Overview
The Brookfields are a collection of five small towns in Central Massachusetts: Brookfield, East Brookfield, North Brookfield, West Brookfield, and Warren.
2 sights · 8 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Brookfields
Kulina Folkart and Pied Potter Hamelin Redware
Pottery studio
GlassGirl Gallery
Passionate glass artist showcasing her work in quaint West Brookfield village. Available for purchase.
Brookfield Orchards
Pick your own apples, snack bar, and country store.
Honey Bee Orchards
Large orchard and farmstand
King's Berry Farm
Farm dedicated to sustainability and a diverse amount of crops that you can buy in its farm stand.
Breezeland Orchards
Pick your own apples and a large farmstand.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Nov. (climate data from nearby Wellesley)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ORH Worcester Regional Airport, Worcester — 11 mi away. Directions
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 37 mi away (major hub). Directions
The Brookfields are not well connected to any major highways, making them harder to get to than most destinations in Massachusetts. From east or west, you can use MA Route 9 to reach the area. From Boston to Worcester, Route 9 is a major highway, but west of Worcester it becomes a simple country road. From north or south you can use Route 67 and Route 148, both of which are also country roads. Coming from the east, you should take I-90 to the Sturbridge Exit and use Route 20 to get to Route 148 and head north into the Brookfields. Coming from the west, you should take I-90 to the Palmer Exit and take Route 20 east to Route 67 and head north.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Kulina Folkart and Pied Potter Hamelin Redware, Brookfield Orchards, King's Berry Farm
- Lunch 308 Lakeside
- Afternoon Warren Farm & Sugarhouse, Hayfield Farm
- Dinner Salem Cross Inn
- Evening Timberyard Brewing Company
Day 2
- Morning GlassGirl Gallery, Honey Bee Orchards, Breezeland Orchards
- Lunch Howard's Drive In
- Afternoon Ragged Hill Orchard, Rock House Reservation
- Evening Oakholm Brewing Company
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Understand
The Brookfields are a collection of 5 small towns in Central Massachusetts East, North, and West Brookfield were part of Brookfield as was most of Warren when the area was known as Quaboag Plantation. Brookfield was settled by Europeans in 1660, but most of the town was destroyed in 1675 during King Philip's war, causing it to lay abandoned for nearly 12 years afterward. The Knox Artillery Train passed through in 1776, bringing the cannons that helped end the siege of Boston. This is commemorated by a marker on Route 9. North Brookfield split off in 1812, West Brookfield in 1848, and East Brookfield in 1920. East Brookfield is the newest town in Massachusetts by date of incorporation.
Get in
By car
The Brookfields are not well connected to any major highways, making them harder to get to than most destinations in Massachusetts. From east or west, you can use MA Route 9 to reach the area. From Boston to Worcester, Route 9 is a major highway, but west of Worcester it becomes a simple country road. From north or south you can use Route 67 and Route 148, both of which are also country roads. Coming from the east, you should take I-90 to the Sturbridge Exit and use Route 20 to get to Route 148 and head north into the Brookfields. Coming from the west, you should take I-90 to the Palmer Exit and take Route 20 east to Route 67 and head north.
Get around
By car
The Brookfields are very spread out and rural. You will need a car to get around. Route 9 runs east-west through East Brookfield, Brookfield, and West Brookfield. From Brookfield, you can use Route 148 to get to North Brookfield. Route 67 will take you to Warren from West Brookfield. Depending upon where you are, there may be a back road that will get you to your next point of interest faster than any of these.
See
The Brookfields are all about subtle, natural scenery. There are a few small art galleries to see, but the primary sight to see is the rolling countryside, which provides a refreshing break from the densely populated rest of Southern New England. Driving along the main roads will provide plenty of scenery to take in, but for the best chance of taking in that classic rural New England vista, pick a back road to explore. Like the rest of New England, the Brookfields are stunning in the autumn and are one of the few places to take in a mostly undisturbed countryside without having to drive all the way to Vermont or northern New Hampshire.
See GlassGirl Gallery
Passionate glass artist showcasing her work in quaint West Brookfield village. Available for purchase.
Do
The Brookfields are a large agricultural region with lots of orchards and small farms. You can't visit many of the farms, but most of the orchards are open to visitors, especially during autumn. There are also hiking opportunities in the state forests and other protected land of the Brookfields.
Buy
The Brookfields are a refreshing break from the big-box dominated shopping centers found around the cities. Here, you will find a wide variety of antique stores, quaint country stores, finely crafted iron work, and a large used bookstore.
Shop The Purple Onion
Eat
Eat 308 Lakeside
Large waterfront bar and restaurant on the shore of Lake Lashaway.
Eat Salem Cross Inn
Historic restaurant in the bucolic western part of the region serving traditional New England fare. The Salem Cross Inn is in large part responsible for making the Brookfields a minor travel destination.
Eat Howard's Drive In
Popular roadside stand serving up burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream.
Drink
Nightlife is not really the point of the Brookfields. Go outside and look at the stars as you are far enough away from the light pollution of New England's cities. If you do need a drink, there are bars attached to most sit-down restaurants. 308 Lakeside in East Brookfield has a popular deck to sit on and enjoy a pitcher of beer while gazing at Lake Lashaway.
Drink Timberyard Brewing Company
Craft brewery with a large taproom and beer garden. Frequently hosts live music.
Drink Oakholm Brewing Company
Small micro-brewery located on a 116 acre farm.
Sleep
There are no chain hotels in the Brookfields and very few lodging options of any kind. There are a few family run inns and motels in the area and camping is an option. The Salem Cross Inn is the most famous landmark in the region and better known as a restaurant, but true to its name, it is also an inn.
Stay Brookfield Inn
The inn that George Washington almost slept in. Legend has it that while passing through town as President on a tour of New England, George Washington tried to stay at the Brookfield Inn, founded in 1768, and was turned away by the innkeeper's wife because she wasn't feeling well. It is now a quaint bed & breakfast.
Go next
Worcester is a short drive to the east while the Pioneer Valley begins just west of the Brookfields.
Nearby
Spencer
City / town · 30 listings · 5 mi away
Sturbridge
City / town · 50 listings · 9 mi away
Charlton
City / town · 29 listings · 9 mi away
Brimfield
City / town · 5 listings · 10 mi away
Quabbin
Rural area · 18 listings · 11 mi away
Southbridge
City / town · 8 listings · 12 mi away
Worcester Hills
Rural area · 19 listings · 12 mi away
Holland
City / town · 3 listings · 13 mi away
My experience
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