Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Millbury, MA

Near the head of the Blackstone River Valley, this town was first settled by Europeans in the 18th century.

The contemporary narrative of Millbury truly begins a century later with the Industrial Revolution. During this period, a multitude of textile mills appeared along the Blackstone River and its tributaries, complemented by a gun trade overseen by Asa Waters (1769-1841).

Waters’ grand Federal mansion, completed in 1832, is now owned by the town and serves as a venue for numerous events throughout the year.

Nearby, Millbury Center is home to independent dining establishments, while the upscale Shoppes at Blackstone Valley is the largest outdoor shopping center in this region of the state.

1. Asa Waters Mansion

Millbury’s esteemed landmark is this opulent Federal mansion, constructed for industrialist Asa Waters and his wife, Susan Homan Waters.

The architect was Asher Benjamin (1773-1845), whose career bridged the gap between Federal and Greek Revival architecture in New England.

The Asa Waters Mansion stands three stories high, topped with a low balustrade and adorned with splendid fluted columns extending two stories high, enhanced by composite capitals.

As the home of the local historical society, this property is suitable for cultural events such as fairs, recitals, and seminars, and can also be reserved for private events like weddings.

During the summer, the mansion hosts an annual concert series on Wednesdays and Thursdays. For an interior tour, visitors may contact the Millbury Historical Society for guided access.

2. Purgatory Chasm State Reservation

Just minutes from Millbury lies a significant cleft in the granite bedrock, reaching depths of up to 70 feet and spanning a quarter of a mile in length.

Purgatory Chasm has been designated as a state park for over a century, providing a thrilling adventure to explore.

Designated trails guide visitors to unusual rock formations, caves, and ledges, and, when conditions permit, you can spend an exciting hour or two navigating the canyon floor.

Certain rock formations have traditional names like The Corn Crib, The Coffin, and Lovers’ Leap, and after identifying these landmarks, visitors can relax at the shaded picnic area, framed by large granite slabs.

3. Millbury Center

At the junction of Main Street and Elm Street, the historic center of Millbury is distinguished by its diverse dining options.

Within a compact area, visitors can enjoy a variety of cuisines including Greek (Mykonos Cafe & Bakery), upscale Italian (Calabria), Barbecue (The Coop Wings & BBQ), Chinese (Pearl Cafe II), Thai (Kai Mook), pizza, and more.

Additionally, this list will highlight the cherished Elm Draught House Cinema and Penny Pinchers Brewing Co later. For those interested in history, the 19th-century commercial architecture includes the Romanesque Revival Cunningham Block from 1896, located at 97 Elm Street.

Millbury’s most well-preserved mill village is also situated just a mile from downtown, in Bramanville, where you can observe the stately Lapham Woolen Mill, established in 1879.

4. Elm Draught House Cinema

If you prefer your cinemas to feature unique character, you will appreciate this second-run theater located in Millbury Center.

The Elm Draught House Cinema is a single-screen venue, with every third seat removed to create a table for food and beverages. The specialty is personal pizza, complemented by a selection of beers on tap and wines.

The interior walls are adorned with distinctive movie memorabilia, while the film screenings include recent releases. Be sure to consult the schedule for special events, weekly features, comedy shows, and live broadcasts of New England Patriots’ games.

5. The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley

Located near the intersection of the Massachusetts Turnpike and Route 146, Millbury features the largest outdoor shopping center in Central Massachusetts.

The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley comprises big box establishments like Michaels and PetSmart on one side, and mall-style retailers on the other.

As of this writing, several notable chains include Barnes & Noble, LOFT, Sephora, a Banana Republic Factory Store, Old Navy, Athleta, L.L. Bean, and Yankee Candle.

For dining options, choices include Red Robin, QDOBA, and UNO Pizzeria & Grill. Additionally, there is a 14-screen Showcase Cinema de Lux that we will discuss further below.

6. Blackstone River Bikeway

A 48-mile bikeway is currently in development along the historic route of the Blackstone Canal between Worcester and Providence. At the time of publication, this track has been divided into several sections, one of which extends from Worcester to Millbury.

This segment is 2.5 miles long, starting from 205 N Main Street near The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley and leading to the Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center in Worcester.

Three parking facilities are available along the route, and while you will feel close to urban amenities, there are many picturesque stretches along the riverfront and meadows, offering ample opportunities for observing nature.

7. Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary

Not far north of Millbury Center lies the largest urban wildlife sanctuary in New England.

Covering over 430 acres, Broad Meadow Brook is co-managed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, featuring interpretive trails that navigate through open fields, mature woods, marshes, and streams.

There are five miles of trails total, with one, the Sensory Trail, designed for accessibility. This mile-long round trip features a rope and post guide system, along with 14 interpretive stations, also available as an audio tour or in braille.

In the summer, the sanctuary’s butterfly garden is spectacular, displaying vibrant colors from its diverse blooms, supported by around 80 butterfly species.

A delightful nature play area is provided for children, along with a universally accessible Nature Center that hosts exhibitions and a variety of year-round programs.

8. Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center at Worcester

At the beginning of the bikeway in Worcester, there exists a visitor center for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.

Situated at the headwaters of the Blackstone River, visitors can learn about the canal that developed in the early decades of the 19th century alongside the concurrent textile manufacturing boom that marked the heart of the American Industrial Revolution.

Interactive displays illustrate how a once-quaint county seat transformed into a vibrant center for commerce and industry, and the park rangers are available to provide insights into the valley’s history and ecology.

The center is located in a striking urban park, enhanced with art inspired by industrial themes and marked with interpretive signage.

9. Penny Pinchers Brewing Co

Another one of the remarkable locally-owned businesses in downtown Millbury is a nano-brewery known for its creative innovations.

Penny Pinchers Brewing Co employs traditional brewing recipes for all its beers, ranging from hoppy IPAs to robust Porters, but each creation is infused with its unique character.

This results in offerings like the Yard Sale series, which features ales infused with ingredients like craisin or sweet potato.

Operating on a modest scale, the brewery frequently introduces new beer lines, providing patrons with fresh experiences during every visit.

Trivia nights occur on Thursdays, and patrons are encouraged to bring takeout from Millbury’s diverse culinary landscape.

10. Singletary Pond

An exquisite view can be experienced from the northern shore of this 346-acre great pond. Singletary Pond is located along the Millbury/Sutton town line, surrounded by extensive wooded shores dotted with over 160 private lakefront homes.

While the majority of the shoreline is privately owned, the pond is valued as a recreational site thanks to the free public boat ramp situated on the Millbury side to the north.

This ramp has recently been equipped with a new dock, and the lake is a favored location for trout and bass fishing. On the southeastern shoreline, Sutton’s Marion’s Camp offers a lovely recreational area with a beach, accessible to both residents and non-residents from late June to late August.

11. Blackstone Valley 14 Cinema de Lux

In line with the upscale ambiance at The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, the multiplex theater located here is a premium Showcase Cinema de Lux.

This venue also features a full-service restaurant and cocktail lounge, accommodating those who wish to dine in before or after their movie or get something to take away.

For an extraordinary movie experience, be sure to catch a show at the Showcase XPlus Laser large-format auditorium, which boasts state-of-the-art screen and digital projection technology, complemented by immersive sound.

All auditoriums provide comfortable, fully reclining seats, available for a small additional fee.

12. Rocco’s Doughnut Company

In the Worcester region, you will find a celebrated mini chain of doughnut bakeries that produces large yet reasonably priced doughnuts by hand using traditional methods.

Rocco’s Doughnut Company, albeit a relatively new endeavor, is steeped in a rich history of doughnut-making. The establishment is named after Rocco Astrella, who appears in the logo, and who owned one of the first Dunkin’ Donuts franchises in the 1950s.

A multigenerational business, Rocco’s Doughnut Company is brought to life by Astrella’s son, Joe, paying homage to his father’s passion for the craft.

This location is renowned for perfecting classic selections like the Chocolate Glazed while also featuring innovative varieties such as Fruity Pebbles, Pina Colada, and Chocolate Raspberry Truffle.

13. Stowe Farm

This family-owned farm in West Millbury has a legacy spanning six generations. Over the years, Stowe Farm has transitioned from a dairy operation to an equestrian farm and orchard, now open to the public for various agritourism activities.

The fall season is particularly popular, with opportunities to pick apples (available in nine varieties) and pumpkins.

Young visitors will enjoy the Kids Corral, which provides encounters with barnyard animals, pony rides, a cow train, and a monster-truck-themed playground. Adults can partake in live music, enjoy BBQ fare from a food truck, and browse the country store for delightful treats such as pies, apple cider donuts, and cider.

14. Vaillancourt Folk Art

Located in the historic Manchaug Mills in Sutton, this family-run business specializes in high-quality hand-painted chalkware ornaments.

For many, Vaillancourt Folk Art is synonymous with the Christmas season, transforming the store into a winter wonderland starting in early November.

Each year features a unique decoration theme, attracting thousands of families from the region. An annual tradition includes the limited-edition Starlight Santa, designed by co-founder Judi Vaillancourt.

The design varies each Christmas, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting child-oriented charities. The store includes a museum showcasing all past Starlight Santas, dating back to the company’s inception in the mid-1980s.

15. Woolie World

At the end of Washington Street, there exists a park best known for its accessible playground, known as Woolie World.

In the 2010s, Woolie World received a comprehensive renovation to improve its adherence to ADA standards.

This vibrant and engaging playground features interactive components, a wide network of ramps, and a diverse array of equipment designed to keep young visitors active and entertained for extended periods.

As of this writing, the playground has recently undergone another refurbishment, along with the neighboring little league field.