let us know if you visit Sterling in the comments!
